Issue with Proximity Sensor during calls

No kidding. The funny thing is that I live in some kind of magical AT&T bubble, so I don't have any reception problems. However, if I can't get the proximity sensor issue fixed I WILL RETURN IT!!!!

SuperSizeIt wrote:
Consumer reports study is a death blow for the iPhone 4. Looks like the party is over and no matter how good a spin the marketing is from Apple, actual studies shows that the iPhone is just not a good phone. It may be great for other stuff, but as a real phone, it fails miserably.

I've been having issues while I'm on a call, it randomly puts the person on hold or hangs up on them. It's extremely frustrating.

This is getting silly now. Almost 3 weeks from release and not even a peep out of Apple about this. Never thought I would think of Apple as just like any other old consumer electronics company. This is not like the "BMW or Mercedes" experience that Jobs said he wanted the company to be like. As we all wait for mention of a fix, I think the air is deflating this balloon quickly. This is ridiculous. This seems like a new and different company now. Is a fix even coming? Can anybody confirm it? I can't believe I waited 10 hours on line like a dummy.

vatkins1906 wrote:
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Influential product review magazine Consumer Reports said Monday it will not recommend Apple's new iPhone 4 to consumers because of reception problems.

"Consumer Reports' engineers have just completed testing the iPhone 4, and have confirmed that there there is a problem with its reception," the magazine said in a blog post on its website. "When your finger or hand touches a spot on the phone's lower left side -- an easy thing, especially for lefties -- the signal can significantly degrade enough to cause you to lose your connection altogether if you're in an area with a weak signal."

So I activated my phone today after receiving it on Friday and I was so scared of what to expect after reading the 100 pages of the proximity issues. I cannot figure it out, I have made over 3 hours of calls on it already today and having been paying close attention to the display coming on while talking, and guess what nada, nothing it works flawlessly. Am I blessed? Who knows I will keep ya all posted.

CraWlSpACe wrote:
So I activated my phone today after receiving it on Friday and I was so scared of what to expect after reading the 100 pages of the proximity issues. I cannot figure it out, I have made over 3 hours of calls on it already today and having been paying close attention to the display coming on while talking, and guess what nada, nothing it works flawlessly. Am I blessed? Who knows I will keep ya all posted.

Its interesting, I have only had this happen to me a few times. I think it may really have to do with how you hold the phone, and as someone else pointed out heat and/or sun may have an role to play. The couple of times I have had this happen to me I was in direct sunlight, so either the light or the heat on my face may have been a trigger.

Not to be sarcastic, but if you don't have the problem then what brought you to this page? Since Apple is not saying anything about the matter and we know they are reading the forums, I tend to look at every "I am not having the problem" comment kind of suspiciously. Like I said, not trying to be sarcastic. Just wondering...

CraWlSpACe wrote:
So I activated my phone today after receiving it on Friday and I was so scared of what to expect after reading the 100 pages of the proximity issues. I cannot figure it out, I have made over 3 hours of calls on it already today and having been paying close attention to the display coming on while talking, and guess what nada, nothing it works flawlessly. Am I blessed? Who knows I will keep ya all posted.

Just wait. You will most likely soon experience this maddening design flaw.

First let me say thank you for not posting some kind of snide comment on how we are all "holding it wrong" or making it up. Honestly I am happy for you and I hope that your phone continues to work well. I wish that for everyone on here.

A couple things to try:
1) try making a phone call by placing the phone between your shoulder (no hands). I know this isn't the normal way to hold the phone, but everyone does it at one time or another.
2) try moving the phone in small increments away from your face and then back
3) with the phone pressed firmly against your face and slide the proximity sensor (right above the ear hole) around your ear until it shoots directly into the ear canal.

These are the three easiest ways to duplicate it on my phone. If none of these do the trick then maybe you are blessed and that is good news! One last test, look up a post from TrentP on this thread. He has a whole procedure to test it. Most of us are only getting .75" to 1" sensor readings. We would love to hear that yours is staying at 2".

Thanks!

CraWlSpACe wrote:
So I activated my phone today after receiving it on Friday and I was so scared of what to expect after reading the 100 pages of the proximity issues. I cannot figure it out, I have made over 3 hours of calls on it already today and having been paying close attention to the display coming on while talking, and guess what nada, nothing it works flawlessly. Am I blessed? Who knows I will keep ya all posted.

good to have you back iPhoneFanSince2G....I knew you couldn't stay away : )

iPhoneFanSince2G wrote:
Not to be sarcastic, but if you don't have the problem then what brought you to this page? Since Apple is not saying anything about the matter and we know they are reading the forums, I tend to look at every "I am not having the problem" comment kind of suspiciously. Like I said, not trying to be sarcastic. Just wondering...

