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UPDATE: iPhone 4 fever ... but is the new antenna the weak link?

By | June 24, 2010, 8:00am PDT

Today is the launch day for the Apple iPhone 4 … but some early adopters are concerned that the new style antenna is causing problems.

Excitement is building at Apple stores across the US. Hardware 2.0 reader Ashutosh Dharap is at the West Towne Mall Apple Store in Madison, WI.

6.30AM: In a relatively small town like Madison there’s a huge line for the prebooked iphone and an even longer one for the non-reserved! I see people of all ages, but the lines are dominated by teenagers and young adults. I’m standing in the prebooked line thankfully.

Update: 6:50AM: apple store employees took a head count of the non reserved line vs # of phones in their inventory.

Update: 7AM : apple store employees…at least 20..ran thru the lines high fiving ppl, yelling and greeting everyone. At least a 100 non-reserved folks are getting their phones today. The line has started moving!

Here’s a photo from the scene:

Apple employees are handing out snacks and drinks to those waiting in line.

But the iPhone 4 isn’t without its teething troubles. Users are claiming that by just holding the phone in a certain way, the signal strength drops dramatically. Other users claim that this has a detrimental effect on call quality. Some early adopters have posted videos online showing the problem.

The issue here is very likely the new design antenna, which forms part of the stainless steel chassis of the iPhone 4. It’s seems likely that hands (sweaty hands?) are causing interference or attenuation of the signal.

Can this be fixed with a software update? It’s hard to tell at this stage. It is possible that a firmware update can be used to dial in the antenna, but it’s too early to tell.

Is this why Apple decided to market $30 rubber “bumpers” for the new iPhone?

UPDATE: Seems like there’s a potential screen issue too …

UPDATE 2: Ashutosh seconds the antenna issue:

“I also did the antenna test, and unfortunately I’ve to agree with the other users - the antenna problem does exist. As I hold the left side of the phone in my hand (pretty much a natural position while on a call), the bars disappear one by one until there are no bars left.”

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Topics

Apple iPhone, Phone, Apple Inc., Excitement, Smart Phones, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology.

Disclosure

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

All opinions expressed on Hardware 2.0 are those of Adrian Kingsley-Hughes. Every effort is made to ensure that the information posted is accurate. If you have any comments, queries or corrections, please contact Adrian via the email link here. Any possible conflicts of interest will be posted below. [Updated: February 23, 2010] - Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has no business relationships, affiliations, investments, or other actual/potential conflicts of interest relating to the content posted so far on this blog.

Biography

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera.

Adrian has authored/co-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include "Build the Ultimate Custom PC", "Beginning Programming" and "The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide". He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.

Adrian also runs a popular blog under the name The PC Doctor, where he covers a range of computer-related topics -- from security to repairing and upgrading.

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antenna design
michael.tindall@... 29th Jun 2010
I used to manage RadioShack stores, and I can tell you from experience that antenna design matters tremendously in terms of customer satisfaction.

It's too bad that Sanyo or Motorrola isn't the one suing Apple....at least then they'd have a DECENT antenna to be sued over. Nokia phones (at least at that time) had TERRIBLE antennas, and it was reflected in the return rates of the Nokia phones we sold (and all too frequently, swapped out or refunded). Later, Nokia semi-acknowledged the problem by releasing actual extend-able antennas for phones which came with fixed stubs. Most store employees (myself included) I knew carried one of these two brands, BECAUSE the antenna designs allowed such good reception (upshot: for people who know better, the effectiveness of the design of the antenna defines the effectiveness of ANY wireless product, and therefore, becomes a PRIMARY buying consideration...for the smart buyer. For the emotional buyer, all I can say is that the reception on a poorly designed phone may improve if you tap your heels three times and BELIEVE.)

Good reception, whether cellular, PCS, walkie-talkie, CB, or whatever STARTS with good antenna design, not beautiful form factor. Likewise, a good CUSTOMER experience may begin with beautiful and desirable form factor, but ENDS with poor antenna design. PERIOD. I challenge the fanbois to justify, apologize, or excuse their way around the physics of radio wave propagation.
View in thread
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I asked that question when the iPhone
John Zern 24th Jun 2010
had a connectivity issue at the unvailing, that could it be an issue with their "ingenious" new antenna design?
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Come on, Apple tested iPhone 4 design since last fall
DeRSSS 24th Jun 2010
@John Zern: I mean, lets be serious.
0 Votes
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What's not serious about that?
John Zern 24th Jun 2010
There's been alot of testing done on antennas of all kinds over the years, by both experts in the fields at various companies, and moreso in the military. If this design was so good and ingenious, the military and others would have adopted it long ago, which they haven't.

