• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Antenna band on iPhone 4, bad design?

Page 6 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
TheWart said:
My theory, and one shared by John Gruber (who claims his contacts can replicate this) is that if you are in an area where the signal from the cell tower is weak, blocking the antenna will lower the bars. If, however, you are getting really good reception from the tower, blocking the antenna with your hand won't do anything because the signal is so strong.

I will try to find an iffy zone/spot when I am out and about today to see if I can replicate this. So far, my signal has been excellent.

On another note, the huge bump in upload speed on the iPhone 4 is much welcome, and makes emailing pics/videos and uploading them to youtube muuuuuuuuch faster.
Click to expand...

Hmm...he's getting 5 bars here at work, but still has the hand/signal-loss issue. As for pros -

* Screen is unbelievably good - it just looks like it "should", you know? Wow.
* Speed is super quick - love the speed. Very fluid.
* Touch-to-focus camcorder is SO COOL!!

I bought his old 3GS today and it feels like a complete junker lol. I don't know what kind of magic voodoo these Apple industrial designers can do, but it works every time lol.

Also, I have noticed that the phone feels very heavy. The 3GS with my new Speck case feels much lighter.
 
Kaido said:
Hmm...he's getting 5 bars here at work, but still has the hand/signal-loss issue. As for pros -

* Screen is unbelievably good - it just looks like it "should", you know? Wow.
* Speed is super quick - love the speed. Very fluid.
* Touch-to-focus camcorder is SO COOL!!

I bought his old 3GS today and it feels like a complete junker lol. I don't know what kind of magic voodoo these Apple industrial designers can do, but it works every time lol.

Also, I have noticed that the phone feels very heavy. The 3GS with my new Speck case feels much lighter.
Click to expand...

Its denser at any rate. The 3GS and 4 have nearly identical weights, but being so much thinner, the 4 seems like its heavier.
 
Deeko said:
Its denser at any rate. The 3GS and 4 have nearly identical weights, but being so much thinner, the 4 seems like its heavier.
Click to expand...

I figured it would be heavier given the battery capacity upgrade (which I believe is physically larger and heavier) but if it's the same weight spec wise it's probably just in your head then because of the reduced size Kaido
 
Kaido said:
Hmm...he's getting 5 bars here at work, but still has the hand/signal-loss issue. As for pros -

* Screen is unbelievably good - it just looks like it "should", you know? Wow.
* Speed is super quick - love the speed. Very fluid.
* Touch-to-focus camcorder is SO COOL!!

I bought his old 3GS today and it feels like a complete junker lol. I don't know what kind of magic voodoo these Apple industrial designers can do, but it works every time lol.

Also, I have noticed that the phone feels very heavy. The 3GS with my new Speck case feels much lighter.
Click to expand...

Though I miss JB 🙁
 
Deeko said:
Its denser at any rate. The 3GS and 4 have nearly identical weights, but being so much thinner, the 4 seems like its heavier.
Click to expand...

Yeah it's gotta be that smaller size - it's like the iPad, you're not expecting the weight of it when you first pick it up.
 
gorcorps said:
I figured it would be heavier given the battery capacity upgrade (which I believe is physically larger and heavier) but if it's the same weight spec wise it's probably just in your head then because of the reduced size Kaido
Click to expand...

That's what they've been telling me for yeeeeaaaaaaarrrrrssss.....:hmm: 😱 :awe:
 
The design has multiple flaws. Who was the genius who pushed for a glass back?

Phones with plastic/metal/rubber backs end up with a ding/dent/scratch when you drop them. The iPhone 4 ends up with a

500x_iphonesmashedtohell_10.jpg


Apple is going to make a killing off $30 rubber-bands and protection plans.
 
jpeyton said:
The design has multiple flaws. Who was the genius who pushed for a glass back?
Click to expand...
Prolly that bald metro dude in the muscle shirts 😀
Phones with plastic/metal/rubber backs end up with a ding/dent/scratch when you drop them. The iPhone 4 ends up with a

500x_iphonesmashedtohell_10.jpg


Apple is going to make a killing off $30 rubber-bands and protection plans.
Click to expand...

It's not a coincidence they are getting into the protective case business themselves.
 
dwell said:
An antenna designer's view of the issue:

http://www.antennasys.com/antennasys-blog/2010/6/24/apple-iphone-4-antennas.html

I've tried this on two iPhone 4 devices. On both, simply holding your hand in a way to bridge the gap did not lead to signal loss. In one case the owner licked his finger and held it there for 20 seconds with no loss of signal. If you have to actively grip the phone and hold it there for a signal loss, I'm going to have to say this is not a big deal. Show of hands; who holds their phone in a tight grip?

I'll see if anyone else shows up to work with an iPhone 4 today. Maybe some phones are missing a protective layer on the antenna? We'll see.
Click to expand...

You need to moisturize, man 😀
 
jpeyton said:
The design has multiple flaws. Who was the genius who pushed for a glass back?

Phones with plastic/metal/rubber backs end up with a ding/dent/scratch when you drop them. The iPhone 4 ends up with a

500x_iphonesmashedtohell_10.jpg


Apple is going to make a killing off $30 rubber-bands and protection plans.
Click to expand...

I haven't figured this out either. Glass on front makes sense. Glass on back...why? Why?? That's the part that lays down on surfaces, for crying out loud.

<--- Proud new owner of a used 3GS :awe:
 
The chrome back on the 2G iPod touch was a horrible finish... shows wayyyy too much scuffs and scratches. The new glass is more fragile, but will look way better.
 
dwell said:
It probably proves that both issues are related in some way. You just want the wet dream of a massive iPhone 4.0 recall to come true so you're praying it's a hardware issue. The laughs going to be on you when iPhone 4.0 sells a metric fuckton, issues or not.
Click to expand...

A metric fuckton of a defective product. People are like sheep anyway.
 
Well I can confirm that areas in which I used to get like 1 or 2 bars on my iPhone 3G now get excellent coverage and 3G speeds. I am definitely a fan of the antenna design.
 
Phynaz said:
How many multi-billion dollar companies have you founded?

How many industries have you changed?

What does your burger flipping job pay?
Click to expand...

While obviously Steve Jobs is not a moron, what does your response have to do with anything? Since when did someone have to be equally successful in order to criticize someone else? I can say "man, Jamarcus Russell is a terrible quarterback", despite the fact that I myself am not a pro quarterback, and despite the fact that Russell is currently a better quarterback than 99.9999999999% of the population or so.

Phynaz said:
Huh, I thought they were elitists?
Click to expand...

Why can't someone be both?
 
Yea a friend of mine at work has a iphone 4; he is left handed and was showing me the reception issue. It was kinda cute 🙂

The glass back; had not realize they put glass on the back. Why would anyone want a glass back ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top