March 28, 2024
Apple Says iPhone 4 Uses Wrong Formula to Display Signal Strength

Apple Says iPhone 4 Uses Wrong Formula to Display Signal Strength

Posted July 2, 2010 at 11:42am by iClarified
Apple has posted a letter regarding the Apple 4 which claims that iPhone 4 doesn't have reception problems but rather uses the wrong formula to display signal strength.

-----
Dear iPhone 4 Users,

The iPhone 4 has been the most successful product launch in Apple’s history. It has been judged by reviewers around the world to be the best smartphone ever, and users have told us that they love it. So we were surprised when we read reports of reception problems, and we immediately began investigating them. Here is what we have learned.


To start with, gripping almost any mobile phone in certain ways will reduce its reception by 1 or more bars. This is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, as well as many Droid, Nokia and RIM phones. But some users have reported that iPhone 4 can drop 4 or 5 bars when tightly held in a way which covers the black strip in the lower left corner of the metal band. This is a far bigger drop than normal, and as a result some have accused the iPhone 4 of having a faulty antenna design.

At the same time, we continue to read articles and receive hundreds of emails from users saying that iPhone 4 reception is better than the iPhone 3GS. They are delighted. This matches our own experience and testing. What can explain all of this?

We have discovered the cause of this dramatic drop in bars, and it is both simple and surprising.

Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don’t know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.


To fix this, we are adopting AT&T’s recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone’s bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area. We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier to see.

We will issue a free software update within a few weeks that incorporates the corrected formula. Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.

We have gone back to our labs and retested everything, and the results are the same— the iPhone 4’s wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped. For the vast majority of users who have not been troubled by this issue, this software update will only make your bars more accurate. For those who have had concerns, we apologize for any anxiety we may have caused.

As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.

We hope you love the iPhone 4 as much as we do.

Thank you for your patience and support.

Apple



Apple Says iPhone 4 Uses Wrong Formula to Display Signal Strength
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Comments (23)
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Roni
Roni - July 6, 2010 at 1:14pm
I call f'n BS on the claim that this was incorrect all the way through to the original iPhone. When I compare dB values to bars on my original iPhone, I'm at 4-5 bars at -79, 4 bars between -89 and -81, 3 bars -99 to -91, 2 bars at -105 etc. at the upper ranges it is totally different than what anandtech posted with the iPhone 4. When I cup the bottom back of the original iPhone tightly, I only lose 10 dB. When I cup the bottom back plus put my thumb across the bottom front where the home button is, I lose 15 db. When I cup the front and back bottom tightly I lose 20 db. Nothing even close to the attenuation that the iPhone 4 is experiencing. Apple needs to admit they f'd up big time both in the attenuation AND in the formula, and not try to hide saying the formula was wrong way back when, cuz it wasn't.
roni
roni - July 6, 2010 at 1:16pm
oh, and now once they fix the bars issue, so that if you're at -101 and it shows only 2 bars instead of 4, you're still going to lose the signal once you short the antennas. Software fixes don't fix the root of the problem, Mr. Jobs.
Bsapple
Bsapple - July 2, 2010 at 10:50pm
I love the phone so as everyone else , my friend wants to buy my phone for $800 after I show him the issue. But, please Apple, stop all the BS, just give us a free bumper:) is that most people want?
Alam
Alam - July 2, 2010 at 9:56pm
Why did Apple use wrong formula before? ---------- Apple just wanted to make AT&T look better by using wrong formula - More bars in more place.....
Steve
Steve - July 2, 2010 at 6:04pm
I'm not typically a conspiracy nut but it sure seems convenient for Apple that the fix for this problem is luckily just a software update. I absolutely believe they will be changing the way the bars are calculated (and more importantly) how they change or update BUT I am not convinced it actually fixes anything. Why is Apple trying to hire antenna specialists if it is just a software glitch?? I'm not buying it :(
Daniel King
Daniel King - July 2, 2010 at 2:20pm
I live in Salt Lake City Utah, and all across the wasatch front AT&T service is phenomenal! I have owned every iPhone so far and dont believe I have ever dropped a call. I have always had full bars and fast 3G. Now with the iPhone 4 I dont believe I have made a successful phone call. All incoming and outgoing calls are eventually droped due to no bars!! Apple you are horrible liars!
prostovanka
prostovanka - July 2, 2010 at 9:14pm
I agree with you completely. I cant even Enjoy 1 phone call. Last few days every since phone call i have has a dropped call.
Sunil Issac
Sunil Issac - July 2, 2010 at 2:01pm
I wish all of you who own an iphone4 return it to apple so that those who really wish to get one would get it faster... Let me hope though no one will fall into this false alarm....
Jeet
Jeet - July 2, 2010 at 2:01pm
Contact me I have solution for tihs as I have written custom API that work perfectly fine for android 2.2. I can also write similar for IOS 4. Gurantee to work or your money back. I will never work for apple but if they want solution contact me.
Senthil
Senthil - July 2, 2010 at 1:31pm
Well, I don't care about the bars if my calls were not dropping. Not once but many times. Can't even buy a holder and they all sold out. At times my emails also not downloading. I seriously doubt it is AT&T, I guess it is the IPHONE 4. I also have the 3G phone and never dropped a call.
brittosa
brittosa - July 2, 2010 at 1:17pm
"Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should..." Its hard to imagine this got through their hard-core QA un-noticed. Looks like this was done on purpose but later back-fired.
Ryan gurung
Ryan gurung - July 2, 2010 at 12:48pm
Finally, the apple tries to close the hole but we r still not happy. i have used many nokia phone. U hold any other way. The reception will still be there but for this garbage iphone 4. Juz by holding goes off the reception. Wat for use, design, brand. If ur iphone doesn't work smoothly. Somemore expensive garbage. Cheap phone will at least work flawlesly. I was apple fan but iphone 4 turns me down. I gonna return your iphone 4 apple.
Bthep
Bthep - July 2, 2010 at 12:56pm
What part don't you understand?
Shup
Shup - July 2, 2010 at 1:01pm
Not you...my comment was directed at the original post
Nt02
Nt02 - July 2, 2010 at 12:22pm
I'm not buying it. The Anadtech article (THE ONE THAT ICLARIFIED PULLED) clearly says that there is still something weird with the antenna. http://www.anandtech.com/show/3794/the-iphone-4-review/2
Mateen
Mateen - July 2, 2010 at 3:59pm
Was not pulled. https://www.iclarified.com/10369/in-depth-analysis-of-iphone-4-reception-issues
ken
ken - July 2, 2010 at 12:09pm
FInally, a good news!! This sound much better then steve's answer regarding to this problem (hold it correctly, not apple fault? wth lol)
te72s
te72s - July 2, 2010 at 12:07pm
does the new algorithem prevent call drops? well, it wont! everyone this should return thier iphone 4. that's the best solution!
afbrat
afbrat - July 2, 2010 at 12:45pm
21 days and counting- days remaining for Apple to fix the problem or the phone is returned.
wittybob
wittybob - July 2, 2010 at 12:04pm
Hold any jailbreak release until this update comes out?
tims0891
tims0891 - July 2, 2010 at 11:56am
If in deed this is a true claim, my respect level for Apple has gone up a bit now.
Nt02
Nt02 - July 2, 2010 at 12:32pm
So you're saying that you are ok with Apple trying to lie to everyone that iPhones have better reception than other phones because of a rigged display formula and now they are finally confessing because they have been cornered?
Bthep
Bthep - July 2, 2010 at 1:13pm
I'm stickin with my original comment...
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