iPhone XS Max Is the mobile reception on the xs Max even worse than iPhone X ?

[kneezmo]

They didn’t offer to replace mine. They will send me a loaner with a credit card hold while they repair mine. Should I do this?

you have to try to get your money back.. and after, can do 2 things, get an X and enjoy, or wait 2 weeks, maybe a month, and lets see what happen. Probably apple fix this in any way.. but im pretty sure, like FCC say, this is a bad antenna design... so nobody can promise a new unit come free of issues

 

[vinegarshots]

you have to try to get your money back.. and after, can do 2 things, get an X and enjoy, or wait 2 weeks, maybe a month, and lets see what happen. Probably apple fix this in any way.. but im pretty sure, like FCC say, this is a bad antenna design... so nobody can promise a new unit come free of issues

The FCC didn’t say that it is a bad design. A blogger said it was disappointing performance. He also said that the pixel 1 had an “average” antenna performance, which performed similarly to the XS according to his charts.

 

[Nhwhazup]

I think I’m going to do some further testing with my Max against my 6S Plus like swapping the SIM between them when the Max seems to have a problem. If my further testing clearly shows that the 6S Plus gets better connectivity than the Max - back it goes and I’ll pick up the X at Best Buy.

I just don’t want to keep returning, in case I get another one with problems. And with Apple not coming out with anything on this, I can’t count on a fix coming. I’m just plain disappointed as I really like the Max.

 

[kneezmo]

The FCC didn’t say that it is a bad design. A blogger said it was disappointing performance. He also said that the pixel 1 had an “average” antenna performance, which performed similarly to the XS according to his charts.

True. FCC said the antenna gain is worst then previous generations.. this is enough for me. Xs its an incredible phone.. but i cant looking my phone all the time to be sure that im connected or looking for signal. Now im fine with a new X, but respect all the people that havent issues with their units, in fact, im happy for them, this is a expensive item to live nervous about his good performance in lte.
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I think I’m going to do some further testing with my Max against my 6S Plus like swapping the SIM between them when the Max seems to have a problem. If my further testing clearly shows that the 6S Plus gets better connectivity than the Max - back it goes and I’ll pick up the X at Best Buy.

I just don’t want to keep returning, in case I get another one with problems. And with Apple not coming out with anything on this, I can’t count on a fix coming. I’m just plain disappointed as I really like the Max.

you will be the 3 o 4 another users did the same. Me too. Maybe we can create Best Buy X users 2018 group in whatsapp and talk about this hah. xD

 

[Mad4clay]

I can honestly say that I've never had issues with connectivity. I'm on AT&T and have been since the beginning. So I don't know what can be done about it at this point has I have had the phone now for more than the 14 days. Very sad.

 

[solodogg]

More thoughts to add to this conversation...

1.) Xs and Xs MAX support B14 on AT&T, which none of the prior iPhones did. Is everyone with AT&T that's having issues confirming that they are not connecting to different frequencies?

2.) Same as above for T-Mobile, but with B71...none of the previous iPhones supported it. Once again, are we sure these phones aren't connecting to services that might have issues in the areas where other bands don't?

3.) Verizon has released multiple carrier profile updates since iOS 12 was released, has anyone done a side by side with an X/8/8+ with the latest updates to make sure those phones aren't experiencing the same thing now with possibly different band steering?

4.) There are plenty of people out there (myself included) with zero issues, and have directly compared to the older models. There are also a handful of people that claim to have had a bad device, and swapped for one that now works properly. That said, there have been zero changes to the devices themselves (otherwise someone like iFixIt would have found it by now), so what theories are there on why one device works and the other doesn't?

5.) Am I alone in believing that the masses look for issues when they see that others are experiencing issues? I have been guilty of this myself many times before, but I truly suspect not many would be pointing the finger at a phone issue if it weren't for a 110 page thread riddled with complaints of lower signal that was started by an amateur blogger who decided to attempt to decipher FCC test reports. Antenna gain is only a portion of the equation when it comes to RF performance, and anyone that understands any form of RF transmission should know that.

6.) iOS 12.1 should be released on Monday or Tuesday. I would LOVE to see Cellular Insights run another test comparing 12.0.1 vs 12.1 on the Xs, as well as obtain a Qualcomm X to compare with the original test where an Intel X was used. I know they said software updates had mitigated any differences between the devices during the iOS 11 run, but I would still like to see them put the reception issues to bed with actual controlled testing.

