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OBirder

macrumors 6502
May 13, 2015
436
425
Which is why I don’t find plausible the notion that all XS and Max devices are problematic but the problems have gone unnoticed ...

So it can’t be that all units have a defect or design flaw.

Yes it can be. I have not seen a single person confirming that their XS Max is performing equally to an 8, 7 or 6 in low signal areas. Will you be the first one? So to me it's way more than 10% impacted. By the way I don't care which brand of modem the phone is using or FCC tests. I just go by practical field observation.

Here the simple test I am asking for any XS Max user stating their phone is great in low signal area:
- Go to a remote outdoors area with an 8, 7 or 6.
- Find an area where your 8, 7 or 6 switches between no signal and 1 bar of either 4G, 3G or E (if you have 1 bar LTE it's not a low signal area according to my request)
- When your 8, 7 or 6 just barley get's one bar, look what your XS Max gets?

The handful of XS Max I know in 100% of cases in these situations fall behind the 8, 7 and 6. To me personally this means can't even send or receive a text. It's especially worse when in a pocket or belt holster.

In this situation is seems the 8/7/6 best, then XS and XS Max the worst. But then a handful is not a scientific sample size. On the other hand all users here who are hitting these areas, have confirmed the same observation. Not one user has confirmed otherwise. All the speed tests with WiFi and LTE and toggling on and off mean nothing to me for this low signal scenario. I can see where these may get fixed with a software update.

During the week I am typically not in such areas and I enjoy my XS Max. On the weekend as outdoor enthusiast I meet with others and there it is noticeable. I carry a second phone for work (first a 6 which I upgraded 2 weeks ago to an 8). Others have 6/7/8 or Android's. They are sending and receiving text more reliable than XS Max and XS Users.

I would be surprised if a software update will fix this. We may see next week. But then it's already November and in another 10 months the XI ... I am sure Apple will have noticed this and the XI will have a hardware change ...

I did not mention iSheep and I love my XS Max for everything else. For emergencies I can rely on my work 8. So I am keeping my XS Max ... kind of pathetic ... so if anything I might be an iSheep.
 

vinegarshots

macrumors 6502a
Sep 24, 2018
991
1,355
Yes it can be. I have not seen a single person confirming that their XS Max is performing equally to an 8, 7 or 6 in low signal areas. Will you be the first one? So to me it's way more than 10% impacted. By the way I don't care which brand of modem the phone is using or FCC tests. I just go by practical field observation.

Here the simple test I am asking for any XS Max user stating their phone is great in low signal area:
- Go to a remote outdoors area with an 8, 7 or 6.
- Find an area where your 8, 7 or 6 switches between no signal and 1 bar of either 4G, 3G or E (if you have 1 bar LTE it's not a low signal area according to my request)
- When your 8, 7 or 6 just barley get's one bar, look what your XS Max gets?

The handful of XS Max I know in 100% of cases in these situations fall behind the 8, 7 and 6. To me personally this means can't even send or receive a text. It's especially worse when in a pocket or belt holster.

In this situation is seems the 8/7/6 best, then XS and XS Max the worst. But then a handful is not a scientific sample size. On the other hand all users here who are hitting these areas, have confirmed the same observation. Not one user has confirmed otherwise. All the speed tests with WiFi and LTE and toggling on and off mean nothing to me for this low signal scenario. I can see where these may get fixed with a software update.

During the week I am typically not in such areas and I enjoy my XS Max. On the weekend as outdoor enthusiast I meet with others and there it is noticeable. I carry a second phone for work (first a 6 which I upgraded 2 weeks ago to an 8). Others have 6/7/8 or Android's. They are sending and receiving text more reliable than XS Max and XS Users.

I would be surprised if a software update will fix this. We may see next week. But then it's already November and in another 10 months the XI ... I am sure Apple will have noticed this and the XI will have a hardware change ...

I did not mention iSheep and I love my XS Max for everything else. For emergencies I can rely on my work 8. So I am keeping my XS Max ... kind of pathetic ... so if anything I might be an iSheep.

I have already posted over and over that my XSMax performs the same or better than my 7+ . This includes weak signal areas where 7+ doesn’t hold a signal at all, and XSMax holds on with 1 bar. My XSMax also doesn’t have any problems regaining a data connection when switching from WiFi or whatever. And I am not the only one who reports no problems, either. You haven’t been paying very close attention at all
 

OBirder

macrumors 6502
May 13, 2015
436
425
I have already posted over and over that my XSMax performs the same or better than my 7+ . This includes weak signal areas where 7+ doesn’t hold a signal at all, and XSMax holds on with 1 bar. My XSMax also doesn’t have any problems regaining a data connection when switching from WiFi or whatever. And I am not the only one who reports no problems, either. You haven’t been paying very close attention at all

It seems that you didn’t pay attention.

