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

Here is what I noticed so far.

1. Most of those complaining are based in the US so I am assuming many of them come from Qualcomm powered devices and of course this feels like a massive change for them. This is not an issue for other countries that have relied on Intel modems since iPhone 7.

2. I am not sure if the non US models use the same modem as US ones but according to Apple.com, A2101 for example which is the international model, does not support CDMA. The reason I checked is because most videos coming from non US YouTubers show no issues whatsoever unlike those coming from the US ones

Example:
(Japanese)

I am assuming this is why most of those complaining are on Verizon or Sprint because they must have come from Qualcomm powered devices. And most if not all of those complaining on GSM carriers had bought their past iPhones from other stores and not their carrier or Apple, maybe Best Buy or Target for example who used to sell one single model so it had to be Qualcomm to support Verizon and Sprint.

Again I am not dismissing that any of you are facing issues. I am just trying like many of you to pinpoint the source.

This just kind of makes me scratch my head as I see no one complaining locally where I live and most of the internet speed tests by non US YouTubers show amazing performance even when compared to the Note 9 which uses Qualcomm.
 
M.Rizk said:
Here is what I noticed so far.

1. Most of those complaining are based in the US so I am assuming many of them come from Qualcomm powered devices and of course this feels like a massive change for them. This is not an issue for other countries that have relied on Intel modems since iPhone 7.

2. I am not sure if the non US models use the same modem as US ones but according to Apple.com, A2101 for example which is the international model, does not support CDMA. The reason I checked is because most videos coming from non US YouTubers show no issues whatsoever unlike those coming from the US ones

Example:
(Japanese)

I am assuming this is why most of those complaining are on Verizon or Sprint because they must have come from Qualcomm powered devices. And most if not all of those complaining on GSM carriers had bought their past iPhones from other stores and not their carrier or Apple, maybe Best Buy or Target for example who used to sell one single model so it had to be Qualcomm to support Verizon and Sprint.

Again I am not dismissing that any of you are facing issues. I am just trying like many of you to pinpoint the source.

This just kind of makes me scratch my head as I see no one complaining locally where I live and most of the internet speed tests by non US YouTubers show amazing performance even when compared to the Note 9 which uses Qualcomm.
Click to expand...

The video does not show what LTE band the phones are using. They may be using bands that are not used in US. That may be the reason why most issues are occurring in US, slthough some posts have been from Europe too.
 
Packers1958 said:
The video does not show what LTE band the phones are using. They may be using bands that are not used in US. That may be the reason why most issues are occurring in US, slthough some posts have been from Europe too.
Click to expand...

True. That is a point that shouldn’t be excluded. Most carriers outside North America depend mainly on 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz. Some use 850 MHz for wide coverage. Only US (and Canada but less often) depend mainly on 700 MHz for their wide coverage and this band gets congested as the throughput on it is much lower by nature.
 
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Banglazed said:
https://9to5mac.com/2018/11/28/apple-qualcomm-lawsuit-resolution/

Qualcomm modem making a combat next year? Another reason to upgrade again?
Click to expand...

Sound like an olive branch and something to calm investors. The modem for 2019 iPhones has already been decided, it's really about 2020 models with 5G. The Qualcomm CEO is clearly making a sales pitch when he says "It’s the opportunity to either be left behind or to make sure that you’re part of that new generation."
 
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JPack said:
Sound like an olive branch and something to calm investors. The modem for 2019 iPhones has already been decided, it's really about 2020 models with 5G. The Qualcomm CEO is clearly making a sales pitch when he says "It’s the opportunity to either be left behind or to make sure that you’re part of that new generation."
Click to expand...
For the right deal Apple will go with Qualcomm
Let’s be real. Qualcomm is the king of modems for mobile phones. Intel has a way to go to deliver what Qualcomm’s modems can
 
Hopefully better for everyone down the road.

But just a quick update on my experiences...

Was on a cruise from la to Santa Barbara and then Mexico.

Other than when on actual sailing in the middle of the ocean did I not have reception, but when along the coast ( like 2-3 miles out) I was getting double digit reception! Insane.

I get amazing coverage with the xs max.
Wife’s 7+ was pulling its weight too.


T-Mobile. Non-beta 12.1 XS max
 
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Hi, in the last few weeks I have noticed my XS Max having the following issue: once I lose signal, my phone does not recover the signal even once I go to an area where there should be no problems. Even more, if I put the phone on airplane mode and then on back again nothing happens it appears searching and then no service.

The only fix is turning the phone off and then on.

Does anyone have this issues? Is there a fix or should I ask for a replacement once I visit the US?

Thanks!
 
There is a long thread on this where people are sharing similar issues with their XS series devices. I would try to get a new device, that seems to help some.
 
Thanks, do you know where is that thread, I searched for it but couldn't find it. My problem is I don't know how I could possibly demonstrate this on the store as my problem only happens when I am in an area where reception is completely lost. So it seems challenging.

I dont remember having a dropped call either though.

Thanks !
 
nalbagli said:
Hi, in the last few weeks I have noticed my XS Max having the following issue: once I lose signal, my phone does not recover the signal even once I go to an area where there should be no problems. Even more, if I put the phone on airplane mode and then on back again nothing happens it appears searching and then no service.