 

[JustJ4]

A replacement will not fix the issue. It could be one of three issues. A Verizon problem, a iOS problem, or a design flaw. If it's one of the first 2, that can be fixed. If it's a design flaw, you are out of luck.

I’m just not sure I will know if another phone is better or not since my issue only occurred during a hurricane. I wouldn’t have known there was an issue without my husbands and daughters phones to compare, and to use! Maybe an area power outage would produce a comparable situation.

 

[PBz]

So frustrated that I feel like throwing my new Max across the room.

I’m in NH on ATT. My first Max was so bad with cellular connectivity that I brought it back within 5 days. I waited weeks and after hearing that some had good luck with replacements, I bought a new one.

It’s been working good until today. I walk the same 3.5 mile route pretty much everyday since last winter. I put on my earbuds and listen to NPR. Never did I lose connection on my 6S Plus. So the last 6 days on my walk the new Max was pretty good. Today, it is cloudy here in NH. I could not get a connection with 3 bars LTE. Tried over and over. I could not send a text. I reset the network settings and was able to connect with NPR but it dropped and reconnected 6 times in 10 minutes. I gave up and turned it off. I so wish that I had my 6S Plus with me to swap the SIM to see if it was definitely a phone issue or just poor ATT connectivity today.

I really like this phone and was pretty settled on keeping it. All set with 3 awesome cases, screen protector - the whole works. But now very skeptical.

Help me decide on other options:

1. Return and get an X from Best Buy
2. Return and try an XR in a month or so.
3. Keep and carry my 6S Plus with me for when I need a phone and have no service with the Max

Just kidding on #3 - won’t be carting around 2 phones.

I know I will be giving the XR a look this coming Friday.

 

[kneezmo]

More thoughts to add to this conversation...

1.) Xs and Xs MAX support B14 on AT&T, which none of the prior iPhones did. Is everyone with AT&T that's having issues confirming that they are not connecting to different frequencies?

2.) Same as above for T-Mobile, but with B71...none of the previous iPhones supported it. Once again, are we sure these phones aren't connecting to services that might have issues in the areas where other bands don't?

3.) Verizon has released multiple carrier profile updates since iOS 12 was released, has anyone done a side by side with an X/8/8+ with the latest updates to make sure those phones aren't experiencing the same thing now with possibly different band steering?

4.) There are plenty of people out there (myself included) with zero issues, and have directly compared to the older models. There are also a handful of people that claim to have had a bad device, and swapped for one that now works properly. That said, there have been zero changes to the devices themselves (otherwise someone like iFixIt would have found it by now), so what theories are there on why one device works and the other doesn't?

5.) Am I alone in believing that the masses look for issues when they see that others are experiencing issues? I have been guilty of this myself many times before, but I truly suspect not many would be pointing the finger at a phone issue if it weren't for a 110 page thread riddled with complaints of lower signal that was started by an amateur blogger who decided to attempt to decipher FCC test reports. Antenna gain is only a portion of the equation when it comes to RF performance, and anyone that understands any form of RF transmission should know that.

6.) iOS 12.1 should be released on Monday or Tuesday. I would LOVE to see Cellular Insights run another test comparing 12.0.1 vs 12.1 on the Xs, as well as obtain a Qualcomm X to compare with the original test where an Intel X was used. I know they said software updates had mitigated any differences between the devices during the iOS 11 run, but I would still like to see them put the reception issues to bed with actual controlled testing.

5) Yes. The problem is real. is not a few hate-users. Do not defend Apple in this point.
FCC tolds clearly about antenna gain. iPhone never was a good phones if we talk about conectivity, but this new phones are even worst... An updated iOS/Carriers firmware can help a bit, but never fix a bad hardware.. if the antennas have a low gain, updates dont fix this, never..

6) Same. You wait for an update that fix reception issues.. this never happens.. repeat, software cant repair hardware problems..

 

[indychris]

5.) Am I alone in believing that the masses look for issues when they see that others are experiencing issues? I have been guilty of this myself many times before, but I truly suspect not many would be pointing the finger at a phone issue if it weren't for a 110 page thread riddled with complaints of lower signal that was started by an amateur blogger who decided to attempt to decipher FCC test reports. Antenna gain is only a portion of the equation when it comes to RF performance, and anyone that understands any form of RF transmission should know that.

