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

[elitypes]

Here's my experience:

• iPhone Xs Max on AT&T
• Located in NYC
• Activated in Apple store with new SIM
• Set up from an iCloud backup
• Horrid LTE speeds ~1-3mbps (via Ookla Speedtest)
• Horrid WiFi speeds ~10mbps (via Ookla Speedtest)
• Tried resetting network settings; airplane mode on/off; power on/off
• Opened Apple Support ticket on their forums
• Went to Genius Bar - was told this was a developing issue they are hearing more about and to wait for news/update from Apple
• Today I received a call from Apple support in response to my ticket and forum post asking me to send logs; this will be hard for me given work and availability

Odd findings:

• The ONLY time I have gotten normal WiFi speeds (~150-200mbps) has been at the office
• I work in a financial institution and have no info on their equipment or settings

 

[639051]

And these variables comfortably connive to downgrade only Xs and Xs Max performance.

I'm not saying there isn't an issue, I am saying this guy "testing" and being called a "professional" is nothing but a joke. He might as well be mixing cake batter and claiming it's a valid test...

 

[gabo864]

I didn't have a chance to read all the comments, but I wanted to share that I have had a very bad experience with my iPhone Xs Max when it comes to connectivity. Whenever I get in my car I would always ask Siri to shuffle one of my playlists. I never had an issue doing this with my iPhone X, but with the Max Siri response is very slow. First she says she'll be right with me, after 20 seconds or so it says something like it's not currently available and to check my Wifi or cellular connection and try again. After a couple tries it will work, but it's just annoying.

Also, calls will take a while to be placed and start ringing. I have ATT and I have neverrrrr had this kind of issues before. ATT has pretty good coverage in my area so I don't understand what's going on.

 

[Packers1958]

Just a heads up to those using field test mode. It seems to keep running in the background when you swipe up to clear it off the screen. For instance, if you were in service cell meas and then swiped up to get if off the screen, and then go back into field test mode hours later, service cell meas info will still be displayed on screen withou having to wait for it to update. I had to reboot the phone to make sure it doesnt keep running in the background.

 

[xrb936]

I will return it back to Best Buy and buy a new one in Apple Store, then I will instantly apply for a replacement and repeat this until I have a worked phone, or Apple resolve this fxxking issue. End of the words.

 

[apolloa]

Couldn't wait for the Xs Max. Now can't wait to return it.

7 Plus had zero problems in my office. Xs Max will cycle between one bar of LTE then to 4G and then back.

Dropped multiple calls, including when I'm using WiFi calling and straight cell calling.

Battery life is not as good as the two year old 7 Plus, I assume because the phone is constantly searching for LTE connectivity or running on 4G. Not sure if that's a reason for battery drain or not.

Lastly, with IOS 12, the three familiy members that share our Apple ID now REGULARLY have all of their text conversations merged into one so it's impossible to text one individual and not the other.

Before you start in about not sharing an Apple ID. . . it has worked perfectly for 7 years with multiple versions of IOS and probably 20 different iPhones and iPads.

Regardless, not waiting around to see if this problem is hardware or software . . . or if it's software how long it will take for Apple to issue a functional patch.

My $1,450 buy in means I'm not in the mood to be a Beta tester.

One more gripe . . .

Maybe this would improve with familiarity, but IMHO FaceID and CarPlay do not play well together. It's much more convoluted to unlock the phone in the car with FaceID than with using the dedicated Home button.

For safety reasons you’d of thought your iPhone would automatically unlock itself when connected to CarPlay...

Hmm Apple say it’s a ‘developing issue’. Not very good for the most expensive phones on the mass market.

 

[gadgetfreaky]

I will return it back to Best Buy and buy a new one in Apple Store, then I will instantly apply for a replacement and repeat this until I have a worked phone, or Apple resolve this fxxking issue. End of the words.

That won't work. End of the words.

 

[Lemonapples]

Ok, Second iPhone XS Max 64gb exchange today.
First one I purchased today had a charging issue with the charging port and download speeds only showing 3mb max 1 signal bar compared to my iPhone 7 (40mb 5 signal bars.)
iPhone X (50mb 4 signal bars) all on the same SIM card.

Second replacement phone came out with terrible yellow screen but download speeds was better showing 3 bars signal speeds showing 10mb wifi dropping out much more than the first unit.
What do I do here I paid over £1099 for this.

 

[richard371]

What was the issue with the charging port? It didn't recognize its plugged in all the time?

 

[Lemonapples]

What was the issue with the charging port? It didn't recognize its plugged in all the time?

The iPhone XS Max has too many problems
Yellow screen,Signal issue,Wifi issue,charging issue mines going back tomorrow for a full refund not worth £1099 doing Apple beta testing software or hardware.

 

[Nhwhazup]

Count me in the list of people having LTE and WIFi issues with the iPhone XS.

