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Topic: Verizon

iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

Summary: Consumer Reports won't recommend Verizon's iPhone 4 due to antenna issues. At least, Verizon's coverage can make up for the problem.

Larry Dignan

By for Between the Lines |

Consumer Reports won't recommend the Verizon iPhone because it has the same problems with the antenna as the AT&T version. In a blog post, Consumer Reports details its tests.

The Verizon iPhone 4 closely resembles the original AT&T iPhone 4 in many positive respects, including offering great multimedia functionality, a sharp screen, and the best MP3 player we've seen on a phone. Unfortunately, it also shares with its sibling the possibility of compromised performance in low-signal conditions when used without a bumper or case.

However, there haven't been widespread complaints about the Verizon iPhone. Why? Verizon has better coverage.

Consumer Reports noted that the iPhone still scores high in its ratings. The advice for the Verizon iPhone 4 is the same as it ever was: Buy a bumper case.

Fair enough. In fact, that's great advice. If you buy an iPhone 4 buy a bumper. Frankly, consumers don't seem to care. They keep buying up those iPhone 4s.

Topics: Verizon, Hardware, iPhone, Mobility, Smartphones

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87 comments
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  • Other smartphones go 5 to 0 bars too if held tightly; CR are **hypocrites**

    Attention-seeking hypocrites. There are lots of all kinds of videos of other smartphones turning into completely dead bricks when held tightly, and yet CR never said anything about "Not recommending" them.<br><br>Money is the root of it, of course (and not necessary directly), since it is also notable that <b>Consumer Reports changed its story three times last summer, issuing contradicting "resolutions" on iPhone 4 matter</b> -- before they settled with more scandalous version which would finally draw at least some attention to this increasingly irrelevant (in this field) publication.
    DDERSSS
    Reply Vote

    • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

      @denisrs

      Gee my HTC Mozart doesn't. It also doesn't suffer from dropped calls nor does it need that so attractive rubber band around it. The iToy is looking very old and Apple needs to be told marketing doesn't fix anything ;-)
      tonymcs@...
      Reply Vote

      • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

        @tonymcs@... Funny thing about that so-called iToy - it's the device that sparked all the copy cats such as Android... Yeah interesting fact about Android is that it started out as a Blackberry OS clone prior to Google buying it, Eric Schmidt being on Apple's board, and Apple releasing the iPhone.
        NonFanboy
        Reply Vote

      • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

        @tonymcs@... i have no case for my verizon iphone. ive had it since feb 10th about say 20 days. guess what? no dropped calls! my friend has an att blackberry with supposedly no deathgrip. well guess what, since i got my iphone, his phone didn't go through 8 times, and dropped at least 15 calls. deathgrip is all hogwash. its the network that really matters. in my opinion att just doesnt cut it.
        rocketboy5114
        Reply Vote

    • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

      @denisrs

      Sure, other phones have obstruction issues. Antenna tech is complicated. But it has been known from the dawn of radio tech that touching antennas affects the signal.

      I can't think of a single other device in the history of electronics where the designers were stupid enough to make the uncoated antenna part of the handle.

      It's a ridiculous flaw in an otherwise nice device and they deserve to be called on it.
      SlithyTove
      Reply Vote

      • Designers werent &quot;stupid&quot;, that is why they prepared bumber *beforehand**

        @SlithyTove: it was intentional decision to shrink the device (and they did it, setting records for the class) and increasing antenna sensitivity (AnandTech tested it -- <b>antenna of iPhone 4 *times* more sensitive than usually-constructed antennas in other smartphones</b>).

