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iPhone XS Max Is the mobile reception on the xs Max even worse than iPhone X ?
- Thread starter mydogeatsbeats
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#RETURN GATE 2018
Just got another animated searching for signal on my phone
Knew there was reason to hang onto my SE. The searching for signal indicator is far less entertaining at probably half the price, which sounds right for an indicator one never wants to see anyway.
XS Max here, upgrading from an Intel X on T-Mobile (both unlocked, purchased direct from Apple). There is a definite decrease in cell/WiFi performance on the Max. By no means do I have scientific data to back this up, but side by side, the Max: 1) drops WiFi signal at about half the distance from the router as the X, 2) has a harder time holding onto LTE/cell and more often loses all service, 3) has noticeably slower up/down speeds on both WiFi and cellular in low signal areas.
I know this is all anecdotal. I have reset network settings, tried the 12.1 beta, full restored the phone to 12.0 and setup as a new phone without using the backup (annoying).
I’ve also compared to an X that’s on my T-Mobile account to verify this wasn’t a tower or router issue.
The only reason I upgraded from a perfectly fine X was for band 71 support on T-Mobile and a supposedly better modem. Pretty disappointed at the moment.
I know this is all anecdotal. I have reset network settings, tried the 12.1 beta, full restored the phone to 12.0 and setup as a new phone without using the backup (annoying).
I’ve also compared to an X that’s on my T-Mobile account to verify this wasn’t a tower or router issue.
The only reason I upgraded from a perfectly fine X was for band 71 support on T-Mobile and a supposedly better modem. Pretty disappointed at the moment.
I’m not complaining about how many bars I have but my phone is saying “no signal” in places I have used my phone many times before. In fact I honestly can’t remember if my X ever said no signal. I live in the city so signal is not an issue at least with my prior phones. I’m hopeful that it can be resolved. I have 2 friends that picked up an XS Max on Verizon that are reporting similar things.
Make sure to report all this to Apple. Hang in there. I feel confident Apple will make an official statement well before out return period expires.
Damn.... that nagging thought in the back of the mind....
Apple vs Qualcomm should have never gotten to the point it got to...
And now the Iphone does not have the best components it could have had...
I feel you, but I don't know if there was any another way that fight was going to work out in our (consumer's) favor.
And this is just with 4G and LTE. If Intel cannot keep up with Qualcomm with regard to 5G over the next few years, Apple will have to accept Samsung snatching up more of the top end market, or they'll have to go with a non-American company, or Apple with have to bend the knee to Qualcomm. None of these worst case scenarios will be pleasant for Apple, but I'd vote for the latter at this point in time.
Already working them on this but there’s not much of a resolution at this point since it’s not a very measurable issue. Technically, the phone still works, just worse than my X.
I don't know if it's the modem. The X GSM model is using intel modems and didn't have issues like the Xs and Xs Max are having.
My experience is anecdotal but I called my wife from a local store while running errands today and she complained that I sounded like crap through my XS Max. I call her often from the same location and she never complained about my X.
My Max and 8+ remained + or - within 2 or 3 points of each other.
[doublepost=1537750786][/doublepost]
I don't think this has anything to do with the intel modems, but in reality I truly don't know. I think the modem would impact the speed, but not reception.
It could be related to what bands the phone is using on any given tower. Maybe it's not switching correctly from a congested band to a different one properly and thus the loss of signal or decreased data rate.
I have done some side by side testing comparing a Qualcomm 8+ vs an Xs Max on VZW. The VZW signal at my house is fairly weak band 13. The 8+ did better with band 13. Neither of these lines are anywhere near the deprioritization threshold. They are both on the feb unlimited plan. Both phones are running iOS 12.0 with Carrier update 33.1
download/upload in Mbps
Qualcomm 8+
5.67/2.51
5.29/1.34
7.29/1.86
4.52/1.95
2.38/0.82
Xs Max
1.49/0.32
2.48/0.70
3.16/0.92
2.98/0.16
4.67/0.30
Here are some results where I can pick up some weak band 2/4 signals. These results are more mixed. The 8+ did better on the downlink. The Xs Max on the uplink. We might be seeing benefits of 4x4 MIMO on the Xs Max here.
Qualcomm 8+
58.0/2.47
32.1/2.79
48.3/2.36
Xs Max
35.0/4.39
29.3/3.72
38.7/3.26
I realize that anecdotal data like this isn't conclusive. I don't have a test lab at my disposal.
download/upload in Mbps
Qualcomm 8+
5.67/2.51
5.29/1.34
7.29/1.86
4.52/1.95
2.38/0.82
Xs Max
1.49/0.32
2.48/0.70
3.16/0.92
2.98/0.16
4.67/0.30
Here are some results where I can pick up some weak band 2/4 signals. These results are more mixed. The 8+ did better on the downlink. The Xs Max on the uplink. We might be seeing benefits of 4x4 MIMO on the Xs Max here.
Qualcomm 8+
58.0/2.47
32.1/2.79
48.3/2.36
Xs Max
35.0/4.39
29.3/3.72
38.7/3.26
I realize that anecdotal data like this isn't conclusive. I don't have a test lab at my disposal.
Last edited:
Feel sad seeing this kind of data. Reception is the most important thing...and we paid a lot for the phone
I just tried logging into my Chase app and it hung up and then I got an error message saying I need to be connected to the internet, despite having 2 bars. 
Guys, in that webpage that you post before, it state that the modem have nothing to do with the problem. The problem is something bad in the antenna, placement, quality, etc.
In the graph posted there you see that the problem is the negative gain in the antenna, not the power of it. But, the gain affects the reception and then alter the power output .
The problem could be the position of the phone relative to the antenna i think. So, if you are facing it you could get great results, but if not it could be affected. That is what i get of the graphs
In the graph posted there you see that the problem is the negative gain in the antenna, not the power of it. But, the gain affects the reception and then alter the power output .
The problem could be the position of the phone relative to the antenna i think. So, if you are facing it you could get great results, but if not it could be affected. That is what i get of the graphs
This may be good news? I've experienced this same error on my 6S Plus on iOS 12.0. Maybe this is a software issue.I just tried logging into my Chase app and it hung up and then I got an error message saying I need to be connected to the internet, despite having 2 bars.
Edit: Thank you @Hernan4651, @OTACORB, and @Packers1958 for clearing up that it's probably not the modem. I didn't read the linked website.
I’m really hoping this gets more attention to where it hits mainstream. That’s when Apple will have to address the issue.
MR better have this on the front page tomorrow.
MR better have this on the front page tomorrow.
I would have to agree with this since I notice some areas I have full coverage went down to 2-3 bars and download speed shows a decrease as well.
This is my day 2 using the phone, I am definitely noticing more signal drop, especially after I walk away and lock the phone and then come back.
If I already traded in my iPhone X...how can I get it back....
If I already traded in my iPhone X...how can I get it back....