iOS 4.1 Beta Fixes Inaccurate iPhone Signal Bars

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Posted July 14, 2010 at 6:27pm by iClarified · 25021 views

The iOS 4.1 Beta which was released earlier today seems to include AT&T's formula for correctly calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength.

With this new update, bars 1, 2 and 3 are also bit taller so they are "easier to see." The baseband, or modem firmware has also been updated to 02.07.01. Gamecenter has also been reported to be included in the new beta.

After investigating iPhone reception issues Apple said they 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.

iOS 4.1 Beta Fixes Inaccurate iPhone Signal Bars

Image via BGR

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Jonathan - July 15, 2010 at 11:44am

I have a 3GS on FW 3.1.3 It also loses signal by 20db when I hold the phone in my left hand and cover the lower right side with my fingers. I dont display bars, I display signal strength, so I KNOW how many DB my reception is Apples new bar calculation do nothing to stop signal loss from hand contact. The fix is to use a case, which I dont.

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iPhonedo - July 15, 2010 at 5:01am

This incident makes all microsoft fkups look like a childs play...

Keith - July 15, 2010 at 12:58am

That's like telling your midget kid that their not short. Everyone else is just tall sweetie!

Lomisz - July 14, 2010 at 8:10pm

The formula migth display more bars but will it stop all the dropped calls?!? They are just trying to camouflage the real problem!

D. - July 14, 2010 at 7:47pm

well to hell with all of this shit- if 4.1 is out comex needs to release that JB so us 3GS users can get on with our lives.

D. - July 14, 2010 at 8:16pm

Because I bought my iphone used, and I can't downgrade it.

Your fault - July 14, 2010 at 8:37pm

well that is your fault isn't it? Not theirs. Don't try to rush or force them what to do or cry about it. If your phone isn't unlock or jailbreak.. too bad wait be patient. Its not like they owe you and its not like you pay them for their time. Dev Team or any Unlock/JB people isn't responsible for our phones and it not like they are getting paid or a reward are they? So either wait like the rest of us or go buy a different phone so you can stop bragging, whining, crying, and acting like a little baby thinking the world is coming to an END just cause your phone isn't JAILBREAK or UNLOCKED. BOOHOO.. let me get you a tissue. Kids these days act like they own the whole world or the internet or some shit. Its getting fucking annoying.

old bootrom 3GS user - July 14, 2010 at 10:24pm

I hope the jailbreak is never released. People are too demanding, they don't deserve the jailbreak. I for one am happy with my jailbroken and unlocked iPhone 3GS.

FrostyWolf - July 14, 2010 at 6:51pm

So how exactly does touching one corner of the device magically make the formula calculate the right number or bars. Also, how does it suddenly displaying the right number of bars make the call drop? How come iPhone 3g and 3gs owners aren't have similar issues if its just the OS? Why would the "new" iphones that people are getting from repair have a new bezel and band around them? All this is is a stall tactic, so they can wait it out till it blows over, and that people that have a iphone 4 with out a case and our left handed (small % I'm sure) will get theirs silently recalled when they complain at the apple store.

Name - July 14, 2010 at 6:55pm

I think you're right. Apple will just tend to the folks that come into the store complaining that they are having the death grip issue and will get the newer hardware modified phone.

ricardo - July 14, 2010 at 6:35pm

what a bush-it they are talking about i been working in this company for the pass 4 years i had all the iphones i always had 5 bars and now i still do until i grave my phone they drope dont give me the bush-it that im holding it wrong or that they where never there just fix it ... i love my iphone 4 just admit u mess up and fix it

OneBlackJack - July 15, 2010 at 10:07am

You've been working at Apple like I've been working at NASA. Quit trying to be cool!

dl - July 14, 2010 at 6:29pm

Hope they fix the Push issue

ricardo - July 14, 2010 at 6:36pm

yeah that too its the only 2 problems i find my push dont work like they just too and i dont like they move the sensor to the top cuz i mute my call now and them