iPhone 4S unable to turn off 3G?!

You're correct. AT&T isn't the only one. The only other one is a company called C Spire. At least according to Apple:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937

If I recall correctly, C Spire is based primarily out of the Midwest. It does not have stores nationwide. And, it's primarily a CDMA carrier.

But we don't know that we will never see the 3G off functionality rolled back into the phone. We are suggesting it is a technical limitation and not a matter of will. There is no reason that limitation couldn't be overcome, we don't have enough info on that. It is simply the reasonable theory based on all the factors involved.

It is a reasonable and common sense "theory". There is no reason for Apple to exclude the option otherwise.

Like I said, provide a link to another cell phone with a combination GSM/CDMA chip that includes the option.

Exactly. I agree, totally.

There just needs to be more info on the hybrid chipset used in the 4S. Not many other hybrid chipsets like the iPhone 4S's to compare. Most other world phone dual CDMA/GSM hybrids such as the Blackberry were CDMA/GSM 2G radio only and wouldn't have that 3G/2G toggle switch, because there wasn't a GSM 3G radio. Some of the modern competitor smartphones with hybrid chips that have the GSM 3G radio don't have the toggle either. I might be wrong.

Allan Sampson wrote:

It is a reasonable and common sense "theory". There is no reason for Apple to exclude the option otherwise.

Like I said, provide a link to another cell phone with a combination GSM/CDMA chip that includes the option.

The same could be said about lots of technological abilities not made available that were technically possible. Technical common sense != business common sense.

This chipset is less than a year old, and the iPhone 4S has been available just under 2 months, and I'm not sure how many other scenarios there in which someone would want to do something like this.

You could be right, but there's no evidence one way or the other at this point, which is why both sides of this discussion are theories.

Provide a link to another cell phone with a combination GSM/CDMA chip that includes the option.

I wish Apple would come out with an official statement. You guys going back and forth is futile. If so many people are upset with the functionaly of their GSM iPhones then Apple has an obligation to at least acknowledge it. For me, all I could do was return my 4s and go back to my 4 so I could have the toggle. They lost my money.

Probably not going to happen which won't change anything. Whiners are going to whine regardless and it is impossible to please everyone. For anyone this is a must have option for, return the 4S as you did. Win some, lose some and sales of the 4S contunue to be through the roof.

I would like to return it, although sadly my carrier has no iPhone return policy.

We also have no Apple stores directly in Ireland.

All I want is the 3G switch and/or an update to the software to make the signal switching better.

Some feedback from Apple would be nice. Although, I am looking forward to iOS 5.0.2 and some extra fixes.

Apple has made their statement, the switch is not on the iPhone 4s. You are highly unlikely to hear anything further. If it can be done you might see it in an update. Doubt we are going to see a 5.0.2 since developers already have 5.1.

Last year Orange had capacity problems in parts of London on their 3G network whereby it was impossible to make or receive calls. The only way around it was to switch manually to 2G on which the network had plenty of capacity. With this deficiency in the iPhone 4S, customers would be left with no ability to make or receive calls.

That certainly happened when I was near the centre of Dublin for a week.

Full 3G, yet unable to send texts and would sometimes say No mobile data/internet.

That switch would have been great then.

I was not looking for an overblown technical explanation - just want to know WHY this so-called "Hybrid" iPhone cannot deal with busy 3G network and switch to 2G in those circumstances. We are TOLD that this process on this device is automatic - clearly it is NOT working. The 3GS also cannot deal with busy 3G network either as I previously stated. We are wasting our time focussing on the 4S exclusively - this seems to be an issue for all 3G "capable" iPhones.

Pls do fix this issue, because 3G networks are very weak in a lot of places... constant switching on and off from 3G and back is eating up my battery. I didn't spend so much money on a phone which has to be recharged every single day!

A manual option for turning of 3G is a must!

Pls do fix this issue, because 3G networks are very weak in a lot of places... constant switching on and off from 3G and back is eating up my battery. I didn't spend so much money on a phone which has to be recharged every single day!

A manual option for turning of 3G is a must!