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

[macattosh1234]

Oh boy... Came here just to post that the issues with LTE are definitely real.

I purchased 2 iPhone XS Max from Apple.com (both unlocked)... And they both have LTE issues. Kept disconnecting from LTE, saying there was no connection and only a restart would fix the problem. Using airplane mode and cycling cellular didn't fix it. Also tried resetting networking settings. The only way to "fix it" was to restart the phone, which is ridiculous to say the least.

Just a FYI, the phones were used on Verizon. There were no WiFi issues as far as I could tell.

Already started a return with Apple.

 

[decypher44]

Oh boy... Came here just to post that the issues with LTE are definitely real.

I purchased 2 iPhone XS Max from Apple.com (both unlocked)... And they both have LTE issues. Kept disconnecting from LTE, saying there was no connection and only a restart would fix the problem. Using airplane mode and cycling cellular didn't fix it. Also tried resetting networking settings. The only way to "fix it" was to restart the phone, which is ridiculous to say the least.

Just a FYI, the phones were used on Verizon. There were no WiFi issues as far as I could tell.

Already started a return with Apple.

It seems those of us still with issues tend to be on Verizon. Almost all of you are more familiar with the tech behind it, so I wouldn’t presume to know why. Just noticed the remaining unlucky folks are on Verizon.

 

[jschnee21]

I’m still having the same issue, no service in iffy reception areas or no service when it shows two bars of LTE. My older iPhones work fine in those areas. The last I heard from my Apple rep they told me it’s a carrier issue. No more contact from them in at least a month now. Very sorry I bought this phone. I will never again jump into a new phone until I see if anyone is having problems. I no longer trust Apple to fix it. Stupid of me not to have returned it when I could.

THIS!!! x1000! While my XS Max general works just fine nowadays (since iOS 12.1.1 on AT&T in NJ/PA) several times a week I have low RF related issues in my kids schools, Rec center etc. (large concrete and metal structures) where I either lose connectivity all together (despite often having 2 bars) or no service, or occasionally falling back to 4G (which seems to be garbage these days on AT&T) where as my 6s worked fine — albeit more slowly in these locations.

When I first got my XS Max I hated it and thought strongly about returning it. After 3 months I’ve learned to live with poor reception as an excuse to “take a breath and disconnect” (-:

I thought a lot about switching to a new Samsung Galaxy after 8+ years on iOS. But I have a S7 edge with Android 8 already. The OS, App Store, and general handset performance are just garbage in comparison. So I resigned myself to living with the poor RF sensitivity. Plus each new modem firmware seems to be improving the general LTE reliability and performance so far.

 

[OBirder]

It seems those of us still with issues tend to be on Verizon. Almost all of you are more familiar with the tech behind it, so I wouldn’t presume to know why. Just noticed the remaining unlucky folks are on Verizon.

Problem1:
This post started with poor signal. Many in rural areas throughout have confirmed it.

Problem2:
A lot of of people here post their download/upload speeds and LTE and WiFi issues. This seems to have improved with software updates.
Personally for me if the phone can hang on to LTE I typically get higher download speeds. Software updates improved hanging on to LTE.

However regarding Problem1:
For this we don’t need speed test. It’s the basic needs of a phone to place/receive a call or text. This is what 10 to 15 years ago everyone tested. This to me is still a hardware issue. This is experienced mainly in rural areas where there is no LTE coverage. Personal experience is based on AT&T and T-Mobile.
Most people at work whom I know with an XS series didn’t experience this since they typically are not in these areas. However when I gave them a specific spot to test it, a few did and had no cell phone reception (no call, no text). This all on AT&T. I bought a Pay as you Go AT&T SIM for my old 6. My 6 was able to receive/send text.
In December, we travelled 2 weeks in south TX along the Rio Grande River with many areas of poor reception (hiking) . XS Max and XS were first to loose signal,eventually followed by the an 8 and 6. Regaining signal was in reverse. This was consistent throughout the 2 weeks. Typically the XS Max even performing a little less than the XS, but occasionally it was the other way around.

My personal summary:
I still love my XS Max for everything else. Many may never experience this or spend extended time hiking off the grid. Back home and at work it’s the best phone I ever had and since we spent the majority here, we kept the XS and XS Max. Software updates improved LTE and WiFi.
I still believe that Apple is aware of it and that the 2019 phone will have improved reception. It’s only 8 more months.

 

[arazeleternal]

I’m on Verizon, and I don’t really have issues. Speedtest shows that I barely break 1 mbps, but I have to wonder how accurate that is. I can stream 1080 on YouTube without issues. AFAIK, that isn’t possible on just 1 mbps.

