I just tried cupping the bottom of my 3GS to see what would happen for myself and was surprised to see it drop from 4 bars to 1 bar every time. I used that phone for 1 year without ever knowing a problem existed. The reception issues are overblown. Try it on any phone and see for yourself. I am now a believer.
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3GS Antenna Issue Confirmed
- Thread starter ogdogg
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Not confirmed, tested on my 3GS in low service area doing the exact same thing the video did without difference, bars remained the same.
"Apple's attempt to draw RIM into Apple's self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple's claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM's customers don't need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple."
- Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie
- Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie
Did you remove the case? Hold it in your left hand covering the BACK of the phone near the bottom. It will drop every time.
I don't own the case, and used the video from apple.com/antenna to try and reproduce. NEVER happened, and yes I am indeed in a low service area.
Edit: Maybe I should make a video.
Try using two hands. I can drop from 4 bars to one in about 20 seconds every single time.
I've tried holding my phone every possible way. Two hands, one hand, gripping hard, gripping lightly. Every possible way I could and no, my bars have not changed at all.
Tried this on my iPhone 3GS after the 4.0.1 update and the grip does cause issues with the bars (couldn't get it to do it before the update). Further went to try it on friends blackberry curve, was able to have the bars drop after gripping it from 5 to 3/2 bars and then back up to five. Makes me think that Apple is somewhat telling the truth....
One thing to note is that it didn't do it everywhere, some areas yes, some areas no.
One thing to note is that it didn't do it everywhere, some areas yes, some areas no.
Getting annoyed at the amount of people that don't know the 'confirmed' concept.... Thinking that just because they did it, it's definately confirmed and every one else is wrong...
Why would they lie about an issue that millions of people can they themselves test if true.
I have a box of older phones, from Samsung to BB Curves. I have so-far tested 5 of the "newest" ones and I get the same loss of signal (some all the way down to no service) as the iPhone.
I have to agree the iPhone 4 is overall giving me better reception than any other iPhone. I think it is now just about on par with some of the best smartphones out there. (I use a bumper on my iPhone now and love it!)
Using Field Test in my first-gen iPhone running 3.1.3, I see up to a -20 to -25 dB signal loss when holding it in the "grip" at home, which has low signal strength (-85 to -95 on average.) Sometimes, but always, I can deliberately drop it to No Signal. I've gotten into the habit of placing long calls by using the headphones or Jawbone and leaving the phone untouched on the table. In a high-signal location, like -51 or -61, I can only get the signal to drop by -10 dB or so.
This is great and all, and I don't doubt the 3GS has the issue, but can you find any place on the phone that you can LIGHTLY TOUCH WITH A SINGLE FINGER and make it drop from 5 bars to no bars?
That's what my iPhone 4 does, so no, this is not overblown.
It's not about cupping, and it's not about gripping tightly. It's about lightly touching with a single finger and watching the phone lose all connection.
That's what my iPhone 4 does, so no, this is not overblown.
It's not about cupping, and it's not about gripping tightly. It's about lightly touching with a single finger and watching the phone lose all connection.
As does the 1st gen iPhone.
However, I disagree in calling it "an issue". It's just the physics of antenna design. ALL antennas have the same "issues", in one form or another.
If you (the public) use RF as your communication medium, you have to have to understand its limitations and the compromises which must be made in any [RF] system design.
Or, trust the company you chose to buy from enough that you don't need to have a personal understanding of the physics involved. That's what they pay their engineers and scientists for (and, invest in $100M test facilities). Apple is the best in the world at hiding the technology behind their products - so the user needn't concern themselves with it. Unfortunately, too many here and at other forums/blogs do conern themselves without having the proper background to do so. That, as much as anything, has led to the overblown situation.
I never have more than 3 bars in my house, so tried what you said (even used two hand, but not sure why, because I would never use two hands while making a call), and while holding it my bar did not change (I held it for three minutes).
Does this mean I can now say confirmed?
I never have more than 3 bars in my house, so tried what you said (even used two hand, but not sure why, because I would never use two hands while making a call), and while holding it my bar did not change (I held it for three minutes).
Does this mean I can now say confirmed?
Guess that means I can confirm the above too.
all attenuation is replicable. jus cause one cant, doesnt mean it doesnt exist.and it doesnt matter if u use one finger or u put it in a shielded chamber.it would be too naive to say hey, i dont see god, hey u dont see god, hmm, it's confirmed, god doesnt exist? [lowercase used for god - no puns intended]
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I never have more than 3 bars in my house, so tried what you said (even used two hand, but not sure why, because I would never use two hands while making a call), and while holding it my bar did not change (I held it for three minutes).
Does this mean I can now say confirmed?
No, it means you're a liar or you have little girl elf hands.
I discovered that my 3GS had the same exact problem as my iPhone 4 when I took the case off of the 3GS to sell it. I used the phone for a few days and was surprised to find that when I held it in the death grip it too would drop to 0 bars and lose connectivity. IN the whole year I owned the phone it was always in a case.
Last week, I bought a new 8GB 3GS but I haven't tried the above out on it because it went right back in the case that my original 3GS was in. The signal problem on it is a non issue just like on my iPhone 4.
Last week, I bought a new 8GB 3GS but I haven't tried the above out on it because it went right back in the case that my original 3GS was in. The signal problem on it is a non issue just like on my iPhone 4.
My 3G does the same. Only I have to over the right side with one hand and put fingers over that thumb. But, mine only drops one bar.
has anyone outside the USA been able to do the same thing?
i've tried this on my thing on...
my iphone 3g with fido - nothing happens
my work bb bold with rogers - drops 2 bars but goes back up and rarely happens.
my brothers 3gs with bell - nothing happens
my friends 2g with rogers - nothing happens.
and my parents ghetto samsung flip phone with telus - nothing happens.
so can this some what be related to att? can someone with an ip4 try it outside the USA?
i've tried this on my thing on...
my iphone 3g with fido - nothing happens
my work bb bold with rogers - drops 2 bars but goes back up and rarely happens.
my brothers 3gs with bell - nothing happens
my friends 2g with rogers - nothing happens.
and my parents ghetto samsung flip phone with telus - nothing happens.
so can this some what be related to att? can someone with an ip4 try it outside the USA?