Apple responds to iPhone 4 reception issues: you're holding the phone the wrong way
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted June 24th 2010 8:07PM
posted June 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).
@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.
@Bully:
You're not understanding the issue. This has NOTHING to do with AT&T. It's all Apple's fault. Unlock the phone and go to a different carrier and you will still have the same issue.
The issue is with the antenna being on the outside and your hand causing interferance and/or grounding as you touch it. This is a major design flaw and unless Apple changes the design, every SINGLE iPhone 4 is therefore defective.
This is a worse design flaw than the 360 RROD
@liftedngifted1 It's feature. LOL jk
@Vexorg
Next they're going to tell you to put the phone on a desk and place your face ON it to avoid covering the antenna.
*headdesk*
@Vexorg The holy one has decreed our sinful left hands too filthy to wield his sacred gifts to man-kind. We must cast off our fetid flesh so as not to taint the sacred artifacts!
Seriously, though, I'm a southpaw and I primary use my Incredible with..you guessed it...my left hand. Call me lazy, but I think I'd rather stick with my "cheap Android phone" than re-learn 20 years worth of motor skills to use a phone because I would "hold it wrong".
Jobs: I already hate you, but don't be a dick. Fix your damn phone.
@H264 If you hold your phone that way don't buy the iPhone. That's true for any product. What's the big deal? Don't buy it! Others will...
Also, I noticed the customer loves his iPhone inspite of this.
This is a simple product decision. Most people who post on engadget on Apple threads will never buy an iPhone in their life. For others the decision is equally easy. I bet the iPhone will be more popular than the Droid X.
Essentially what has happened here is Apple just dry f*cked their customers. Sadly, most will just relax and try to enjoy it as well as they can.
@Vexorg
ROFLMAO! I was just joking with friends last night that the big J would admonish people that they are holding the phone the wrong way. I can't believe thats what he said and thats what Apple announced officially too! LOL LOL LOL No Frickin' way - this is just plain hilarious.
...but guess what? If it was any other company, they would be roasted over the coals. Just coz its Apple, not only will all sins be forgiven (remember they claimed this snazzy new antenna design as a *feature*), tons of iSheep will continue to trample themselves to get a piece of the (in)action.
@Plazmic Flame Yes, you are alone. I do not hold my phone by the top part....
@Vexorg
Ah, I do remember the Nexus one had similar problems...I remember the video who had a N1 and a G1 and did experiments with them both, and only the N1 had problems with holding position. I bet this is the reason why Apple is selling those bumper accessories directly themselves this time...good way to make some more money selling a cheapo plasticy \ rubbery part that probably costs $0.005 to make.
@jaffreywali
rofl. And there's the first fanboy rationalizing his decision to purchase a fundamentally flawed design product.
@Bully Changing to Verizon would not help. I never had too many dropped calls before today. I think the problem is with the phone design myself.
@Vexorg Thumb and forefinger is all you need to hold it right
@Revolutionary Actuallt the iPhone fanboys seem pretty pissed about this themselves
Steve may have finally jumped the shark
@Vexorg
so basically because our phones antenna design is moronic, you must buy our piece of rubber for $30 which costs $0.01 to manufacturer, or hold the phone awkwardly so you dont cover the antenna
and if youre left-handed, well youre out of luck, we didnt think about you guys because our Q&A department is horrid.
@Bully
You obviously don't know much about cell phone signal types.
@Lord Vader
"Steve Jobs has failed me for the last time"
Prepare your men for a ground assult, ADMIRAL Phil Shiller
@Mike10010100
Don't worry just look at one of the android posts and brooklynns finest will be trolling it up in there.
@Vexorg
"and iPhone4 brought auto-call-drop to the world" - apple developer
@Vexorg You are a wise, man!! +1
@Vexorg So I was thinking about switching to a MBP for my work laptop. I will not be buying any Apple product until they fix this issue. Funny because I was drooling over one this morning in a meeting.
I just can't see any justification to buy a product from a company where the CEO sends that type of e-mail to a customer. Thats up there with "We care for the small people" imo.
@Vexorg
Man I wanted that phone, i'm so f' disappointed... I mean come on how can you sell such a thing...
This is such a HUGE issue, I mean ... it's a PHONE...
Such a nice product and such a big defect...
The Fail of the year folkes, I bet some users already smashed it xD
@Vexorg If you have to hold your phone, you blew it.
@juanphdz
Thats all gravy and I love iPhones (tho not an apple fanboy). However when I hold my new iPhone 4 I go from 5 bars to 1 and 2! I bought that stupid bumper today b/c i read up on engadet while standing in line today for 6.5 hours. Ironic that several case manufactors have case out for the iphone 4 but apple store carried none... even more ironic that after 4 years apple finally saw it fit to randomly start selling cases, and they only cover the edge of the. Everything is clear now!
