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

[richard371]

What Carrier?

I drover 5,000 miles with my 8 and Max side by side. Literally side by side. The 8 performed admirably. The Max registered ‘No Service’ a significant portion of the trip, told me I had no internet at times when it actually showed LTE, and failed to reconnect to LTE in places where my 8+ had a strong LTE connection. Both phones on the same plan. The conclusion that this is a ‘throttling’ issue simply doesn’t compute in my limited noggin’ as both phones are on the same data plan.

 

[doboy]

Throughout the 124 pages and well over 1000 messages posted on this thread, people are reporting a variety of connectivity issues (e.g. inability to make calls, download/upload speeds inferior to an older iPhone tested at the same time on either LTE or wifi, and others).

There are probably various different causes. That’s why some “fixes” (e.g. updating to 12.0.1, returning your XS/Max and getting a replacement, others) work for some people but not others, and why some explanations (e.g. throttling) are causing some people’s issues but not others.

So if you find a “fix” that works for you, it might work for some people so please share it, but probably won’t work for most.

Sorry to say, but I’m not having any issues with both TMo and AT&T when I compare between Max and Qualcomm 7+. My home (downstairs and garage) is in finge area for both TMo and AT&T Now, I’m back to 7+ for additional testing for AT&T since I recently switch from TMo. I’m not trying to defend the Max since I’m still not happy with the device (price) so actually fairly negative on the device.

 

[Nhwhazup]

Not me. I’m an early adopter by nature, and as long as I still get 14 days to be an ‘early returner,’ too, I’ll order right away. I purchase outright anyway, and if I can take it back, there’s not much risk.

I purchase outright also. For me, it’s just the pain in the neck part of returning. And for me, I usually jump the gun buying cases and screen protectors and then have to return or give them away. I’ve always done the launch day purchase and had no major issues in the past. This has just been a lot of aggravation.

 

[archer75]

Sorry to say, but I’m not having any issues with both TMo and AT&T when I compare between Max and Qualcomm 7+. My home (downstairs and garage) is in finge area for both TMo and AT&T Now, I’m back to 7+ for additional testing for AT&T since I recently switch from TMo. I’m not trying to defend the Max since I’m still not happy with the device (price) so actually fairly negative on the device.

Same here. AT&T and then T-Mobile. I can still compare to a 7 and 8+ and our Max's have the same signal quality. No matter where we are, in the fringe, home or around town.

 

[jona2125]

Sorry to say, but I’m not having any issues with both TMo and AT&T when I compare between Max and Qualcomm 7+. My home (downstairs and garage) is in finge area for both TMo and AT&T Now, I’m back to 7+ for additional testing for AT&T since I recently switch from TMo. I’m not trying to defend the Max since I’m still not happy with the device (price) so actually fairly negative on the device.

That's how I am as well, living in a fringe area. At home I'm honestly fine, I've posted a photo before of three devices running a speed test (all on T-Mobile) and they were done at my home. The XS beat out the X (Qualcomm). My issues aren't when I'm sitting somewhere, it's when I'm on the move through areas with outstanding coverage, the phones just don't want to make a connection. All my reports, with Apple engineering intrigue, have been logged during those events then submitted in the place of disruption using a WiFi hot-spot from a device right next to me that also now submits a log at the same time. It's exhausting but it's been undeniably repeatable by myself. Hoping to at least soon being able to try a device swap because it's getting really frustrating when navigation stops displaying information on my drives. It's hard to notice really if when you're travelling you're not using your phone. For me I didn't catch on until I used the XS for navigation and music after forgetting my other device at home and then noticed things would just cut out.