The only issues I do see aren’t due to the XS. I’ve had poor reception at home with AT&T, US Cellular, and Verizon over multiple different phones and manufacturers. I just live in a bad area for cell coverage. Thank the dark one for WiFi calling.

I’m a delivery driver. I sometimes travel up to 400 miles in a day and use Apple Music streaming the whole time (Verizon unlimited is wonderful). Very, very rarely do I have cut outs even when set to high quality streaming. I don’t know if I’m just lucky, or if I just do happen to always be in areas with good coverage.

These are just my experiences. YMMV.

 

[decypher44]

It’s not just “rural” area users. I’m in the heart of Orange County, CA. Far, far from rural. My daughter’s 6s and my girlfriend’s 8+ are both doing just fine. It’s only my XSM.

 

[jim29411]

It seems those of us still with issues tend to be on Verizon. Almost all of you are more familiar with the tech behind it, so I wouldn’t presume to know why. Just noticed the remaining unlucky folks are on Verizon.

That is strange because Verizon is usually the best network with more signal in more places.

 

[decypher44]

That is strange because Verizon is usually the best network with more signal in more places.

It is, except for my XSM.

 

[MrStrouse]

I have the iPhone XS Max. T-Mobile cattier, have had since the second week of release. Signal itself isn’t terrible, however whenever I go from a T-Mobile tower to a roaming tower and back to T-Mobile, I ALWAYS have to toggle airplane mode. If I don’t, I receive a pdp data error. Also handoff from roaming to T-Mobile is horrible. Typically I have to force it through a airplane toggle. Data speeds are only a minimal increase over gf Qualcomm iPhone 7, sometimes lower.

 

[jim29411]

I believe that the only way that folks will with these problems will be able to get a real resolution (or refund) from Apple is if it is possible to elevate the problem to the attention of the mainstream news media such as CNN, WSJ, NBC, CBS, ABC, the (failing) New York Times, etc. Does anyone have any connections to these media outlets? Apple needs some motivation to provide a resolution to this problem that has been going on since the release date back in September. Four months is way too long!

 

[iSocialista]

I’m still having service issues, been having them since launch. I have T-Mobile. Has anyone actually been able to resolve their issues by getting a new phone? That’s going to have to be my next step.

Seriously wishing I just held on to my 7+ at this point. The service was amazing on that phone. As soon as I switched to the Xs Max, everything went to crap.

 

[Paul Cordingley]

First post here, long time lurker. For the first time ever, I bought a new iPhone (XS Max) outright at launch whilst still having my original X on a carrier plan - normally I just swap them with the carrier, this was an anomaly. I still had a few months to return the X so I had an overlap period of having two phones.

The XS Max, with Telstra, was genuinely unusable for me. It dropped out constantly and repeatedly under the same conditions which the X handled without problem. Just unusable. I struggled through it, updating, resetting, restarting, toggling airplane mode etc. It was so bad that I had to return it after nearly a month, which I was able to do.

Went back to old-faithful (the X) and back to very happy.

I will not blindly buy another iPhone in the future, which as a long-time loyalist I never thought I would hear myself say (or write in this case).

 

[fryfrkhlly]

I’m still having service issues, been having them since launch. I have T-Mobile. Has anyone actually been able to resolve their issues by getting a new phone? That’s going to have to be my next step.

Seriously wishing I just held on to my 7+ at this point. The service was amazing on that phone. As soon as I switched to the Xs Max, everything went to crap.

I’m having the same problem with my Day 1 T-Mobile iPhone XS and am tempted to go to apple. It’s getting unbearable now.

 

[AustinIllini]

I’m having the same problem with my Day 1 T-Mobile iPhone XS and am tempted to go to apple. It’s getting unbearable now.

I tried to get them to help. They wouldn't help and neither would the carrier.

 

[jim29411]

I tried to get them to help. They wouldn't help and neither would the carrier.

What are you going to do? I suggest seeing if you can get the local media (newspaper) interested. Large corporations don't like negative publicity and they will most likely refund your money. Some TV stations have a consumer advocate reporter that may be able to help you. It's worth checking out.

 

[AustinIllini]

What are you going to do? I suggest seeing if you can get the local media (newspaper) interested. Large corporations don't like negative publicity and they will most likely refund your money. Some TV stations have a consumer advocate reporter that may be able to help you. It's worth checking out.

Honestly, my wife wanted a Pixel so we returned it and got Pixels

 

[Vivian125]

I noticed on my X a downgrade to my 6S now I feel like my reception on the Xs Max is even worse.

The 8plus is also better than the X.

What is your experiance?

