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).
@johdaxx
Dude. I have a Nokia X6. After reading your comment, I've tried holding it every which way and even covering it up with both palms. It still shows me full bars.
Companies write things in their manuals as a sort of disclaimer. Rules in Europe are a bit more rigid concerning various products. Also, I figure this particular thing in the manual is a remnant of old days, when holding your hand over the antenna placement could actually block your signals. Antennae are much more sensitive now than 10 years ago, and this is why we aren't experiencing any dropped calls from Nokia, Samsung, SE or the Japanese brands. Unfortunately Apple decided to save a few bucks by not buying the requisite technology from the patent holders (Nokia, etc.). Greed doesn't always pay..
Hello,
I am writing to you from Warsaw Poland. I got my iPhone 4 yesterday from London. Here is a YT video on this matter. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDoJTjfEh-A ) It's in Polish but you'll get the idea. Anyway, here everything works fine. I've been using the phone extensively throughout the day. No problems at all. I have a feeling that the AT&T network is so full that it just can't handle the amount of calls and reception is low.
If you have to hold the phone, they blew it
I just like the kids email:
"I mr Jobs, your phone is great!! It doesn't work though, no biggie".
That's why I don't buy an Apple product! Too many little bad details. My Nokia 5800 XpressMusic doesn't have this problem even if I hold it with both hands like fella said earlier!!
if you are a right handed and you are using your right hand to wank while you are on the phone, you ll lost your signal.
I wonder if the reception problem Steve Jobs had when he was introducing the iPhone 4 at WWDC was caused by the way he was holding the iPhone? "I have a feeling we might have the same problem..." Because You are holding it wrong, Steve! --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQpxGEcPhsM
Well this is just the next step in Apple's attempt to control the user experience.
This reminds me of what AT&T suggested I do when I said I would like to switch from Verizon but I get no service in my neighborhood, they said I should move. no joke.
its funny how u can find absolutely no reference to this problem at all on apple's forum's ...... I hope there sued for being so arrogant and forced to recall there obviously faulty product . This coming from someone that loves his new Iphone 4 .......Who the F wants to hold their F'in phone like a tea cup with their pinky up just to get reception ??? !!!!! ...... apple man up !!!! , say u messed up , and that your looking for a way to fix it , is that so hard ???
A possible ios4 (4.0.1) update to fix the antenna problem on the way very soon???
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/199932/ios4_401_update_rumored_coming_soon_to_fix_iphone_4_reception.html?tk=hp_blg
Damn Apple, they got balls!!
In Soviet Russia iPhone adjusts to you!
hmmm, actually, that sounds good.
Gripping the phone....WHAT?!? Don't tell that to an EVO user. They'll just laugh at you and give you some toilet paper because that's some veal spewing out of your mouth, like when Pelvis, Gibberish or O'bum'A speaks.
Am I the only one that's not surprised by such a callous comment such as "You're holding it wrong" from Steve Jobs? This company also released a statement about the iPod nano scratch issues saying "It is not a design issue. It has more to do with obese Americans in tight pants putting the nano in their front jeans pocket, and then sitting for extended periods of time."
But I've been pissed at apple since I bought my MacBook 2 years ago. As soon as this dies, I'm getting a PC.
Just Google pictures for "Steve Jobs Iphone" and tell me how he is holding it in most of the pictures!! Guess he must have relearned how to hold a phone recently.
Look at the time on Steve's response email, 4:20. He was obviously stoned.
why is every post in this thread highest ranked?
French tips :
http://video.telephonie.commentkonfait.com/video/comment-regler-probleme-reception-reseau-du-antenne-iphone-4/1949
^^
I cancelled my Sprint service ~$100.00 . got an iPhone4 . "used" it for a week and returned it. I thought it was ATT causing the poor reception. got an evo back on Sprint and have had no problems thus far. no screen separating. No horrid battery life. my treo pro had disgutingly bad battery life. so far on the evo I can hold it as I please and use WiFi all day while streaming Pandora and have no problem with battery life. is that unusual? if so I must just be lucky.
It's really quite amazing to me that Apple would not initiate a customer service campaign to get these Things fixed/replaced.
your holding it wrong? piss off wanker.
imagine buying a car that should have brakes that work from a much loved albeit foreign manufacturer. then one day your cruising down the highway nd try to slow down for a bend in the road and find that your accelerating out of control. oh wait my bad..........
not really along the same lines as one could definitelybe the source of your demise. but you get the idea . this is a fault with the product and not the user.
most people dont realize most errors are user errors...it has an internal antenna and you cant cover it...i found a good converter for my movie files at http://pocketdvd.weebly.com/ if ya'll want to add some to any phone
Apple's new iPhone 4 is the biggest update of company yet for the handset and it will have you drooling. It is an snazzily slim phone. It has dual cameras, huge operating system update and video chat, among other things. when the iPhone 4 hits retail shelves it will have to battle a gaggle of Android devices for consumer attention the most significant of which is the HTC Evo. The Evo has one big advantage that Apple can’t beat. Gadgets and Gizmos