 

[doboy]

That's how I am as well, living in a fringe area. At home I'm honestly fine, I've posted a photo before of three devices running a speed test (all on T-Mobile) and they were done at my home. The XS beat out the X (Qualcomm). My issues aren't when I'm sitting somewhere, it's when I'm on the move through areas with outstanding coverage, the phones just don't want to make a connection. All my reports, with Apple engineering intrigue, have been logged during those events then submitted in the place of disruption using a WiFi hot-spot from a device right next to me that also now submits a log at the same time. It's exhausting but it's been undeniably repeatable by myself. Hoping to at least soon being able to try a device swap because it's getting really frustrating when navigation stops displaying information on my drives. It's hard to notice really if when you're travelling you're not using your phone. For me I didn't catch on until I used the XS for navigation and music after forgetting my other device at home and then noticed things would just cut out.

That's weird cause my Max (2 different ones) perform(ed) comparably to 7+ in the good coverage area as well as poor area. But then again, I haven't drove across the country with the Max

 

[indychris]

What Carrier?

AT&T, but I have mostly purchased sim-free phones, which until the Max was a Qualcomm modem, and this year—due to the sparring between QC and Apple—is Intel.

My suspicion is that the issue I’ve encountered is mostly hardware related as there’s always seemed to be a difference between the Intel and QC models of phones that I’ve tried. The Intels have never quite had the reception for me that the QC’s have in weak-signal areas.
[doublepost=1540488718][/doublepost]

I purchase outright also. For me, it’s just the pain in the neck part of returning. And for me, I usually jump the gun buying cases and screen protectors and then have to return or give them away. I’ve always done the launch day purchase and had no major issues in the past. This has just been a lot of aggravation.

I totally get that. This year I bought an Apple forest green leather case which I really like, and one third-party cheap case from Spigen. Since I tried two phones, I was way past the 14 day return period for the cases. I’ll hang onto it assuming that next year may have a phone that works well with the same profile. If not, I can put it up on eBay or our local buy/sell facebook page.

The returning doesn’t bother me as it’s typically a quick stop for me as my normal travels take me within 5 minutes of an Apple Store in Indy. Even the setting up of a phone usually isn’t that big of a deal as so much of my info is in the cloud now that syncing my music library is really the only time consuming step, and I do that with my laptop over night.

I’ve been doing Apple stuff for 27 years now since I was a teen. Playing around with it and troubleshooting is part of the fun for me.

 

[Nhwhazup]

AT&T, but I have mostly purchased sim-free phones, which until the Max was a Qualcomm modem, and this year—due to the sparring between QC and Apple—is Intel.

My suspicion is that the issue I’ve encountered is mostly hardware related as there’s always seemed to be a difference between the Intel and QC models of phones that I’ve tried. The Intels have never quite had the reception for me that the QC’s have in weak-signal areas.
[doublepost=1540488718][/doublepost]

I totally get that. This year I bought an Apple forest green leather case which I really like, and one third-party cheap case from Spigen. Since I tried two phones, I was way past the 14 day return period for the cases. I’ll hang onto it assuming that next year may have a phone that works well with the same profile. If not, I can put it up on eBay or our local buy/sell facebook page.

The returning doesn’t bother me as it’s typically a quick stop for me as my normal travels take me within 5 minutes of an Apple Store in Indy. Even the setting up of a phone usually isn’t that big of a deal as so much of my info is in the cloud now that syncing my music library is really the only time consuming step, and I do that with my laptop over night.

I’ve been doing Apple stuff for 27 years now since I was a teen. Playing around with it and troubleshooting is part of the fun for me.

Hey can you help them out at Apple?
[doublepost=1540489200][/doublepost]

Sorry to say, but I’m not having any issues with both TMo and AT&T when I compare between Max and Qualcomm 7+. My home (downstairs and garage) is in finge area for both TMo and AT&T Now, I’m back to 7+ for additional testing for AT&T since I recently switch from TMo. I’m not trying to defend the Max since I’m still not happy with the device (price) so actually fairly negative on the device.

Don’t be sorry, be happy!

 

[indychris]

is true, but is boring.. when you do this 3 times... you only wanna enjoy your device and nothing more

There’s definitely a limit for me. When I received a second Max with a later manufacture date and still had the identical problem, I figured there was no more need to ‘test’ until either a significant software upgrade occurred that deals with the problem or a physical change is made to the phone.

