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

[big samm]

They added wifi at the office today which we've not had. I connected my work phone and it got two full bars steady in my office. XS Max 1 bar at the most and half the time it was dropping back to LTE. They did this to help us keep our data down. Though it wasn't mean for us to use personally I told the IT person I just wanted to try it. He was amazed that this new iPhone couldn't keep a signal vs the iPhone 8+. Here I am debating about taking it back and replacing with the XR. This just put me one step closer. What is weird is I've not had any LTE issues, but 95% of the time I am apparently in pretty decent coverage. This phone I've not taken out to my brothers which they only get signal if the wind is blowing just right. Oh well... a few more days to decide. They have had over a month to address these issues and while they have improved some of them, it is more and more looking to be hardware and there won't ever really be a fix. I suppose there will be many who will just accept this as the norm, but I will not. I don't care what others have or are experienced I can only go by my experience because it's my $1500. This is what I get for bragging earlier in the thread saying I didn't have wifi issues. Seems because my signal at home is so strong that unless you get to a area where the signal is weaker you likely won't experience issues.

Same here i got no problem with lte but more with wifi, i can be right next to the router and the XS Max will disconnect and go to lte... i have a iphone X and it stays connected to the same router 24 hours... funny thing is when i connect to the 2.4ghz with my Xmax it stays connected, as soon as i connect to the 5ghz band phone will disconnect within 30 sec to 1 min....
i suspect that the intel chip is the problem here... iphone X have Qualcom and got 0 connectivity problem. With Xs Max it’s a nightmare!

 

[crouch]

I can understand how this might be the case for a few folks, but I'm on newer plan, and the connection differences between my 8+ from yesterday (the day I traded it in) and my new XS this morning are night and day. It honestly seems related to an antennae/software issue--the connection barely holds on to LTE, and drops down to 4G constantly, with the data coming in at a trickle.

I have two other phones on my plan: an SE and a 7. Only the XS has these issues.

Something new I noticed (and maybe this has been pointed out already):

When I leave my house and my wi-fi connection, and then return home, the phone won't automatically re-connect to wi-fi. It just stays with cellular. My 8+ would re-connect almost instantly. So not only am I constantly using a sub-par cellular connection, the phone won't even take advantage of wi-fi automatically.

I've upgraded my iphones a number of times, and I've never experienced anything this frustrating before. I'm on a Week 33 XS model, 12.01, AT&T.

 

[Otflyer]

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.

Nope! Perfect. I received recall notice but, mine wasn’t leaking. At least Toyota acknowledged the problem and fixed it. Wish Apple would. I’m on my third Max. This one seems to be ok after a weeks use. We have a strong cell network here. I’m retired and don’t leave the area much so I will may hang on to this one though, I have a XR for store pickup tomorrow.

 

[steve62388]

The lack of effort on taking advantage of the OLED is something I don’t like.

Argh, tell me about it! Just hurry up and give us dark mode already. They should have introduced it with the X.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...ark-mode-saves-nearly-60-battery-over-3-hours

 

[imtoomuch]

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.

I don't think anything has been proven yet. Nobody knows the root cause for sure.

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.

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

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

No other companies have full screens. The notch is a limitation of current technology not a feature.

 

[Freakonomics101]

Haha. I know I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll hang out in the background and read MacRumors for a month or so before jumping in next year.

I’m honestly super glad the X didn’t have this issue. I love the new design and waited forever for Apple to decrease the sizes of the bezels of the older models. I was so badly tempted to upgrade to the X, and I did, quick. The X works as it should. The price is worth it, overall. They just need to take advantage of the OLED. Other than that, it’s a phenomenal device.

 

[vinegarshots]

Same here i got no problem with lte but more with wifi, i can be right next to the router and the XS Max will disconnect and go to lte... i have a iphone X and it stays connected to the same router 24 hours... funny thing is when i connect to the 2.4ghz with my Xmax it stays connected, as soon as i connect to the 5ghz band phone will disconnect within 30 sec to 1 min....
i suspect that the intel chip is the problem here... iphone X have Qualcom and got 0 connectivity problem. With Xs Max it’s a nightmare!

