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

[VineRider]

That's a stretch...a big stretch.

I understand that it may be a stretch, but after decades of doing support in software technologies, I have found that many times there are a myriad of factors that can contribute to a problem. I believe there is some kind of issue with the new XS, but not everyone is seeing the problem. Just made me wonder if some folks have sort of created their own issue by running so many speed tests.
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So if I run 5 speed tests I’m using over a GB of data? Where’d you get those figures?

Do you mean MB or Mb?

From the speed test app by ookla. I mean 200 megabytes. If you look at the results tab it tells you how much data was used
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[richard371]

I notice on the SF muni it hangs onto the LTE connection longer when leaving the stations but no data as to be expected. Apple is giving the allusion you have service when you don't.

I’m seeing much better signal re-acquisition after brief loss like on the subway with 12.1b5 on my Max, Verizon, NYC. And excellent consistent speeds out and about.

 

[vinegarshots]

That's a stretch...a big stretch.

There has been at least one guy in this thread who had that exact problem (discovered his plan was being throttled by ATT). So its not a big stretch at all to say that it happens to some people

 

[dazz87]

That is so infuriating!! Why not focus on what makes this thing an actual phone?? People are more worried about freaking selfies. Smh.

Because software fix is easier than hardware fix Apple will fix this issue when the new iphone get release in fall of 2019.

 

[imtoomuch]

There has been at least one guy in this thread who had that exact problem (discovered his plan was being throttled by ATT). So its not a big stretch at all to say that it happens to some people

OK this solves the problem for one out of a thousand...

It's a stretch as an across the board root cause.

 

[seezar]

So if I run 5 speed tests I’m using over a GB of data? Where’d you get those figures?

Do you mean MB or Mb?

Go look at the results page on the Speedtest app. It’ll tell you how much data was used for each test. The higher the speeds are in a test the more data used. So it depends on the speeds you are getting. On a test that resulted in 86Mbps download it said it used 144MB of data. The upload portion of that test used 27MB of data.

 

[indychris]

I understand that it may be a stretch, but after decades of doing support in software technologies, I have found that many times there are a myriad of factors that can contribute to a problem. I believe there is some kind of issue with the new XS, but not everyone is seeing the problem. Just made me wonder if some folks have sort of created their own issue by running so many speed tests.
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From the speed test app by ookla. I mean 200 megabytes. If you look at the results tab it tells you how much data was used
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If that’s the case, then I stand corrected and apologize. I just can’t fathom that my last test just used up a half-GB data, but then again, I’m on fiber, so maybe.

 

[Pxus]

Everybody with issues should simply return their phones and move on - either return/exchange or get another phone (model or brand) all together. My XS that I have since launch date has no apparent connectivity issue. In the past four weeks this phone traveled through Europe, several states in the U.S. via car, went through fringe areas etc.

If it had issues I'd get rid of it and move on with life.

Whatever the cause might be, I doubt it is affecting a large quantity of phones given the lack of broad based social media outrage - and, yes, I don't believe in conspiracy theories of Apple blackmailing the world to keep this "scandal" under wraps.

Finally, it took Apple about 6 weeks to fix the LTE connectivity issues on iPhone 7 Verizon 2016 (via iOS and carrier update). Hence, this is not the first phone to ever have "connectivity issues".

Could not explain it better. Thanks!

I’m on my second max with AT&T and have major LTE issues but one of my co-workers with a max on AT&T their phone works perfectly fine.

In this case should be software or a bad batch, in case of a bad hardware design ther would not be phones working perfectly fine, right?

 

[Artakamoose]

I notice on the SF muni it hangs onto the LTE connection longer when leaving the stations but no data as to be expected. Apple is giving the allusion you have service when you don't.

The Muni lines under Market have terrible reception. I’ve basically given up using my phone there. It’s really lame too since the reception one level down on BART is awesome.

 

[kneezmo]

Could not explain it better. Thanks!



In this case should be software or a bad batch, in case of a bad hardware design ther would not be phones working perfectly fine, right?

I'm not totally sure of that. There are people who probably do not even know that their phone does not work properly. We know that many Apple followers buy only for the brand, and do not understand how it works or detect if it works well. Ojo, I do not say that all fail, there are people out there enjoying their purchase, but I am also sure that there is a percentage that simply does not know / does not care.

 

[Roger67]

Everybody with issues should simply return their phones and move on - either return/exchange or get another phone (model or brand) all together. My XS that I have since launch date has no apparent connectivity issue. In the past four weeks this phone traveled through Europe, several states in the U.S. via car, went through fringe areas etc.

If it had issues I'd get rid of it and move on with life.

Whatever the cause might be, I doubt it is affecting a large quantity of phones given the lack of broad based social media outrage - and, yes, I don't believe in conspiracy theories of Apple blackmailing the world to keep this "scandal" under wraps.

