iPhone XS Max Weak 5GHz WIFI Reception

No, I see the same behavior with LTE on my XS Max as you do - I can now maintain calls in areas where I used to drop calls with my X.

I also don't notice any issues with WiFi speeds in normal usage with my XS Max, just on speed tests, but there seems to be some issue with the YouTube app choosing lower resolution.

This makes me wonder if there is some common API for determining WiFi "speed" that these apps use that may be broken in some way by iOS 12.

As I posted earlier, I'm seeing similarly abysmal WiFi speeds from speed tests running on my 10.5" iPad Pro.

On YouTube, I hadn't checked my settings in the App until someone mentioned it today. So I went out to my App and in settings and it's clearly marked 1080p. And this is in my office on a router that is shared by many people and has never had fast speed to begin with. So, I wouldn't think the App is making a setting decision for you.

I know I'm going to rankle some with this statement. But I fear some in this discussion are driving themselves crazy over inaccurate speed tests as their determination their phone is defective. Not all of course, but some people are whipping themselves into a frenzy.

You and I have been around these here parts long enough to know Apple will put out an update that will make this thread a distant memory. They always have. And I have every confidence this too shall pass.

We tested my wife's XS Max in our area with LTE strengh and it was quite a bit better than on my X. As far as WiFi, I just ticked a box on the Airport Extreme for 5ghz and connected to that. It clearly was switching to 2.4 but once I did that, it got much better speeds. However, leaving the room that the router's in, the signal drastically dropped. Not a problem with the 2.4 signal, although the speed is about cut in half, plus we have a WiFi extender. The bottom line is, the phone works pretty well. Could it be better? For the price, I believe so. I was thinking of sending it back, but now I believe we'll be keeping it. Two days is a bit of a rush to make a decision based on the experience we've had with the handset.

I will say the 6S+ we traded for this didn't switch WiFi frequencys like this one but it functions satisfactorily. First world problems I guess...

rbrylawski wrote:

You and I have been around these here parts long enough to know Apple will put out an update that will make this thread a distant memory. They always have. And I have every confidence this too shall pass.

I agree; I'm just curious as to whether it really is low performance or whether there is an API that reports WiFi speeds that isn't playing well with apps in iOS 12 - if such an API exists, it would be what YouTube uses to decide on a resolution as well.

I can say in normal "usage" - web surfing and the like - the XS Max feels snappier than my X did, which shouldn't be the case if it's truly limited to under 15 Mbps down for whatever reason.

Hiiamju wrote:

Samemy iphone xs has only 1-2bars and sometimes it got to no service l. It’s really frustrating. I can do most of things with it because it’s too slow!

How about in areas with better signal? My X running iOS 11 was often absolutely useless in areas with two bars or less of LTE.

I’ve long had our devices forget our 2.4 network, Apple Time Capsule. We have the 2.4 and 5 named separately. Download speed is always going to be better on a 5 network, especially in urban areas with a multitude of 2.4 networks to provide interference. But the 2.4 can be detected and joined far away from our residence which would cause our devices to pick it up if we hadn’t made them forget it. And once they join that network they don’t let go so returning to our home we would then see impaired download performance.

The drawback is that a 5 network does not have the range so even in our condo apartment there is one spot in particular where the reception is bad for the phones. Somewhat worse for the Max than my iphone 7. My 12.9 iPad Pro has no problem and has far better reception than either phone. Perhaps that’s due to the size of the device or the antenna placement. So even in our apartment I can see that if we had both networks named the same and/or allowed them to connect to the 2.4 there would be issues with them switching from one to the other. And with the 2.4 being so much stronger that’s what the devices would connect to. Which would then become noticeable in diminished download performance.

Given my my experience and that of many others with no functional issue, I don’t drop any connections or calls, I’m guessing the problem is more software related rather than defective hardware. Time will tell. After all if I were to judge my phones by what I experience with my iPad than all phones are defective. That 12.9 iPad is a beast when it comes to WiFi connections.

Eracorp wrote:

I also have problems with the WiFi in my xs. It’s keep disconnecting and also is pretty slow, need to turn off and on to solve the problem but not for long.

That I most definitely do not see and sounds like it could be an issue with your Wi-Fi router.

I’m definitely having this issue. Not staying connected to 5GHz and failing over to 2.4GHz.

I know there’s a lot here, but people might benefit more by reading all comments on this thread. Lots of people having different, but sorta related issues. Just because YOU’RE not having problems doesn’t mean some others aren’t. At some point in the next week or so, there’ll be an iOS 12.0.1 update released and a fix will hopefully be included. Historically, there’s always been issues with an initial update like this, and an X.0.1 update always comes out within 1-3 weeks to address issues. iOS 12 has been great, but everyone’s been using hardware that’s been out in the wild around the world.

I just upgraded from the x and now have the xsmax. My cell reception and wifi is half what it used to be. I lost cell signal almost my whole drive between Silver Lake CA and West Hollywood. I had to continuously call back the person I was talking to. I used to lose signal for a spell right on Canhuenga BLVD near Franklin, but now it was most of the ride, on the 101, Sunset, etc. Then I parked in the garage and my x used to work down a level OR 2!, now I lose signal as I drive in!!

Same with Wifi. I used to get great reception in my office on wifi, now I don't. Apple, please acknowledge problem and issue fix. I hope its software and not hardware. MAYBE this phone has Intel inside???? It was alt of money and I'd hate to have to return it!!!

Same thing with me. I went back to my X because my 3rd new replacement is on its way. That’s 3 XS’s that fail on cellular. LTE is hit or miss. I highly think it’s software. Antennas are blazing on my own testing and show a wide range of connec

3?!?! I don’t know what to do. And I don’t understand how it affects some phones and not all. For those that are affected what carrier do you use? I’m on Verizon.

If it’s software do I wait it out or go back to the 8plus? My fear is they won’t do anything and I’ll be stuck with a bad phone for a year. I mean it’s a gorgeous phone just would like to you know use it.

Interesting you should mention Verizon. There's an article today on 9to5 Mac, which states the largest number or people they've heard from with these issues are on the Verizon network.

I'm on AT&T. Everything's working fine on my phone.

Why would it prefer something over another, it has to be a bug. Clearly the

antenna has the option between the 2 but a system glitch is preventing it,

an update should fix it...

On Thu, Sep 27, 2018 at 10:07 PM Apple Support Communities <

My friend has AT&T and has no issues.

Wondering if my Genius Bar appointment will be a waste of time or if going will at least log the issue...

I do agre software May fix but how long will we have to wait?

Yes 3..... I suggest you switch back, continue with your current phone, get rid of the xs within the 14 day guarantee then wait until after the holidays for another purchase. Explain to your carrier. The next batch of xs’s may wo

Verizon is affected. Badly. For the cellular side. As far as wifi, whole other issue. Something to do with telecommunications and soon to be obsolete CDMA settings in the phone which were deleted entirely from apple. I’d say 50% Verizon and 50% apple to blame. However, I am using my X I just went back to. Zero issues. 3 XS’s..... all duds.