4 new iphones ALL have antenna problem, Proximity sensor, etc...

I have 4 iphone 4s that I purchased - 3 of those lines were upgrades and one was a new line. I love the iphone, as does my entire family, but we have had dropped call problems for years. With the new iphone 4s, I can replicate the u-tube video 'death grip" sometimes on my phone but the other 3 in the family are perfect.

I have had dropped calls - just like my 3g - but overlook them because I like everything else about the phone.

As for the battery, I had middling battery life the first few days but all of our phones have appreciably better battery life after a few cycles/charges. Overall, with a case, I don't have the reception problem on my phone other than the typical dropped calls (probably 1 of 15 calls) I had with 3g. I blame that on ATT.

2Face wrote:
I have 4 iphone 4s that I purchased - 3 of those lines were upgrades and one was a new line. I love the iphone, as does my entire family, but we have had dropped call problems for years. With the new iphone 4s, I can replicate the u-tube video 'death grip" sometimes on my phone but the other 3 in the family are perfect.

I have had dropped calls - just like my 3g - but overlook them because I like everything else about the phone.

As for the battery, I had middling battery life the first few days but all of our phones have appreciably better battery life after a few cycles/charges. Overall, with a case, I don't have the reception problem on my phone other than the typical dropped calls (probably 1 of 15 calls) I had with 3g. I blame that on ATT.

2Face. I don't doubt you for a moment. But I'd love to see those videos of the working phones held in the 'said' grip for more than one minute with a data speed test on the screen. Should be easy to make the video with four iPhones in the house. Post it and then let's talk.

My iPhone 4 has these problems: Losing signal strength when in my hand to the point where it switches to edge and can no longer receive calls when using the data connection. Calls failing to connect and dropping mid conversation. I have also been muted and ended a call with my face because the proximity sensor has messed up. My GPS gives my location approximately half a mile from where it should be and the compass is off by about 30 degrees. I just want my perfectly working 3GS back.

Dan Slocum. Pessimist. One solid negative individual. This guy has posted in every negative forum there is on Apple. Crying, complaining, and agreeing with every negative post. And yelling at the people that are happy with theirs. Get a life dude. Seriously

As stated ad nauseum if you're in a weak signal area you will see those call and data issues if you hold the phone "that" way, I know, it's happened to me. And remember even if you're seeing 4 or 5 bars you can still be in a marginal signal area, that's what Apple is trying to tell you in that open letter. If you're in a high signal strength area holding the phone however you want won't interfere with calls or data, I've seen that also. Again with the addition of a case the phone holds onto a call better than my last 3 iphones in marginal areas. So for many of us this is the best iphone yet. If it isn't for you get rid of it and get something you're happy with. There are a lot of great Android phones on Verizon that should make you ecstatic.

Dan, with all due respect, take my word for it. I don't have time to video 4 phones and post it. I got a life dude!

For the record, not all phones have this issue. Mine has been great since day one. And, I work in an ATT trouble spot (NYC)

What would be really encouraging is to see an iPhone 4 without this problem. Then I would know that some day I'll be able to go back to the store and buy 3 iPhone 4s, again. I had to return the 3 I bought on release day because none of us at the house could hold a connection (like we could with the 3G phones and 3GS phones we had before).

So, if your phone doesn't have this issue, what would be nice is for you to post a video on YouTube. Find a spot where you have 2-3 bars (with the iPhone sitting alone on a table), then pick it up and hold it like Steve is holding his in this picture: http://iphonehold.tumblr.com/
Let me see the bars stay the same. Then I'll know that there's hope.

When the 3G phones first came out all the demo phones at my local Apple store were set to wifi because AT&T's 3G network was too weak in that area and wouldn't have performed properly for prospective buyers. At that time very few of the areas I frequented had a 3G signal strong enough for me to use. So I left my phone on Edge for about the first six months I had it. Then AT&T upgraded their network here in Baltimore several times which now gets me a 3G connection just about everywhere I go. But there are still areas where it is weak and as I said before you may still see 4 or 5 bars. In those areas all the iphones will have a deteriorating signal if you block that antenna with your hand. I believe this to be true of all phones. As before a combination of a network upgrade in your area and perhaps a software upgrade will improve this. Apparently with that open letter Apple put out about changing the bar display you will be more aware that you're in a weak signal area so maybe you'll be more careful about how you hold it.