I called apple today to complain and THEY TOLD ME to turn my 3G off!!!! WTF and they said their engineers are aware of the problem.
@djt
I'm not justifying what Jobs said for a second but please tell me which other company, err sorry... let me rephrase. Please tell me which CORPORATION that is of the same caliber or higher than Apple, that allows the CEO to message consumers on a daily basis?
@sonicyoof
Most CEOs don't reply, some even send cease and desist warnings. His email should be censored too.
@H264 "You dont need Multitasking" Now "You don't need to hold your phone" He might as well said 'its because of weather balloons."
@Plazmic Flame I would agree with your statement there. I'm not sure with it is with Jobs though. I'm so amazed by so many of his companies products but then comments and decisions like these drive me crazy. It just seems like blind arrogance to me. I know Apple does an awesome job to take care of their customers. I just purchase 180 mini's about 2 weeks ago and we had them all upgraded to the new model and drop shipped to us EARLY even.
But the "Holding it the wrong way" comment just really gets under my skin. Now if they said. "Yes, we are completely aware of this problem and will do a trade in with you once we revise the hardware" Great. I could totally accept that. I would even go as far as them just providing a bumper for free for all of their customers. But the insuation that YOU need to change just pisses me off. OK The End. :")
@Plazmic Flame
What on earth does that have to do with anything? They make a faulty product, but whatevs, yo, you can email the CEO. And he'll tell you to shove off!
@Yankees Win
I bet you can propose a detailed technical explanation on how to implement it so that this issue will be gone.
@saftwear
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!!!!
You are going to just deal with this? Was this part of the instruction manaul? I never, ever had a phone I had to hold a certain way to make a friggin phone call. All of you Apple fans make me sick!!! If this was any other company it would be a epic recall\fail. I just don't know how people are willing to use covers, bumpers, tape or anything else to use a phone. I should be able to hold my phone the way it was mfg. Seems like everyone that bought the iPhone loves the looks, now you have to cover it up!! Come people, Apple should not tell you to just deal with this issue. If you do not other mfg's will start doing the same thing. As customers we cannot let this happen.
@Plazmic Flame
Do you ever surd the internet? You'll need signal.
@Plazmic Flame
I've just noticed that my 3G does the exact thing when I hold it that way and I've had this phone 2 years now and it's never been an issue, so it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I bet u could replicate this loss of signal with the majority of smart phones, so your not alone dude! Who the hell holds a phone like that anyway?
@djt
Yeah, I hear you there. I agree.
@Mike10010100 Hahaha, I read everything that you guys said back and forth to each other. It was so epic. btw i think ur awesome (no homo). Could I follow you on Twitter? lol
@Vexorg
Just avoid holding it in that way.
P.S: Wear a black turtleneck for optimal reception
@slimjim316
i don't hold my 3GS, i use my headsets 95% of the time
@H264
FAKE FAKE FAKE SJ EMAIL!
SJ would have really said:
"Just buy a bumper for $29.99 at the Apple store."
(cough, they knew about this..., cough).
@Vexorg So all I have to do is change the way I hold my phone?
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!
@Plazmic Flame
Yes, yes you are. When the phone is in my left hand, I hold it exactly like all the bloggers have shown this issue occurs, so the phone doesn't slip out of my hands.
@liftedngifted1
You know the funny thing is those bumpers will still allow you break the glass on both sides... So much for ANY protection. Well at least you can make a phone call.
@ethanbergstrom No can do on fixing it. That might mean doubling the Foxconn suicides this quarter. Oh well no big loss
@Nitesh
That's what she said..
@Plazmic Flame
Personally, with all the phones I've ever had, I never had to think/contemplate/worry about the way I am holding the phone so it won't have reception issues.
@HipHopIsLyfe37
Twitter is for narcisistic people who want to believe they're celebrities. lol hahaha jk, jk.
I have confirmed this reception issue with my iPhone 2G on 3.1.2. It does not happen nearly as quickly as some of the videos of iPhone 4's, but it is reproducible. I drop from 5 bars down to 2 bars in about a minute and a half of holding it as per the videos and pictures. When I let go, it takes longer, about 3+ minutes, to return to 5 bars.
I've been using it for 3 years straight now and have not noticed until today trying this out. I've never dropped a call on my iPhone 2G in the 3 years, either. It also seems I have to hold it fairly tightly and somewhat unnaturally to get the signal drop. If I hold it lightly or just let it rest in my hands I might get one bar dropped.
I think we got an id 10 t folks
@Vexorg
Holding your phone left handed is a bag of hurt.
@Missing Matter how about laptops, they get so hot you can't put them in your lap. So should we all return our laptops until every manufacturer rectifies this? I think I just put an end to all these whiners here, who complain about everything apple makes, just because its extremely popular.
It's a phone don't buy one if it doesn't have every feature you want. For me its the great music player, app store, podcasts and seamless design that get me to buy it.