Apple responds to iPhone 4 reception issues: you're holding the phone the wrong way
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Jun 24th 2010 8:07PM
posted Jun 24th 2010 8:07PM
We know what you're thinking, and we're thinking it too: this sounds crazy. Essentially, Apple is saying that the problem is how you hold your phone, and that the solution is to change that habit, or buy one of their cases. Admittedly, this isn't a problem that exists only for the iPhone 4 -- we've seen reports of the same behavior on previous generations (the 3G and 3GS), and there is a running thread about this problem with the Nexus One. While it is definitely true that interference is an unavoidable problem, we can't help feeling like this is really a bit of bad design. If the only answer is to move your hand, why didn't Apple just move the antenna position? What we can say without question is that in our testing of the phone, we had improved reception and fewer dropped calls than we experienced with the last generation, and we never noticed this issue. Additionally, when using a bumper we can't recreate the signal loss. So, now we have an answer... all we're wondering is whether or not the company will start handing out bumpers pro-bono to those who are experiencing problems. It certainly seems like the right thing to do.Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.
Update: To add a little perspective, check out a video from 2008 after the break showing the same issue with the now-ancient iPhone 3G (thanks Inge).
Remember, you don't adjust the iPhone to fit you, you adjust yourself to fit the iPhone.
@Vexorg
People don't hold phones. -Steve Jobs
@Vexorg unbelievable that jobs tells the customer to hold it a different way. as an apple shareholder, i find that explanation to be not only unsatisfactory, but down right wrong.
@Vexorg
Oh no he didn't!
@Vexorg
iPhone fanboys coming in 5, 4, 3 ,2 ,1 .
One thing to say:
lol.
@Vexorg
as much as I like my new iphone 4, I better get a free bumper or I'm returning that sh!t
@Vexorg Mother Russia > Father Cupertino.
@Vexorg -100 for short, terse and dismissive SJ. It's not an OPERATOR ERROR!
@Vexorg
Is this Mfer for real?
@Vexorg
In former Soviet Russia, your phone doesn't drop the call, the call drops your phone from a height a 4 ft and breaks it.
Steve Jobs has failed me for the last time
Oh, and am I the only one who keeps noticing references directed at Steve Jobs beginning with "I love your product..."? Just an observation...
@Vexorg
It's like the iPhone's airhole.
On a serious note that response is kind of unacceptable. I personally don't care I guess tho. I'll just put some gorilla tape there.
@Invader Par
They probably think that saying something nice at the beginning will increase the chance of him responding. LOL
@Dig Deep
Does covering it with tape fix the problem? Certain type of tape? Glue?
@Vexorg
Last thing.
Epic Fail.
@Vexorg Kinda true. We've always been forced to adjust around the iPhone. No cut and paste, no multitasking, etc. It's pretty sad.
@Vexorg:
And all of a sudden those bumpers that cover JUST that part of the phone make perfect sense.
This solidified it for me. I was debating of getting a new iPhone, now I will not.
@Vexorg
LOL, played my buddy's new iphone today, really enjoy touch it and see bars come and go
@Vexorg I think they did it on purpose so you could buy those stupid bumpers
@Vexorg
Personally, with all the phones I've ever had, I never cupped/cuddled/rested the bottom of the phone into my hand like what I saw bloggers do to create/reproduce the reception issue. My hand is always closer to the top, gripping the sides to make sure the speaker lines up with my ear.... am I alone?
@Jimbojones godwins law /thread
@Vexorg
It ain't the iPhone, it's the user. Some people have to be properly taught the correct method of holding an iPhone 4. It's like a fine woman that needs to be held tenderly in order to respond. I can imagine some of you ham-fisted barbarians holding onto the iPhone 4 like it was a can of Budweiser.
@Vexorg
They need to adjust to the customer or I'll be pissed. Send out a free case to every customer is the only solution I see.
@Vexorg This is the right way to hold it
In Russia..... http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/4/2010/06/5ad9a69b069f04e440f04df450178875/original.jpg
HANDSFREE
Great Answer, still people will be buying crApple as iSheeps
@Jimbojones
Did you just compare Jobs to Hitler?...