CraWlSpACe wrote:
So I activated my phone today after receiving it on Friday and I was so scared of what to expect after reading the 100 pages of the proximity issues. I cannot figure it out, I have made over 3 hours of calls on it already today and having been paying close attention to the display coming on while talking, and guess what nada, nothing it works flawlessly. Am I blessed? Who knows I will keep ya all posted.

Ok, get this. Went to the Crapple store today to get my 3rd phone. I was greeted by the guy that puts you down as present for your appointment. I was on phone with my wife and showed him what it was doing, since the screen was going on and off like crazy. When it was time for my appointment the guy told me to replicate the problem. I told him that I showed the other guy already and the other guy agreed. He still insisted that I show him. I then asked the guy if Crapple has done anything to fix the issue. He asked "What issue?" I said " The proximity sensor issue." He said "I haven't heard of any problems with the sensor." I was in awe and told him about the 160,000 views and over 100 pages on their website. Anyway, I replicate the problem and he say "You're moving it away from your ear." I had the phone pressed against my ear and kept showing him. Another customer was watching and started laughing because I had the phone almost shoved into my brain! He gets me another phone. It does the same thing immediatley. Showed him and he said I can set you up another appointment for 6:30, 3 hours later. I caused a fuss and another guy took me to the side and very quietly told me someone would be right out to help me. Lady came out. I showed her problem. She gave me another phone. #4. It did the same thing. I asked her to be honest with me and asked her if they were told to tell people that they have not had the issue before. She said it depends on if the person has done their research on the problem. So they are telling everyone that there is no problem unless they are aware of the magnitude of it already. The then opened up and told me it is a huge problem and that her friend is having it on her phone also. Got phone number 5. SAME PROBLEM

That says alot about the companies integrity!! I will be returning my phone for good.

Thanks Brianiamal for this post. This is very similar to the conversation I finally had with a senior advisor on the phone. "oh no we've never seen that before"....45 minutes later he tells me he is also having the problem and that I am his second call that day.

WHAT A JOKE!!!! I love the new display but I'm taking it back.

brianiamal wrote:
I asked her to be honest with me and asked her if they were told to tell people that they have not had the issue before. She said it depends on if the person has done their research on the problem. So they are telling everyone that there is no problem unless they are aware of the magnitude of it already. The then opened up and told me it is a huge problem and that her friend is having it on her phone also. Got phone number 5. SAME PROBLEM

That says alot about the companies integrity!! I will be returning my phone for good.

Wow - it's the customer service stance on this that is shocking me the most.

I do experience the same problem.

Earlier today I started a thread asking people to comment on what they would like to see on the first firmware and software update - and this issue was the one I said I would like to see addressed. Apple pulled my post and the thread of 1200+ views as "speculative" under the Unsolicited Idea Submission Policy.

Where's the understanding of wanting to be heard on an issue?

This issue has been driven me more crazy for almost a month now! With only 2 days left in my return period I broke down today and went to the Apple store for an exchange. I know I just blew any chance I ever had at getting a refund by accepting a replacement phone but... What the heck, the bottom-line is wether it's 28 days or 364 Apples owes me a working "phone" so I decided mentally to keep getting exchanges until I get a "good one" ...I haven't made any calls yet on my replacement phone but I'm about to make about an hour phone call, to witch I'm used to proximity sensors out the whazoo. I know how frustrated you all are because I feel the same way. ...I tried all the "tricks" and was always left more annoyed then I was before the latest "fix" ...if every phone is affected but not everyone has the issue then I'm beginning to think it's my ear (I have two sub-woofers) combined with the less sensitive sensor. ...I'll check back in an hour or two and let ya know how my phone call went. ...if all goes well then I'll be the first to stand up and switch sides... maybe there are "good" phones out there ...or I'll be flipping-out again

Message was edited by: ImShocked2

I have the same problem; I'm speaking to my employer in Australia hangs up and dials an employee we fired that I hadn't removed from my contacts without my knowing until it was ringing.
VERY annoying.

I'm having the same proximity issues. Tried reset all and hard reset to no avail. Calling apple now... I'm hoping software update comes soon and fixes this or I'll have to return it.