You should look at things more realisticlly and objectivelly, instead of assuming that Apple has all the top, world renowned, most experienced and sought after experts in the world working for them inventing new breakthroughs in electronics.

It's just not true. Sorry sad
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Hmm pay extra for a phone that doesn't work
Uralbas 24th Jun 2010
On a network that doesn't work.

Clearly the best that Apple can do on 3G is 1.2Mbps and 0.4Mbps being the standard. Thats awful compared to a G1 that does 4.4Mbps continuously.

Kudos Apple, another reason to stay away from iPhone.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/793084660.png
  • Flagged
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Why do you even care?
zkiwi 24th Jun 2010
It's not as though you have anything but hate for all things Apple.
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ROFL dont know about others, but your comment is foolish
Uralbas 24th Jun 2010
I personally think that Apple products are over priced and over hyped, no feelings for them otherwise.

Just trying to help others see that. I realize that's hard when you have are an Apple fan. Work with one, and no matter how much you prove Apple products are inferior, they still have the Ooohh... Aahh.. behavior.

If you've used a 4G you will see multitasking is half baked. Swype is leaps ahead, Google Navigation what can we say. Gesture control. All these are available on any Android 1.6 and above phone, 75% of them. There are so many other features that make it better which is pointless to state cause Apple fans wont see it, until Apple has it. Even though its 2 years behind the curve and incorrectly done, case in point Multitasking.
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FYI...
zkiwi 24th Jun 2010
Mobile phones (all of them) are expensive and annoying balls and chains.

My point still stands. Zern is just an Apple hater.
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Obviously, ***NO***: the phone was tested since last fall by Apple
DeRSSS Updated - 24th Jun 2010
Apple people touched the phone all ways possible and it was fine.

Bars issue was mentioned by Mossberg in his review and Apple said that it does not affect actual quality (and that is why people are able to talk whith one or zero bars) and that it will patch the glitch.

However, if a user will hold the phone some very specific way it can indeed interfere with the way antenna works. Apple has separated two antennas, which constitute steel frame. But if you hold it with one hand around left lower corner, then you make "short circuit" in some sense.

But this will never harm productivity of normal users since no one really will hold the device such strange way.
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Addition: thus you touch *two* antennas with *one* hand
DeRSSS Updated - 24th Jun 2010
-- that is not a nice thing to do. But, as I said, no one in real life will hold the phone this crooked way.

Bumper will help this issue, but since it really does not matter (except for cases of defective assembly, when phones should be replaced), it really created for the phone to survive after continuous falling into *bumpy* asphalt as in the video which is now popular (on normal asphalt or concrete the phone would be fine far longer after falling).
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Is there an app
faxmonkey 24th Jun 2010
to become right ear dominant?
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LOL!!!!! HILARIOUS!!!!
NonZealot 24th Jun 2010
@denisrs
As if the "you aren't standing close enough to the wireless station" apology wasn't good enough, the new apology is: your calls are dropping on the iPhone because you aren't holding it right

HILARIOUS!!!!!!
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Sorry denisrs, but the bottom line is
John Zern 24th Jun 2010
that Apple should fire their amature antenna design team because it sounds like someone messed up here BIG TIME!

I can hold my phone any way I want. and it works the same.
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Isn't Nokia suing Apple over antenna patents?
anothercanuck 24th Jun 2010
Maybe Apple should have paid the patent license fees and kept using Nokia designs.
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RE: iPhone 4 fever ... but is the new antenna the weak link?
Whyaylooh 24th Jun 2010
@denisrs: "But this will never harm productivity of normal users since no one really will hold the device such strange way."

You mean only those of us who are left-ear dominant, who let the left lower corner of the phone rest against our palm as the fingers wrap around behind to the right side while we talk?
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Apple's suggestion to fix your problem
NonZealot 24th Jun 2010
Train yourself to be right-ear dominant, just like Steve Jobs is. Problem solved!
0 Votes
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More problems with iPhone 4
NonZealot 24th Jun 2010
http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=17379

iPhone 4 day reveals fragile device, yellow screen and poor reception, we LOL
0 Votes
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All "problems" are super **minority** or even fake
DeRSSS 24th Jun 2010
@NonZealot:
1) iPhone 4 is not fragile; reviewers dropped it repeatedly on hard floor and nothing happened. But, as I said above, the guy on video specifically chose to stand pebbles/broken stoned stuffed asphalt, not on normal one or on concrete. With that bumpy surface no wonder that iPhone4 died sooner than it would last otherwise;
2) yellow spots are either replaced or come off on their own in few days (because those come from screen interlayer glue used that did not evaporate normally). Any way this is super minority problem.
3) reception is perfectly fine unless you hold the phone by left lower corner with one hand, connecting thus two antennas and making a kind of "short circuit". If there is assembly defect, then Apple just replaces it; very minor problem.
0 Votes
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How much is Apple paying you
John Zern 24th Jun 2010
denisrs? I'm totally serious as nobodydefends a company like you do unless there's something in it for you.