        Yet, of course, this brought the drawback, for which Apple -- from very beginning -- designed "bumper" cases. However, it is rarely needed, since the issue is minimal and many can not reproduce it no matter what they do (even CR said that in one of their conflicting reports last summer).
        DDERSSS
        Reply Vote

      • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

        @Denisrs They designed bumper cases and at the same time initially denied there was a problem? If it was intentional, shouldn't the bumper cases have been provided with the phone in the first place, not waiting until they couldn't deny the problem then trying to make people pay for the cases then finally giving them away when the outcry got too loud to dismiss?
        jgm@...
        Reply Vote

      • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

        @denisers<br><br>"antenna of iPhone 4 *times* more sensitive than usually-constructed antennas in other smartphones"<br><br>This would have been great if they had taken that antenna and put a coating, barrier, whatever on it. Instead they exposed it as bare-metal, basically, because they liked the look. That "industrial design" thing taken one step too far.<br><br>As it is, it's a bit like trying to justify square tires on a car because it would provide much higher grip during breaking. Technically true, but still ridiculous.<br><br>"Yet, of course, this brought the drawback, for which Apple -- from very beginning -- designed "bumper" cases." <br><br>See, most manufacturers sort of build necessary parts of the device into the device. And those bumper cases were designed for phone protection, not antenna fixing. Apple just got lucky in that they did both.
        SlithyTove
        Reply Vote

    • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

      @denisrs I agree, anyway I have easily solved this issue with <a href="http://www.getpowerpad.com">Wireless power case</a> it brings even the advantage that you can charge your iPhone without the use of wires! So don't complain so much and work it out!
      Montebello
      Reply Vote

    • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

      @denisrs

      Wow. Someone got their shorts all bunched up this morning.
      kitkimes41@...
      Reply Vote

  • ZDNet: TABLOID STUPIDITY AT ITS BEST

    I have had the iPhone 4 from AT&T and never had an issue even without the bumper...

    As usual, ZDNet picks up on one story or one person having issues and then makes it a headline story.

    You just do this so morons like Loverock and SonofaFailure can rant their little shill behinds off because their precious Microsoft mobile phones are a failure out the gate....

    You're all really sad....
    Ron Burgundy
    Reply Vote

    • ZDnet is only covering what the CR said

      Can't stand the negative press about your precious Apple?
      Michael Alan Goff
      Reply Vote

    • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

      @Ron Burgundy

      I guess the English language reads differently when viewed through the Apple prism. I took the article to read that CR's 'findings' was boring old news of no consequence. How did that translate to Zdnet bashing your beloved? Applese is a strange language.
      noagenda
      Reply Vote

    • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

      @Ron Burgundy

      Back to your fart apps. All that and it can sometimes make phone calls too ;-)
      tonymcs@...
      Reply Vote

      • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

        @tonymcs@... Love my 4, but do wish it had a larger screen.
        kent42
        Reply Vote

      • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

        @tonymcs@... Mine always makes phone calls moron.
        Ron Burgundy
        Reply Vote

      • Oh wow, the &quot;fart apps&quot; offense

        @tonymcs@... Isn't that play #1 in the Apple Hater book? Like no other mobile OS has fart apps available for them...
        NonFanboy
        Reply Vote

      • And my WP7 never bricked.

        @Ron Burgundy

        So that more proof that the whole story was just being way overblown by the people on this site.
        Will Farrell
        Reply Vote

      • RE: iPhone Antennagate 2.0: Hit snooze

        @tonymcs@... I don't know what all the fuss is all about? my iphone on verizon sounds better than most of my companies phones which are mostly att. Plus i touched the antenna all over while making calls and nothing happened. The ONLY time a call was dropped was in my local macys where verizon never had service. meanwhile my friends att blackberry must have dropped 15 calls. thats besides for 30something calls that just didnt go through and he was forced to borrow my iphone. oh my god must be surprising to you an iphone works better than another phone! thats because dimwits like you dont realize its mostly the network, not the phone. verizon=crystal clear voice all+ over coverage. att=shoddy and staticy voice+plus talk and surf at the same time.
        talk and surf same time??? what a useless feature, especially if you cant get service!lol
        rocketboy5114
        Reply Vote

    • &quot;ZDnet: TABLOID STUPIDITY AT ITS BEST&quot;

      @Ron Burgundy

      And yet, you continue to post your drivel.

      I'm glad you mentioned your iPhone 4 from AT&T, now Consumer Reports findings of the Verizon iPhone just confirms what we have *correctly* saying for months:

      [b]It ain't the network that's flawed, it's the phone![/b]

      Owned again, Ron, go back to school.
      SonofaSailor
      Reply Vote
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