Apple: iPhone 4 reception problem is a software issue, fix coming in 'a few weeks'
By Thomas Ricker 
posted July 2nd 2010 8:32AM
posted July 2nd 2010 8:32AM
Sure, the odd way Apple calculates bars has been noted before, but what's troubling is that this is the second time Apple has blamed signal strength / reception issues on software and it doesn't fully explain calls dropping and data degradation when the iPhone 4 is held in a very particular (but common) way. It's also worth noting that Apple in no way admits to an antenna design flaw. Read the full press release after the break.Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don't know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.
To fix this, we are adopting AT&T's recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone's bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area. We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier to see.
We will issue a free software update within a few weeks that incorporates the corrected formula. Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.
Letter from Apple Regarding iPhone 4
Dear iPhone 4 Users,
The iPhone 4 has been the most successful product launch in Apple's history. It has been judged by reviewers around the world to be the best smartphone ever, and users have told us that they love it. So we were surprised when we read reports of reception problems, and we immediately began investigating them. Here is what we have learned.
To start with, gripping almost any mobile phone in certain ways will reduce its reception by 1 or more bars. This is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, as well as many Droid, Nokia and RIM phones. But some users have reported that iPhone 4 can drop 4 or 5 bars when tightly held in a way which covers the black strip in the lower left corner of the metal band. This is a far bigger drop than normal, and as a result some have accused the iPhone 4 of having a faulty antenna design.
At the same time, we continue to read articles and receive hundreds of emails from users saying that iPhone 4 reception is better than the iPhone 3GS. They are delighted. This matches our own experience and testing. What can explain all of this?
We have discovered the cause of this dramatic drop in bars, and it is both simple and surprising.
Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don't know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.
To fix this, we are adopting AT&T's recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone's bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area. We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier to see.
We will issue a free software update within a few weeks that incorporates the corrected formula. Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.
We have gone back to our labs and retested everything, and the results are the same- the iPhone 4's wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped. For the vast majority of users who have not been troubled by this issue, this software update will only make your bars more accurate. For those who have had concerns, we apologize for any anxiety we may have caused.
As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
We hope you love the iPhone 4 as much as we do.
Thank you for your patience and support.
Apple
Dear iPhone 4 Users,
The iPhone 4 has been the most successful product launch in Apple's history. It has been judged by reviewers around the world to be the best smartphone ever, and users have told us that they love it. So we were surprised when we read reports of reception problems, and we immediately began investigating them. Here is what we have learned.
To start with, gripping almost any mobile phone in certain ways will reduce its reception by 1 or more bars. This is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, as well as many Droid, Nokia and RIM phones. But some users have reported that iPhone 4 can drop 4 or 5 bars when tightly held in a way which covers the black strip in the lower left corner of the metal band. This is a far bigger drop than normal, and as a result some have accused the iPhone 4 of having a faulty antenna design.
At the same time, we continue to read articles and receive hundreds of emails from users saying that iPhone 4 reception is better than the iPhone 3GS. They are delighted. This matches our own experience and testing. What can explain all of this?
We have discovered the cause of this dramatic drop in bars, and it is both simple and surprising.
Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don't know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.
To fix this, we are adopting AT&T's recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone's bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area. We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier to see.
We will issue a free software update within a few weeks that incorporates the corrected formula. Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.
We have gone back to our labs and retested everything, and the results are the same- the iPhone 4's wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped. For the vast majority of users who have not been troubled by this issue, this software update will only make your bars more accurate. For those who have had concerns, we apologize for any anxiety we may have caused.
As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
We hope you love the iPhone 4 as much as we do.
Thank you for your patience and support.
Apple
@cpavionics
As for c-ra-pavionics, you're the Apple fanboy apologist I'm talking about. Nice attempt at self-promotion but I noticed you never answered my question. Would a pilot care that he couldn't make a call to air traffic control, since you seem to think a phone not functioning as a phone isn't a "big issue"? I guess he'd just be a "whiner" by your definition.
so why they are hiring 3 antenna engineers?
@engaged and why does it DROP CALLS when gripped that way? Unless the phone is intentionally dropping calls when it thinks there's low signal, that's no explanation at all.
Thanks Steve.
@cybertrash I have yet to drop a call holding the phone that way. Bars go down, web slows down, but no dropped calls. If I have 5 bars, holding that phone that way has zero effect. So, maybe the signal strength display is partly to blame, but I'm not worried either way once my case gets here.
@engaged
Because the last antenna engineers quit when the software team couldn't make their bars display properly!
@cybertrash Got to agree with you here. Unless the phone is checking the signal to intentionally drop the calls, this fixes nothing.
@engaged: Nah, 2 Engineers and a Mathematician
@engaged - How many antenna engineers do you need to calculate the number of bars to display?
@engaged
So it looks like its gonna be Less Bars in More Places soon.
@engaged To calculate the bars accurately, duh!
I agree with you I personally have friends with the new iPhone who love it but hate the fact they have to hold it right handed or it drops calls
this is a displaying of bars fix, not a reception fix. How dumb does apple think their consumers are... oh wait.