Here you have people who have actually purchased the iPhone saying that there is an issue they are having, and yet you, sight unseen, defend Apple as being all knowing and incapable of making a mistake, and the end user being the stupid one who doesn't understand how to use a cell phone.

You have to be on the payroll or something, as your excuses border on the ridiculous.
0 Votes
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RE: iPhone 4 fever ... but is the new antenna the weak link?
Pete "athynz" Athens 24th Jun 2010
@NonZealot Looks like YOU are the one who wrote that article...
0 Votes
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RE: iPhone 4 fever ... but is the new antenna the weak link?
Lghost 24th Jun 2010
phew?too glad got the american test the first product first~
0 Votes
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RE: iPhone 4 fever ... but is the new antenna the weak link?
Loverock Davidson 24th Jun 2010
apple store employees?at least 20..ran thru the lines high fiving ppl, yelling and greeting everyone.

Wow. Words can't describe it.
0 Votes
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No kidding!!!
NonZealot 24th Jun 2010
@Loverock Davidson
If an Apple employee tried to high five me, I'd ask him to hold on, buy a pack of smokes, light a cigarette, and then put it out in his eye. happy
0 Votes
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RE: iPhone 4 fever ... but is the new antenna the weak link?
Loverock Davidson 24th Jun 2010
@NonZealot
I wouldn't doubt you would do that, and I'm twisted enough to actually want to watch it.
0 Votes
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Something tells me to doubt you are man enough.
James Quinn 24th Jun 2010
@NonZealot
The Apple employee a 90 lb gal would likely if you tried back hand you back into your mom's basement where you likely saw a movie that had such a scene and you thought to yourself "If only I could be that cool guy".

Pagan jim
0 Votes
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RE: iPhone 4 fever ... but is the new antenna the weak link?
rhonin 24th Jun 2010
Love the newcast on CNN about the antenna!
Makes it sound like the antenna design was half baked at best!

popcorn.....
0 Votes
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The irony of the screen issue
NonZealot 24th Jun 2010
UPDATE: Seems like there?s a potential screen issue too

The hilarious thing is that the Apple zealots just finished lambasting HTC for screen issues just last week.

Cue the double standards...
0 Votes
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Yeah, I know
John Zern 24th Jun 2010
http://www.cnet.com/8301-1_1-20008666-1.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave

but then again, it's probally AT&T's fault happy
0 Votes
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If Apple really cared whether the iPhone could make calls
ericesque 24th Jun 2010
they'd never have entered into an exclusive deal with ATT. Instead they PICKED ATT so it was easy to point the finger. The iPhone was never meant to be a phone. Just a vehicle for selling Apps. Why would Apple change their model for revision 4?
0 Votes
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Good point
John Zern 24th Jun 2010
I never thought about it that way.
0 Votes
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Are you happy now Adrian?
CowLauncher 24th Jun 2010
You have every Apple hating nutbar frothing over this B$ piece. It's pathetic.
0 Votes
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Please describe to us how this article is not accurate?
NonZealot 24th Jun 2010
@CowLauncher
Are you saying that these issues are all made up? Please provide proof that people are not experiencing these issues.

Thanks.
0 Votes
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RE: iPhone 4 fever ... but is the new antenna the weak link?
The Danger is Microsoft 24th Jun 2010
@NonZealot - They are only on sale as of today. What people are having these issues? Early adopters are those buying today. Who are these people with these issues? Beta Testers?
0 Votes
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Um where is your proof that the article is true?
James Quinn 24th Jun 2010
@NonZealot
As we all know thanks very much to you NonZ just because someone says something is true does not make it so. So take that to writing an article and we have just because something is written does not also make it true. Where are the writers facts? Research? Data? "IF" any of this proves to be true how many are actually affected? Actual hard evidence would be nice. You should try it sometime:P

During Vista's troubles did you and others nor request the same? Cue the double standards:)

Pagan jim
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RE: iPhone 4 fever ... but is the new antenna the weak link?
Stan57 24th Jun 2010
@CowLauncher
Its simple,prove them wrong or shut up
0 Votes
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How about prove it's true?
James Quinn 24th Jun 2010
@Stan57
Don't you as a listener or reader have the obligation to require some proof? Some facts/data? Or are you a member of the Tea Party? I love it when they interview a guy or gal in the Tea Party who wants less government but does not want to give up their Disability check or SS/Medicare. Very funny. They had government run health care but LOVE their Medicare too funny.

