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Proximity Sensor - iPhone 4

slugg

slugg

Diamond Member
So the antenna problem really is a non-issue. I'm over it, whatever.

But! The proximity sensor is HORRIBLE. I hang up on 90% of my calls simply because the touch screen turns on and my face touches the giant end-call button. To my knowledge, there is no way to lock the screen while on a call - it just hangs up the call.

I've restored the phone to factory defaults and I'm running the latest version of iOS. My problems persist. The worst part is that AT&T refuses to do anything because my calls don't show up as dropped in my account history - because technically, they're just ended calls.

Has anyone had any luck with Apple replacing their phone due to proximity sensor issues?
 
The fact that I've had zero problems with this makes me think it's hardware related, but I don't think that's how Apple views it so they might not replace it just for that. It's worth a shot though as Apple does have very good CS and will do a lot to keep you happy.
 
gorcorps said:
The fact that I've had zero problems with this makes me think it's hardware related, but I don't think that's how Apple views it so they might not replace it just for that. It's worth a shot though as Apple does have very good CS and will do a lot to keep you happy.
Click to expand...

I keep hearing that - but I keep having nothing but bad experiences with them. Maybe I'm extremely unlucky?
 
I think it may be your phone as gorcorps said. I've experienced no issues with my iPhone4 either.

It may be worth making an appointment at Genius bar or calling CS. I've had nothing be excellent experiences with apple support and it's part of what makes me continue to add Apple products as a retire PC's.
 
what version of iOS are you using?

Apple-releases-iOS-4.1-with-Bluetooth-proximity-sensor-fixes.jpg
 
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slugg said:
So the antenna problem really is a non-issue. I'm over it, whatever.

But! The proximity sensor is HORRIBLE. I hang up on 90% of my calls simply because the touch screen turns on and my face touches the giant end-call button.To my knowledge, there is no way to lock the screen while on a call - it just hangs up the call.

I've restored the phone to factory defaults and I'm running the latest version of iOS. My problems persist. The worst part is that AT&T refuses to do anything because my calls don't show up as dropped in my account history - because technically, they're just ended calls.

Has anyone had any luck with Apple replacing their phone due to proximity sensor issues?
Click to expand...

Yeah, the only way to lock the phone while on a call is to use headphones.Then of course, its moot because you're not using the phone on your face. Though Ive never had this problem, i think it has something to do with the way you have it positioned on your hear because SOMETIMES i'll see my screen kick on out of the corner of my eye and a slight adjustment to the positioning on my ear and it will kick back off. From what i can tell, the sensor is just too far from the center of the phone for some people.
 
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I hang up or press random buttons all the time. Decided to buy a bluetooth headset for now to solve that problem. Really sucks though.
 
I had problems with it before iOS 4.1; would mostly put calls on hold or mute. But after the 4.1 update, it has worked as expected.
 
Yeah - running the update now for all my iDevices. Would be interesting to see if it's been fixed. It's definitely not a hardware problem (or if it is, it affects all iP4's).

However, since my iPhone has never been my main phone - every iPhone I've had has basically been used as a web-connected iPod due to the sheer crappiness of it as a phone and as a 3G radio (improved on the 4 to it's credit, but not enough to call it good) it doesn't bother me that much. There was a time I had to use it for a couple of days though recently, and the proximity sensor issue made it unusable.
 
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vbuggy said:
Yeah - running the update now for all my iDevices. Would be interesting to see if it's been fixed. It's definitely not a hardware problem (or if it is, it affects all iP4's).

However, since my iPhone has never been my main phone - every iPhone I've had has basically been used as a web-connected iPod due to the sheer crappiness of it as a phone and as a 3G radio (improved on the 4 to it's credit, but not enough to call it good) it doesn't bother me that much. There was a time I had to use it for a couple of days though recently, and the proximity sensor issue made it unusable.
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Have you read the thread? There's plenty of us who haven't had issues, which means it's most likely a hardware issue... or at the very least it does NOT affect all the phones.
 
Installed 4.2 and the problems persist.