Finally, it took Apple about 6 weeks to fix the LTE connectivity issues on iPhone 7 Verizon 2016 (via iOS and carrier update). Hence, this is not the first phone to ever have "connectivity issues".

The "complainers" should "move on"? This thread has been fueled by an extreme attachment to apple. There has been frustration but the posters have spent hours some over weeks dealing with apple, testing, getting replacements, testing again, often several times. They're sharing information with each other to try to find some clarity if not the solution. Meanwhile nothing from the media or apple, not even yet another clever workaround.

This attachment to a device demonstrated in this thread is irrational but that's what apple's been exploiting since the beginning of the company. And when the problem isn't big enough the buyer is told to be rational and move on.

 

[imtoomuch]

The "complainers" should "move on"? This thread has been fueled by an extreme attachment to apple. There has been frustration but the posters have spent hours some over weeks dealing with apple, testing, getting replacements, testing again, often several times. They're sharing information with each other to try to find some clarity if not the solution. Meanwhile nothing from the media or apple, not even yet another clever workaround.

This attachment to a device demonstrated in this thread is irrational but that's what apple's been exploiting since the beginning of the company. And when the problem isn't big enough the buyer is told to be rational and move on.

You must be extremely attached since you are here to complain about complainers.

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

My testing

I'm not totally sure of that. There are people who probably do not even know that their phone does not work properly. We know that many Apple followers buy only for the brand, and do not understand how it works or detect if it works well. Ojo, I do not say that all fail, there are people out there enjoying their purchase, but I am also sure that there is a percentage that simply does not know / does not care.

I am sure that most people don't live in fringe areas and have saturated cell phone coverage. A good way to test out your phone is to stream music or video and drive around. You might be shocked at all the drops you will have and those times you also can't make calls either no matter how many fake bars you have on your phone . But most people want to be a cheerleader for apple and ignore the real truth . I am sure that they will also report this post and try to get me banned but it's all good

 

[imtoomuch]

in my case this seems to be a software issue (iphone xs max 256gb)
I get a pretty good reception at open places (usually connected to band 7) but a poor reception inside buildings
early this morning in the office I've noticed poor reception and the phone was connected to band 7, I've restarted the phone and instantly got significant better reception ... but connected to band 3 now. After a minute phone switched back to band 7 and poor reception was back. it seems the phone doesn't lock on the best antenna/band possible.

speed tests:
band 7 prior to restart - terrible
band 3 after restart - perfect
band 7 a minute after restart - terrible

I've said the same thing many times. I'm on Verizon. After a restart, the phone always locks onto Band 13 (this has been the case forever with all iPhones). After a minute it drops down to band 4 (again, this has always been the case with iPhones). However, there does seem to be a software issue in that it NEVER switches back to band 13 even when the signal degrades enough to the point where the performance on band 4 is unacceptable. This might result in dropped calls, lost voice packets (5+ seconds of silence on a call), poor data performance, etc.

Not to say that there can't be some hardware issues/design flaws in the XS, but this issue could be fixed by software should Apple choose to do so. In the same way that WiFi should switch from 5GHz to 2.4GHz when the signal gets bad enough, the phone should switch bands once the signal degrades enough on the preferred band.

Since this thread moves so fast I'm going to ask again.

How does one perform the above tests on their iPhone? I'd like to try on my own and report back with my results.

 

[jkozlow3]

Since this thread moves so fast I'm going to ask again.

How does one perform the above tests on their iPhone? I'd like to try on my own and report back with my results.

What tests exactly? Do you know how to use Field Test on your phone? That's how to see the band. Here is a tutorial on how to use Field Test mode. Note that the tutorial focuses on seeing signal strength and not the band however. For the band, you must choose "Serving Cell Info".

http://osxdaily.com/2018/05/02/use-field-test-mode-iphone-x-ios/

After toggling Airplane mode, the phone usually starts out on the strongest band (i.e. Band 13 for Verizon). In my case, this is 3-4 bars. This band will yield the best signal strength but does not provide the fastest speeds or best capacity. Think of it as the equivalent of 2.4GHz WiFi.

After 30 seconds or so it switches to a weaker band (less signal strength but better speed & throughput). In Verizon's case this is typically band 2/4 (depends on what licenses Verizon has in your area). With Verizon, it could also be band 5 or 66 (which is similar to band 4). When my phone is on band 4 in my apartment, I typically see 1-2 bars.

The weaker bands are similar to 5GHz WiFi networks. Better speeds and higher capacity but worse range. I understand why the phone prefers these bands. But, if the signal gets bad enough to effect quality, it should switch to the stronger band. Most times, it does not. It would rather drop a call vs. switch to band 13 in the case of Verizon.

