Issue with Proximity Sensor during calls …

Jul 24, 2010 4:28 PM in response to shap2010

shap2010 wrote:
Did 4.01 not fix the sensor issue??

I returned my iphone 4 after having swapped it out 3 times only to have the same sensor issues with every single phone. I was considering getting a new iphone 4, because I heard the sensor issues were fixed, but guess not?

Looks like the jury's still out on that one. There were many claims that it did and that it didn't - just like when it was first suggested that resetting all/network settings or restoring worked. In both cases, a lot of people posted that it worked and then came back hours or days later saying it only helped for a while. The same story also seems to go for those who received replacement handsets. It's hard to say for sure whether or not those who posted that their problems were fixed didn't come back because they were fixed or because they just didn't come back when they started having problems again for whatever reason (most likely they took the phone back - IMHO).

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Jul 24, 2010 5:59 PM in response to Nubz N.

3 cheek dials today. Not a happy customer.

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sakorox

Level 1

5 points

Jul 24, 2010 6:38 PM in response to MacSince85

so ever since i got my iphone 4, i noticed that my stupid cheek will either mute, end, or press a million keys. It's gotten worse in the past few days... i've downloaded the new update and even restored to factory settings.

So i take it to apple today after ATT said i should swap it out. i've tested a cpl other phones and haven't had the same issues. i think it's just my phone.... i know they're working on an update but in the meantime, this is bull. The dude @ the store goes "yeah thats a pretty severe case...here let me try something..." so he calls his store again, and sets it on the counter and waves his hand over the sensor area. It was fine, didnt end calls. So he goes "well, i think if u just hold the phone 1/4" away from your ear it will be fine.

*** DUDE! NO!! i am not going to hold my phone away from my flippin ear just so i dont end my calls! idiot. so i said "well i would like to swap it out, which is what both ATT & Applecare suggested." He says, "well i've documented that it's fine, but u seem to have issues when its near your face. try restoring to factory settings again then come back."

WHATEVER. i called MyApple again and they were so supportive, and even called that store to say "what are u doing, turning ppl w/issues away?" But since that guy documented that it was a non-issue to him (even tho when I demonstrated it he said it was a "severe case") i had to come all the way home, wait for 40+ mins while my phone restored, only to find i still have the same issue. Of course this all happened 2 mins after AppleCare closed lol. Should i even try going back to that stupid store or should i just wait and have them mail me a new one?

I'm so livid right now! And i LOVE THIS PHONE ppl...no issues except this one. Guess i'll just hold my phone 2 feet from my ear. 😉 geez but, kudos to the tech support guy who was super cool about it. Restored my faith in Apple that's for sure! 🙂

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cyrex

Level 1

0 points

Jul 24, 2010 6:46 PM in response to sakorox

Im having the same problem with the proximity sensor, and after changing the phone for 4 times in apple store due to reception problem, this one is by far the best one i had. Even though my cheek keep pressing the mute or the speaker phone on or dialing number 3, but its better than holding the phone in a different way inorder not to lose the signal .

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sakorox

Level 1

5 points

Jul 24, 2010 6:49 PM in response to cyrex

so u didn't have any issues swapping it, apparently... i'm jealous! i'm about to call the apple store & say, look ppl... i was just there, did everything u told me to do, and i still have probs. i don't care if they "wave their magic hands" over it again and say "it's fine." i'm walking out with a new one!

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sakorox

Level 1

5 points

Jul 24, 2010 6:57 PM in response to sakorox

i'm sure i already said this above but they did "promise" an update coming very soon to fix this issue...and that it's so soon i could wait for it. sorry, that's not a good enough solution...i ended a phone interview today and that's not good. but does anyone know when they're talking about getting it out & live?

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Jul 24, 2010 7:07 PM in response to LorangeJuice

LorangeJuice wrote:

shap2010 wrote:
Did 4.01 not fix the sensor issue??

Looks like the jury's still out on that one. There were many claims that it did and that it didn't - just like when it was first suggested that resetting all/network settings or restoring worked.

I can't imagine that the 4.01 patch included any fix for the proximity sensor. Every indication from Apple was that the update was only to address the bar display.

Additionally, at the press conference, Jobs said that they would try to address the proximity sensor issue in the next update. At that time, the 4.1 (not 4.01) update had already been released to testers, so it would seem that it won't be until the update after 4.1 that anything could possibly be done for the sensor.

Just my take on it.

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dbk9999

Level 1

70 points

Jul 24, 2010 7:09 PM in response to MacSince85

Something I found today that got me curious and could use some feedback.

I had 7 calls cut off out of 9 plus one time mute was activated and the screen did NOT come on. But I had my phone set to its brightest setting so it would easy to see if it came on. Some of the time I sat in front of my monitor (blanked so is was like a mirror) and even recorded myself on the phone on one occasion.

At no time did I see the screen come on (and my cheek does NOT touch the screen the way I hold it anyway.

So, those having these problems, are you sure the screen is coming on and then a button gets activated or, just maybe, are you assuming it came on when one of these things happens? I know at my normal brightness, it can come on and I won't notice it unless making a special effort to see, which is why I changed it for testing.

I know some people are definitely seeing it come on when these things happen, but based on my experience, some folks may have the same problem with the screen off.