Last time I made an appointment at the Apple store, they were late 1 hour and 15 minutes to even get to me. I really don't have that kind of time to waste around only to hear "oh you're holding it wrong" or some other type of cop-out answer to stop me from getting a replacement. The phone I'm currently using is already my first replacement - my original phone (from launch day) was replaced due to a manufacturing defect. Of course, to convince them that it wasn't my fault was a complete bitch-fest and they were very rude to me. That's just the tip of the iceberg - I've had nothing but bad experienced with Apple's customer service.

So what should I do? I'm thinking of making an appointment at the store and if they don't get to me within 15 minutes of my appointment time, then I'll just look into selling it and buying an Android or Windows based phone... *OR* if the problems persist with a replacement phone, then I'll definitely sell or trade it.

edit: Besides the proximity sensor issue, I *really* like the device, so I really want this to be resolved... but if I can't maintain a phone call, the phone is worthless to me.
 
I would call 1-800-MY-IPHONE and tell them the problem you're having then tell them what kind of "help" you got in store. I told them that I really don't have time to take a phone in and spend that time trying to get my phone working (I was visiting my parents who live near an apple store). The ended up send me a phone overnight and I mailed my old one back.

I think that's the number.
 
gorcorps said:
Have you read the thread? There's plenty of us who haven't had issues, which means it's most likely a hardware issue... or at the very least it does NOT affect all the phones.
Click to expand...

It would seem very unlikely that all the iPhone 4's I've had, bought at different times, have 'caught the bullet', don't you think?

I'll first warn my most regular callers I might hang up on them by mistake over the next few days, run the iP4 as the primary and see if I have the issue. If I do it's time to take up the issue with Apple again I guess.
 
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Well, I gauge all of my iPhone related issues through my wife. She's not the most tech savvy so a lot of times it's just user error. But the proximity bug was an actual issue she was having, and since the 4.1 update, she hasn't had the issue any more.

Hopefully you can get this sorted out slugg.
 
I swapped my phones around today, making my iPhone the main - and no, it's not fixed. I hung up twice, changed audio routing three times. Happens on long calls for definite. Shorter calls, not an issue.

Using it as my main today also brought back how much the radio sucks, and why I don't bother using it as my main. I kept missing calls - i.e. going straight through to my voicemail, and my Nokia still had a solid 3G signal when the iPhone was alternating between Edge and GSM.

I've always used my iPhones as glorified iPods for this reason because I really like the playcount sync - enough to override my aversion to iTunes - but I just don't know what do-nothinger can call this their main productivity phone with a straight face.

As soon as I have my Windows Phone 7, I'll drop it into Applecare and see what they say.
 
While my old iPhone 4 did this every so often, i recently swapped mine at the apple store and the new/refurb one does it CONSTANTLY. I would say i end up putting 80% of calls on hold now, gonna go swap my phone out again, i can't stand it.
 
Old thread... but the problem seems to have been fixed with one of the iOS updates. I don't remember if it was 4.2 or 4.3.
 
This problem was never fixed for me. I have to jam my iphone4 to my face or use a bluetooth headset or I mute/hangup/close and open an app/etc with my face.
 
I think this is more of a face issue than a phone issue. The combination of the contours of someone's particular face, as well as where they hold it that is "comfortable" may just allow the sensor to see enough light to assume it's not on your ear anymore. There are people who even a 1 size fits all doesn't fit. While updates to firmware or software can help with the algorithm or the delay before it kicks on, etc, and with experience and testing they can hone it in a little more closely so it effects fewer and fewer people, i just dont see how it would be possible to fix this issue for absolutely everyone who owns an iPhone.
 
The best part is, according to the safety guidelines your not suppose to hold the phone to your face. It needs to be away from your face to be safe.

But the screen won't turn off unless it's smashed into your face. I also love how easy it is to keep my screen clean when it's jammed on my sweaty face.
 
I had a friend with the same problem, but his issue was that his case's plastic cover that went over the proximity sensor was too dirty. He kept complaining about his screen never turning off, so I told him to remove the case, and it worked fine with it removed.

Also, you can lock your phone will in a call.
 
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