That said, I've seen this behaviour to some degree for years. It may be worse on the XS however. Or the XS simply doesn't do as well with a crappy signal and needs to switch bands a bit sooner than previous iPhones. I'm not sure. But making the phone a tad more aggressive/eager to switch bands certainly wouldn't hurt once the signal reaches a certain threshold.

Here's another example of why the iPhone has issues with band selection (not exclusive to the XS)...

Verizon offers an LTE Network Extender. Basically a mini cell tower for your house which plugs into your router. By default it broadcasts on band 13 as this is the only band Verizon has a nationwide license for (I believe).

iPhones do not like band 13. In many instances, an iPhone will NEVER connect to the LTE Network Extender if you don't toggle airplane mode upon returning home. It should gracefully connect since you've got a tower in your house with a strong signal. Yet, upon returning home, many times the iPhone will happily sit with 1 bar of band 4 from the cell tower for hours and never connect to the Network Extender. Basically, the phone never looks for alternative options if the band 4 signal is above a certain point and it will only connect to band 13 as an absolute last resort.

Verizon Network Engineers can change the Network Extender to broadcast on band 4 (vs. band 13) if Verizon holds a license to operate on band 4 in the area you live (most areas have band 4 licenses but maybe not all). Once they do this, the problem is solved. The iPhone will then connect to the Network Extender within 30 seconds of returning home without fail. Verizon Network Engineers have informed me that they do not have this issue with Samsung devices (I asked when I was on the phone with a very helpful engineer) and that only iPhones seem to be reluctant to connect the Network Extender.

So yes, SOME of these issues could be fixed with software should Apple choose to do so. But some of them are also longstanding issues IMO (as an iPhone user from the very beginning).

 

[imtoomuch]

What tests exactly? Do you know how to use Field Test on your phone? That's how to see the band. Here is a tutorial on how to use Field Test mode. Note that the tutorial focuses on seeing signal strength and not the band however. For the band, you must choose "Serving Cell Info".

http://osxdaily.com/2018/05/02/use-field-test-mode-iphone-x-ios/

After toggling Airplane mode, the phone usually starts out on the strongest band (i.e. Band 13 for Verizon). In my case, this is 3-4 bars. This band will yield the best signal strength but does not provide the fastest speeds or best capacity. Think of it as the equivalent of 2.4GHz WiFi.

After 30 seconds or so it switches to a weaker band (less signal strength but better speed & throughput). In Verizon's case this is typically band 2/4 (depends on what Verizon has in your area). With Verizon, it could also be band 5 or 66 (which is similar to band 4). When my phone is on band 4 in my apartment, I typically see 1-2 bars.

The weaker bands are similar to 5GHz WiFi networks. Better speeds and higher capacity but worse range. I understand why the phone prefers these bands. But, if the signal gets bad enough to effect quality, it should switch to the stronger band. Most times, it does not. It would rather drop a call vs. switch to band 13 in the case of Verizon.

That said, I've seen this behaviour to some degree for years. It may be worse on the XS however. Or the XS simply doesn't do as well with a crappy signal and needs to switch bands a bit sooner than previous iPhones. I'm not sure. But making the phone a tad more aggressive/eager to switch bands certainly wouldn't hurt once the signal reaches a certain threshold.

Here's another example of why the iPhone has issues with band selection (not exclusive to the XS)...

Verizon offers an LTE Network Extender. Basically a mini cell tower for your house which plugs into your router. By default it broadcasts on band 13.

iPhones do not like band 13. In many instances, an iPhone will NEVER connect to the LTE Network Extender if you don't toggle airplane mode upon returning home. It should gracefully connect since you've got a tower in your house with a strong signal. Yet, upon returning home, many times the iPhone will happily sit with 1 bar of band 4 from the cell tower for hours and never connect to the Network Extender. Basically, the phone never looks for alternative options if the band 4 signal is above a certain point and it will only connect to band 13 as an absolute last resort.

Verizon Network Engineers can change the Network Extender to broadcast on band 4 (vs. band 13) if Verizon holds a license to operate on band 4 in the area you live (most areas have band 4 licenses but maybe not all). Once they do this, the problem is solved. The iPhone will then connect to the Network Extender within 30 seconds of returning home without fail. Verizon Network Engineers have informed me that they do not have this issue with Samsung devices (I asked when I was on the phone with a very helpful engineer) and that only iPhones seem to be reluctant to connect the Network Extender.

So yes, SOME of these issues could be fixed with software should Apple choose to do so. But some of them are also longstanding issues IMO (as an iPhone user from the very beginning).

Thank you!

I'm new to iPhone so I don't know how to do the Field Test or any other tests that may exist.

 

[alFR]

Oh, so they’ve announced they are working on the connection issue, and they identify the iOS version the “fix” will be implemented? That’s huge news, man! Thank you!!!

Have a link?

Yeah.....

