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

[The Oak]

What is interesting is in this shot of the all 2x2 ... iOS 11 Intel outperformed iOS 12 based phones ... for REALLY low signal only.

Makes one wonder, well at least me, is it the new Intel chip, or iOS code in iOS 12?

Regardless however, I would still take the blue (orange too I suppose) line regardless. When the signal gets that low, you are standing on your chair (or climbing a nearby tree) with your arms waving to get signal anyway.

 

[Otflyer]

Actively on my plan, I have 5 iPhones (XS, XS Max, X, XR, 8) and two Samsung phones (Note9, S9). The plan is just mine to myself. I am suspect yes it may be something to do specifically with the XS series on my network (T-Mobile). I have opened a case with Apple and I've been providing them logs the last couple weeks. I am really hopeful for some kind of solution from them but they haven't gotten back with me in a few days. I was recently in California and provided logs from that area (Sunnyvale) as well when I was experiencing a similar issue.

I live in Sunnyvale an haven’t had any issues at all with my XS.

 

[doboy]

My only worry is that if you do too many returns to Apple for "no reason" that they could start refusing to accept the returns (happens to people who frequently buy an apple device to rent it for a few days and then return it).

Don’t think I’ve ever heard Apple doing this.

 

[solodogg]

What is interesting is in this shot of the all 2x2 ... iOS 11 Intel outperformed iOS 12 based phones ... for REALLY low signal only.

Makes one wonder, well at least me, is it the new Intel chip, or iOS code in iOS 12?

AFIAK, the modem in the XR and X are the same, so to me this demonstrates a difference between iOS 11 code and iOS 12 code. Cellular Insights had also previously stated that Intel vs Qualcomm differences had all but disappeared by iOS 11.4, and this graph tends to agree at most signal levels except for extremely high signal areas (at least not a difference most people would notice, and not the low signal fall-off that was occurring when the devices were first released).

To me, this is all the proof I need to see that these are software issues. The supposed “inferior” antenna in a controlled environment allows the new modem to blow away the old modem, including the old Qualcomm modem. I truly believe any issues with reception will be fixed in the next couple of updates, and we will be back to complaining again on next years devices.

So the question I have is about the XR, is it using a Qualcomm for the CDMA variant this year as well, or did Intel modify the old modem to allow CDMA reception? If there is a QC XR, where’s the tests between those? Also, why wasn’t the X tested on iOS 12 as well to show any differences in firmware?

 

[jkozlow3]

AFIAK, the modem in the XR and X are the same, so to me this demonstrates a difference between iOS 11 code and iOS 12 code.

<SNIP>

So the question I have is about the XR, is it using a Qualcomm for the CDMA variant this year as well, or did Intel modify the old modem to allow CDMA reception? If there is a QC XR, where’s the tests between those?

No, the modem in the XS and XR are identical (not the X and XR). XS and XR use the identical Intel XMM 7560 modem. No Qualcomm variant is available. The difference is in the antenna design. 2x2 for the XR and 4x4 for the XS.

ETA: You may have been thinking of the antenna design which is the same 2x2 configuration for both the X and XR.

 

[balaplus]

This definitely seems to support "its a software issue" camp and hence with the appropriate code, the XS phones will do amazing.

Yes..
Software should be ready in 11 months...

 

[jona2125]

I live in Sunnyvale an haven’t had any issues at all with my XS.

Yeah it seems to be hit or miss around there. It was almost a 50/50 split between the group.

Edit: Just got an update from Apple they want my device for further testing and I'm on my way to drop it off to the Apple store. They didn't say anything about a replacement device. Now I know I have several backups and I'm not worried about it but has anyone here done something like this and did they give you a loaner/replacement?

 

[aldo82]

Just got the XS Max after several years with Samsung phones. At work my phone has low signal (~-110 dBm reported by the Samsung) so I was worried on switching to the iphone (given this thread) that I might not get a signal at all. Decided to give it a go and the phone is working fine. Data and call signal is there whenever I need it so far and its displaying 2 bars (not that that means anything). Certainly don’t feel its doing any worse than the Samsung’s did in that regard. I’m on EE in the UK btw


Also I watched a youtube video last night in my kitchen which my former Note 8 always used to struggle for wifi signal and the video played fine and didn’t buffer once so pleased with that!

 

[cornerexit]

I live in Sunnyvale

Please tell Bubbles I said hi and good luck with the kitties.

 

[roncron]

Please tell Bubbles I said hi and good luck with the kitties.

I have no idea what this is about, but I like the sound of it, so I’m giving it

<dang! My iPad emojis disappear when I post the comment. The emojis I was trying to use were the thumbs up emoji and two cats.>

 

[gameofenders]

I'm curious how software update can increase wifi reach. Right now my max still cannot see the 5ghz wifi in my house when it's far away.

 

[OBirder]

I'm curious how software update can increase wifi reach. Right now my max still cannot see the 5ghz wifi in my house when it's far away.

Agreed.

When I have 5ghz connection I typically have higher throughput over the 8, but the reach is less.