Again, I’m by no means an expert, but I am experienced, and my guess is that this is a physical design problem.

Hope I’m wrong.

 

[solodogg]

I'm on XS with Verizon on the 12.0.1 public release, no beta. Carrier Version is 33.1.

I’m installing Beta 5 now, I’ll let you know shortly if the issues with signal updating are resolved.

 

[indychris]

Hey can you help them out at Apple?

I wish I could. I did discover that when they saw the list of Apple products under iCloud they seemed to take my complaint a little more seriously. I have well in excess of 50 Apple products listed there. Family devices...Mac Mini servers...a computer classroom in our orphanage in Central America...tons of stuff. We also have a business account with Apple, so they know I’m not some fly-by-night Apple newbie. But what I’ve discovered is that it usually only gets me a “WOW, you’ve got a lot of stuff!” Comment!

 

[jona2125]

That's weird cause my Max (2 different ones) perform(ed) comparably to 7+ in the good coverage area as well as poor area. But then again, I haven't drove across the country with the Max

When my XS and XS Max actually allow a data stream, they perform wonderfully well. I'm not driving across the country by any means either, just around my state on my drive to work/home/places for work. If I stay in an area for 5-15 minutes the phones finally acquire the ability to give me data and not just show full strength with nothing happening. I definitely might be on the extreme end of the spectrum but it's manageable thankfully to being able to hot-spot other devices as a temporary band-aid.

 

[doboy]

Don’t be sorry, be happy!

Wasn't really sorry

 

[ET iPhone Home]

If i was you.. i will return this device and wait 1 or 2 weeks for more updates.. if any update fix this issues, re-buy. If dont.. then keep your money in your pocket, buy an X like me and other users did, or skip for 2019. Thats my personal opinion.

So making outgoing calls where it drops is part of the mobile connection issue?

I may just return this XS Max. I'm encountering some set-up issues even with iCloud not recognizing this device from other Apple devices I own.
[doublepost=1540493608][/doublepost]

So I foolishly upgraded my 8+ to an XS last night, fully knowing I might run into LTE issues, and whalla, I have them, in spades. My phone can't keep an LTE connection in my house anymore, and my download speeds are terrible--web pages freeze like they never have before. My new phone spends most of its time on 4G, and data trickles in like sludge. A question:

I realize I'm never getting my 8+ back from the Apple Store, but if I try returning my new XS for a replacement, will I have to pay another $30 to AT&T to activate yet another phone?

Does LTE usually appear on the screen. I know it does on my 5S. I have LTE enabled for voice and date, but nothing on the Lock and Home screen shows LTE lit.

 

[solodogg]

I’m installing Beta 5 now, I’ll let you know shortly if the issues with signal updating are resolved.

Nope...12.1 Beta 5 still no update of signal strength while phone display is in standby mode.

So, what's the possibility that the modem isn't roaming in weaker signal areas when the display is powered down, and that's why some are seeing issues only when in fringe cellular coverage areas? Tested on my Sync 2 system and Uconnect system, both bluetooth and CarPlay FWIW.

Submitted bug report to Apple, not sure if it will help but it sure can't hurt.

 

[kneezmo]

So making outgoing calls where it drops is part of the mobile connection issue?

I may just return this XS Max. I'm encountering some set-up issues even with iCloud not recognizing this device from other Apple devices I own.
[doublepost=1540493608][/doublepost]
Does LTE usually appear on the screen. I know it does on my 5S. I have LTE enabled for voice and date, but nothing on the Lock and Home screen shows LTE lit.

Yes.. this is a piece of the problem.. and seems 12.1 dont fix this.

 

[imtoomuch]

I was afraid connectivity might be an issue when it was announced Apple was switching to the inferior Intel modem. If they stop suing companies and focus on making quality products and including the best components, like Qualcomm modems, this probably wouldn't have happened.

