Poor Reception iPhone 7 Plus

I'm in the middle of downtown Atlanta, practically next to an AT&T cell tower. Had constant problems over the past month w/ very low signal strength, dropped calls, and erratic signal strength (4 bars then 2 bars then 1 bar then 3 bars). Lost track of the no. of calls to AT&T tech support. Tried everything - including restoring phone to new phone status. Nothing helped. Once I made this setting change (Settings>Cellular>Cellular Data Options>UNCLICK "Enable LTE") the signal strength immediately jumped to 4-5 bars.

Hi, jdtouchie!
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities, and congratulations on your new iPhone 7 Plus! I'm understanding based on your post that you've been having some issues with carrier service and audio quality on calls since setting it up. I know how important it is for your new iPhone to work as expected, and I'm happy to help!
Since others are having some trouble hearing you on calls, I would recommend going through the following article.
Get help with the microphones on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
To address any issues you have with service, I would recommend the article below.
If you can't connect to a cellular network or cellular data
Have a lovely day!

Update!

I received my faulty iPhone 7 back fourth time from repair - where they all along refused to confirm that this phone was from a 'bad day at the Chinese production plant'... I was told it was MY iTunes security backup (software problem) - and also that I could not use my iCloud.... which is ridiculous since this is the epitome of having/using an iPhone.

ALL worked at my son's old iPhone 6 (with crashed screen) - which I used the 3-4 weeks my iPhone 7 was in 'repair'. Fact is: They NEVER repaired anything, I was made suspicious and had to 'prove myself' that the world's biggest Company sold me a poor cell phone. And when I did, it wasn't acknowledged....

I refused to give up - and forced my cell provider (3.dk) to return it. I had to deny reception of the fourth repair.

And I bought an iPhone 6S Plus 128 GB - which works PERFECT. No missed connections, no problems with connectivity, no problems with my iTunes backup nor my iCloud = The iPhone 6S Plus works totally flawless. The iPhone 7 Plus did the opposite....

Mine is now fixed! Go in settings, cellular, options, enable LTE and then make sure you check data only instead of phone and data! Don't have the Volume too high either! No problem since

As I posted previously, I've had the same issue as the rest of you regarding poor voice quality, limited (or no) data, and falling into No Service often.

For fun, I installed iOS 10 beta (I was running it on my iPhone 6 previously). I have had significantly improved quality of both voice calls and my data signal. I still switch to airplane mode a few times per day to "reconnect" but it quickly finds LTE and I'm back to a solid data connection. Note: I use my phone as my hotspot to work remotely and my current location is certainly "rural".

As a frame of reference, my iPad mini (Verizon) usually has 3 bars of LTE. My iPhone 6 (AT&T) was about the same - sometimes 4 bars - but usually LTE. Pre-Beta install, I had No Service on my iPhone 7 and when service did show I was actually not connected. I've been using my iPhone 7 solely now, on iOS beta, 3 bars of LTE, with no problems (fingers crossed).

Just my $.02...hope that helps someone!

Hi

Apple has today released iOS 10.0.3.

This fixes bugs including an issue where users may lose cellular data connectivity:

Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

I've had this same issue, and for me it's resolved by toggling OFF "Enable LTE". I im

Okay, I think this may have to do with Sprint as opposed to Apple. I checked and it seems as though the Sprint LTE network (the "next-gen" network) is not as, umm... robust as it could be.

Do this and see if it works:

Settings>Cellular>Cellular Data Options>UNCLICK "Enable LTE"

I did this and it resolved all the issues with signal. I generally don't stream a lot, and this will have you using the 3G network which should be enough for streaming movies, etc., but if you want the full blown LTE experience it seems you may need to wait.

For those not familiar, you can do a speed test by going to http://beta.speedtest.net.

Also, to check your actual signal strength (closer to zero is better):

-Turn off your wifi.

-Turn off LTE (hopefully you already did)

-go to your phone and on the keypad press *3001#12345#*

-hit the "make call" button (the green phone)

--Press "home" to get out of it.

Hope this works for you!

I've had this same issue with my iPhone 7 Plus on AT&T. No signal, showing signal when there really was no connection, constant dropping of signal.

Apple Care has been great in terms of trying to fix the problem and after some extensive troubleshooting, they sent me a new phone. Unfortunately, this did not work and the problem persists. I did make a regular phone call on it last night and thought it sounded muffled and the volume was very low - I hadn't considered that as part of the issue, but it makes sense.

Popped my SIM back in my iPhone 6 and immediately back with a solid LTE connection.

I have the iPhone 7 Plus 128GB Rose

Apple won't even admit there is a problem. Talked to Verizon and they are aware there is a problem, but Apple is ignoring it. I was still within my 14 days, so I returned my new 7 and am now using my old 5 which has no problems with reception. :-(

I got same your issue. My

iPhone 7 Plus had horrible reception when I installed iPhone with plastic Protection case.

I test it's reception with Speedtest:

- Without case, it's signal reception so strong HOME Wifi over 150 Mbps and LTE in my town 50 Mbps.

- With

plastic Protection case, Signal dropped down so bad Wifi read 15 Mbps and LTE 8Mbps.

I am having the same exact problem. I had no problems with my iphone 5 and now with the iphone 7 NO one can hear me. I have called my landline and left voicemails for myself and they are garbled and cut out. No wonder no one can hear me. Any advice?

IM having same issue with poor LTE and 3G and have swapped my phone 2 times already I have the iPhone SE and w Koodo mobility in Canada i just think these newer iPhones have very poor made antennas which didn't have any issues at all with 4s and my lg android phone

I've been using iPhone 7 plus for nearly 3 weeks. Always experience dropped calls and at many locations dropped from 4G to 3G signal. Previously I was using iPhone 6 and there wasn't any problem at all.

Spoke to my service provider SingTel from Singapore, was told there wasn't a problem with their lines.

I purchased the iPhone 7 with Verizon service and I have horrible reception now. My phone has not had a signal stronger than 2 bars since changing. I have been in 3 different states since getting the new phone and it was the same in all the locations. I am seriously regretting getting this phone. What is the point of having a phone that gets no reception. When I call people they can't hear me, data runs super slow if at all...so frustrating. I have several friends that upgraded and they are having the exact same problem. I want my 6S back. I hope someone does something to fix this soon.