@Revolutionary
Sounds as bad as htc saying phones don't go in pockets. I love the way the phone works but this should of been noticed in testing.
@Jordan Yes, it does explains those weird Apple bumpers. I thought they looked funny at the April announcement.
@BetaBlocker
they'll probably do something out of their way to make it up to everyone. Reading that makes me think he was trying to be sarcastic or funny, because the only other explanation ends with him getting assasinated by the mother land....
@Vexorg If they don't force their customers to change a learned habit, like the way they've been holding a phone since they were two years old, they blew it.
@Vexorg To be fair my HTC Hero has 5 bars while sitting and when holding it goes back and forth between 3 and 4 bars...
This is a product of the culture Apple has cultivated and the fans have bought into. Only Apple can get away with releasing a phone that doesn't make phone calls because they know whatever they release, 600k people will buy it sight unseen. Then when problems start rolling in, Apple knows they can blame the user and they will take it in stride.
For all you people who spent all day refreshing the Apple store webpage trying to get a preorder through, or stood in line for 3 days to be the first kid on your block to have the shiniest new toy: this is your fault.
Now it's your responsibility to set it right by voting with your wallet. Return your iPhone and don't buy a new one until this is met with a response other than "Hold it differently"
@Vexorg
I love how he put in a nice little aside saying, "nice work" and talking about how he loves it and Jobs is still a douche to him. It's like an eager kid telling dad, "I love the new fireplace but I think there's a problem..." and dad coldly responding with "I don't care. You're probably doing something wrong" as meanwhile the house catches fire.
@Unverified User I was doing exactly same thing lol. That's one of the best consistently working features...auto signal fade!
@Dig Deep ...and this is why Apple doesnt care. They know your not going to return it, your gonna accept it. People need to stop bitching and make a stand. Return defective products. I dont care if its apple, htc, or motorola, return the crap so they do it better next time.
@H264 Steve Jobs: Sends emails at 4:20 e'rryday.
@Vexorg
You guys know what this means?
New Steve Jobs meme: Just avoid holding it in that way.
@Vexorg
Oh, excuse me.
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
@Vexorg
I do find it a little interesting AT&T's signal is so fragile, that holding a phone the wrong way will occlude the signal.
Non-issue. Just unlock your iPhone and switch to Verizon.
@Plazmic Flame
Wow, my first downrank in 1,400+ comments, lol. Well, so much for trying to stir up discussion. Ahh... let me go with the crowd then:
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH @ Apple and iPhone Supporters!"
@dpdoughty
I agree, people need to stop just giving into these things and do something. If they don't then they only have themselves to blame. Imagine if everyone that had a problem returned their phone, I'm sure "bumpers" (spacers) would begin turning up as "You receive a FREE bumper with your iPhone purchase! Pick any cool color! (colour)" Then a month or two down the road hey all of a sudden there is some coating on the metal or the antenna has been re-designed. Please people don't just take it anymore =(.
@Nitesh -- Yeah "Just hold it differently" is what Apple board member Al Gore told the masseuse.
@Plazmic Flame
No. That's just cuz you're literally alone in doing that. I hold my phone like that all the time.
Also, where did BrookLynn's finest go? Hmmmm? It's echoing in here!
@Plazmic Flame Well as hilarious as this issue is to me (proud non-iphone owner), I have to agree. It doesn't matter which ear I use, I hold the top of the phone.
@Plazmic Flame
it's because ur post made absolutely no sense. of course u have to hold the (bottom half of the) phone in ur hand to use it... making calls is an entirely different issue.
@Bully Would do, however the iPhone unlocked will not work on the CDMA network Verizon has.
@Dig Deep
Electrical tape or try the full body zagg protector
@Vexorg Yeah, if the long lines and wait time, high price or bad carrier weren't enough to irritate some, this reply could be the kick in the joeys Apple needed to turn away potential customers.