Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we

Although there's never been any question that there's something going on with the iPhone 4's fancy new antenna system, we really haven't seen any rigorous testing confirming that the issue is real, severe, and affects every phone. That just changed: Consumer Reports tested three iPhone 4s and several other AT&T phones in their RF isolation chamber that simulates varying levels of signal from every carrier, and found that the iPhone 4 was the only handset to suffer signal-loss issues. What's more, CR directly says that its findings call Apple's explanation of a miscalculated signal meter into question since the tests "indicate that AT&T's network might not be the primary suspect." CR found that simply putting duct tape over the bottom-left corner is enough to alleviate the issue -- we're guessing that's Jony Ive's worst nightmare -- and says that while the iPhone 4 has the "sharpest display and best video camera" of any phone it's tested, it simply can't recommend the device until Apple comes up with a permanent and free fix to the antenna problem. Ouch.

Of course, we couldn't sit around waiting for someone else to test the iPhone 4 in a more controlled way, so we actually asked our good friend Erica Sadun from TUAW to write us a bespoke signal strength app for iOS 4. Obviously we couldn't submit it to the App Store, but we've been running it on all of our phones here at Engadget and we can independently confirm Consumer Reports' finding that there's a serious signal attenuation issue with the iPhone 4's antenna -- every phone we've tested displays dropped signal when held with the bottom left corner covered. Now, what we don't know is whether that signal attenuation consistently affects call quality and data rates, which we suspect is more directly related to the network in the area; some of our iPhone 4s drop calls and experience low data rates with alarming frequency, while others -- like our review unit -- have almost never dropped a call and have had no data problems. However, now that we've confirmed and clarified that the antenna issue affects every iPhone 4, we can take on the next step, which is sorting out exactly when and where the issue is most severe. Either that, or Apple can do something to actually fix the issue -- we'll just have to wait and see. For now, check our app in action after the break.

Update: To clarify, "here at Engadget" is a virtual location -- our iPhone 4s are actually located across the country in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and we saw the app respond that way regardless of location. Dropped calls and other effects weren't as consistent, however, and we're still testing to sort out when the effects of the antenna issue are the most severe.

[dandy1117 Posted Jul 13th 2010 5:25PM]

guess which phone Consumer Reports ranked as the best smartphone on the market? .... Yep, the iPhone 4.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/07/consumer-reports-iphone-4-best-smartphone-despite-antenna-issues/

[GeneralJesh Posted Jul 13th 2010 7:10PM]

@dandy1117
u mad ?

[dandy1117 Posted Jul 13th 2010 7:23PM]

@GeneralJesh nope. i am a happy iphone 4 user; was merely pointing out the irony of a publication not recommending its highest ranked product in a category!

[bufbarnaby Posted Jul 13th 2010 7:38PM]

@dandy1117 the word RANKED is past tense...
They now RANK it "not recommended" (present tense)
Nice try though.

[dandy1117 Posted Jul 13th 2010 7:41PM]

@bufbarnaby with all due respect, you're incorrect. Consumer Reports has issued a "not recommended" on the iPhone 4, but separately, in their CURRENT ranking, it has the highest rating of all the smartphones.

[Exactitude Posted Jul 13th 2010 10:01PM]

I think the proximity sensor issue is far worse .

[JojoMojo Posted Jul 13th 2010 10:32PM]

Android FTW

All you hipster doofus iPhone owners. How I hate, loathe, detest and despise you!!! You should all get Android phones. It is so awesome. If you don't believe me listen to this:-

-My Android phone has increased my charm and charisma by 1000 points while simultaneously reducing my damage taken by 1000 points.

-It has increased the size of my member. In fact it is so huge now that you
can see it from outer space.

-It has increased my intellect so much that now I can come up with such scintillating and cerebral pieces of insults such as 'iSheep', or 'you suck Jobs dick'.

In conclusion, did I mention I hate you? I HATE YOU. Oh, I hate you so much it hurts. Yes nothing gives me more pleasure than to write condescending remarks on iPhone related articles and calling you losers. Are you listening … you losers?

Signed,
The Super Awesome Android Dude

[Nilithius Posted Jul 13th 2010 11:13PM]

Wait... people use these things to make phone calls? And here I thought it was about touching, texting, pictures and videos..

[VanillaSpice Posted Jul 13th 2010 11:17PM]

"now that we've confirmed and clarified that the antenna issue affects every iPhone 4"

Uh, no, you haven't. There are millions of these devices, and unless you've tested - literally - hundreds of them then you won't even be approaching statistical significance.

A 100% failure rate on a dozen or two devices is compelling (it is proof enough for me, and I'd say for the Average Joe), but it doesn't qualify as confirmation on "every iPhone 4".

What Erica's app shows is that there is little correlation between actual signal strength and the number of bars shown. Or that the "bars" are not precise enough to give a good indication across the entire potential signal strength range.