WiFi controller is a Broadcom module and has nothing to do with the Intel modem.

 

[dazz87]

I don't think anything has been proven yet. Nobody knows the root cause for sure.



No other companies have full screens. The notch is a limitation of current technology not a feature.

there are couple of OEM that already offer full screen without that ugly notch.

 

[Freakonomics101]

Argh, tell me about it! Just hurry up and give us dark mode already. They should have introduced it with the X.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...ark-mode-saves-nearly-60-battery-over-3-hours

I wonder if there’s a reason as to why they won’t do anything. Maybe battery life will be better on the X than the XS or XR. Not sure but I’ve been wanting dark mode since it came out. It just makes sense to do it. They can then boast having the best battery life of any smartphone in today’s market. But noooooo.

 

[doboy]

The only ass raping going on at Apple is them to their customers.

That I do agree to certain extent.

 

[Otflyer]

The only ass raping going on at Apple is them to their customers.

Oh so true though no body is forcing us to buy.

 

[kneezmo]

I don't think anything has been proven yet. Nobody knows the root cause for sure.



No other companies have full screens. The notch is a limitation of current technology not a feature.

Well. if you see Mi Mix 3, Vivo Nex S or Oppo Find X, you can see some manufactures with full screen phone. Also samsung launch de Galaxy A8s in china, all screen. Next year lot of brands will launch something like this.

 

[mrvirginia]

Something new I noticed (and maybe this has been pointed out already):

When I leave my house and my wi-fi connection, and then return home, the phone won't automatically re-connect to wi-fi. It just stays with cellular. My 8+ would re-connect almost instantly. So not only am I constantly using a sub-par cellular connection, the phone won't even take advantage of wi-fi automatically.

I've upgraded my iphones a number of times, and I've never experienced anything this frustrating before. I'm on a Week 33 XS model, 12.01, AT&T.

This has been happening to me on my 8 Plus since iOS 12...
It's not specific to the XS line I'm afraid.

 

[archer75]

Something new I noticed (and maybe this has been pointed out already):

When I leave my house and my wi-fi connection, and then return home, the phone won't automatically re-connect to wi-fi. It just stays with cellular. My 8+ would re-connect almost instantly. So not only am I constantly using a sub-par cellular connection, the phone won't even take advantage of wi-fi automatically.

I've upgraded my iphones a number of times, and I've never experienced anything this frustrating before. I'm on a Week 33 XS model, 12.01, AT&T.

Yeah that's not right for sure. Mine connects right away. In fact I disable wifi at work but when I pull in the driveway at home it grabs my wifi right away. I wonder if this has more to do with your router?
Very odd that some of us have no issues at all while others do.
I'm running unifi access points. Best wifi setup i've ever had. And I have a closet full of routers i've used over the years. Including one of those expensive asus routers covered in antennas.

 

[Nhwhazup]

I’m honestly super glad the X didn’t have this issue. I love the new design and waited forever for Apple to decrease the sizes of the bezels of the older models. I was so badly tempted to upgrade to the X, and I did, quick. The X works as it should. The price is worth it, overall. They just need to take advantage of the OLED. Other than that, it’s a phenomenal device.

I’m truly happy with the X, especially coming from the connectivity issues with both of the Maxes. I am even really comfortable with the smaller size.

 

[jtrue28]

A lot of these LTE issues are the carrriers, my phone is working much better now. I discovered AT&T had me on an unlimited legacy plan with capped data, they made some changes and never told the customers, I got moved to a updated plan and now my reception and data have dramatically improved. If you have been with one carrier for a long time check to see if they are secretly throttling even if they tell you they are not.

Man, if this is even remotely true...LAWSUIT.

 

[madKIR]

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.

That article only showed some speed comparisons based on some ideal scenario. They didn’t test the Intel modem against the Qualcomm in terms of signal reacquisition. That was the main issue last year on the X with Intel. The Intel chip was way slower to reconnect and it might be still the case with this year’s Intel chip as well. So allegedly weak antenna and this Intel modem behavior might be causing these issues on the Xs.

