iPhone X (A1901)/ ATT Questions about device

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Level 1

9 points

iPhone X (A1901)/ ATT Questions about device

Hello,

I'd be interested to get some input from iPhone X users as well as some users with experience/knowledge on the RF engineering side of phone coverage. Questions below if you want to skip the next bits.

Background:

In short I was hired to install an indoor cell enhancement system.

System supports AT&T Band 2/PCS LTE - 1945MHz to 1965Mhz and Verizon Band 4/AWS LTE - 2110MHz to 2130MHz.

Installation and testing of the system completed, quality control on the project build looks good (RSRP -95dBm to -65dBm, RSRQ -14 to -7, SNR 10 to 20). No issues with dropped calls or data throughput. However I have an unknown number of complaints to one or more iPhone X users for AT&T specifically.

Chief complaint, little to no bars even when standing underneath a cell service antenna and slow data throughput on DL and UL.

Testing on my end with radio scanner and other test phones (don't have a iPhone X to use to test) show good coverage at same locations. If interested I can link the data collection report later.

Tried calling Apple support direct but they could not answer my questions. I also lack an IMEI or SN for further testing on device from user having issues.

Questions:

Is there a known issue among iPhone X users for AT&T wherein the handset will show little to no available signal despite being in a good coverage area?

What is the measurement captured by the phone to determine the number of bars shown as signal strength?

Thanks much.

iPhone X, iOS 11, A1901

Posted on Feb 9, 2018 8:10 AM

Reply

Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Feb 9, 2018 10:27 AM in response to muugin

I agree with your customer education statement. Too many times, users feel they have to have a certain number of bars for something to work correctly, when if the device connects and you can successfully make a phone call, the number of bars is irrelevant. As far as data is concerned, there are so many individual factors that have an effect on that, I wouldn't worry. So long as people understand that the system you have that supports a single AT&T band can be adversely affected by the number of users (bandwidth). I wouldn't worry too much about it.

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Answer 2

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Feb 9, 2018 8:42 AM in response to muugin

I have an iPhone X with AT&T. I've not experienced any issues with signal strength, mine seem to be just fine. As far as your question regarding "measurement captured by the phone to determine the number of bars", that sounds like a technical engineering question, and I'm not sure anyone here could answer that question, since this is a user to user support forum, and no one from Apple participates here.

The community college where I work has a series of booster antennas for cell phones, since the building is concrete, and service has been really bad. I had a different phone when they first installed it a year or so ago, and to be honest I've not experienced any differences since I got my iPhone X. To be honest, I'm not sure that you would be able to get anything when calling Apple Support about your engineering questions, but you may try asking for your call to be elevated to engineering to see what happens.

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Answer 3

muugin Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 9, 2018 8:34 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thanks for your reply, appreciate the input.

My first attempt to speak with Apple direct was unsuccessful.Escalation to a Snr. Advisor could not answer my 2nd questions with no listed repeated issues with AT&T signal recorded at large.

In all likelihood my issue is likely at the individual handset level and or customer education on understanding signal vs performance in particularly for "bars" and or data throughput speed. Neither of which are adjustable settings on the signal support system installed, in short I can only support the signal from the carrier to the handset and the same on the UL path. Faults at either side are out of my control.

Worth trying Apple Support direct again I suppose.

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iPhone X (A1901)/ ATT Questions about device

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