Strangely, when switching to holding it with my right hand, it came on a LOT - yet never cut me off or anything.

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sakorox

Level 1

5 points

Jul 24, 2010 7:10 PM in response to Denethor1977

Denethor1977 wrote:

LorangeJuice wrote:

shap2010 wrote:
Did 4.01 not fix the sensor issue??

Looks like the jury's still out on that one. There were many claims that it did and that it didn't - just like when it was first suggested that resetting all/network settings or restoring worked.

I can't imagine that the 4.01 patch included any fix for the proximity sensor. Every indication from Apple was that the update was only to address the bar display.

Additionally, at the press conference, Jobs said that they would try to address the proximity sensor issue in the next update. At that time, the 4.1 (not 4.01) update had already been released to testers, so it would seem that it won't be until the update after 4.1 that anything could possibly be done for the sensor.

Just my take on it.

yes i agree - the guy at the store today said the recent update didn't have anything to do with the sensors, that they're working on that right now...

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Jul 25, 2010 1:22 AM in response to sakorox

I just bought an iPhone 4 today and found it doesn't work. I am so angry! I took it back and I'm SO glad I got a Genius that wasn't abnnoyed with all the other people in the queue with me with the same issues. I told him I was really amazed Apple's new phone didn't work perfectly and he told me not to worry. It'll all work out in the end, and he gave me another identical phone with exactly the same software and hardware components and promised this one would work.
What a cheek! Imagine my shock when I found out it worked EXACTLY the same as all the other ones! What sort of staff member would do that to a customer like me? So I took it back just before closing and they gave me a new handset and said they were sorry.
I was delighted, but when I got home, guess what...
The phone works EXACTLY THE SAME as all the other ones! I was asolutely staggered that the Genius Bar had done this to me AGAIN! Didn't he understand what I wanted? How dense must he be not to understand plain English?
I phoned Apple Care and they set me up with an appointment and promised me a straight swap for aone that works tomorrow morning. See how easy that was. They're gonna give me a brand new fully working handset and it's only going to be my fourth.
I am so excited. I can't wait. I don't think I'm gonna be able to sleep tonight, I'm so worked up. All you have to do to get a working handset is to whine and whinge and harp on about it over and over again, and keep swapping it for replacement identical handsets, and Apple will give you a special magical handset build in a completely different way that works perfectly and looks identical to all the others.

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mark1x

Level 1

17 points

Jul 25, 2010 1:21 AM in response to Nubz N.

I'm not sure this can be software because mine is perfect every time. When on a call I do touch my ear with the phone, not digging in but just touching, it's the natural way I hold it. Those who have this issue are you also just touching your ear or slightly away from your ear? I'm just curious as a software fix might have mine work differently! Which might be unwelcome since it's currently working very well.

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Jul 25, 2010 1:29 AM in response to mark1x

Just step back and collect the facts, read your posts and see how rediculous you're this thread is getting.

*Fact 1* - They are all built the same. They did not sprinkle in a few secret models with special magic hardware. They all work the same. The only variable in the equation is your face.
*Fact 2* - There is no recall. You are stuck with the hardware you've got. You can hand it back for a full refund. GET A LIFE and live with it.
*Fact 3* - They WILL release a software patch that will provide a workaround. Software cannot provide another sensor. It can only compensate for it's defficiency and provide a software switch to manually control/lock the screen.
*Fact 4* - No amount of whinging and whining is going to speed up the software testing process, and no amount of leeding heart stories on you guy's parts is going to change any of the hardware or the laws of physics.

Now back to the stories of how Apple are wrecking people's lives....

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Jul 25, 2010 1:34 AM in response to mark1x

I have installed the new update 4.0.1 and have had the continuing problem with the phone trying to activate 'face time' calls or call someone or access address book. As well with the other proximity related issues in this thread I've had speaker activate and or mute occur. Sometimes the screen isn't lit but somehow the iPhone uses the screen features and only after taking the phone away from my ear do I see what is going on. I've also had more dropped calls so I am rather disappointed that I've had so many issues with the new iPhone 4. I am planning an appointment with the genius bar to see if something can be done to fix this.

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dbk9999

Level 1

70 points

Jul 25, 2010 1:46 AM in response to spwolfman

Sometimes the screen isn't lit but somehow the iPhone uses the screen features and only after taking the phone away from my ear do I see what is going on. <</div>

Thank you! I may have missed it, but other than my post, yours is the only other one I've seen that points out even with the screen off, the screen buttons can activate - and I really wonder how many people may not realize this is the case with them.

In fact, when I did have the phone lighting up today, I never activated anything.

And my cheek never touches the screen either, not the way I hold it.

Which brings up an interesting possibility: What if a lot of this isn't because the screen comes on or even touch it? What if something else is causing some of these button activation?

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mark1x

Level 1

17 points

Jul 25, 2010 2:12 AM in response to mbassoc2003

I don't see how your post is a response to mine. Mine is courteous. I have every empathy with those who have issues though I'm not experiencing any issues with proximity sensor. I never said apple have sprinkled different qualities into different batches. I will not be drawn into being demanded to do this or do that by yourself or anyone.

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Issue with Proximity Sensor during calls - Continued.