The Iphone4 is the 4th generation of the IPhone, why do you think it's called IPhone4? Apple themselves say they didn't start with a 'clean slate; but built on what they had so far.

Do a search on any tech site as well and it's described as 'fourth generation'

FFS.

While you can argue about the semantics of calling it "4th Generation" (I would say it's the 4th Generation of the product), it remains completely true that the antenna design is very new, not just to Apple but any manufacturer.

I'm not denying it. I'm not saying there isn't a problem, but I personally haven't experienced any issues with my signal.

I was merely commenting that I found it amusing how some people on certain forums go on and on about how bad it is. A bit like they are being affected, then when questioned they admit they don't even own an iphone 4.

Apple are normally quite good at resolving issues anyway. I'm sure something will be done about it. Depends why there's an issue. Maybe there will be a software fix for it. If there's a problem with the design then I don't know what they'd do. Maybe they'd have to do a recall?

I wasn't really having a go at you or anything. Just certain people are so brainwashed by Apple they can't seem to understand how bad this is.

A recall is the best solution I think, I don't see how this can be solved with a software update really. It seems like a hardware issue. Someone on the Macrumors forum said Apple will be making a statement on the issue later today, so let's wait and see

Well I haven't got one either but it sounded quite good - until BBC radio dragged 4 new users of it in off the street (or wherever) and they all pointed out this problem. And they were all Apple fanboys!


Sounds like a basic design fault that was inexplicably missed in testing. John_locke's multiple protestations earlier in the thread about it being basic antenna theory made me laugh (and I know all about antenna theory - but iphone users shouldn't have to!).

It's an Apple c*ck-up and they should do a complete recall - once it is fixed. No doubt their PR damage limitation spokespeople will be in overdrive as we speak, including on major forums like this, denying the inevitable (like BP in the early days of the Gulf oil spill). But no company is perfect, no not even Apple - they'd look a lot better if they just accepted the problem and did something about it at no cost to purchasers.

Might have been an idea then to actually make sure it works before it's released then. It's not rocket science, hold hand over it and make sure it keeps signal. It's the bloomin' antenna after all! As said above, it's a basic design fault, to such a high end and expensive product.

Has everyone who's got an iPhone 4 here actually tried it? I've got the phone in front of me now. No case on it. If i deliberately try and short the bottom left section where the antennae meet at the black line, with my hand or fingers, all I'm seeing is a drop from 5 bars to 3 bars. Admittedly I normally have a strong 3g signal here anyway, but what am I doing wrong? Would be interesting to see what results others here get. I'm not denying there is some kind of problem, and it probably is accentuated if you have a weaker signal. But I'm curious what you all get when you try it. Especially if it drops to 'no service' or 'searching'.

The signal drops slightly for me too.

In the videos I've seen online, people have started with a pretty low signal to begin with so covering the antenna results in that weak signal being lost completely.

The signal is better than my HTC Hero, which had a similar issue when being held.

As you suspect, it's precisely in weaker or variable signal areas that the problem will reveal itself. Users in strong signal areas shouldn't have a problem... until they find themselves in a weak signal area when they'll have to start holding it in a particular way to make that important phone call.

If a simple plastic buffer/bumper fixes it completely, as has been reported, that just proves the design fault. I suspect that Apple will first try selling the buffers, then if protests continue they'll give them away - and they'll resist any kind of official recall. But what a cobbled together and unsatisfactory solution that would be.

Hmm, interesting. I switched 3g off and I'm not getting the drop at all on EDGE. Looks like it's just 3g that is affected?

iPhone for is the 4th iPhone n

It's design is First gen.

totally agree KIIS. This isn't the first time they have messes up either. On a significant number of 3G and 3GS phones, there was a problem with wi-fi not working. I experienced this problem first hand and was lucky enough to get my phone exchanged, but plenty of people were fobbed off and told it was out of warrantly or water damaged etc etc. This wasn't a small problem as the topic has hundreds of pages on the apple forum, yet apple fail to even acknowledge it's an issue and yet again appear to be doing the same thing. Or maybe they realise that there are some brain washed tonthe degree that it doesn't matter how often or badly they slip up because these people will defend them to the death regardless of how absurd their argumet is.

Would be interesting to hear what Apple are doing about it. Not one of Jobs terse one-liner emails. But an official press release. Are they going to offer everyone free bumpers perhaps? Or perhaps there is something that can be done in software to at least alleviate it.

Looking at the diagram here it's where the the GPS/Bluetooth/WiFi aerial meets the UMTS/GSM antenna. So theoretically the same problem should happen if you short out the top of the phone. However I just tried that (back on 3g) and I see no signal drop at the top for some unfathomable reason. It's very intriguing.