@Kid Red
The company is just changing the formula which calculates how bars are displayed. Apple is not fixing the reception at all, the so called fix is not a fix for anything.
@cybertrash That's no fix to me...
@engaged
There own explanation doesn't make any sense. If the software is making the phone display more bars than it really should, then how does holding the phone in a different way change the software? If bridging the antenna's causes the bars disappear then going by the their own explanation, the phone's reception must be really bad.
@engaged
So, how does Apple explain all the tests that show the phone loses waaaayyy too many dBs when compared to other phones?
@System48
They are basically trying to fix the issue by shifting the blame to ATT's network strength. Dick move, Apple!
@engaged Possibly for the rumored cdma iPhone due out on Verizon. Granted such a phone is in the works.
@thegreatino isheeps just follow the leader
That's what I want to know. They just don't want to recall all the 1.8 million phones. Cause that might not play out very well for the company.
@engaged How many antenna engineers does it take to fix the reception. 3. One to add colorful bars, and 2 to cradle Steves balls
Nice try apple, but the AWFUL truth is Software CANT solve BAD ANTENNA DESIGN.
haha i love it - so basically now they are going to compensate by matching the bars to the weak signal itself. So now when you hold it the way they don't want you to - you should see no bars at all. Good one Apple.
@who said what
This calls for Luke Wilson.
@kevout lmao!!!!
@engaged
Such outrage....from people who don't even OWN the iPhone 4.
I mean I know for myself that I have NEVER experienced this issue. All the people I know haven't had this non existent problem.,,,
@cybertrash
That's entirely possible. Well, I'd like to think so anyway.
@thegreatino lmao!!!!!!
@engaged
Because, it is a lie.. you can't fix metal with software
@thegreatino
"this is a displaying of bars fix, not a reception fix. How dumb does apple think their consumers are... oh wait."
Love it, exactly like that Futurama episode about the EyePhone, they dont care if is a good product, they just want to have it, they want to be IN, is like buying a Rolls Royce priced car with the quality of Toyota.
@engaged I guess hiring David Copperfield to make some bars disappear on this magical phone didn't fix anything at all.
@thegreatino remember this is apple. the RDF is in full force on this one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_distortion_field
@engaged
So unless you hi-jack the first comment you just fall off the page? I'm looking at engaged's question and then scroll half way down the page and see completely off topic relevant replies. Sure;y there's a better way?
Oh no...I'm guilty now
@engaged
dunno why Steve himself looks so confused... he of all people should know he's just holding it wrong :\
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/4/2010/06/4e1ec76fda4d2d309bd3ae2d4cf087cf/original.jpg
@engaged It also doesn't explain the videos where there's data degradation when touching the strip. The video where the dude is loading a webpage, does it twice with speed. Then mid-download, he touches the strip and it just halts. How does this signal bar fix solve that?
aww man now this is great news for me... Switching the blame to at&t .. Classic
@Kid Red Web slows down? Even if you're not dropping calls, that's an obvious problem unrelated to mere display of signal bars.
@BrookLynnsFinest
that's great for you and these people you know... but apparently tons of others you DON'T know do have this issue... otherwise Engadget wouldn't be reporting it in the first place
@engaged - because this "software fix" is a PR band-aid only, and obviously aimed at ignorant or gullible people. If the problem really is just an overly generous calculation on how many bars the iPhone is getting, then what that means is that this phone gets HORRIBLE reception - funny, I seem to recall Jobs patting himself on the back for their "revolutionary" antenna system that vastly improved iPhone reception. So now, it appears, that the perception of better reception was just an illusion due to buggy software?
Yah, they definitely need some antenna engineers. And a handler for Jobs, with a muzzle ready at all times.
@engaged
Their hiring antenna engineers to prepare for the iPhone launch on Verizon....
"Can you hear me now?...Can you h...hello? Can you hear me now? God, this phone sucks. Can you hear me now? Hello?"
@sooperengadget12
Maybe Pro Apple site is the answer?
@Luke
Sorry, they're. Shit.
@cybertrash Exactly. And why does putting a bumper on the phone magically fix the "software" issue? What a crock of poop. Just Apple trying to placate the legion of griping fanboys.
@cybertrash How to avoid law suits: a)claim CEO's emails as fake b)ad for hire:antenna engineers c)announce fw release d)official statement
@Vrmithrax
No issues here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US0bd6ZNUP0
@engaged
Let's not forget the fact that they REMOVED the field test code with iOS4. Coincidence?
Such amazing BS to blame this on a software error. I can hold my iPhone with the death grip and go from 5 bars to searching in 30 seconds... at that time I cannot make or receive calls. How the hell is software going to fix that?
@Dom
or... You could just buy a case.
@engaged This guy called it!!
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=10286805&postcount=12
@engaged
I read Apple's reply basically they're saying:
- The update won't make you drop less calls.
- The update won't make you hold the phone the way you want and still get normal reception.
- The update will make the bars a lot less in poor reception areas, so that when you hold the phone the "wrong way", instead of dropping from 4 bars to zero bars, it will drop from 2 bars to zero bars.
In another words, they -Apple- simply: Fail.