Issue with Proximity Sensor during calls

I have to agree with returning the phone. I know some people here are assured that Apple will 'make it right' but do I really want to leave all my money riding on that chance? I'm not a big gambling man. It seems like a no brainer to return the phone and get my money back. IF Apple fixes it then I'll get one later... the revised model. No risk to that option and less frustration. If I keep it past the 30 day return window and Apple doesn't fix this (and no one here can tell me for sure they will, it may by a hardware issue and Apple is not going to recall and rebuild 2 million iPhones) then I will move elsewhere and have not lost any money. Seems like a complete no brainer to me.

Does anyone think that the white iphone 4 with the holes above a ear piece will have any affect on the light sensor or any of these problems

51Cards wrote:
I have to agree with returning the phone. I know some people here are assured that Apple will 'make it right' but do I really want to leave all my money riding on that chance? I'm not a big gambling man. It seems like a no brainer to return the phone and get my money back. IF Apple fixes it then I'll get one later... the revised model. No risk to that option and less frustration. If I keep it past the 30 day return window and Apple doesn't fix this (and no one here can tell me for sure they will, it may by a hardware issue and Apple is not going to recall and rebuild 2 million iPhones) then I will move elsewhere and have not lost any money. Seems like a complete no brainer to me.

I completely agree. Apple's silence on the issue--while no doubt a calculated move by them--does nothing to boost my confidence that they will resolve the proximity sensor problems to my satisfaction before my return window closes. They are as aware of the 30-day return policy as we are; and as consumers themselves, they should expect nothing other than that we would return the phone if a fix is not announced and in the pipeline within the return period. The folks at Apple would likely do the same thing if they were in our shoes regarding any other consumer product made by someone else.

Another point to consider -- is this the first time Apple has waived the restocking fee for one of their products? If so, I'd say even Apple smells a "lemon."

I do not think so. There is not enough pictorial evidence to prove that it is truly a change.

So, I was about to order the 'iPhone 4'...but reading through this thread...What am I supposed to do ? I'm guessing I should just wait till Apple comes in the clear about all this...right ?

Good idea. I ordered mine June 16th, it wasn't suppose to ship until July 14. I was on the verge of canceling my order, but apple shipped it 2 weeks early. I have the reception and proximity sensor problems.

This is my observation on the proximity sensor issue. My phone does not have any proximity sensor issues. But today while talking on the phone my screen did come back up due to new WIFI network available. I am assuming that even push notifications might be causing this problem. As the phone wakes up when push notification is sent. Apple could probably fix this issue by disabling push notifications when the phone connection is active.

I have and always keep all push notifications turned off on my phone. This has not been a variable on my Iphone 4.

Actually, it's a relief to me when I get a push notification because I know that the push notification will keep my cheek from pushing speaker, conference, mute, or end since the push notification sits on top of everything else and nothing else can be pressed until the push notification is dismissed.

I'm having the same issue as everyone else, and it's really annoying. I paid $300 for something I can't enjoy. I feel used!!!! I'm really ready to just get my money back and go back to my 3G. I hope they will fix this issue in the OS 4.1 update.

I am having the same proximity sensor problems with the iPhone 4 that many others are having. Apple is going to replace the phone at a store tomorrow and I will not leave before I get a phone with a working sensor.
However, there is another related issue. My old 3G phone running the 3.x operating system allowed you to inactivate the screen AND continue the phone call by pressing the on/off bottom at the top of the phone. The new OS4 locks the screen AND ends the phone call. A friend of mine with a 3GS phone running OS4 has experienced the same issue. Therefore, the change is OS4 software related and a relatively easy fix. In fact, it is a quick fix for the proximity sensor issue as well.

How interesting would it be if I went into an Apple Store to swap out a phone due to the proximity sensor issue and a day or two later sent my neighbor in with his due to the same problem. I wonder, if we both dealt with the same genius, if my neighbor would be told by the genius that he hadn't heard of the proximity sensor problem before?

Man, if someone could get that on video (preferably shooting with an iPhone 4), that would be very interesting!

I would like to add to my previous observations. I find it interesting that the previous Iphones have about a 2 inch proximity detection range and two proximity sensors. In the Iphone 4 Apple removed one of the proximity sensors. It appears that it would be OK to have a single proximity sensor in the Iphone 4 if they had left the detection at 2 inches.

Apple has removed one of the proximity sensors in the Iphone 4 and reduced the effective detection range. In fact, they have made it a variable. The range starts at two inches (or slightly less) at the start of the call and then is reduced.

So does it make design sense to remove one of the proximity sensors and then reduce the detection range? I do not think so..... You do not remove the electronics and then decrease the sensitivity. It does not make sense to me.

They should not be surprised about this issue. They should increase the detection senitivity back to around 2 inches and keep it defaulted that way during the entire cell call (just like the previous Iphones do). I think that they could fix this with a firmware update if they will. I may be wrong.

Just got back from the apple store in salt lake city,
after waiting an hour for my "genius" appointment, the guy came out with yet another phone, number 4 for me, we tried it together in the store calling 611 and bang the Genius actually saw the screen come on when I moved the phone away from my ear maybe a .25 inch. He couldn't believe it.
So he went back and then brought out yet another phone to test, at this point I was about ready to drop, standing on my feet for 90 minutes we tested the phone again, well at least it didn't turn on when I called 611 again, at that point i said f**K it, I can't take it, I said I will take this phone home and try it for 2 weeks before the 30 days is up and see how it goes.

Keeping my fingers crossed yet I have very little faith.

I wonder if I go in and talk to the same guy, he'll say he never saw that problem again.
I'm having the same problems, in SLC.