Verizon iPhone 4 - dropped calls and missed calls

[DT4K]

I had been planning to get a smartphone on my next upgrade in the fall, but when I got an offer for an early upgrade, then found out Verizon was dropping the unlimited plans, I figured now was the time.

So I got an iPhone 4 last week (July 5th) and so far, I've been pretty unhappy with the reception. I've had several occasions where people called me and my phone didn't ring and I never got any missed call listed.

I've also had several dropped calls while driving home from work through areas where I've never had any issues at all with my LG EnV 2.

And in at least 3 different locations (Costco and 2 grocery stores), I've been unable to have a conversation. Never had any problem in these locations with my old LG, but with the iPhone, I can make a call or receive a call, but then either I can't hear the other person or they can't hear me.

It's only been a week since I got the phone, so I think I could exchange it for one of the Android phones, but from all the reviews I've read online, the iPhone is supposed to be just as good or better than all the other current smartphones on Verizon when it comes to signal strength and reception.

Do you think I just got a defective phone? Or is it really likely that my old LG just had much better reception than the iPhone?

Can anyone recommend an Android phone that would have better reception than the iPhone 4?

I haven't been too impressed with the reviews on the 4G phones, but I would love to have the speed and we are in a 4G area. But if I can get a much better overall phone with one of the 3G androids, I'd definitely consider that.

 

[cheezy321]

I think your phone is defective. My mom had the same problem on AT&T and got a new phone and BAM, all problems are gone.

The 'dropped call' fiasco is VERY overblown. I have had maybe 3 - 5 dropped called in over a year.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

It might be an old model. I know there was a unofficial fix for the phone.. so it's like an iPhone 4.1 they call it but return it and get another one ASAP - Do not go through the insurance company, Asurion

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I know there was a unofficial fix for the phone..

What's this unofficial fix you are speaking of?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I can't find the link but I read they did a few adjustments on the antenna and it supposedly fixed the issue of the phone dropping calls from being held the "wrong" way. It might of been a daily tech link :hmm:

 

[badb0y]

Had the same problem and I thought it was the death grip acting up. Went to the Apple Store and they swapped it out and the problem was solved.

 

[dguy6789]

It might be an old model. I know there was a unofficial fix for the phone.. so it's like an iPhone 4.1 they call it but return it and get another one ASAP - Do not go through the insurance company, Asurion

It's my understanding that all Verizon iPhone 4s are the new version with the better antenna.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

It's my understanding that all Verizon iPhone 4s are the new version with the better antenna.

that's kinda what I was thinking... but the problem this person is having threw me for a loop

 

[runawayprisoner]

It's my understanding that all Verizon iPhone 4s are the new version with the better antenna.

Might not necessarily be so. There is an invisible coating on top of the steel band on the later batches to prevent the "death grip" from occurring. Though, there is no guarantee some older steel bands without the coating didn't slip through during production, so if something is acting up, best bring it back and let Apple exchange it.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

The "reconfiguration" of the antenna in the Verizon iPhone was made because of the way CDMA works. It still suffers, somewhat, from the deathgrip phenomenon.

 

[lothar]

http://www.bgr.com/2011/03/16/why-i-switched-back-to-an-att-iphone/#disqus_thread
Seems like OP is not the only one having this problem.

"Goes to show, if you hold your iPhone the wrong way, it doesn't matter what network your on, it's still an iPhone."

"Yeah, maybe you forgot to put the required bumper case on it? Or make sure you're wearing a glove I guess..."

The comments on that website are funny. Reading them made my day.

 

[DT4K]

I stopped in the Verizon store yesterday and talked to a guy about the issues. I wasn't clear about exactly what they did, but he put in a code and said it would reset the programming (or something like that). He said to try it for a couple days and if I had another dropped call, dial ### and Send to mark the call in their system, then call their technical guys so they could investigate.

I tested it by making several calls on my way home from work, in the same area where I had issues before. I didn't have any dropped calls and there was only one spot where the person on the other line couldn't hear me and that was with one bar and my fingers covering the gaps in the antenna.

So it seems better so far, but I will see if I have any other issues over the next couple days.

Someone mentioned going to the Apple store, but I assumed if I bought it at Verizon, I would have to take it to Verizon, wouldn't I?

 

[TheStu]

I stopped in the Verizon store yesterday and talked to a guy about the issues. I wasn't clear about exactly what they did, but he put in a code and said it would reset the programming (or something like that). He said to try it for a couple days and if I had another dropped call, dial ### and Send to mark the call in their system, then call their technical guys so they could investigate.

I tested it by making several calls on my way home from work, in the same area where I had issues before. I didn't have any dropped calls and there was only one spot where the person on the other line couldn't hear me and that was with one bar and my fingers covering the gaps in the antenna.

So it seems better so far, but I will see if I have any other issues over the next couple days.

Someone mentioned going to the Apple store, but I assumed if I bought it at Verizon, I would have to take it to Verizon, wouldn't I?

Apple is the end all be all support point. Verizon probably doesn't want to replace your phone, probably due tothe effort involved. Apple has replacements on site ready to be handed out if necessary. Go to the Apple Store if you feel that a replacement is your best option.

 

[cheezy321]

I stopped in the Verizon store yesterday and talked to a guy about the issues. I wasn't clear about exactly what they did, but he put in a code and said it would reset the programming (or something like that). He said to try it for a couple days and if I had another dropped call, dial ### and Send to mark the call in their system, then call their technical guys so they could investigate.

I tested it by making several calls on my way home from work, in the same area where I had issues before. I didn't have any dropped calls and there was only one spot where the person on the other line couldn't hear me and that was with one bar and my fingers covering the gaps in the antenna.

So it seems better so far, but I will see if I have any other issues over the next couple days.

Someone mentioned going to the Apple store, but I assumed if I bought it at Verizon, I would have to take it to Verizon, wouldn't I?

I would bring it to apple store. They are killer when it comes to support. Apple rules when on customer service!

 

[hanoverphist]

I can't find the link but I read they did a few adjustments on the antenna and it supposedly fixed the issue of the phone dropping calls from being held the "wrong" way. It might of been a daily tech link :hmm:

i heard from a friend that used to work in the iphone call center for tech support that the white phones were a better build than the black ones on vzw. said they fixed a few issues when they came out.