The only fix is turning the phone off and then on.

Does anyone have this issues? Is there a fix or should I ask for a replacement once I visit the US?

Thanks!
Click to expand...


this is being addressed in the 12.1.1 beta. Software, not hardware related.
 
Banglazed said:
https://9to5mac.com/2018/11/28/apple-qualcomm-lawsuit-resolution/

Qualcomm modem making a combat next year? Another reason to upgrade again?
Click to expand...

As expected, Qualcomm and Apple are still quite far apart. Can't blame the Qualcomm CEO for trying to patch things up though.

“The parties are going to need a trial,” said Isaacson. “There have been unfortunate articles lately that the parties are close to a settlement, and that is not true. There haven’t been talks in months.”

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.co...qualcomm-apple-trial-date-20181130-story.html​
[doublepost=1543723176][/doublepost]
bushman4 said:
For the right deal Apple will go with Qualcomm
Let’s be real. Qualcomm is the king of modems for mobile phones. Intel has a way to go to deliver what Qualcomm’s modems can
Click to expand...

Apple is all about self-sufficiency and getting leverage over the supply chain. Short term pain for long term gain. I don't expect Apple to ever go back to Qualcomm, not when Intel is only a half step behind.
 
Nikhil72 said:
this is being addressed in the 12.1.1 beta. Software, not hardware related.
Click to expand...


Alas not for me. Running latest beta and in weak areas mt Max drops back to "4G" with no data connection. Still have to turn cellular off and on to get LTE connectivity. Then it loses LTA once the phone goes back to sleep. Yes, it does sound like a software issue, in that LTE connections are possible. But whatever the software is doing to maintain that connection is still not working.
 
Yesterday at a restaurant, me on my Xs max 2 bars lte. I’m on the beta. My wife’s Xs max not on the beta 1 - 2 bars. My daughter 8 plus was on edge.

I’m finding the Xs max consistently has better reception than the 8+. And the beta does make a difference. We’re on t-mobile
 
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archer75 said:
Yesterday at a restaurant, me on my Xs max 2 bars lte. I’m on the beta. My wife’s Xs max not on the beta 1 - 2 bars. My daughter 8 plus was on edge.

I’m finding the Xs max consistently has better reception than the 8+. And the beta does make a difference. We’re on t-mobile
Click to expand...

Since we're doing the anecdotal evidence thing, here's mine:

AT&T, my second XS after returning the first for reception issues, running the latest beta (which yes, did make a positive difference, but still has a long, long, long way to go):

2 bars of LTE service
0.13 Mpbs down
0.18 Mbps up
​
This phone is so far worse than my 8+ ever was. I made a terrible mistake upgrading. Never again am I'm buying iPhone models during their first year of production. (My second XS is a week 34 model, for what it's worth.)

I will admit that if you're service-privileged and live in an area with 4 bars of service, the connection is super-speedy. Unfortunately I like to use the phone as it was designed: as a mobile one. For instance, sending texts in a moving vehicle in DC and Brooklyn? Yeah, good luck with that.

I never realized how spoiled I was with my 8+ until I upgraded.

IMG_5928.PNG
 
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I feel everyones pain here. Have Xs Max and also having connectivity issues on Verizon. 8 plus never had an issue. Over weekend inside restaurant with large group of people and my wife was sitting at one end of table and I was at other. Wives and husbands together. She was texting me and I never received them. I looked at my Xs Max was on 3G and my father who was sitting across from me with 8 Plus was on LTE. When I re-booted phone went to LTE than all my data messages started to arrive. So, sadly I have re-activated my 8 Plus and the LTE is constant. BTW my wife has the Xr and always LTE. Wish I could return my Max.
 
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A couple of weeks ago we traveled to the oregon coast. Going over the coast range you always lose reception. It's to be expected. However this is the first time that I never lost reception the entire trip. My daughters 8+ did. My wifes Xs Max did briefly(not on beta). Mine stayed on LTE the entire way.
 
popeyesm said:
Alas not for me. Running latest beta and in weak areas mt Max drops back to "4G" with no data connection. Still have to turn cellular off and on to get LTE connectivity. Then it loses LTA once the phone goes back to sleep. Yes, it does sound like a software issue, in that LTE connections are possible. But whatever the software is doing to maintain that connection is still not working.
Click to expand...
It sounds to me like Apple is attempting to work-around flakey hardware or a hardware design flaw with software. I have been part of this type of effort many times in my career because fixing the hardware is just too costly of an effort. I hope that I am wrong, but I don't think so because Apple should have had this problem resolved by now.
 
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archer75 said:
A couple of weeks ago we traveled to the oregon coast. Going over the coast range you always lose reception. It's to be expected. However this is the first time that I never lost reception the entire trip. My daughters 8+ did. My wifes Xs Max did briefly(not on beta). Mine stayed on LTE the entire way.
Click to expand...

Where you on the phone the entire trip? My XS Max would show LTE and 2 bars but have no service,
 
JoeyD74 said:
Where you on the phone the entire trip? My XS Max would show LTE and 2 bars but have no service,
Click to expand...

Same with me. Also, my phone is generally the slowest of all the iDevices on my home's wifi network. But at least it works on wifi.
 
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