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

[Bobout]

I'm surprised Apple has not commented or released a statement about this.. For me and only my opinion I think my Max and my old X is about the same speed and reception for my locations..I'm not getting any dropped signal but I did restore as new phone through Itunes with 12.1 beta 1

 

[montanaco]

So far I have been seeing slightly better reception (on an iphone XS, coming from iPhone X). I'm on T-Mobile so in theory that 600hz LTE band should be helping with that though.

 

[Dave FL]

I'm not doing this. If Apple can't/won't release a fix to solve this issue, it's going back.

There is no fix. Lab tests with Spectrum Analyzers at https://www.wiwavelength.com/2018/09/antennagate-reduxs-if-so-what-can-apple.html show the Intel modem, [which could be using data Apple allegedly stole from Qualcom], performs just as good as the Qualcomm modems. They also demonstrate Apple is using a negative gain antenna, meaning the phone radiates less power than Apple produces, and Apple apparently unsuccessfully tried to compensate by generating higher power than normal. Of course, a negative gain antenna severely reduces the signal you receive from the cell towers, reducing coverage. There is no patch that can compensate; it’s a hardware issue. Fortunately it won’t affect you if you’re always in a strong signal area.

 

[Ryand123]

I'm not sure that article is being fair in saying there is no software amelioration given the primary issues appear to be 5ghz signal on wifi and recapturing signal.
that said, if this caused the first ever hardware recall of an ipjhone im pretty sure all the execs at Qualcomm would have the biggest party ever.

I've noticed no Wifi issues. Plenty of cellular issues.

 

[popeyesm]

I live in Wilmington De and at home get blistering speed from the XSM. Often well over 120MBS. I am writing this during my first trip on the train to NYC where I usually use my tethering instead of Amtrak's patchy Wifi. The drop-off and overall speed along this well traveled and populous route are awful. It falls back to 4G often but still isn't pulling down much if anything on the phone and just dropping the connection on the PC browser. It is so bad both on the phone and the tethered PC I may have to bail on this model and go back to the X.

I have used many iPhones as my tethered connection on this route over many years, and this is bad on a whole new level. They really have to address this problem publicly. I don't mind the usual launch speed bumps and growing pains. But this is a different order of problem.

 

[vinegarshots]

Of course, a negative gain antenna severely reduces the signal you receive from the cell towers, reducing coverage.

Wouldnt this cause a different rx signal strength reading between my XS Max and wife's Iphone 7 Plus then? They are reading identical signal strengths....

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

Anyone try downloading the Public beta and test that?

 

[Banglazed]

Anyone try downloading the Public beta and test that?

Current beta doesn’t fix the issue

 

[Packers1958]

You can try to notify Apple, but they have no reception at this time.

 

[lewchenko]

I took a chance and bought the regular XS today. After setup I reset the network settings and rebooted the phone just in case.

Not having any issues with WiFi speed or LTE connection (UK , EE). Got an extra bar than my wife’s iPhone 7 too sat in the same room. I’m happy. (So far)

 

[gadgetfreaky]

I've noticed no Wifi issues. Plenty of cellular issues.

the wifi issues hit you only in a few cases. e.g. a wifi router with both 2.4 and 5.8 gig and one SSID. even then it will still connect to the 2.4 part.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I'm surprised Apple has not commented or released a statement about this.. For me and only my opinion I think my Max and my old X is about the same speed and reception for my locations..I'm not getting any dropped signal but I did restore as new phone through Itunes with 12.1 beta 1

Apple will comment on day 15 of the initial iPhone delivery.

 

[michael31986]

I tried the code to check signal strength but it's hard to know what those numbers mean.

 

[Moki808]

While the signal strength comparisons and anecdotal reports are interesting, They're no substitute for a controlled environment such as the detailed tests performed for submission to the FCC for approval. Among other things, those tests measure antenna gain for a given frequency, and you can compare that to other phone models.

Lots of things can affect the strength of the signal, including other nearby RF sources. Some phones may be better at rejecting interference. (Comparing two different phones side-by-side might cause interference that affects one phone more than the other.) Also, the signal strength can fluctuate just due to varying atmospheric conditions, time of day, distance to the tower, etc. If you're in a good reception area, you probably wouldn't notice any significant problem.

Since this topic seems to be getting press attention and if enough people report the issue, Apple will need to address it. If anyone knows what the issue is it would be Apple's engineers. Hopefully, they didn't know there was a problem and the phones were released anyway because form took precedence over function.

I use to write about tech for wireless industry publications and this may be another example of a tech company pushing out not-ready-for prime time products in order to please Wall Street analysts. Not saying this is the case but just saying this happens.