Pagan jim
0 Votes
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Let us know how the MS hating nutbars
John Zern 24th Jun 2010
do over at another ZDNet MS blog, OK?

wink
0 Votes
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You don't find me there but (Or VERY rarely do you
James Quinn 24th Jun 2010
@John Zern
and its only when a MS article has some tie in with Apple). However I find you here in Apple articles well constantly what gives?

Pagan jim
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Sorry James. I thought I was replying to
John Zern 24th Jun 2010
CowLauncher above. sad

These new talkbacks are a freaking mess. They should have left well enough alone!
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That's an understatement!
ye 24th Jun 2010
@John Zern: These new talkbacks are a freaking mess. They should have left well enough alone!
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I see a massive iphone recall in Apples future lol
Stan57 24th Jun 2010
I see a massive iphone recall in Apples future lol
0 Votes
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I'll take that bet!
James Quinn 24th Jun 2010
@Stan57
How much you willing to put on the line here?

Pagan jim
0 Votes
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There won't be a recall
NonZealot 24th Jun 2010
@Stan57
This is Apple we are talking about here. Apple will never admit to any wrongdoing. It might be fixed in iPhone 5 for the low low price of $200-$700.
0 Votes
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Like me taking care of the imaginary monster in your
James Quinn 24th Jun 2010
@NonZealot
closet? See the problem here is to first determine "IF" there is a problem. As for yet I'm not convinced there is one to take care of. Where is your proof?

Pagan jim
0 Votes
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RE: iPhone 4 fever ... but is the new antenna the weak link?
The Danger is Microsoft 24th Jun 2010
I don't get it. iPhone 4 only went to the public today! Early adopters are those people buying it TODAY! Who are these people having these issues? Beta Testers? Nah. Just Apple haters.
0 Votes
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Great way for Apple to sell $30 rubber bands.
Lester Young 24th Jun 2010
Design a phone that won't work properly without one.
0 Votes
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It's too early to tell.
ye 24th Jun 2010
Anyone reaching a conclusion based on the small sample size and time is doing just that: reaching.

If it's determined there is a problem Apple will more than likely address it. Their track record of supporting their products is one of the best.
0 Votes
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At the moment...
zkiwi 24th Jun 2010
You (ye) would be more capable of writing a thought out blog than pretty much anyone employed by zdnet. And you know how I generally feel about your objectivity :P
0 Votes
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It's well known what you think and what is are two different things.
ye 24th Jun 2010
@zkiwi: And you know how I generally feel about your objectivity :P
0 Votes
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Nah...
zkiwi 24th Jun 2010
The world revolves about me, and that's is what it is :P

I guess you can't take a compliment.
0 Votes
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Some compliment.
ye 24th Jun 2010
@zkiwi: I guess you can't take a compliment.

Stating that I could write a better article than people you consider to be completely clueless isn't a compliment. Might as well call me a petty thief and say it was a compliment because you didn't call me a felon.
0 Votes
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antenna design
michael.tindall@... 29th Jun 2010
I used to manage RadioShack stores, and I can tell you from experience that antenna design matters tremendously in terms of customer satisfaction.

It's too bad that Sanyo or Motorrola isn't the one suing Apple....at least then they'd have a DECENT antenna to be sued over. Nokia phones (at least at that time) had TERRIBLE antennas, and it was reflected in the return rates of the Nokia phones we sold (and all too frequently, swapped out or refunded). Later, Nokia semi-acknowledged the problem by releasing actual extend-able antennas for phones which came with fixed stubs. Most store employees (myself included) I knew carried one of these two brands, BECAUSE the antenna designs allowed such good reception (upshot: for people who know better, the effectiveness of the design of the antenna defines the effectiveness of ANY wireless product, and therefore, becomes a PRIMARY buying consideration...for the smart buyer. For the emotional buyer, all I can say is that the reception on a poorly designed phone may improve if you tap your heels three times and BELIEVE.)

Good reception, whether cellular, PCS, walkie-talkie, CB, or whatever STARTS with good antenna design, not beautiful form factor. Likewise, a good CUSTOMER experience may begin with beautiful and desirable form factor, but ENDS with poor antenna design. PERIOD. I challenge the fanbois to justify, apologize, or excuse their way around the physics of radio wave propagation.

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