I feel like having more often no 3G or LTE/4G or Even no reception

Oh my gosh, don't tell me someone has a SIGNAL JAMMER (In Witch blocks cellular, Bluetooth, WiFi, and many more) If someone has a Signal jammer of course you won't get a signal after all. Gosh, that is scary. (Knock knock on the wood, "hope nothing bad happens")

Anyways, look around your surroundings. When i was on Mall, i notice that my XS MAX has also losing signal but founded someone has a signal jammer and ended up ignoring it and move into another place instead. Hopefully it's not the same case for you

 

[MaskedCarrot]

Honestly, my wife wanted a Pixel so we returned it and got Pixels

Ya I bought a Pixel 3 XL on Thanksgiving day when Google had the $200 off sale. It was too good of a deal to pass up. I just recently sold my XS MAX last week. I was going to keep it, but I figure why keep paying around $45 or so a month for a phone that is sitting turned off in a drawer.

Fortunately I didn't have any of the issues others here are having with Cellular and WiFi, but I figured why keep a phone which has the potential of having issues in the future all of the sudden. Plus I used to have a OG Pixel XL a few years back I got to keep when I switched jobs.

It's funny that when the original Pixel came out, people would complain that the reception wasn't as good as Samsungs, but I always felt that the Pixel had way better reception than the iPhone. I used to compare .db readings just for fun, and noticed that the Pixel always had better connections than whatever iPhone I was using.

 

[GP-SE]

Oh my gosh, don't tell me someone has a SIGNAL JAMMER (In Witch blocks cellular, Bluetooth, WiFi, and many more) If someone has a Signal jammer of course you won't get a signal after all. Gosh, that is scary. (Knock knock on the wood, "hope nothing bad happens")

Anyways, look around your surroundings. When i was on Mall, i notice that my XS MAX has also losing signal but founded someone has a signal jammer and ended up ignoring it and move into another place instead. Hopefully it's not the same case for you

I don’t think a cell phone signal jammer is the issue here.

 

[Coffee_Time]

165 pages in this thread says it all, but of curse there are users that have "no problems" with signal... ))

 

[Wide opeN]

165 pages in this thread says it all, but of curse there are users that have "no problems" with signal... ))

Funny enough, I'm one of them. Upgraded to the iPhone Xs from iPhone 7. I'm with T-Mobile, so both were Intel chips. I haven't had any reception, hand-off, Wi-Fi, etc issues with my phone.

 

[jim29411]

Many of the folks that claim to have no reception problems could have other variables coming into play. For example, they could be using their phones in areas that have good signal and they may not travel to areas with low signal or not be attempting to use their phones when they are in low signal areas. In addition the problem may have something to do with how the phone switches bands (e.g. on version from band 13 to band 4) or doesn't switch bands in the locations that they use their phones.

Other people, like the average everyday Joe that does not read cellular forums may just accept the information that is given to them that it is a carrier problem or that the problem is temporary. Many average Joes tend to accept these types of problems and just get on with life and hope they get a better phone the next time that they are eligible to upgrade.

 

[Nhwhazup]

Many of the folks that claim to have no reception problems could have other variables coming into play. For example, they could be using their phones in areas that have good signal and they may not travel to areas with low signal or not be attempting to use their phones when they are in low signal areas. In addition the problem may have something to do with how the phone switches bands (e.g. on version from band 13 to band 4) or doesn't switch bands in the locations that they use their phones.

Other people, like the average everyday Joe that does not read cellular forums may just accept the information that is given to them that it is a carrier problem or that the problem is temporary. Many average Joes tend to accept these types of problems and just get on with life and hope they get a better phone the next time that they are eligible to upgrade.

My connectivity issues were so bad on both Maxes that I felt like they were half as usable as my 6S Plus. It was that bad on everything related to connectivity phone, LTE, WiFi and even Bluetooth. I sent them both back and got an X - just works! Every time I check in on this forum, I’m so happy for my X.

 

[roanmy]

I’ve had the Xs Max for a few days now, including train travel in rural Norway, with little to no coverage, and lots of tunnels. I’ve had no issues with dropouts, not problems reconnecting. Did not have issues in HK, or at the airport in Amsterdam either.

It did take slightly long to reconnect to the 5Ghz network at home when I reset the router, though not so long as to cause suspicion. Will update if it changes.

 

[Guillaume1]

I’ve had the Xs Max for a few days now, including train travel in rural Norway, with little to no coverage, and lots of tunnels. I’ve had no issues with dropouts, not problems reconnecting. Did not have issues in HK, or at the airport in Amsterdam either.

It did take slightly long to reconnect to the 5Ghz network at home when I reset the router, though not so long as to cause suspicion. Will update if it changes.

Got my XS Max last week here in Canada . No issues took the train also no drop calls.. But i noticed that sometimes if i do lose signal in a area that is weak it takes longer to reconnect to a new tower compare to my iphone x i had before.