iPhone XS Max Weak 5GHz WIFI Reception

Very encouraging. Someone from Apple Support just called. Going to generate some logs for them and try getting a screen recording of the issue. Not sure what I’ll record other than the xFi iOS app showing that it’s failed over to the 2.4GHz network from the 5GHz network. But he asked for my router model and stuff. One of the best things about Apple is their support.

I upgraded from an iPhone 7+ to an iPhone Xs on Friday (launch day) and my Wi-Fi coverage is absolute garbage.

The old iphone 7+ running iOS 12 has no issue with Wi-Fi coverage and even on 5 GHz AC it has no issues with range. Speeds are up to par as well.

My new iPhone Xs drops Wi-Fi completely if I move from the room with the router to two rooms over. Even in the next room over its struggling for a connection.

As a background, I live in a two bedroom apartment and the WiFi modem is set to a/n/ac mixed mode for 5 GHz, with an 80 MHz channel. The SSID for my 5 GHz is different than for my 2.4 GHz network, which has 20/40 MHz channels and g/n mixed mode activated.

The new iPhone Xs also has issues with cellular connectivity but that’s a different can of worms...

Maybe but if they cannot fix this with a software update, I'm pretty sure they'll honor replacing it or giving you a refund if the issue cannot be resolved, even if you are later than the given return date. That would be a PR disaster for them if they didn't.

Let’s give Apple a minute to fix this right. I was just emailed a logging profile, and whenever I can duplicate the issue (reliably) I can get them the needed log files and they can go over them in detail. I’m sure I’m one of 1,000’s, maybe more, that are also trying to do something to fix this as opposed to blindly complaining online. Apple is no slouch when it comes to PR. The alternative is Android or going back to an inferior phone. And besides the slowness, the iPhone XS Max is crazy amazing. I’m holding out for a software fix so I can truly enjoy this thing. And geez, it’s not like 2.4GHz is BAD. It just should be way better. And it will be.

Motyoj wrote:

Maybe but if they cannot fix this with a software update, I'm pretty sure they'll honor replacing it or giving you a refund if the issue cannot be resolved, even if you are later than the given return date. That would be a PR disaster for them if they didn't.

They didn't do this for the iPhone 4 anntena-gate problems. All they gave people was a case. So I personally wouldn't bet on that.

Not a realistic comparison. iPhone 4 antenna bands were placed in the wrong place physically on the phone and there was no way to replace every unit sold. They did tweak reception with software and for most people, the issue was reasonably resolved and became a non-issue.

This is totally different. According to some of the best labs who have tested XS and XS Max, the Wifi and LTE speeds are faster and stronger than any phone out there. The problem is often in individual owner's hands when you take into consideration all the different networks and routers out there.

Apple has the best engineering and software people on the planet. They'll collect data and you can bet an update will be released that will solve this. But Apple is always very loathe to discuss issues they're working on, so people just need to show some patience as they won't likely acknowledge this publicly, but they are, I'm sure as I type this, working overtime on understanding why some phones have this issue and how to solve it.

Could be. Of course they'd prefer to fix it via an update if they can. But if it turns out to be a hardware problem that can't be solved via an update which some are speculating (although we don't know for sure until more investigation happens) then I'm not sure they'd blanket refund people or offer a full swap on some updated hardware. But, I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong if turned out to be true. In any event, fingers crossed it can be resolved via an update.

I wish Apple would publicly acknowledge the issue. Otherwise I think many folks (me included) will return their phones within the 14 day refund window.

My XS's wifi performance is unacceptable and a replacement phone had the same issues.

Well, you now know Apple typically doesn't discuss issues. And knowing you have a full year of warranty, you can certainly return your phone, but that might be cutting off your nose to spite your face.

At a minimum, you can go to your Apple Store and get a replacement phone as the performance of your current phone isn't acceptable.

Apple reached out to me as well. Follow up tomorrow for logs, troubleshooting etc. my experience is not as bad as others, I can hook up to my WiFi, but LTE is lacking horribly. If I can’t use the phone as intended what’s the point. I will go back to my X. I tried the network reset and gained speed for about 20 minutes and then back to lag and video interruptions, no loads etc.

Just returned my XS Max to the apple store for a refund and now using my 7 Plus.

Had a phone call from Apple support in regards to my post complaining about the wifi issues.

Apple support are looking into the problems raised here so if you get a phone call from them please help them out.

Motyoj wrote:

I got a iPhone XS Max today for my wife. I noticed that the 5ghz signal was fast the first time I tried a speedtest. It dropped the next time and subsequently. I reset the network settings and got the speed I should have (over 200mbps). This degraded on the next try. Reset network settings again. Same thing; great speed first try, poor on subsequent attempts. This tells me it's a bug because the handset is capable of receiving the same as all the other devices, which all get 200+. Anyway, I hope they roll out a fix. Couldn't get the sim to activate. Apple wasn't much help, so I put the old one in and it worked immediately. Not what I was expecting from a brand spanking new phone.

I also had an issue with the SIM card not activating. I had to put my old one in and everything seemed to have worked. However, a number of hours later and my phone started freaking out about not being activated again. I had to get Verizon to straighten it out.

Like many here I am seeing similar problems, but like those resetting network my phone which I received on 21st was initially good for a couple days but now has gotten worse. Cell data access on LTE seems good where the AT&T signal is 3 or above, but at my house which is 1-2 bars often just one the phone seems to have issues with connecting randomly (words sometimes I various software, other times I get errors)

If I am in house WiFi seems mostly ok, I have 5ghz and 2.4ghz named separately and I can connect to either, and when near my Airport express I get the same speeds my cable modem has allowed with X and older phones, but when I move away with more walls or especially go outside I seem to get randomly weak to medium WifI and with poor cell in my area my phone really now starts to have issues when sitting outside -- before Wifi could reach my iPhones fine. And with the weak AT&T signal of 1 maybe two bars I cannot seem to work well outside on cell either.

My X was much better in this regard but cell signal was still just 1-2 bars but the WiFI reached better outside (2-3 bars like I see on my Xs but they worked fine with out the Wifi signal strength varying to the point of loosing connection like my Xs does outside.

Russ

Also having troubles connecting to the 5ghz WiFi here. When I look it is only connected to the 2.4ghz which is extremely congested here. Most of my other devises can't even get a signal the next room over on 2.4.

I did my best to replicate using as many common variables as I could between an X and XS Max, no issue here. The Max actually had higher average speeds over 15s runs in every spot around my home and outside. I then did a test clearing Safari and loading several different web pages, the Max was fully loading pages faster in most cases. The latter test was less objective as I tried my best to click at the same time, they both loaded so fast the difference was negligible in practical use. Lastly, I walked around with both phones watching the WiFi spikes and dips, both maintained 5AC at relatively the same rate, with the edge again to the Max for average sustained speeds on a 60s roam gradually getting further away from my Asus AC86U.

What is causing this in those who are experiencing it? Are there different modems in our Max's?