Upgraded to a XS from 6 (not by choice. The 6 died on me)Since upgrading the XS has had very noticeable degradation of LTE strength. I work in the financial district of the city I live in and XS cannot get a LTE signal. It’s always connected to 3G only. Was NEVER the case with the 6.

I sit side by side with a colleague with a X on the same network provider and his phone has LTE while mine is 3G.

At home I use google WiFi with 4 nodes. I put my XS, 6s and 8+ side by side and did a WiFi test. 6S 300MB/S, 8+ 300 MB/S, XS 100 MB/S

Called apple support and went through the usual troubleshooting and nothing worked. At the end of it I was advised by apple support to exchange the phone for a new one.

Extremely disappointed that a 1k phone behaves this way. Checking emails is a challenge. Let’s not even talk about YouTubing (I.e an impossibility).

Please let us know how you make out with your replacement phone.

 

[cornerexit]

Ok, Second iPhone XS Max 64gb exchange today.
First one I purchased today had a charging issue with the charging port and download speeds only showing 3mb max 1 signal bar compared to my iPhone 7 (40mb 5 signal bars.)
iPhone X (50mb 4 signal bars) all on the same SIM card.

Second replacement phone came out with terrible yellow screen but download speeds was better showing 3 bars signal speeds showing 10mb wifi dropping out much more than the first unit.
What do I do here I paid over £1099 for this.

WTF? Did Apple change mfr’ing locations in China? Did they switch to some chintzier machines to build them? Haven’t seen this many different issues on an iPhone launch ever. Cupertino must be lit up like Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, meetings, after meetings.

 

[w_aldo]

I was 100% correct on the Verizon thing years ago and even backed it up with internal documents. Pretty sad that you are still trying to troll me over something that happened almost 5 years ago . I am guessing the ban you received on HOFO for trollling wasn't enough for you to have learned your lesson. I am sorry that you were proven wrong. Take care !

I just fedexed my phone to the engineering team at apple and they should start taking a look at it tomorrow afternoon. They offered to upgrade me to larger storage for free for my troubles and helping them out .

Hahahah. Does anyone actually believe this clown?

 

[Lemonapples]

I didn't have a chance to read all the comments, but I wanted to share that I have had a very bad experience with my iPhone Xs Max when it comes to connectivity. Whenever I get in my car I would always ask Siri to shuffle one of my playlists. I never had an issue doing this with my iPhone X, but with the Max Siri response is very slow. First she says she'll be right with me, after 20 seconds or so it says something like it's not currently available and to check my Wifi or cellular connection and try again. After a couple tries it will work, but it's just annoying.

Also, calls will take a while to be placed and start ringing. I have ATT and I have neverrrrr had this kind of issues before. ATT has pretty good coverage in my area so I don't understand what's going on.

Buddy I lose signal in my car too down to 1 signal bar iPhone XS Max.
iPhone X has 3 signal bars.

Bike ride 2 signal bars/No service with the iPhone XS Max slow speeds
iPhone X has 4 signal bars never ever had no service before. fast speeds

Workplace 1-2 bars signal iPhone XS Max. slow speeds
Workplace 4 bars signal iPhone X. fast speeds

Home test iPhone XS Max 1-2 signal bars slow speeds
Home test iPhone X 4 signal bars fast speeds

All test done on the same sim network UK Three.
Someone please explain this.

 

[w_aldo]

Buddy I lose signal in my car too down to 1 signal bar iPhone XS Max.
iPhone X has 3 signal bars.

Bike ride 2 signal bars/No service with the iPhone XS Max slow speeds
iPhone X has 4 signal bars never ever had no service before. fast speeds

Workplace 1-2 bars signal iPhone XS Max. slow speeds
Workplace 4 bars signal iPhone X. fast speeds

Home test iPhone XS Max 1-2 signal bars slow speeds
Home test iPhone X 4 signal bars fast speeds

All test done on the same sim network UK Three.
Someone please explain this.

I'm on Three UK too. Was out again today, checking signal etc. Had 3-4 bars most of the time, doesn't seem any different to my 6s Plus. 40-50mbps download (typical for Three in my area). It really is crazy how some people aren't affected at all.

 

[Lemonapples]

I'm on Three UK too. Was out again today, checking signal etc. Had 3-4 bars most of the time, doesn't seem any different to my 6s Plus. 40-50mbps download (typical for Three in my area). It really is crazy how some people aren't affected at all.

I really do not know what is wrong I had two MAX replacement with the same terrible issues.
Funny thing my iPhone X on 3uk has speed 40mb-60mb.
iPhone XS Max same sim card from the iPhone XS Max speedtest showing 3mb-9mb.(Phone setup new)
How do you explain this

 

[blwade]

Since it has worked since we began buying IOS devices, yes, I expected it to continue to work.