 

[Sugadaddy]

The WiFi 5Ghz issue is fixable with software IMO, or I can just rename the 5GHz band and connect only to that. I can live with it...

The weaker cellular signal could be a major problem considering how much this phone costs. I'll be checking it closely in the next week, if I'm not satisfied it's going back faster than it came! So far, it looks similar or less signal than my antique iPhone 6, which isn't good considering it's 4 years old and cost half of what the Xs Max costs.

 

[coney718]

I just watched Techno Buffalo's review of the Xs max and he said that he noticed improved reception and LTE speeds on his T-Mobile Max compared to his T-mobile X. He can get service with the Max in places he couldn't before so its definitely not affecting everyone but seems like its affecting enough people for Apple to address it.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Well.....I found this thread because I went to a concert on Saturday night with my Max. No reception. Yes, there were 20,000+ people there, but I haven't had reception issues at games or concerts in a few years. And it wasn't even indoors--I was under a pavilion in an amphitheater. Then on the bus today.......slow as molasses.

Verizon.

If they don't have a clear answer on this problem in a few days I'm trading it and getting a Note 9 for a change. I was thinking of doing that anyway. They actually use Qalcomm processors!

FYI, lots of complaints from Verizon users about no reception at sporting events with Note 9 on android forums.

 

[madKIR]

I just watched Techno Buffalo's review of the Xs max and he said that he noticed improved reception and LTE speeds on his T-Mobile Max compared to his T-mobile X. He can get service with the Max in places he couldn't before so its definitely not affecting everyone but seems like its affecting enough people for Apple to address it.

I think T-Mobile users should be excluded from this equation in some markets all together since the new modem supports their new 600 Mhz frequency, which was not supported in the previous iPhones. So T-Mobile users wouldn't be a fair example of how these new iPhones really perform signal/antenna wise.

 

[doboy]

I just watched Techno Buffalo's review of the Xs max and he said that he noticed improved reception and LTE speeds on his T-Mobile Max compared to his T-mobile X. He can get service with the Max in places he couldn't before so its definitely not affecting everyone but seems like its affecting enough people for Apple to address it.

That could be due to 600 MHz (if available in his area) that the X doesn't support. This can complicate things.
[doublepost=1537908795][/doublepost]

I think T-Mobile users should be excluded from this equitation in some markets all together since the new modem supports their new 600 Mhz frequency, which was not supported in the previous iPhones. So T-Mobile users wouldn't be a fair example of how these new iPhones really perform signal/antenna wise.

My area doesn't support 600 and I'm still using 7+ so I'll likely try if I decide to keep my XSM. Haven't yet setup XSM since I may return it. I have the Qualcomm 7+, 6S+, and XSM so it'll be interesting and TMo signal at home is absymal.

 

[archer75]

I think T-Mobile users should be excluded from this equation in some markets all together since the new modem supports their new 600 Mhz frequency, which was not supported in the previous iPhones. So T-Mobile users wouldn't be a fair example of how these new iPhones really perform signal/antenna wise.

In those markets, sure. But here we don't have 600mhz and my reception is better than before.

Here's the list of cities that 600mhz is available in:
https://www.t-mobile.com/content/da...to-rico/T-Mobile-600-MHz-Cities-and-Towns.pdf

 

[Ryand123]

FYI, lots of complaints from Verizon users about no reception at sporting events with Note 9 on android forums.

Link?

 

[Juanefny]

In those markets, sure. But here we don't have 600mhz and my reception is better than before.

Here's the list of cities that 600mhz is available in:
https://www.t-mobile.com/content/da...to-rico/T-Mobile-600-MHz-Cities-and-Towns.pdf

Same here. My reception is the same or better. I do think ios12 has some software issues with reception b/c I noticed my signal had issues on the X before I upgraded..

 

[Nhwhazup]

So question for all of you. I still have my iPhone 6S Plus with no Sim as it’s in my new Max. Can I just swap it to the Plus to compare connectivity to the Max? And then swap back without any issues?

That way I can tell if it’s an iOS update issue or the actual phone.

 

[OTACORB]

So question for all of you. I still have my iPhone 6S Plus with no Sim as it’s in my new Max. Can I just swap it to the Plus to compare connectivity to the Max? And then swap back without any issues?

Yes you can! No problem!

 

[Ryand123]

I have watched hours of youtube videos on my max with no interuptions, I have downloaded a lot of apps, etc.

yet, you're saying I don't know if I have a problem or not?

No. I think he's saying you've been lucky enough to not be in low signal areas yet.