 

[Otflyer]

Same with new cars. Never buy a first year model. With phones going $1,000+ best to adopt the same buying philosophy with phones. I bought two new flat screens for the house this year. I waited a full year for price to drop, full reviews from users, and pros, and neither of my tv’s cost what a XS or Max does. Price goes up I am likely to reasearch extensively. Less price, I care less.

Not necessarily true regarding new model cars. I have a 2016 Toyota Tacoma bought at initial release and it has been perfect. This isn’t the first time I have done this without incident.

 

[doboy]

I was afraid connectivity might be an issue when it was announced Apple was switching to the inferior Intel modem. If they stop suing companies and focus on making quality products and including the best components, like Qualcomm modems, this probably wouldn't have happened.

Yeah, Apple should continue to get raped Qualcomm. Business 101

 

[archer75]

Not necessarily true regarding new model cars. I have a 2016 Toyota Tacoma bought at initial release and it has been perfect. This isn’t the first time I have done this without incident.

Didn't that one have a recall for the rear axle seal? My coworker has a tacoma, 2015 or newer, and took it in for the recall and they wouldn't give the truck back. Said it was a safety issue. Took two months before they finally got a replacement seal and returned the truck to her. Luckily there wasn't damage. Some of the recalls had to have the axle replaced.

 

[Otflyer]

Folks seem to think XR will come with 12.1. If that is the case ... then obviously today or tomorrow.

Otherwise, then probably in and around the iPad event.

I don’t think the XR will have 12.1. I just returned my 2nd XS Max for a new one. This was after 12.0.1 was released. I had to update the software to 12.0.1. It’s possible though.

 

[PBz]

I gave in. Really tired of the large phone. PIcked up an XS today. TMO. Setting up as new, no backup used.

First thoughts... FID is way faster than my wife’s. I can swipe up as I look at it and I am in.

My office has a weak signal on our side of the building. Two bars always at my desk. Same for XS. Download/upload speeds on-par with my 8+. I know this can change so knocking on wood.

 

[vinegarshots]

Does LTE usually appear on the screen. I know it does on my 5S. I have LTE enabled for voice and date, but nothing on the Lock and Home screen shows LTE lit.

Yes, it displays LTE if it has a LTE connection

 

[archer75]

I was afraid connectivity might be an issue when it was announced Apple was switching to the inferior Intel modem. If they stop suing companies and focus on making quality products and including the best components, like Qualcomm modems, this probably wouldn't have happened.

The pcmag article pretty much proved it's not a modem issue. The modem is capable. Based upon what people have done to at least get temporary fixes it appears to be software more than anything. And possibly antenna design which they changed with this model.

 

[Freakonomics101]

Now I totally understand the notch not bothering someone as that’s what I discovered while using the Max, but LOVE the notch? Why would you love it? Wouldn’t we all rather have an edge-2-edge screen with no impedance whatsoever?

Honestly, no. All other companies have the full screen. The X is what started the notch trend. I came from a 7+. I’ve adjusted and have grown to love the design and the gestures that come with it. The lack of effort on taking advantage of the OLED is something I don’t like.

But to each their own. Some don’t like it. Others do. I love the design and I think Apple should continue on with how it is. I would take a slightly smaller notch though.

Yeah, I’m weird, I know. Lol.

What I can’t figure out is why other manufacturers must have a notch when they don’t have anything like the equipment that Apple packs in that space.

The Pixel 3 has an even bigger notch than the iPhone with not much in it!

0_o

That notch is too freaking tall. It’s rather ugly.

I am with you.

But: He might have said that sarcastically, and/or because in a few days, new ipad pros will likely have a notch.

Or he might have meant it. I know someone who loves the notch on his X because, at least last fall/winter, it was a kind of status symbol and because it represents a lot of cool new tech.

I totally meant it. It is a cool new tech and I love how unique it is. I like unique things.