I would also predict that there are a number of IOS users who are in the same boat.

Lastly, when researching the issue, there were a number of people who on Apple's advice split their accounts into separate IDs because of IOS 12 and still had the same symptom of text conversations being merged.

This isn't a 'symptom' of iOS 12 - I'm pretty sure it was announced as part of iOS 12 that they merged conversations with accounts associated to a single Apple ID and I personally enjoy this feature as a couple of times I found that I was sending messages to someone's email in one thread and phone number in another. I had multiple threads of messages to the same person... I'm sure there's a way in settings to separate them and make sure you are only getting messages associated with your phone number and not other phone numbers assigned to the same Apple ID... but as stated, the better option is to get different Apple IDs and use family sharing.

see https://www.redmondpie.com/ios-12-keeps-imessages-from-linked-numbers-addresses-in-one-thread/

 

[w_aldo]

I really do not know what is wrong I had two MAX replacement with the same terrible issues.
Funny thing my iPhone X on 3uk has speed 40mb-60mb.
iPhone XS Max same sim card from the iPhone XS Max speedtest showing 3mb-9mb.(Phone setup new)
How do you explain this

Have you tried resetting your network settings? The only time I get under 10mbps is at my house, where I only get 1-2 bars (again, same as my 6s).

 

[Lemonapples]

Have you tried resetting your network settings? The only time I get under 10mbps is at my house, where I only get 1-2 bars (again, same as my 6s).

Yes tried that goes to 40mb for one speedtest backdown to 3mb and stay like this till.

I reset network settings again what the point spending £1099 reset network setting for faster speeds for one minute.

It's going back tomorrow not trying again for another unit too many problems.

 

[richard371]

Well that’s good it at least temp fixed it. That points towards software.

Yes tried that goes to 40mb for one speedtest backdown to 3mb and stay like this till.

I reset network settings again what the point spending £1099 reset network setting for faster speeds for one minute.

It's going back tomorrow not trying again for another unit too many problems.

 

[Lemonapples]

Well that’s good it at least temp fixed it. That points towards software.

Yes could be software could be dodgy intel modem hardware/code who knows this isn't good enough for 1K.
Phone back for refund still not taking any chances after the 14 days return policy.

 

[w_aldo]

Maybe it’s SIM specific? If you reset network settings and it works initially, then slows down, maybe it’s pulling some kind of odd configuration from the SIM which is ruining the connection speed?

 

[IowaLynn]

With AT&T it is harder to move sim card between devices.

Are you resetting your modem and router while testing? Current firmware on each?

Cant remember when or what phones, but seemed I had to toggle wifi off/on regularly to get it back working. 2-4 years ago.

Is it possible more has changed and even ISP has to add support?

I use to always to always have excellent results with iPhone running speedtest. But lately it's Samsung that's 40Mbps faster (45-60 vs 100Mbps)

 

[Apple_Robert]

Looking at the number of signal bars is not (in and of itself) a accurate display of actual signal strength.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

I only just finished reading page 11 of 36, so I'm going to post this now and finish reading afterwards.

I still have my 256GB iPhone X (unlocked SIM free with qualcomm chipset), and up on Cheyenne Mountain by NORAD we have poor AT&T cell service (most cell services here are poor, go figure with all those antennae on the mountain). I usually have to turn off LTE and use 4G service when I'm out for a walk, and usually need AT&T Wi-Fi calling for best performance at home.

Both have Carrier version 33.2 (modem firmware is different, Xs Max 1.00.07 and X 3.00.00) and iOS 12.0

So far my Xs Max is outperforming my iPhone X. They both have the same signal strengths with either 1 bar of LTE or 3 bars of 4G. I have not dropped any calls with LTE turned on, as opposed to my X that dropped them on LTE often.

4G internet speed down/up
------------------------------
Xs Max speed mbps 4.64 / 0.66
X speed mbps 1.13 / 0.61

LTE internet speed down/up
------------------------------
Xs Max speed mbps 0.43 / 3.66
X speed mbps 0.58 / 0.93

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I’m now in downtown Colorado Springs, and my Xs Max now has 3-4 bars of AT&T while my 2017 Qualcomm iPhone X has 2 bars of signal. Better than at home.

Speedtest mbps Down/Up
Xs Max test 1 - 29.6/12.5
Xs Max test 2 - 49.0/30.8

X test 1 - 21.4/28.5
X test 2 - 29.9/24.1

So the Xs Max downloads faster in one of the trials, while the X uploads faster in one of the trials. I expect the results to vary with each trial.

Both phones have poor service at my home on Cheyenne Mountain, along with all of the carriers and my older iPhone 6 and 7+, and the Xs Max was still as fast or faster than the X at home.

Prior to AT&T WiFi calling we had to use an AT&T micro-cell tower at home.