Signal issues? You're holding the phone wrong.

I don't think this is a software issue. Here's why....

I have in front of me 3 iphones.

3G with 3.12 software
3GS with 4.0 software
4.0 with 4.0 software


I've always had a case (ivy) on the 3GS and for the most part, always have 4-5 bars.

I bought the iphone 4 yesterday and dropped phone calls before I left the parking lot.

Didn't think much about it because I wasn't familiar with that part of town and didn't know how the reception was there.

As the day grew long, I dropped more and more phone calls. By last night after talking to tech support and reading all about the poor reception issue, I found out I was not alone.

To make matters worse, the new iphone 4 has 1-2 bars at best WITHOUT me even touching it. Just laying on the counter it has barely any reception. When I pick it up in any shape or manner, it immediately goes into searching mode.

I'm reading the forum here and keep reading that other people with 3 series phones have the exact same problem. Like I said, I had no idea since I have always had a case.

Sooooo, I'm sitting here with all 3 phones and it's true, while sitting on the table, the 3 series phones have full signals. Within 10-20 seconds of picking them up, the bars drop to 1 or 2.

Remember, one has the 3 series software, one has the updated 4 series software and obviously the third phone is the iphone 4.

So, how can a software fix the problem when my 3G with the 3 series software does the EXACT same thing?

I made a reservation with the genius bar today. I will swap out the new phone hopefully so I have the same issue everyone else had... that is, losing signal when I'm holding it. I think it's ridiculous but I use my phone for business and at 5-6K minutes a month, I'm on it constantly.. the odds of me dropping the phone is much greater than my wife who is only on the phone for 700 minutes a month.

So getting a cover for me is a no brainer (though it's a shame to cover up the aesthetically pleasing new phone)

I noticed this was a problem right after first use. I am using a rubber case and seems to fix the problem. I dont know how apple can fix it and for an apple product I am very surprised about how something like this could slip under the radar. I love that people are saying just hold the phone different??? Maybe I should just brush my teeth with my other hand or my tooth brush wont work.

One of the reason I bought an Iphone 4 was to move providers and get a good signal.

The signal is far worse than my iPhone 3G was.

This is a major fault and justifies a recall to fix the phones ASAP.

Just found this, hopefully it's true. Would certainly help Apple's PR

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/apple-release-ios-401-monday-fix-death-grip-issu e-baseband-upgraded

I despise rabid fanboyism. The apple store I went to told me to hold the phone differently or buy a case. I freaking lost it and walked out with a free bumper after talking to the manager.

This is one of the worst engineering flaws in recent times when it comes to consumer products. If the black bands were slightly lower than they currently are it would not be such an issue. That Apple designed such a shoddy product that you have to be careful how you hold it goes against the very principle of usability and good design. They touted this with the iPad. Well looks like you have to change yourself to fit the iPhone.

How they missed this in testing is a mystery. When you've created a new antenna system that is external you have to test every parameter including the very obvious one: holding the phone in a way that covers the black bands.

To top it all off, they issue statements blowing off all our complaints and instead began advising their customers on how to hold a cellphone. Their arrogance disgusts me. It seems they have gotten too big as a company and no longer care about their customers. My warm feelings towards the company are gone now. And I'm certainly never preordering an Apple product again.

According to Apple you have only 14 days to return the phone if you bought it online from apple. Call 800-676-2775. Its voice activated and say "i'd like to initiate a return" when promted...

Haha iPhone 4 is really changing the way people are calling again. You can't call haha, seriously this is pathetic. Am I glad I only got a iPod Touch and exchanged my Iphone with a N900.

I love Apple products and own several. I hope Apple does the right thing and fixes this problem with a voluntary recall. I have always used a rubber case to protect my phone from drops and the case does seem to eliminate the problem. I bought one immediately after purchasing the iPhone 4.

Without the case, when I hold the phone and cover the lower left hand of the antenna without the case, there is signal degradation. When I put on the rubber case, there is NO signal degradation. Since many people use a case, the antenna issue might be moot to a point.

However, this solution does not excuse Apple from a major design flaw. Many people do not use a case -- such as my wife -- and this design flaw could seriously create reception problems for them. People should be able to hold their phones in any reasonable fashion and get reception. And to hold your phone in your left palm while typing with your right hand seems completely normal. Apple should have seen this as a problem and it should work swiftly to fix the problem before this becomes much more of a PR nightmare.

I'm having some difficulty in understanding why so many owners seem to like "nude" iPhones. For every phone I've had I've always used a case which at least covered the back and sides - because I like such expensive things to be kept in the best possible condition.

It does seem that the so called "problem" is eliminated by any case which covers the sides, and especially the side aerial join. Now if the two side gaps in the case had been near the top of the case we would never have noticed a reception problem.

Too much talk can indeed damage a Company's reputation.

Not the point nude vs. covered. The phone should work period out of the box. Not conditionally. That would be like buying a car and then finding out it works correctly only if you buy this item to make it work.

Two things seems obviously clear: (to me at least)
1.) Apple knew this would be a problem - and created bumpers as a workaround.
2.) Instead of admitting the problem, and offering to resolve it, they seek to profit from the fix.

As a left handed Apple fan, it irks me and I expect better answers from Apple than telling me to become right handed or give them another 10% profit on top of the price of the phone to make it go away. Shakedown anyone?

I have a microcell and just confirmed that the issue does not happen when I am connected to the microcell, but does effect my phone when connected to the standard network.

I also confirmed that this happens to my 3GS that I upgraded to IOS 4.

It appears that this issue should be resolved with a software patch.

Interesting, so all along it wasn't AT&T service. It was a defective phone and a company that was too good to be wrong (in their own mind). Sounds like Toyota culture.

Try jiggling a set of keys while on a call. You hear the sound transmit through the phone. I tested this and the interference shut down the call. This design seems to potentially have several flaws..

Dan, although I agree with you being that I ALWAYS have cases on my phones, I think people are upset about the fact that now they don't have a "choice" but to use a case. (I emphasize the word "choice)