E.g. walking to the street side mailbox. The 8 / 8+ never lost WiFi connection, while the XS Max frequently does. Actually with the 8 I can walk to the neighbor mailbox and still have 5ghz connection.

But this I can work with, the lack of cellular connection in low signal areas is more significant to me.

 

[Nhwhazup]

Agreed.

When I have 5ghz connection I typically have higher throughput over the 8, but the reach is less.

E.g. walking to the street side mailbox. The 8 / 8+ never lost WiFi connection, while the XS Max frequently does. Actually with the 8 I can walk to the neighbor mailbox and still have 5ghz connection.

But this I can work with, the lack of cellular connection in low signal areas is more significant to me.

Ate you still having cellular connectivity issues, even with the updates?

 

[Otflyer]

Please tell Bubbles I said hi and good luck with the kitties.

Will do???

 

[OBirder]

Ate you still having cellular connectivity issues, even with the updates?

Yes as mentioned by several of us in low signal areas it has not changed.
Actually if anything the difference to me became more apparent.

I was on an outdoor trail where XS and XS Max couldn’t get signal before and after the update. iPhone 6 and 8 had before the update 1 bar 4G and at times lost signal. My 8 after the update was hanging on to the signal with 1 bar 4G (but not tested enough to be sure - some of it could be related to the environmental conditions that day)

Speedtest would be very slow and webpages take a long time to load.
But the difference is sending/receiving text on the 6 and 8 while the XS and XS Max fail. Or make an emergency phone call.

By now, I don’t expect this to change with software updates.

I still don’t believe that this only 0.01% of the XS or XS Max Population as some trying to impose on those impacted. I believe that a large population might not be in such areas and that’s why we are not having more noise.

I still love my XS Max for everything else.

 

[Kimmie92592]

Ate you still having cellular connectivity issues, even with the updates?

I am.

 

[Nhwhazup]

Yes as mentioned by several of us in low signal areas it has not changed.
Actually if anything the difference to me became more apparent.

I was on an outdoor trail where XS and XS Max couldn’t get signal before and after the update. iPhone 6 and 8 had before the update 1 bar 4G and at times lost signal. My 8 after the update was hanging on to the signal with 1 bar 4G (but not tested enough to be sure - some of it could be related to the environmental conditions that day)

Speedtest would be very slow and webpages take a long time to load.
But the difference is sending/receiving text on the 6 and 8 while the XS and XS Max fail. Or make an emergency phone call.

By now, I don’t expect this to change with software updates.

I still don’t believe that this only 0.01% of the XS or XS Max Population as some trying to impose on those impacted. I believe that a large population might not be in such areas and that’s why we are not having more noise.

I still love my XS Max for everything else.

Honestly this really stinks. I had 2 Maxes with poor connectivity for everything - WiFi (poor distance), Cellular (just unusable in a lot of areas) and even Bluetooth connections were subpar when compared to my 3 year old Plus phone. I returned my Maxes, but was truly hoping for a software update that truly fixed these issues. Sad to hear people are still having trouble.
[doublepost=1541537241][/doublepost]

I am.

Sorry.

 

[jona2125]

Dropped my phone off to Apple, I asked if they wanted my XS Max that has the same issues and they said no. They did end up offering me a replacement device though so we will see how this one goes.

 

[vinegarshots]

and even Bluetooth connections were subpar when compared to my 3 year old Plus phone.
Sorry.

Another thing that's interesting... my AirPods (bluetooth) still work if I leave my phone on my desk and walk almost 30 feet away to the kitchen. Definitely nothing wrong with bluetooth on my Max, either. :-S

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Dropped my phone off to Apple, I asked if they wanted my XS Max that has the same issues and they said no. They did end up offering me a replacement device though so we will see how this one goes.

I would have demanded that they swap the Max that has the same issues, “for scientific and diagnostic purposes”.

 

[AbSoluTc]

Recently did some travel in low/no cell signal areas. Signal was better than a X. Had a X sitting next to my Xs Max and my Max had 2 bars of LTE while the X had none or 1. I was able to make calls and send iMessages whereas the X was unable to do either most times.

Pretty pleased so far.

 

[ghsDUDE]

Is anyone having issues with their XR? Mine has been slow as molasses on cellular.

I have Verizon (big city) and never had issues.

 

[jona2125]

Recently did some travel in low/no cell signal areas. Signal was better than a X. Had a X sitting next to my Xs Max and my Max had 2 bars of LTE while the X had none or 1. I was able to make calls and send iMessages whereas the X was unable to do either most times.

Pretty pleased so far.

This has been my observations as well. When the XS series has a signal, it's better. When it doesn't however, my other devices manage to hold, albeit weak, a connection still.

 

[OTACORB]

Is anyone having issues with their XR? Mine has been slow as molasses on cellular.

I have Verizon (big city) and never had issues.

I haven't had any issues on AT&T, but I've read of a few people saying they have noticed slow LTE on the Xr. I've really not been comparing, but haven't seen what I've perceived as slower speed while on LTE.

 

[jona2125]

Is anyone having issues with their XR? Mine has been slow as molasses on cellular.

I have Verizon (big city) and never had issues.

I have an XR and it's been really good for me