You generalize. You are talking WiFi, regaining data connection which I specifically excluded since this could be very well software related.

On the signal you don’t specify anything.

Your post has not confirmed what I was very specific about.

I would appreciate if you could confirm the following parameters.

1) Not from past experience, but a side by side comparison.

2) Not in an LTE area, like a city.

3) Your 7+ is holding on barely to 1 bar 4G/3G.

4) What does your XS Max do?

5) Possible screen prints?

A chance that someone else with another phone is nearby to exclude that your 7+ is a low performer?
 

Ifti

macrumors 601
Dec 14, 2010
4,044
2,610
UK
Apple Support Claims. its software issue and fix is coming soon.
They don't want any more logs or can't do replacement any more.

so wait game starts.

Have Apple actually acknowledged the issue though or was this just a single support rep stating something on a whim??

I'm in the process of having my handset replaced at the moment - the online support rep told me it was the first he had heard of such an issue. I directed him to the Apple Forum threads, to which he didn't even respond.

I went into the Apple Store yesterday, the support rep said he had never heard of the issue (although his facial expression was a little 'off', making me think he knew more then he was letting on).

Wouldn't it be better customer service for Apple to acknowledge that they are working on a fix and its coming soon, rather then keeping users who paid a shedload of cash for their 'flagship' phone in the dark?? I mean seriously, is that too much to ask for?? I appreciate there will be teething problems with new tech, but to state that there is a fix being worked on isn't a failure, its a recognition that an issue exists, they are aware, and they are working on a fix. Its better customer support. Just don't treat us like idiots and completely ignore the fact!

/rant over
 

Nhwhazup

macrumors 68040
Sep 2, 2010
3,474
1,718
New Hampshire
Yes it can be. I have not seen a single person confirming that their XS Max is performing equally to an 8, 7 or 6 in low signal areas. Will you be the first one? So to me it's way more than 10% impacted. By the way I don't care which brand of modem the phone is using or FCC tests. I just go by practical field observation.

Here the simple test I am asking for any XS Max user stating their phone is great in low signal area:
- Go to a remote outdoors area with an 8, 7 or 6.
- Find an area where your 8, 7 or 6 switches between no signal and 1 bar of either 4G, 3G or E (if you have 1 bar LTE it's not a low signal area according to my request)
- When your 8, 7 or 6 just barley get's one bar, look what your XS Max gets?

The handful of XS Max I know in 100% of cases in these situations fall behind the 8, 7 and 6. To me personally this means can't even send or receive a text. It's especially worse when in a pocket or belt holster.

In this situation is seems the 8/7/6 best, then XS and XS Max the worst. But then a handful is not a scientific sample size. On the other hand all users here who are hitting these areas, have confirmed the same observation. Not one user has confirmed otherwise. All the speed tests with WiFi and LTE and toggling on and off mean nothing to me for this low signal scenario. I can see where these may get fixed with a software update.

During the week I am typically not in such areas and I enjoy my XS Max. On the weekend as outdoor enthusiast I meet with others and there it is noticeable. I carry a second phone for work (first a 6 which I upgraded 2 weeks ago to an 8). Others have 6/7/8 or Android's. They are sending and receiving text more reliable than XS Max and XS Users.

I would be surprised if a software update will fix this. We may see next week. But then it's already November and in another 10 months the XI ... I am sure Apple will have noticed this and the XI will have a hardware change ...

I did not mention iSheep and I love my XS Max for everything else. For emergencies I can rely on my work 8. So I am keeping my XS Max ... kind of pathetic ... so if anything I might be an iSheep.
This is pathetic. Not you, just the idea of having to carry an extra working phone for emergencies. Especially when you think about the cost of the Max. I truly feel sorry for those stuck with these devices after the 14 day return window. Keeping fingers crossed an update will help.
 

Nikhil72

macrumors 68000
Oct 21, 2005
1,622
1,469
Gotta say, first thought it was placebo but probably some combo of carrier side changes plus 12.1b5, my only LTE issue of not re-acquiring signal after temporarily going through no service areas like subway tunnels is basically completely back to normal. An example, up until ~7 days ago, it took > 5 minutes for my Max to pick up Verizon’s LTE in the Times Square station of NYC. it’s been instant these past few days like my X.
 

petesavage

macrumors newbie
Dec 17, 2017
23
30
Gotta say, first thought it was placebo but probably some combo of carrier side changes plus 12.1b5, my only LTE issue of not re-acquiring signal after temporarily going through no service areas like subway tunnels is basically completely back to normal. An example, up until ~7 days ago, it took > 5 minutes for my Max to pick up Verizon’s LTE in the Times Square station of NYC. it’s been instant these past few days like my X.

