Q: Static in Iphone 4s

Yes, I realize that turning off cellular data is an option, but that is there on 5.0.1, as well. I'm talking about turning off just 3G. Apparently, they added that option back on 5.1, but not for AT&T. Is that true? If you can turn off just 3G, then you can still use 2G. If you turn off cellular data, it turns off 2G, as well, and restricts you to Wifi only. Checking email and stuff like that is not so bad on 2G, if the call quality is improved, in my opinion.

I am on ATT and updated to 5.1. I cannot find any option to turn off 3G.

Since no one else is responding to these questions of whether there's or is not a button to enable/disable 3G, I will address here. I am on AT&T with an iPhone 4, iOS 5.1 and have the option to enable/disable 3G under the settings/general/network tab. My girlfriend has a 4S, iOS 5.1 and is without option to enable/disable 3G under the same tab. Sorry to disappoint, but if you are waiting for a fix, you'll have to wait for the next iteration of the iPhone. The new phone will almost certainly have a new antenna, solving all issues (and hopefully not creating more).

I have the same issue. I bought 64 GB iPhone in Russia.

So the only way is to change phone? Here in Russia there is no any Apple store, so it's won't be easy to change phone, especially sevral times...

May be Apple wil answer something.

PS I am on 5.0.1 and have no problems with battery.

Anandtech has a breakdown of which carriers have the 3G toggle on 5.1.  In his opinion, the 3G toggle is hidden on AT&T as they are attempting to migrate devices away from their GSM/EDGE network.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5659/the-ios-51-update-4g-att-and-the-3g-toggle

It's apparently a specific AT&T feature in the this new iOS version (5.1), because I have updated my device and now I can turn off 3G and use it in 2G (GPRS/EDGE) mode. Because of that the battery life has dramatically improved and the static noise has disappeared. I live in Europe, my country is Bulgaria, my mobile operator is GloBul.

Also, my phone now shows a 4G indicator.

well i got my replacement and not only does it STILL HAVE THE STATIC but it has a washed-out screen as well.

I called Apple, they haven't heard of any static issues (BS) so they want me to send the phone back again...obviously not normal and no one should be settling for disabling 3G!!!

make Apple make this right!!!!

dxironman13 wrote:

 

it's just coincidence. the static issue is more or less depending on where i am. here at work it's awful and just as bad after the update.

Unfortunately, the static is still there. It's just a little bit better... but it could be an impression...

Same problem.

I didn't have the problem on my first iPhone 4S, but a replacement phone does have the static. (The first phone went, um, through the washing machine.)

It's faint and intermittent. It doesn't seem place related. And it's not a softwaresque sound, it sounds like hardware which would lead me to concur that it's an antenna-related problem.

Same here in Brazil. We don´t have an Apple Store, so they ask 1 to 3 months to exchange or repair. I´ll keep mine waiting for any fix, or patch from apple. Mine only make static noise in quietly enviroments or with poor signal, sometimes it´s cristal clear. 

I have this same problem! Do all 4s phones have this problem or is mine just defective?

UK IPhone user

ALL OF THEM!!!! EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!!  IT'S JUST SOME PEOPLE HEAR IT AND SOME PEOPLE DON'T OR JUST DON'T CARE ENOUGH TO COMPLAIN!!!!

Friend just bought a 4s. I listened and sure enough it has the static. He is just unable to hear it.

I can confirm that many people just can't hear it. Myself I can hear it only in absolute quiet environment. Or very rarely on some calls it is rather loud but only for few seconds, so it's no matter to worry.