This may not satisfy everyone but with the addition of a case I don't have to worry whether I'm in a weak signal area or not. This phone picks up and holds a connection far better than the last three versions. From all the detailed reviews from Consumer Reports, Anadtech and others this has been their experience as well. So it's not a matter of hope. If you want a 4 get it. It will work, there are thousands ( millions ? ) using them right now with few issues. Just understand that if you're in a marginal area without a case you will need to be aware of how you're holding it which I believe is true of any cell phone. If nothing else with the revised bar display you'll know where AT&T's network is deficient, maybe that will push them to make upgrades there.

"you will need to be aware of how you're holding it which I believe is true of any cell phone"

With all due respect, it is NOT true of any cell phone. Specifically, the 3G and 3GS cell phones I've used here over the past 2 years. Once again, I'd like to direct your attention to these photos showing my 3GS and my iP4 used in the same location and held in the same way. The 3GS is fine and the iP4 drops the connection. http://gallery.me.com/wingsy/100071

And this is the way I hold it: http://iphonehold.tumblr.com/

This discussion is becoming a little frustrating. I can describe my problem and show pictures of the problem, and yet people continue to say all phones are the same and there IS no problem. If anyone can explain those photos in such a way as to convince a logical person that there is no difference between the 2 phones and that the iP4 performs equal to or better than the 3GS, I'm all ears.

My problems with poor reception (when held) isn't restricted to Edge only, although that is by far where I use the phone the most. At my favorite restaurant I can see 5 bars of 3G signal when the iP4 is on the table. The ATT tower is 3/4 mile away and I can see it through the window. If I pick it up and attempt to use any data (Safari), I might see an initial movement of the blue progress bar, but it soon stops and Safari says "No response from server" or some such, followed by "No Service". I've used my 3GS at the same place many many times with no noticeable loss of performance. So I'd have to say the same is true for both Edge and 3G signals. And yes, if I hold it such that I'm not touching the antenna gap, it works fine. But holding it that way is unnatural for me and I'm just not able to continuously be aware of how I'm holding it when I'm engrossed in reading something or talking to someone.

So, I've returned my iP4s and gone back to my 3GS. Don't want to, had to. After all, I got it to use as a cell phone and I expect to be able to use it like I would use any cell phone. I'm waiting for an iP4 that I can use without special handling.

Tech Frenzy,

When you say you get no issues is that because you 'dont hold it that way' I suspect so as every phone 4 is suffering from it. I have yet to see one YT video of the phone without the reception issue. All those saying my phones fine are merely in denial and blinded by love for SJ.

w7ox wrote:

OrangeMarlin wrote:
My innate snarkiness aside, how much does anyone want to bet that the OP is a troll, and has never owned an iPhone ever.

Seems likely. Anyway, I want to hear how this works:

"And I got 25 phones (ancestry plan) and every one of them works fine."

Does that result in calls from beyond the grave?

Phil

I'm guessing yes but costs extra.

Tom

We all have at least 3 options. Wait for a recall which may happen, the issue is real there's no question of that, but I think the odds of a recall are slim. Get a case and enjoy the phone in every way as I'm doing or return it and get another type of phone and be done with it. All are easy to do except for waiting for a recall that may never happen. It's very simple get something that you're happy with or be happy with what you've got.

Call me crazy, but seems to me that if a company says "if you hold your phone in THIS strange, unnatural way, you're covering up the antenna. Hold it like a normal phone, and you're fine," and people still complain about problems when they cover the antenna with their hand, the CUSTOMER isn't being very wise.

I have had every model of iPhone and iPhone4 is by far the worst. I drop 50% of my calls in my home where I typically drop 2%. Please do not make fun of those of us with legitimate complaints. We are here looking for solutions. I have an appointment today with a "Genius." If a case doesn't solve it, I am getting my 3Gs back out and trading this thing back in. Early adopters get the bugs. Okay, I have been one all my adult life, but I won't be a Beta tester. This is a hardware flaw. I love this iPhone, except for the... Phone.