Issue with Proximity Sensor during calls

Having had the issue yesterday on 2 seperate calls, Ive did the restore set up as new phone. Pain in the ***. It only seemed to happen after I was on a call for awhile. I guess hitting the home button while on a call is a work around of sorts..

Any word from apple? Seens like something that could be a software fix.

I'm pleased I'm not alone. From day one I've had this cheek/face dialling "feature" and it's making the phone pretty much useless. Never had it on the 3G and 3GS. The suggestion of holding the phone away from the cheek doesn't work because you often, in noisy environments particularly, have to press it to your ear to hear comfortably.

75% of calls I either mute, hang up and put on hold. Have yet to conference friends or family in to inappropriate calls but I daresay that's coming.

Totally unacceptable.

< Edited by Host >

To all the people that "don't have this issue".....you do, you just haven't experienced it yet or the way in which you rest your phone on your shoulder isn't enough to cause the issue....

Issues with the proximity sensor being bad after upgrading from a 3g / 3gs to 4 being "resolved" by a restore but not from a backup is probably something else. The sensor itself (location/unit) or software driving the sensor is too sensitive and activates the screen when the phone is resting on on your shoulder while on a call.

If you haven't had this issue, posting that you haven't experienced it yet isn't really helping the thread.

You might not like it, but its my .02.

Message was edited by: timberga

I am seeing the same problem. iOS4 has so many bugs that make simple phone calls an absolute mess.

Can anyone test this as well..... I believe it is a software glitch because try it out....if you use an app like fring or skype....the proximity sensor works correctly and doesn't flicker on you, at least it hasn't for me yet..... does anyone experience the same? So it might be the settings for phone calls under the iphone 4 iOS4 .....

Having spoken to Apple Care yesterday about the proximity issue I was told it was a known HARDWARE fault which would not be repairable by a software patch.

They offered to courier a replacement on the spot (but put a £400 charge on my credit card until the courier returned my current IP4) or take it in to Apple Bluewater, Kent for an exchange so that's what I've arranged.

Hope that helps
Neil

hmm but like I said have you tried using an app like fring or skype? If it works correctly on apps but not on phone calls it definitely is a software glitch.

And calling the tech support at apple several times.....nobody has mentioned that to me yet....(Hardware)

Hi


I've not tried the other apps suggested but it seems they are well aware there is an issue. When I said will a software fix cover this he was adimant it wouldnt. Guess that could be his interpritation only (unless they know something and are not saying!)

Bottom line as with the other issues is if it's a problem, don't exchange it, return it for a refund and get something else.

If you someday play with the in-store phones and no longer have issues in how YOU use the phone, then you can think about buying one.

I'll never understand why so many are so happy to waste so much time complaining about the issues when you can just return the phone and get your money back.

This isn't a marriage, you're not going to hurt Steve's feelings if you do so.

That's not the issue...you can always go an buy a different phone and no phone is perfect..... I've had an iPhone ever since the first one that came out....so 4 years now...and personally I like it....I'm used to it....I don't want a change.... it got to be a habit. I'm happy with the overall product line of apple.....OK they like their secrets, they like to be quite until they do find the solution...and they always do...give them some time and they will.....and If not well then maybe it is a time for a change but until then I stand behind apple....but hey lets try to solve the problem and not be haters.....we all bought the product and wanted it....so lets try to find out whats wrong with it.....nobody is perfect ....every product is made by man so products will never end up being perfect either....

chotty1 wrote:
Follow-up report:
Oh, btw - the sensor is DIRECTLY above the front-facing camera. Stick your finger over it and see for yourself. So, if a firmware update can't change the sensitivity, we have a defective HW design that I'm begining to think there is no solution for.
Oy Vay.... I am done for the day.

Hi Chotty,

Sorry to demur, but the sensor is not where you suggest; I refer you to what I wrote earlier in this thread (below).

Regards,

Richard.



The detector appears to be an IR transceiver. It can be visualised using a digital camera or camcorder screen, as their detectors extend into the IR range. On my 3G (and on 3GSs I surmise) it is slightly above and a few millimetres to the left of the ear-slot. On the iPhone 4 it is just above the ear-slot and very slightly to the left of centre. I'd post a picture of it if I knew how to 🙂

Hope that helps.

I had a problem with my proximity sensor, but found out it was my old 3GS case that caused the problem. Looks like it's working fine at the moment. The US forum has lots of problems with the sensor.

It happens with Skype too so it appears widespread.

I use Skype frequently on the iPhone when I don't have a headset with me for my desktop. I've made several calls the last few weeks and my face chooses to Hang Up.

At this point I'm curious to know if anyone has exchanged an iPhone and got one that doesn't have this issue – with absolute certainty and with a few days testing.

I'll assume NO unless someone says otherwise.

Thanks.

I have the same issues with the proximity sensor properly detecting when its at my ear. It blinks and I end up hitting button's with my face or disconnecting calls.