Some iPhone 4 models dropping calls when held left-handed, including ours (Update: Apple responds)
By Richard Lai 
posted June 24th 2010 7:53AM
posted June 24th 2010 7:53AM
One iPhone 4 demonstrated the issue everytime it was held in our left hand (as a right-handed person is apt to do) so that our palm was essentially bridging the two antennas. You can see that in the video after the break. Bridging the two with a finger tip, however, didn't cause any issues with the reported reception. If we had to guess, we'd say that our conductive skin was acting to detune the antenna -- in fact, we've already managed to slowly kill two calls that way so it's not just an issue with the software erroneously reporting an incorrect signal strength. That said, we had no issues when Apple's $29 rubber bumper accessory (given to us free for standing in line) was attached, creating a buffer between our palm and the antennas. Our second UK-purchased iPhone 4 was fine, showing none of these handling symptoms. See the video evidence after the break including Insanely Great Mac's version which got us to worrying in the first place.
P.S. Don't forget to take our poll and let us know if you're seeing both the yellow spots / stripes and reception issues. Unfortunately, we're suffering from both flaws which is not a good sign for quality control on this first batch of Apple handsets.
P.P.S. Since some of you are asking, our review unit showed none of these issues.
Update: Apple responds to the issue, and boy, it's a doozy.
Anyone have the video where jobs introduced iPhone 4? When the wifi/facetime didn't work, was he holding the phone the wrong way?
@donrhummy
He was holding a 3GS and and iPhone 4 in each hand. I could not distinguish one from the other, but for what is worth here is a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oITln1SZe9U
I'm right handed and I like to hold my phone with my left hand, feels more natural and frees my right hand to write notes, drive, etc.... This is the result of bad design period.
I keep trying this and I can't get it to lose even one bar. Is this happening to everybody or is it just an unfortunate few??
Lol this is hilarious, not just the phone's tiny flaw but these ridiculous comments. I'm sure the company will let you trade it in or something.
People don't have left hands- Steve Jobs
I saw this on Youtube and the guy does not have the problem!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zehL4z__G-o
Well, I think Apple is going to sell sticky tape to solve this issue ;)
I won't be surprised if some Chinese factories start pumping out the i-finger condoms to be used with the o-so-sleek iphone 4 next week.
btw, any chance the iphone 4 flaws have anything to do with apple asking FCC to keep the phone details under wraps?
HUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM
A rumor is now circulating that Steve Jobs was furious with his Design department for not ensuring that testing found the antenna's design fault before release. Some think this was caused by the plastic case used to disguise the iPhone 4. But after surveying his people, it is now rumored that one uniform and distinct response came from each man. "My left hand was busy doing something else!"
Ha.Ha.Ha.
Easy Solution.. Put a piece of tape over the joint.. It fixes the problem easily, and you'll never notice it. Done it myself no issues now.
the article's pic wins the internets.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha epic fail;D
rofl
remember Steve in keynote when joke about this joint point of the antenas?
it turns out the iPhone 4 doesn't drop left-handed calls. and the placement of the antenna helps reduce the chance of brain tumors. http://www.macdaddynews.com/?p=4368
29$ for a little rubber that cost 0.001cent to produce and 0.002cent to "Mac Package" in due Mac Style .
Now there is a way to make potentially 290million US $ more in the Mac Tilly. Where is my iAndroid ?
Held my iPhone 3GS with my hand wrapped around the bottom half, and I noticed I was losing bars. Then I let my phone rest on my palm, and the bars started coming back up. Never noticed it before, its kind of funny.
Guys, guys, it's not a bug, it's a feature.
Steve Jobs has once again brought us innovation. Innovation on how we end calls. No longer do you have to press tiny buttons or smudge your beautiful touchscreen.
Just HOLD your phone, call ends. It's so simple, it just works! Just like that! Magical!
copied that from gizmodo it was too funny
The night before I had a call drop twice and the person kept saying that I was breaking up/getting faint. Last night again I had a call drop - this time it was four times. It happened again this morning. So I googled it and found your article. Thanks for the answer. I'm right handed. I guess my pinky rests right at the point where the antennas meet. I tested out the theory and by the time the bars drop my call consistently disconnects. I will have to be careful where I rest my pinky or simply use my hands free headset when I'm using the phone.
I am a UK iPhone 4 user and purchased a bumper to solve the reception issue while in the UK (which it appeared to do). Currently I am on holiday in Croatia and when testing the phone (by holding it the wrong way) the signal did not drop at all. So is it the carrier frequency that makes a difference between the countries ??
The same thing happens on my 3GS.
get the "tongs!" :P
has anyone tried holding the phone at the top by the audio jack where the 2 antennas also connect. i dont have this issue as much as others, and i cant get it to happen every time, it has happened a few times, and i drop calls like there is no tomorrow, but is this problem also persistent if you hold the top of the phone by the audio jack where the antennas meet?
If you are having this issue, try turning off 3G and see if you have this issue on Edge... If it was purely a hardware antenna issue wouldn't the issue affect both Edge *AND* 3G as they use the exact same Antenna?
When I called Apple they told me to try Edge to see if I had the issue and I did not.
On a side-note, I can reproduce this issue if I try but it's not caused me any issues during normal use even without a case/bumper.
It may indeed be a software issue, who knows. Time will tell.
iphone wins, they couldnt give a shi& they should recall the bloody lot and fix the problem, dont hold it there Steve Jobs is a cock! I am a nokia fan and never had problems..... my mate is a brainwashed apple nut and has the issue and he's left handed! and stuck with it....sucker!
you should start a campaign for apple to recall the iphone, if it was a car or a washing machine or a faulty toy from china this would happen...... but apple seem to get away with a global faulty product...... apple sucks...may look pretty.... but so do hugh hefners girls only good for one thing
apple even designed the iPhone to be held this way:
http://larryfire.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/apple-iphone-in-hand1.jpg?w=364&h=432
okay, so i know if you use the "death Grip" on the iphone you can simply kill your signal and drop calls, but its easier to do than sticking it in your palm.... you can take one finger and put it over the bottom left black strip and do the same thing as using your entire palm....
you can test it out by using your iphone 4 in your car and putting it close to your cd player/radio while the iPhone is pulling info from servers on the network. you will here that lovely interferance popping/clicking... now, while its doing that, simply put you finger over the black strip to make it stop aka cross your signals and what not!
CRAZY RIGHT!?!?!
now..
the fix for this!!!!
okay, ive always purchased a Zagg Invisible Shield (full Body) for my iPhones and it keeps em in perfect condition.
so, i got my iPhone 4 full body shield today and just installed it.
i made sure the side shield pieces went over the black band so that i wouldnt be able to cross the signals...
IT WORKS BEAUTIFULLY!
fix your iphone signal issues AND keep your phone in mint condition without a ugly body cover that hides your sexy black iPhone 4!
try it out!
i cant get it to even lose one bar now!
ITS A MIRACLE!!!!
by Nick Larson
@drventure31 So you had to spend 20+ dollars to make a device you purchased work as advertised? Yeah problem solved alright. I don't understand how you can be okay with this.