That’s heartening news. I’m not running the beta, so I’ll have to wait unti 12.1 is released to see if I notice an improvement like that. I’m also in NYC and the signal in the stations has been non-existent for me. Are you on Verizon, too?
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,145
17,059
That’s heartening news. I’m not running the beta, so I’ll have to wait unti 12.1 is released to see if I notice an improvement like that. I’m also in NYC and the signal in the stations has been non-existent for me. Are you on Verizon, too?

Did you guys do network reset settings ?
 

Nikhil72

macrumors 68000
Oct 21, 2005
1,622
1,469
That’s heartening news. I’m not running the beta, so I’ll have to wait unti 12.1 is released to see if I notice an improvement like that. I’m also in NYC and the signal in the stations has been non-existent for me. Are you on Verizon, too?

Yup. It was driving me crazy that I could go blocks without it picking up a signal again unless I cycled Airplane Mode. At first I thought I was making up the improvements but it’s been consistently solid these past few days, and I’ve been on the subway a ton (even rode the 1 from the UWS all the way down to South Ferry with reliable station service at every stop).
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,145
17,059
Yup. It was driving me crazy that I could go blocks without it picking up a signal again unless I cycled Airplane Mode. At first I thought I was making up the improvements but it’s been consistently solid these past few days, and I’ve been on the subway a ton (even rode the 1 from the UWS all the way down to South Ferry with reliable station service at every stop).

My Xr has done This twice now. I hope it’s not a hardware cause of concern bc my 7plus didn’t do it that I traded in

Still have my x and on iOS 11 jail broken but
 

PBz

macrumors 68030
Nov 3, 2005
2,616
1,577
SoCal
Possibly just had first instance. Left my building where my signal is ok. Took elevator to first floor. Phone showed full bars but when trying to search Google Maps I got the no signal message. Turning airport mode on and off did resolve the issue. Ironically, I’m on my way to check out the XR.
 

ZipZap

macrumors 603
Dec 14, 2007
6,112
1,467
I actually linked to three different posts in one thread-- click on each link and look at the top post that loads. :D

The main point I've been trying to make is that while this is incredibly frustrating for those with a device that's not working as expected, it's clearly affecting a small percentage of owners of the XS series phones. Most of this thread is the same small group of original posters carrying the conversation forward through hundreds of pages, and I don't even think there's even close to 1000 unique users on here with the problem. The iPhone subreddit also has a small number of posts about it.

If it's affecting a small number of users, Apple doesn't need to make a big public announcement about it. And it would be a horrible idea, too, because then they'll get a bunch of OCD Apple fans with working phones becoming paranoid and running speed tests all day long, and thinking that their junky cell service is actually a broken phone and wanting Apple to take care of it.

Apple doesn't owe anyone a "coupon;" if people are unhappy, they should either return the phone or wait to see if a software update can fix it. But some of the doom-and-gloom on this thread is probably being blown way, way out of proportion.

The issue is that people are waiting for a software update but worried it could be hardware.
The return period is over for many.

You really don't know how many are affected as its not like the phone is 100% not working.

My concern is whether Apple will be honest or simply try to avoid replacing phones. Past is prolog and I doubt Apple will ever do the right thing unless order to do so by a court. That's really where we are with regard to Apple and its view of customers.
 

vinegarshots

macrumors 6502a
Sep 24, 2018
991
1,355
It seems that you didn’t pay attention.

You generalize. You are talking WiFi, regaining data connection which I specifically excluded since this could be very well software related.

On the signal you don’t specify anything.

Your post has not confirmed what I was very specific about.

I would appreciate if you could confirm the following parameters.

1) Not from past experience, but a side by side comparison.

2) Not in an LTE area, like a city.

3) Your 7+ is holding on barely to 1 bar 4G/3G.

4) What does your XS Max do?

5) Possible screen prints?

A chance that someone else with another phone is nearby to exclude that your 7+ is a low performer?

Most of the people in this thread are complaining specifically about LTE connectivity problems, not weak signal on HSPA+ 4G.
 
Last edited:

vinegarshots

macrumors 6502a
Sep 24, 2018
991
1,355
I still dont think that Apple would wait until 12.1 to release any LTE fixes. Im still thinking it will come later in a .1.x release, but i could be wrong
 

VineRider

macrumors 65816
May 24, 2018
1,427
1,256
I still dont think that Apple would wait until 12.1 to release any LTE fixes. Im still thinking it will come later in a .1.x release, but i could be wrong
If it was a significant fix, then I can see them rolling it in to 12.1. But, you're right.....who knows
 
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