That’s simply ridiculous speculation. As for me, as I’ve detailed before, I came looking specifically for information after traveling almost 5,000 miles with two separate Max’s and an 8+, both on the same carrier, side-by-side. The ‘old’ phone performed exactly as expected during the course of the trip from Indiana to AZ, UT, NM and and back. The first Max had serious connectivity issues so I returned it to Apple in Phoenix where they suggested actually returning it and buying another in order to extend my 14 day return period for my trip home. The second Max had the same problem staying connected and reconnecting after losing service. With both XSM’s, I registered with “No Service” I would guess 20%+ of my return trip, while the 8+ typically retained at least a marginal usable signal almost the entire trip.

I wasn’t looking for problems, nor was I responding to complaints from others. It was first-hand problems that lead me to search for solutions.

 

[Thai]

5) Yes. The problem is real. is not a few hate-users. Do not defend Apple in this point.
FCC tolds clearly about antenna gain. iPhone never was a good phones if we talk about conectivity, but this new phones are even worst... An updated iOS/Carriers firmware can help a bit, but never fix a bad hardware.. if the antennas have a low gain, updates dont fix this, never..

6) Same. You wait for an update that fix reception issues.. this never happens.. repeat, software cant repair hardware problems..

Yet as I posted above, my Xs is seemingly slightly faster LTE than iPhone 7 in a difficult location.

So how can hoorible hardware explain the good and bad experiences?

 

[PBz]

Yet as I posted above, my Xs is seemingly slightly faster LTE than iPhone 7 in a difficult location.

So how can hoorible hardware explain the good and bad experiences?

Maybe Apple could help us understand.

 

[Mad4clay]

More thoughts to add to this conversation...


5.) Am I alone in believing that the masses look for issues when they see that others are experiencing issues? I have been guilty of this myself many times before, but I truly suspect not many would be pointing the finger at a phone issue if it weren't for a 110 page thread riddled with complaints of lower signal that was started by an amateur blogger who decided to attempt to decipher FCC test reports. Antenna gain is only a portion of the equation when it comes to RF performance, and anyone that understands any form of RF transmission should know that.

Yes, it's really an issue I have not had to deal with. The only time I had issues with service on ALL of my other iPhones and I've had them all except the very first one, was when I was traveling somewhere out of state. Now I have bad service in my own home. Not good!

 

[Thai]

I am sure this had been posted but just for review: https://www.pcmag.com/news/364116/iphone-xs-crushes-x-in-lte-speeds-but-still-falls-short-of

Going back to X or earlier iPhones is probably not the best idea. Just wait for Apple and carrier to update phone.

 

[kneezmo]

Yet as I posted above, my Xs is seemingly slightly faster LTE than iPhone 7 in a difficult location.

So how can hoorible hardware explain the good and bad experiences?

luck? 2 years its time enough to improve this model.. compare your Xs with a normal X. I know exist people without issues.. but at the same time, exist costumers that pay 1000 dolars for a poor conectivity phone, thats the problem. Maybe apple have the answer, but probably we never know the truth.
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I am sure this had been posted but just for review: https://www.pcmag.com/news/364116/iphone-xs-crushes-x-in-lte-speeds-but-still-falls-short-of

Going back to X or earlier iPhones is probably not the best idea. Just wait for Apple and carrier to update phone.

X cost 800$ and works propertly. In UK some users have same problems, in spain too. This iis not a firmware update to fix this.. If only was this, why never happens before? i never had (forgot the i4) problems like this with LTE/WiFi, with any carrier. Other brands use 4X4MIMO since 2017 .. so carriers have to work normal, idk what is the problem with new iPhone.. Its new modem but intel has been workin all these pass years without problems like this.

 

[solodogg]

5) Yes. The problem is real. is not a few hate-users. Do not defend Apple in this point. FCC tolds clearly about antenna gain. iPhone never was a good phones if we talk about conectivity, but this new phones are even worst... An updated iOS/Carriers firmware can help a bit, but never fix a bad hardware.. if the antennas have a low gain, updates dont fix this, never..

6) Same. You wait for an update that fix reception issues.. this never happens.. repeat, software cant repair hardware problems..

So, as I stated, you are assuming that the blogger with no proven credentials was able to accurately decipher FCC testing, and are also assuming that antenna gain is the only variable when it comes to cellular reception. You are also assuming the troubles some are experiencing are hardware related, yet it was proven that iOS 11 revisions were able to bring the Intel X up to the same standards as the Qualcomm X, something the masses also stated was a hardware issue...

I wasn’t looking for problems, nor was I responding to complaints from others. It was first-hand problems that lead me to search for solutions.

