Issue with Proximity Sensor during calls

I am experiencing the same issue with many people here on the forum. My question to Apple and some experts here is that would the Proximity Sensor able to be fixed with software update- recalculate and extending the range on when to trigger the sensor? Or we are pretty much stuck with that sensor, until new iPhone release next couple years? Thank you.

PeterLiu wrote:
I am experiencing the same issue with many people here on the forum. My question to Apple and some experts here is that would the Proximity Sensor able to be fixed with software update- recalculate and extending the range on when to trigger the sensor? Or we are pretty much stuck with that sensor, until new iPhone release next couple years? Thank you.

I am neither an expert nor associated with apple but I am pretty sure software fix should be able to correct this pretty easily.

Edmund Pirali wrote:

I am neither an expert nor associated with apple but I am pretty sure software fix should be able to correct this pretty easily.

I doubt that a software will fix this problem cause if that was TRUE Apple would have address the problem by now and there silence is telling me that this is also a Hardware related problem

I would have to tend to agree with iphone4. I originally thought it would be a software or firmware issue, but the more time that passes where Apple is silent on the issue makes me think it is a hardware related problem.

The reason that I say this is because with all the software and operating system engineering knowledge and talent that Apple has, I have seen substantially less talented regular "phone" manufacturers come out with a firmware or software update for a critical flaw like this much more quickly.

I mean seriously... this is not just any old product down the line someplace. This is the company flagship product. No official comment? Must be some real problem here with this.

I still have my iPhone 4. I just reactivated my 3GS in the meantime - (I needed to make some actual phone calls)

If there is no fix a day or so before my return cutoff window, I will be returning it at the Apple store that I bought it from and canceling my contract 2 year extension.

If they fix it I will go back to the 4 and keep it but it seems with all the reports today and everything that people are going to start digging and realize that this is a much bigger problem than what it seems on the surface. I have a feeling this forum is just the tip of the iceberg.

Everybody that has this problem is not going to know to look or post here. I feel that's why everyday we have new people signing on looking for a fix feeling better that at least they weren't the only ones.

iphone4_925 wrote:

Edmund Pirali wrote:

I am neither an expert nor associated with apple but I am pretty sure software fix should be able to correct this pretty easily.

I doubt that a software will fix this problem cause if that was TRUE Apple would have address the problem by now and there silence is telling me that this is also a Hardware related problem

Yup.

At first Apple's silence was annoying... but now it's ominous.

Funny, because I just read this great PowerPoint Presentation on Tech Crunch outlining how Apple has done so phenomenally well in the past decade:

http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/09/how-apple-dominates-slides/

But toward the end, they spell out what could "bring Apple crashing down", and the biggest threat was a MAJOR PRODUCT RECALL.

Quite prescient.

I am having the same problem and am going to return my phone tomorrow and go back to my 3G. Question, how can I reactivate my 3G with OS 3 software? Any ideas?

I just wanted to add to the thread that my iPhone 4 as well as my wife's are experiencing the same issue. Any official announcement yet? It is a very annoying issue.

Edmund Pirali wrote:

PeterLiu wrote:
I am experiencing the same issue with many people here on the forum. My question to Apple and some experts here is that would the Proximity Sensor able to be fixed with software update- recalculate and extending the range on when to trigger the sensor? Or we are pretty much stuck with that sensor, until new iPhone release next couple years? Thank you.

I am neither an expert nor associated with apple but I am pretty sure software fix should be able to correct this pretty easily.

Id tend to agree with you....and am willing to go through some issues...thats the risk we take for being early adopters....my problem is say its a software issue ....then I know it will be fixed as all the software related issues that have come up in the past have....
I have only a few days to return and get a refund...
Becuase Ive heard that some people are having some exchange issues ( besides the fact that the exchanged until is still having the sensor issue)

Message was edited by: Jesse Diaz

Cell Phone Repairs UPDATE as promised

Ok, just left the Apple store and they did acknowledge the problem and they gave me 2 new 32gb iPhones. Tested inside the Apple store and I had the same problems as soon as I made a call. I was told at the apple store that all of them are doing that. Now this seems funny because the apple techs at the 800 number are telling me the newer ones have been fixed and the issue was resolved. The tech at the Apple store is telling me that it will be addressed in a future update. This is not a acceptable answer. I can't hold a 5 minute call with anyone and they are taking there sweet time on a update. Now what are my options? Not sure if I can get a refund now or not. I should be able to as I am still within the 30 day window and none of the phones have worked right. I will have to schedule another appointment to do that. This is such crap. I am starting to believe this is a hardware problem also just because if it was something simple in the software they would of already released a update to hush all the negative publicity. What to do?

I called Apple yesterday and they told me the phone had to be returned at an AT&T store (even though I ordered from Apple). They called it a buyers remorse return.

I was having the exact same issue with the proximity sensor on my iphone 4. It was driving me crazy. After a call, it seemed that the phone was frozen with screen black, for a couple of minutes and/or dropping the call. You won't believe this!!!! The old iphone case I was using was blocking the sensor so that when I pulled the phone away from my face after a call the sensor did not release the screen back to me. As soon as we removed the phone from the case it work perfectly every time. The proximity sensor is actually just above the ear speaker on the right side. Also, the dropped calls I experienced were only happening when the phone was in "E" (EDGE) network instead of 3G. When it's in 3G, no calls have been dropped in my area. You do have to manually switch it back to 3G if it loses that network. Maybe this will help a few of you. So far, this is a fix for me.

As I haven't read this entire thread, I apologize in advance for any retreading of ideas, but...

Did anyone that ordered from Apple receive activation instructions by e-mail or with their shipment? I did not. The reason why I bring this up is because I found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqX2x0c8Ms8

which tells existing AT&T customers to +clear their voicemails+. Yeah, I didn't do that. The reason why I bring this up is because I bit the bullet and went ahead and reset my Network Settings. I just thought that this would reset my wifi connection info, but I guess it reset everything because I saw that my visual voicemail was gone, and I had to set that up all over again. Could this be the issue?!?! I just did the reset, and haven't made any calls. I think there were some people who said they weren't existing customers or that they just set up as a new phone, but I just thought I'd throw that out there.

Now, I'm also peeved that I didn't receive any of these activation instructions! Why would they tell us to clear all of our voicemails first?

I thought this was the problem I was having since I was using and old case with the phone. Worked maybe once. But still have the same problem out of the case.

I am really tired of Apple employees saying different things. Some won't acknowledge it, others say software fix coming, and that guy says newer phones shipped fixed. I cannot believe a word any of them say. That just tells me none of them know and will say anything to get away from you.

Once again, Apple, a simple acknowledgement and pledge to address the issue is all you need to release. I want to keep this phone, and I want to tell friends and family that it's OK to buy this phone.

*EVERYBODY GO HERE AND PROVIDE APPLE FEEDBACK REGARDING YOUR ISSUES AND SEE WHAT KIND OF A RESPONSE YOU GET:*

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html