Poor cell signal on new iPhone xs max

So last week I posted in this thread about my issue with reception. A few days after that post, Apple support contacted me, asking for more details. The agent had me install a support profile with instructions to activate "Analytics" through assistive touch next time I experienced the issue.

I did so, but during the time I had this support profile installed I did not experience this issue. They called me back this past Sunday asking for any updates. I told them that I hadn't experienced the issue again since the last time (before they first contacted me). The agent then proceeded to go ahead and close the ticket they had opened for me.

So I go back to work today and during my lunch break while next to the window on the 4th floor (full LTE signal / reception AND full wifi reception from a nearby AC access point) I suddenly get the no connection message again while using the News app.. I had to turn airplane mode on, swipe News up to close the app. then turn airplane mode off and reopen the News app. to get it working again.

After work I went to one of the Apple stores in my city, returned the phone for refund onto a gift card and purchased a new one (same model - 512GB white iPhone Xs Max). Somewhere on the way home I lost my SIM card though so now I have to wait until tomorrow morning to drop by a T-Mobile store for a new one.

I also have the same issue with my iPhone XS Max. Extremely poor cell service, LTE service occasionally and difficulity sending text messages at times. I’ve already reset all my settings and reset network settings, both did absolutely nothing. I‘ve called Apple a few times, their solution now is to backup the phone and do a full restore to factory settings to see if the phone works better. I don’t want to restore to factory, what good is having a phone that can’t be personalized and used to my satisfaction not Apple’s. C’mon Apple fix the problem for all of your disgruntled customers!

Same issue here. Upgraded from the X to the Xs Max. Since I started using the Max last Friday, from several apps. I've received a message saying that they could not connect to the internet. Whenever I've seen those messages I noticed that the bar at the top showed 3G instead of LTE. Never had this issue with the X.

Also reception where the X was not so good before is even worse with the Max.

Both my X and the Max were purchased sim-free from an Apple store. Used / using them on T-Mobile in the USA.

Same here on iphone xs on sprint. Max download speed is 2mbps , wifi is strong only near router, goes very bad with little distance from it. On iphone 7 speed is 170 vs 50 on that one.

Also i now lose service completely in bathroom and many stores, never had this with iphone 7.

Same here. I had a factory unlocked iPhone 7 Plus when I put my sim in I get 26up and 4down on T-Mobile, but when I put my sim into my xs max factory unlock I get 4up and 2down. I hope apple can fix this soon. I’ve done everything suggested to the OP to no avail. I’m really considering returning the device and just keeping my iPhone 7 Plus for another year.

I’m experiencing the same thing, and I’m on AT&T. I’ll see 3 bars and no data works. I’ll try to load a site and it just spins. If i turn on airport and then turn it off it works for a little bit and then stops working again. Also going 4G, no problems.

I went to the Apple store, and the genius looked over and said there was nothing wrong with the phone. He also said he’s never heard of such an issue. They exchanged the phone anyway, I’ve been using it without restoring from backup for three days and the problem is still there. I asked if they had any diagnostic software that I can use to try to help find the issue, I’ve read some people have been approached by Apple to do this. He says there is no diagnostic software, and reiterated that he’s never heard of this problem.

Greg202020 wrote:

Mine is 1-2 bars lower than my iPhone 7. 😕

Once again, signal "bars" are only directly applicable to the relative signal strength on that device; they are not a measurement of signal level across product lines.

Bought my Xsmax just two days ago and am having horrible problems with low cell strength. Sitting directly across from an ATT cell tower and just getting 2 bars and depending on how I twist my arm, dropping to 1 bar. I cannot get coverage in areas of town that routinely had 4 bars before. A friend with a Note9 standing next to me, gets full signal strength and slightly faster downloads.

When the phone is working, I get really good speed (20Mbs on cell and up to 150 mbs on wifi). None of my other iphones have ever had similar issues. Just concerned this is too flaky a phone for $1200.

I need a new phone, but only have 10 more days to decide if this goes back...and right now I think it does.

Can Apple do anything?

Sorry William, but this phone has an LTE reception problem. It is both noticeably slower and drops signal more than a Samsung phone operating next to it. You guys keep saying there is no problem but poor reception is real. SUpposedly this phone has the same antennae in it as the Samsung models, if so, means the SW is screwing it up.

Then return it and never purchase another Apple product; simple.

Love mine, few if any actual complaints.

Hope apple will update the modem firmware.

If it’s a hardware fault then nothing to do.

Same here... very poor mobile/cell signal on new iPhone XS Max... no signal or at best 1 bar, dropped and inaudible calls, on UK Vodafone network, whereas previously (on iPhone X) had good signal at home, never 'no signal' and usually 3-4 bars. Hope Apple can corroborate these issues and fix with an update. Have tried the usual troubleshooting methods, did carrier update, re-started phone, reset network settings etc.

Me too.. so far I absolutely hate my iPhone Xs max!! I have little to no service. I went back to my service provider they did a check on my phone said it was all updated. They recommend I take it to the apple store. My iPhone 7plus was a better phone then this. I’m almost ready to get rid of apple!!! So over it!!!