 

[smoking monkey]

Apple has been following up with me daily on this issue as I have the exact same experience as you. I've submitted logs from several devices (Intel X, Qualcomm X, and iPhone XS and XS Max) and they haven't revealed any conclusions but they seem to really be digging to see what's going on and no version of iOS has proved a change for the better. I'm still getting dead-zoned in well covered areas that are proved operable by non XS devices on the same carrier, tower, and band. The thing that worries me is that my issue will be taken seriously by engineering but any public response, should it come out, will be very lackluster on responsibility and it will be some brushed off reason why the issue happens and not an actual admittance of a defect in design.

Don't let them extend the correspondence beyond your return for a full refund date. If your problems persist, return it, get full money back and buy an X, 8+, XR or keep using your old phone and wait to see what happens.

Returning it for a full refund is about the only way to show Apple that this is simply unacceptable. Even if it is the carriers, then Apple should have been on top of them. It's quite outrageous what's happening.

 

[Wags]

A lot of these LTE issues are the carrriers, my phone is working much better now. I discovered AT&T had me on an unlimited legacy plan with capped data, they made some changes and never told the customers, I got moved to a updated plan and now my reception and data have dramatically improved. If you have been with one carrier for a long time check to see if they are secretly throttling even if they tell you they are not.

How would tell if throttling if not telling? Also, all plans potentially throttled

 

[Never mind]

XS model 64 GB gold
38th week
iOS 12.01
Verizon
Florida, West Coast........

Wi-Fi and LTE both basically the same for me as my 1 year old QUALCOMM Cellular iPad 12.9. If some with either the XS or the XS Max having these issues, wouldn’t it be a bad batch or something that we haven’t thought of yet? Why is it that many are not complaining and some are? If it is the antenna wouldn’t everyone have the same issue? This is perplexing.

 

[Freakonomics101]

Well. if you see Mi Mix 3, Vivo Nex S or Oppo Find X, you can see some manufactures with full screen phone. Also samsung launch de Galaxy A8s in china, all screen. Next year lot of brands will launch something like this.

I’d totally go from my 2017 X to the 2019 X as long as it doesn’t have ANY issues like the 2018 XS and XSM are experiencing.

I’m truly happy with the X, especially coming from the connectivity issues with both of the Maxes. I am even really comfortable with the smaller size.

The size is perfect, I agree. I can text with one hand. Can barely reach the opposite side, but I can. The keyboard alignment option helps.

It’s sad you have to downgrade to have an iPhone that works better than the newly released one.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

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

I appreciate it. I've decided to return my XS Max this weekend. I need a phone that can make outgoing calls. Often, I received calls from work that require me to respond (if I don't pickup) within 10 mins. of being called when on duty. I'll wait to repurchase later. This is a huge dsappointment.

 

[jkozlow3]

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.

Yeah, I don't think there is any way the XR will have 12.1 preinstalled. The last 12.1 beta (beta 5) only came out on Monday (4 days before the XR release date). Even if Apple decided to finalize 12.1 with the beta 5 build, how would they have installed it on all of the XR phones before shipment?

Speaking of which, how DOES Apple install iOS on devices before shipment? Surely the factory doesn't have millions of devices sitting around that they have been manufacturing for weeks/month leading up to the release date waiting for them to get the final iOS build installed before boxing them up. Do they have some magic way of updating the iOS version after they are boxed & sealed?

 

[richard371]

I know people used to Verizon with Qualcomm are seeing the biggest difference but what about those conning form intel to the intel XS? I don’t see any difference here in SF. Rest looking forward to seeing joe the XR performs.

 

[vinegarshots]

I know people used to Verizon with Qualcomm are seeing the biggest difference but what about those conning form intel to the intel XS? I don’t see any difference here in SF. Rest looking forward to seeing joe the XR performs.

I came from Qualcomm 7+ to XSMax, and the only tangible difference has been slightly shorter reach on my 5Ghz wifi. LTE appears to be identical, and in some cases better than before.