iPhone 3g proximity sensor defect

[elguercoterco]

unfortunately, my 3g iphone is defective and i need to replace it. the sensor, i believe, is the problem. instead of turning off when you hold it to your ear during a call, it turns on and turns off when you pull it away. this makes it difficult for me on my end to hang up the phone if i want (because the screen is black and i cannot 'end call') and causes the speaker to activate because my face touches the screen.

anyone else having a problem with this? or am i the only unlucky soul?

 

[mrowl]

are you using any case or shield?

 

[elguercoterco]

doh! yes i had a xtreme mac tuff wrap case on it. although it feels and appears to fit perfectly, the case was messing with the sensor as it now works fine after removing it.

i didn't pick up a new case since i figured i'd wait for reviews. i didn't think using an old case would be a problem, especially if it fit fine. i was wrong.

thanks for your help

 

[abijnk]

Hehe, when I read this I figured that was the issue.

fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, Apple added more proximity sensors on the iPhone, so now original iPhone cases, even if they appear to fit well, will interfere with the new sensors.

 

[amandasaurus]

I'm actually having trouble with the proximity sensor too, even with no case. It works sporadically when on a call. My face touching the screen will press all sorts of buttons, so when I hang up from a call I might have opened an email and typed "dfdkuekjdf" a few times. It doesn't always happen; like I said, it's a sporadic problem. I hope I don't have to exchange my phone.

 

[ClarkD]

My wife did the same thing!

are you using any case or shield?

I think you're right on with what the problem is. I bet there will be many people who make the mistake we made:

We thought we had a defective 3G too. My wife had placed her case for the original version of the iPhone on her new 3G and it wouldn't shut off when she held it up to her face. So she kept pressing buttons with her face as she was talking. Finally we realized the cases are different for the new 3Gs to allow for the sensors. Made the switch. Problem solved.

 

[oddsociety]

from day one!

I bought a 16gb black, and ive had the proximity sensor problem from the start, with no case. Ive caused a few three-way calls by it with out realising until it was too late!

 

[blakey1888]

3G proximity sensor problem even with 3G case

Amandasaurus, I'm having the same trouble with my new 16 Gig iPhone 3G. I bought a Speck PixelSkin at the Apple Store, (big rubber tire looking thing 'cause I'm clumsy) but it does not cover the sensors. It does have a pronounced rubber ridge all the way around the front of the phone and I'm wondering if it's keeping my face from being close enough to the sensor. However, the problem has been sporadic... not every call. Very frustrating though when you can't speak to someone over the pushbutton tones caused by your face!

I've taken the case off, but haven't tested enough with out it to tell since the problem isn't every time. I have the Anti-Glare Film Set, which sticks to the front of the phone. It covers the sensors but I don't think that would be a problem, it's just a thin clear film and it was designed specifically for 3G.

What happened with your proximity sensor situation? Did it turn out to be your iPhone? Is anyone else having trouble? Does anyone recommend a protective case, (preferably a rubber one that'll bounce!) that is not interfering with the proximity sensor?

 

[ramatsu]

Right or left?

Since the new sensors are said to be in a J configuration to the left of the earpiece (iLounge), I wonder if people who hold it to their right ear have more trouble than people who hold it to their left, or vice-versa? Since it's not a symmetrical array, it seems likely it could matter.

 

[rsjenkins]

Not proximity sensor

I too thought that I had a problem with the proximity sensor. Here's the symptoms: Phone would ring, but speaker and mic would not turn on. I also could dial out and connect but could not talk or hear regardless.

I reset my iphone, I did a hard reset (caution, messes up all your icons!)

Found the problem to be the headphone jack. I started using my headphones a lot in the last 2 weeks and apparently it can get stuck thinking that your headphones are still plugged in.

To fix, use a cut-back q-tip with a little bit of alcohol.

Hope this helps.