Signal issues? You're holding the phone wrong.

Mine is very far from fine. If I put it on the table, I have 5 bars of 3G signal. If I pick it up and hold it loosely in my left hand, as I do when web surfing, I rapidly lose 3G altogether and drop to just one bar of *cellular network* signal.

I'm barely even bridging the two antennas when I hold it to do this - in fact, I'm only touching them very lightly at the bottom. I would settle for a bumper, because otherwise the phone is awesome, but I am not paying £25 for one. No way can I justify giving Apple more money to "fix" a problem with a dysfunctional product they sold me.

I'm going to add my agreement here. I am Apple everything, computers, macbook Air, laptop, and every single iPhone so far. I'm very disappointed. I live in an area where cell service is spotty, Cape Cod. However I was one of the lucky people that actually got at least 3 bars in every room of my house.

At least I did, with my iPhone 4 I can't use it at all anywhere in my house, it says no service in every room. I didn't realize until I came to this forum that it was just when I hold it... with mine it is NOT. Makes no difference... I can put it flat on the table and so far only once, right by the front door, can I get any bars at all - and its just one. I can't make a call because if I move I lose that bar and of course lose the call.

I am so disappointed, I don't have a land like to use.

I'm confused as to what a "bumper" will do... again the reception is so poor on this phone I'm astounded. I loved every single Apple product I've ever had, until now. I even own a bunch of their stock (ok I'm not selling that) but now I don't have a phone.

Susan

its utterly shocking, I'm the biggest apple fan out there but this just ain't good enough, I'm going back to the store today with mine as its not fit for purpose

@ Susan - The Bumper is supposedly a fix for those of us that are having trouble losing signal when touching both sides of the black seam on the bottom left of the phone, where the two antennas are separated. It should, in theory, isolate us from disrupting the signal. The issue you're describing is different and unfortunate. It's hard to say if you've got a bad unit, of if the reception on the new version simply isn't good enough for your area.

I hope it's the former.

The easy solution for Apple would be to start applying non-conductive film onto the steal. It's been done before and I'm not a materials expert so wouldn't know there are procedures/films to make a piece of metal non-conductive at low voltages.

For those that already have it? Ugh I think we should get a replacement or a free bumper.

I Think this is ridiculous.

Phones are ment to be in your hand in several positions. From normal to landscape in every combo you make.

Apple has been known for there strong policy, but i think this is the limit. Holding it wrong? Is Apple also gonna tell us how to go to the toilet with an iPhone? I mean come on, such a great and strong concept is being ruined for the fact that you can't hold it your own way. People need exclusivity, they need some specialty they can have. And holding and phone how you want is the freedome you want to give to people / consumers.

So Apple, PLEASE do something about this. Losing signal because of the way you hold it is NOT an option.

BTW.

With my iPhone 3G when i am connected to wi-fi. I actually have the same problem.

When connected to wi-fi, and then holding it into my handpalm, will reduce the signal with 1 bar. But that's all actually. Not the WHOLE connection.

Actually, I've noticed that my WIFI signal has been weaker with the new phone too. On my old iPhone 3G, in the environments I use WIFI, I never had any less than 5 bars of signal. Now, I'm always hovering around 3/4 bars in the exact same positions.

Not to mention twice yesterday I had to flip into airplane mode and back again, because although the phone was showing signal, it couldn't connect to the internet over WIFI or 3G. Sad times.

Heya guys, lee here from the Uk. Here's my take on things.

I liken many of you queued up yesterday morning in the early hours to secure a new iPhone 4. When I got home I spent much of last night setting it up and using the new features. I have gone from my old 3G straight to this so then overall product is leaps and bounds ahead of the old iPhone. I have been especially impressed with the new camera Internet browsing speeds. However...

I wake up this morning and see reports on BBC and IGN about people having problems with the new handset. I too can now see the problem with my handset. If I sit in my living room I have 3G and four bars of signal. As soon as I hold the handset in my left hand with a nice secure grip I can watch the bars go down from four to none over about 20-30 seconds. Surprised I repeated this 20 times, the same every time. Ofc we all know now what the problem is, the antenna is located in the bottom left corner and by holding it with your hand covering this part of the phone you will lose connection, ESP if you have chubby hands.

I am just astounded by this. A major design flaw for a phone that has been pitched as the best best since sliced bread. If I make a phone call I hold the phone in my right hand so for me it not s huge problem, but imagine if your left handed...

I have just called Orange and informed them of what I have seen with mine and the nice young lady informed me that they have not had any reports of this problem yet.

So I guess the real question is what are Apple going to do about it. I can't see how they can leave such a blindingly obvious flaw unchecked.

I have been for a walk this morning to test the multi tasking, camera and other features and from this side of things I am bowled over by how fantastic this phone is.

Apple please solve this problem asap as I am a big fan of your products and when your backers are complaining you should listen

Cheers

It seems to me from reading the posts about reception issues that some people have the ability to short out the antenna.

Someone please humor me and run a test for me. I haven't got mine yet (mid July delivery), so I can't run this test.

Go to an office supply store and get a roll of 1/2 or 3/4 inch "removable" cellophane tape. Removable is important for the obvious reason.

Draw out 2 strips a couple inches long. Fold over one end to create a tab for easy removal after the test.

Place each strip over the antenna gaps and see if doing that solves the issue.

If it takes care of the problem then you can apply a properly cut piece to permanently resolve the issue and avoid returning the phone. Not exactly pretty and letting Apple off the hook to take care of the problem.

One other way would be to try a pair of latex gloves for testing purposes. It would be poor permanent resolution though.

been on phone for 25 minutes now!!!

Holding the phone wrong? What a joke, for something that cost me £500 I will be holding on to it with my life, the suggested way of holding the phone is not secure enough for me, i don't want to find out what happens when i drop it from head height. Knew I should have waited for the white one!! doh. 🙂

people have spent at least $200 on phone.. wouldn't it have made sense to buy a bumper/case anyway?!?! it makes no sense to blow ~$200 on a phone and not have some sort of protection

thats not the point baby-T!!!

@Baby-T

Yes but i don't like the bumper or silicon style i want to keep mine in a slide in leather case, why would i have to comprimise because of apple's mistake??