That’s not what I said. Since apparently you don’t understand sarcasm, let me clarify: it’s dumb to assume that because a company says it’s working on one bug fix it isn’t working on any others. Hope that’s clearer.

 

[decypher44]

That’s not what I said. Since apparently you don’t understand sarcasm, let me clarify: it’s dumb to assume that because a company says it’s working on one bug fix it isn’t working on any others. Hope that’s clearer.

Uh, apparently you don’t understand sarcasm.

Point is, they have announced a camera fix for 12.1. They have NOT announced anything at all regarding the connection issue. Get it??

That’s about as clear as I can explain it. If you still don’t get it, that’s ok. We’ll just move along.

 

[Btcobra]

Did you install 12.0.1? Did the trick for me. Back to normal.

Hey I did but it’s the same and I have

Did you install 12.0.1? Did the trick for me. Back to normal.

yes I did update it to 12.0.1 but st

Did you install 12.0.1? Did the trick for me. Back to normal.

yes I did but still not even close to as good as my old iPhone X and I have top of the line modem and router , thanks for asking!!

 

[Frankfurt]

The "complainers" should "move on"? This thread has been fueled by an extreme attachment to apple. There has been frustration but the posters have spent hours some over weeks dealing with apple, testing, getting replacements, testing again, often several times. They're sharing information with each other to try to find some clarity if not the solution. Meanwhile nothing from the media or apple, not even yet another clever workaround.

This attachment to a device demonstrated in this thread is irrational but that's what apple's been exploiting since the beginning of the company. And when the problem isn't big enough the buyer is told to be rational and move on.

Well, it is a tool not your life’s purpose.
If a tool does not work, you replace it - or you trust that Apple makes it right for you (which they likely do one way or the other). Either way, you move on.

 

[jacklivehere]

I have ATT and had cellular problems with 2 Maxes.

I have ATT and had cellular connectivity problems with 2 Maxes.

I have t-mobile and I have both cellular and Wifi problems.

Apple so far refused to accept issues and keep collecting logs .

 

[elitypes]

I have t-mobile and I have both cellular and Wifi problems.

Apple so far refused to accept issues and keep collecting logs .

Same, on my second Xs Max and sent another set of sysdiagnose files and screenshots.

Apple customer support is hit or miss in the sense that it varies so much person to person. The first senior adviser I worked with was a superstar. Really lovely to deal with and was trying her best to help me. Ultimately she said we should try a replacement, which was no better.

The Apple genius I worked with to get said replacement was not great. Very professional but he was immediately skeptical and took a tone doubting my claims despite EVERYTHING being in my case ID. This is the big problem with trying to get a replacement/refund outside the 14 day window. It only works if they believe you that there is something wrong. Because as we know, they'll run a diagnostic and say it's fine and then you're SOL.

The second Apple senior adviser who reached out about my second unit hasn't been great either. Right from the get go she told me how this is the first she's heard of it. Even when I told her how the first adviser told me they're aware people are having problems. Even also when I told her the official Apple support forums were littered with tons of these posts. She just brushed it off and gave me a canned response. I sent her the new files and I'm sure it will go right back to complete radio silence.

Has anyone heard anything else from an adviser? I know it's not likely people have, but I did see some posting that they heard some people were told by the senior advisers they were working with that a fix was being investigated.

 

[Shark5150]

Hey I did but it’s the same and I have

yes I did update it to 12.0.1 but st

yes I did but still not even close to as good as my old iPhone X and I have top of the line modem and router , thanks for asking!!

Bummer.

 

[Chrisd999]

Upgrading from my iPhone X to the iPhone XS Max the Wi-Fi issues are terrible has problems connecting The LTE barely shows up usually it’s only 3G I don’t have one at best two bars the iPhone X is so much faster when picking up the Wi-Fi signal and has LTE 4G and has all bars does anybody else have these problems because I expected it to be faster with the new chip or better Wi-Fi connection signal you know, this is depressing you know I paid a small fortune for this man I hope they do something to fix this because several members in my family all got the new iPhone XS Max and we all had the same problem !!!

I bought my XS Max 3 weeks ago, but I still had my X before I sold it. Since I heard this was an issue I ran Speedtest (Wi-Fi) on both devices (beside each other) at the same time multiple times, and on average the XS Max downloaded slightly faster. Have not experienced any issues with Wi-Fi since. I didnt directly compare cell signal as I only have the one SIMM card, but the Max seems comparable to the X. I have started dropping calls on the Max recently, but a network reset took care of that.

So for me no complaints with the Max, but no improvement either.

 

[predation]

I have t-mobile and I have both cellular and Wifi problems.

Apple so far refused to accept issues and keep collecting logs .

I have TMobile too. I’ve found my xs max is on par wit my 7+ in regards to cellular.

At home on WiFi, I just lock the phone to my 5ghz channel and no issues. 300mbps+ every time. 150 on the fringe areas.