Importantly, the data means nothing unless we can compare it to competitor's phones. What I'd like to see is a similar app for other phones (that measures actual signal strength unfiltered by an imprecise "bars" display) and some testing on whether there is any signal loss (and how much) when the phone is held in common positions.

I am not suggesting other phones would show the same level of signal loss as an iPhone 4, but we just cannot get any indication of how significant this issue is until we know how well competing phones perform (in terms of actual signal strength; number of "bars" and anecdotal reports of working slash not working are not helpful.)

It would put this whole issue to bed: iPhone actual signal drop 10% more than competitors? Not really an issue. iPhone actual signal drop 50% (or higher) more than competitors? Issue.

[ivan tha terrible Posted Jul 14th 2010 11:45AM]

@ MuahMan – If your gonna camp then and get the phone then y not get a case or bumper. DUH!!
@ cstrife999 –LOL wow ok ok hold on your statement, “That's like you saying you just bought a new car but it didn't come with an engine...“ WOOOW so completely different. Come on the price range is Iphone 4 = $800 to a car = $18,000… They’re not even close to comparing.

[BuzzMega Posted Jul 14th 2010 7:04PM]

I can't make my iP4 screw up the way Consumer's Union seems to.

I can make the data 3G rate drop through repeated tests gripped, not gripped, plastic cover insulated, etc., but the tests themselves are not consistent, even though the physical placement, finger pressure and equipment are very close to identical. Things like temperature, battery reserve, unit warmth are counted as variables to try to flatten.

Worst case: Yesterday, 663 kbps down, while 995 kbps up. Cell tower around a mile away, line of sight. Today: 1294 kbps down; 627 up.

But repeat tests show a natural wide swing. I had always seen this, even with the 3Gs, so I assumed it was traffic loading at the antenna.

Now the engineer Egan points to flaws in Consumer Reports' testing methods. They are not, after all, experienced scientific cell behavior testing folk, and even Egan points to his own less-than-scientific results which are unable to duplicate CR's.

I still have yet to drop a call that is the iPhone's fault from a hand grip operation.

[strongfist Posted Jul 16th 2010 8:47AM]

You know I have conducted my own test with this so-called iPhone 4 antenna issue and according to my test it shows that this is in fact a "non-issue". For all you users that need some reassurance that Apple will never fail you check the article which shows how much of an issue (or lack there of) this actually is at http://getyourgadgetsgoing.com/2010/07/14/apple-iphone-4-antenna-issues/

[calls Posted Jul 26th 2010 11:57AM]

My iphone 4 is going back!

STANDARD ORANGE NETWORK
OUT IN THE STICKS

NOKIA N96
FULL SIGNAL

IPHONE 4
Without a case and before software upgrade the signal is full but drops the whole 5 bars when holding it.
I bought a clear case until apple send out the free ones in 5 weeks, still drops 3-4 bars.

After the software upgrade it did nothing, so I totally restored the phone.

I also noticed the sim card in the metal tray touches the metal which of course also touches the antenna. I put some black electrical tape on that.

Then

Drops 3-4 bars without a case, 2-3 bars WITH a case! All apple have done is calculate to signal differently to make the drop look less.

3G NETWORK
URBAN AREA
It's very very odd as over at my other house I'm renovating the iphone 4 gets 3 bars where my old nokia gets 5, however it picks up the network in places my old phone couldn't....which is probably due to the better antenna.

BUT
If you hold the phone without a case it still totally loses the network so cancels out any better coverage.

Otherwise perfect, very loud and clear and far surpasses the Nokia in every other respect.

It's going back until they modify them!! I'm not being the mug like millions of others who are 'living with it'. Rumours are...in america they've started to modify production.

So the iphone 4 does need a 3 metre mast stuck to the top.
Those who say there is no problem live in such high coverage its probably way above 5 bars and the 3 bar drop doesn't show.

[axelc Posted Aug 12th 2010 5:27AM]

iBand Aid fixes iPhone4 antenna problems.

iBand Aid Antenn-aid for iPhone 4 is a custom sized vinyl sticker for your iPhone 4. When placed over the lower left corner of the antenna it may improve signal performance.

Antenn-aids act as a Band-Aid for iPhones
and are designed to be placed over the lower left corner of the antenna, in the area where the signal dropping issues occur.

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.

Gorgeous colors
Each iBand Aid package has seven gorgeous colored stickers. Colours: patch, silver, dark gray, turquoise, lime, pink and white

http://iband-aid.com/

[Dolphineek Posted Aug 14th 2010 9:20AM]

@axelc

The problem is - you'll have a CHEAP PLASTIC STICKER on your nice and shiny iPhone! lol...

Better to get the bumper - at least it will obscure the iphone's effeminate looks, lol.

Unfortunately, not even a bumper will save the White one. lol.