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M.Rizk

macrumors 6502a
Apr 20, 2015
785
613
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.
 

Packers1958

macrumors 68000
Apr 16, 2017
1,955
2,587
South Dakota
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.

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.
 

M.Rizk

macrumors 6502a
Apr 20, 2015
785
613
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.

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.
 

JPack

macrumors G5
Mar 27, 2017
13,569
26,279
https://9to5mac.com/2018/11/28/apple-qualcomm-lawsuit-resolution/

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

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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bushman4

macrumors 601
Mar 22, 2011
4,146
3,942
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."
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
 

predation

macrumors 65816
Apr 3, 2013
1,237
867
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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nalbagli

macrumors 6502
Sep 11, 2014
310
35
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!
 

jona2125

macrumors 6502a
Jul 12, 2010
780
651
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.
 

nalbagli

macrumors 6502
Sep 11, 2014
310
35
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 !
 

Nikhil72

macrumors 68000
Oct 21, 2005
1,622
1,468

JPack

macrumors G5
Mar 27, 2017
13,569
26,279
https://9to5mac.com/2018/11/28/apple-qualcomm-lawsuit-resolution/

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

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]
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

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.
 

popeyesm

macrumors member
Mar 30, 2012
47
15
this is being addressed in the 12.1.1 beta. Software, not hardware related.


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.
 

archer75

macrumors 68040
Jan 26, 2005
3,116
1,747
Oregon
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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crouch

macrumors regular
Jan 4, 2012
144
264
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

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
 

fastbagger

macrumors 6502
May 13, 2015
252
117
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.
 

archer75

macrumors 68040
Jan 26, 2005
3,116
1,747
Oregon
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.
 

jim29411

macrumors member
Nov 14, 2016
82
56
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.
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.
 

JoeyD74

macrumors 6502
Oct 31, 2014
396
214
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.

Where you on the phone the entire trip? My XS Max would show LTE and 2 bars but have no service,
 

lex22

macrumors member
Sep 14, 2015
64
64
Where you on the phone the entire trip? My XS Max would show LTE and 2 bars but have no service,

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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