It'd be interesting to see if having Bluetooth AND/OR Wi-Fi on/off helps at all.

Trying that now and not seeing any noticeable difference even with the GPS on too Maybe someone else can try in a weaker signal area?

This is the company who has released not 1, but 4 different iPhones, all of which have an antenna at the base of the phone...where people hold it.

Sorry but I cant be that precious with a phone that I have to hold it a certain way. As I've said many times, as a device the iPhone is fabulous..the apps are awesome and the execution brilliant. BUT....as a phone it sucks....seriously sucks!

Couldn't agree more. That's the strength of advertising and 'branding'. We covered it when I did my psychology degree and I confuse one heck of a load of Apple users that know I have a MacBook Pro, yet love my Sony mp3 player and Samsung phone, and my Windows computers. They thought I joined a club... but I didn't.

It's incredible really. It's like the iPad, you'll see people adjust their own surfing habits because of its limitations and deny they ever needed it in the first place.

The abuse I've got from people when I said it's a shame that you STILL can't buy a macbook with HDMI.
a. it's ridiculous, why would I want it
b. nobody really needs it so apple are smart and know it.

then

when it is introduced ... eventually, they'll love it and like HDMI has just come out!

Back to the iPhone... as you say, they're using nail varnish and tapes! I saw comments on The Register with fanbois being abusive asking why anybody would hold the phone like that!

Job$ is laughing all the way to the bank.

Hm, well I get this issue. Rather annoying to spend 500 quid on something, that you then have to bung a bit of electrical tape on so it actually works properly.

If it's unusable or not fit for purpose, the law is on your side. You're entitled to a refund or replacement. Have you spoken to Apple?

I don't have this problem at all, no matter where or how I hold it. Actually starting to feel left out.

I decided to try it in the works basement which is notoriously bad for signal, still no problem. When I first went down it went down a bar, but about 2 secs later 3G and 5 bars appeared, I tried again to hold it in the way people are doing, still no drop in signal. I actually get a better signal than my 3GS down there.

If a design flaw I feel everybody would be affected, rather than half and half. If a flaw every phone would be the same. I've a feeling it might even be the 3G signal itself in some areas which would be the providers fault. There are reports that people on Orange are experiencing no problem but some on O2 are.Also some people in same areas have problem and others not?!

I'm pretty sure Apple will sort it out. I also want to say I'm not a big Apple geek. I love the iPhone have done since day one, but that is because its a great product. Anybody put off getting the iPhone 4 because of this are seriously losing out, its an amazing product that looks and feels top end, the screen is better than any Android/other manufacturers phones and the features are awesome. I say give it a whirl you can always take it back for refund/exchange if you have problems.

Not yet, but I will be doing tomorrow. It's also not a weird way to hold a phone, being right handed I find it natural to hold it in the bottom left if I'm browsing or whatnot.

We must both be special seellee. I've been in low & high signal errors, and the signal hasn't been cutting out when I hold it.

Maybe we hold it differently.

As people are using it more, it seems to be happening to a lot more people who didn't report issues yesterday. Mostly when they are in a different area (at work etc) or an area away from full signal - maybe it varies between GSM/3G areas?

It doesn't take you to be using it in an odd way for it to happen - I'd hold the phone in a way that would cause issues if I hold it in my other hand or when needing to jot notes down, or even when browsing the net or using an app.

In fact Apples marketing photos show people holding the phone a number of ways that will affect reception:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/25/h...ding-it-wrong/

People shouldn't have to hold a handset differently in order for it to work, surely that goes without saying?

You buy an item for £500+ which is supposedly a premium technology product and some customers have been regressed to the sort of days of having to stand on one leg to get any signal. It's pretty ridiculous IMO.

The guys at Apple need to man up, admit they are wrong, and come up with a solution otherwise theres gonna be a hell of a lot of people seeking a refund.

This is what I'm finding really strange about this. A number of us are not seeing the issue (at least not to the extent as some reports). But I do wonder about the wisdom of putting an external metal antenna on a phone.

Even an FM transistor radio's reception, or portable TV 'rabbit ears' reception can be altered by touching the metal aerial. As I recall the early 'brick' mobile phones which had antennae that protruded out of the top were often covered in plastic or rubber so that they wouldn't be touched directly in normal use.

Radio reception can be a bit of a black art sometimes. The idea of the iPhone 4's metal frame serving as the aerial looks very neat. But is this a case of form over practicality maybe? Even different peoples skin may conduct differently. Sweat, soles of shoes, whatever - there are so many variables.