You are clearly not in the masses in my comments, and I commend you for being persistent enough to continue testing. This is exactly the same thing I did last year when it was believed that large differences existed between the Intel and Qualcomm variants of the X, and even worked with a couple of users on these forums to test some theories during these times. While I have not experienced the same issues you have during my travels with the Xs, I would love the opportunity to meet someone locally with the same issues you are experiencing, and find out if there are a bad batch of devices or if carrier/software updates can potentially correct these issues.

 

[Thai]

luck? 2 years its time enough to improve this model.. compare your Xs with a normal X. I know exist people without issues.. but at the same time, exist costumers that pay 1000 dolars for a poor conectivity phone, thats the problem. Maybe apple have the answer, but probably we never know the truth.
[doublepost=1540067899][/doublepost]

X cost 800$ and works propertly. In UK some users have same problems, in spain too. This iis not a firmware update to fix this.. If only was this, why never happens before? i never had (forgot the i4) problems like this with LTE/WiFi, with any carrier. Other brands use 4X4MIMO since 2017 .. so carriers have to work normal, idk what is the problem with new iPhone.. Its new modem but intel has been workin all these pass years without problems like this.

Sure but the test above is pretty clear that X is not as good as Xs. Sorry.

 

[Packers1958]

Sure but the test above is pretty clear that X is not as good as Xs. Sorry.

Apples and oranges. Xs is faster because it's using the faster LTE bands that the X can't. Has nothing to do with connectivity issues. In the real world, most people don't have access to those faster bands as of yet.

 

[Thai]

Apples and oranges. Xs is faster because it's using the faster LTE bands that the X can't. Has nothing to do with connectivity issues. In the real world, most people don't have access to those faster bands as of yet.

Did you even bother to read the PCMAG test?

 

[Packers1958]

Did you even bother to read the PCMAG test?

Yes i did, and I can guarantee the Xs in not faster when using the exact same bands. I have tested my Max against my X is several locations, using the exact same bands, and the Max is NOT faster. They are the same, except when the signal is weak, and then the X is vastly superior. Ans if you look at the actual performance in the US, you can clearly see it's only about 5Mbps faster on LTE, which is pretty much a wash.

 

[Nhwhazup]

Well I caved and bought the X at Best Buy. Keeping my fingers crossed that this one works for me. What’s also interesting is that I had a call and voice mail from yesterday that showed on the X, but had never come through at all on the Max.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/xs-max-serial-number.2147684/#post-26658489

Okay. I finally got my XS Max in Gold 256 Sim-Free. Looking at the serial number. Mine is:

ZHENGZHOU, 2nd. Half of 2018, 14th. Week Production Date: 9/30-10/6.

Am I good on the issues, hence, is my XS Max, hopefully, not part of the bad batch?

 

[Packers1958]

Okay. I finally got my XS Max in Gold 256 Sim-Free. Looking at the serial number. Mine is:

ZHENgZHOU, 2nd. Half of 2018, 14th. Week Production Date9/30-10/6.

Am I good on the issues, hence, is my XS Max, hopefully, not part of the bad batch?

If it's a bad antenna design, then batch has no bearing.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

Well I caved and bought the X at Best Buy. Keeping my fingers crossed that this one works for me. What’s also interesting is that I had a call and voice mail from yesterday that showed on the X, but had never come through at all on the Max.

I just picked up an XS Max on Wednesday. I haven't even opened the box. It was a hard decision on the X or XS Max. I only have tonight and tomorrow to really decide on this XS Max. I'm flying up again to Portland one more time tomorrow for work, so I still have time to make a lateral exchange to an X should I decide. I'm just trying to save myself $100 in taxes (which I may apply towards AirPods) when I fly there again tomorrow.
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If it's a bad antenna design, then batch has no bearing.

What do you suggest I should be testing to determine whether the antenna is good or is a pass?

 

[Packers1958]

I just picked up an XS Max on Wednesday. I haven't even opened the box. It was a hard decision on the X or XS Max. I only have tonight and tomorrow to really decide on this XS Max. I'm flying up again to Portland one more time tomorrow for work, so I still have time to make a lateral exchange to an X should I decide. I'm just trying to save myself $100 in taxes (which I may apply towards AirPods) when I fly there again tomorrow.
[doublepost=1540075879][/doublepost]
What do you suggest I should be testing to determine whether the antenna is good or is a pass?

Just use it as you would with your previous phone. If you notice your phone losing connection, or download speeds really drop compared to your other phone, then you will know it's time to send it back. It you live in an area with a weak signal, you can test both phones.