Issue with Proximity Sensor during calls

paul305 wrote:
To reproduce the problem I had to call another phone and wait for about 10-11 minutes. After this amount of time I could move the phone off my ear about .5 inches until the screen activates. Then slowly move it back to my ear until it touches and now the screen stays on. Now just the slightest movement off the ear and the screen activates.

Mind you none of this would happen in the first 10min of the call.

I think you've hit on a very critical part of this issue. I wrote about this problem on my site the other day and have been tracking the problem in this thread and others since I started having the problem.

I've been doing extended tests, and I agree with you that this issue seems to be a bigger problem a few minutes into a call. The proximity sensor seems to work fine for the first 5 minutes or so, but after that, every few minutes it will stop behaving for a bit. Typical tests for me went as such:

0-5 minutes: all good
5-10 minutes: screen on and off randomly, sometimes flickering, sometimes stayed on for a while
11-15 minutes: all good
20-25 minutes: proximity issues again

It almost seems as though every 5-10 minutes, something goes haywire. This might also explain why users who are getting replacements think the problem is solved with limited testing in the store, but then find the issue cropping back up when they get home. This may also by why more people haven't had the problem--they're not talking for long enough for it to be an issue.

Although it seems somewhat pointless, I have a Genius appointment tomorrow to have the phone replaced. I am having many other issues with my phone anyway (trouble connecting to 3G, Bluetooth issues, call failures), but I will report back after the replacement is made. I definitely plan to make a 10+ minute test call while in the store.

Message was edited by: Garrett Murray

To add to the chorus, I'm having this problem as well. I spoke to Apple support twice and they didn't have any insight. I'm going to hope the 4.01 next week will fix. Don't want to try reset settings as it isn't a sure fix.

Well and I hope if they do come up with 4.0.1 it can be fixed through a software I hope its not a hardware problem

Yes. Please let us know how it goes at the store. I replaced mine last night. It's *slightly better but still has the issue. They did have black bumpers so I bought one. Didn't really have the antenna issue on either iP4 though... but you are right. It's after the 5 minute mark where it goes haywire. Haven't had much time to do an extended test. Also, turing off Face Time does not help!

Yes the random on/off screen describes it perfectly. I think I'll wait for an official announcement or software fix before trying the Apple Store.

If it truly is a hardware problem I have no way of knowing which batch of phones are bad. It's like a crap shoot getting a bug free phone. Maybe if I wait a few weeks they'll have finally fixed the issue. Don't see the point in swapping phone after phone.

Count me in too. I'm on my second iphone 4. This is so frustrating.
I've tried all the supposed fixes, none of them worked on either iPhone 4. Update soon or I am returning the 4 and going back to 3GS.

Well i could be wrong too but according to my observation here is what i feel its not really has anything to do with the duration of the phone call i think what it is is The sensor seems like is not enough sensitive once you move it up or down your ear it makes the screen goes on and off like say if the sensor is like on top of your ear canal sometime it will miss it and think the phone is off the face and will put the screen back on So i hope there is a way for apple to really put the sensor sensitivity a little more up I hope there is a way to control that via software for apple.

Apple make a statement now. Proximity sensor IS FRUSTRATING.

Same issue here. Going to open a case with Apple Support right away, this has rendered the phone... well... an expensive iPod touch!

iphone4_925 wrote:
Well just would like to share with you guys that I just got a replacement Phone today from apple Store and yes even the new phone is doing this So Now it makes me wonder is it the designing of this phone or the IOS4 software I know on Iphone3GS there were two proximity sensors I am not sure about this phone anyhow I hope this is fixable through a software update I have my fingers crossed i would really hate to give this phone away but if this proximity issue is not resolved I will have too I hope apple fix this soon and yes I have tried resting phone and setting it up as new It DIDN'T HELP at all. Please Apple Fix this Please 😟

Hi, iPhone4_925,

Actually there was is only one proximity sensor on the iPhone 3GS (about where the front-facing camera is on the iP4). The second sensor you may be thinking of is the ambient light sensor.

Regards,

R.

Hi i was thinking there was 2 proximity sensor on 3GS


Source

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/iphone-3gs-third-sensor-revealed- as-second-proximity-sensor/

iphone4_925 wrote:
Hi i was thinking there was 2 proximity sensor on 3GS


Source

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/iphone-3gs-third-sensor-revealed- as-second-proximity-sensor/

Hi,

I stand corrected, but I'm surprised as I can only see one IR source on my iPhone 3G, which works well btw. I wonder why it's invisible - could Ilounge be incorrect I wonder? Again, I can only see one IR source flashing on my iP4. (unless they're considering the IR detector as separate from the IR source??).

Anyway, I think this could be a bit of a red-herring. The issue seems due to the new position coupled with the fact the the new sensor actuates when much closer than on previous phones (the latter gives me some hope that it maybe amenable to a software fix/kludge).

R.

Yea what ever it is I Hope that a software can fix this cause i like the IP4 and i really don't want to go back with my 3GS only thing is this screen is just way too much to handle like this I been hanging up calls and doing facetime or what not and now I have started doing one thing it might sound funny but this is the only way till apple resolves this I hit home button once i start the phone call and then i open a random PHOTO and then after that just talk now even if we hit the screen at least we wont be hanging up on them or putting em on speaker or mute or what not 😟 But yea man I hope they do come up with a fix via software 😟 There has to be a way to put that Sensitivity up for the proximity sensor

Hi, I'm French and I have the same problem that you....

I hope a new version of iOs will happen very very soon and I hope it will correct the problem!!!!

I'm also having a mute and number pressing problem. I'm trying to say something and the other party won't stop talking...Then I check the screen and it's muted. It NEVER happened on my 3GS.
I'll tell you something though..even though there are a couple of little bugs (Which I'm sure will be fixed in the near future with some software updates) I am really enjoying the iPhone4. It looks great, the camera takes great pictures. I've already used iMovie a couple of times. I guess we just need to be patient!