Comments on: Apple acknowledges iPhone 3G reception issues

After weeks of silence, Apple has admitted that the iPhone 3G can suffer from reception problems and that the latest software update is the cure.

[fguv]

Installed update 2.0.2.

3G problems as bad as before. I get regularly NO SERVICE and dropped calls in my house (!) in the center of Minneapolis where ATT shows 3g coverage all around.

Apple, please help!

[logo65]

I have a 3G Samsung Blackjack that drops calls constantly. Will Apple fix it too? ;)

[ufcama]

Well, I am a huge iphoe Fan, the device without the dam phone service is a freaking peace of art, but i hate terrible reception. so apple you will not see my money for a year until you fix the hardware, the cracks, the 3g issue, the battery and the price.

my 2 cents

[xtianchristian]

So if the 2.0.2 update resolves some iphones does that mean that since it didn't resolve my 3G signal problem that I should swap it for a different one?? Will Apple let me return it in exchange for a new one??? Can anyone answer this question?? APPLE reps, where are you??????!!!!!! Start talking.....

[Galaxy5]

"So if the 2.0.2 update resolves some iphones does that mean that since it didn't resolve my 3G signal problem that I should swap it for a different one?"

1. Pull out your phone.
2. Dial 611.
3. Ask ATT to check the signal in your area.

These phones are all the same. If it makes calls at all, there's probably nothing wrong with it at all - you know there are two factors here - the handset and the NETWORK, which has nothing to do with and isn't controlled by Apple.

[AppleSuxLeo]

And in related news...Yes , pancreatic cancer DOES exist !

[RockyKoer]

Not quite fixed. After applying the 2.0.2 patch and turning 3G on, EDGE reception disappeared and my iPhone ceased to function as a phone. By simply tuning 3G off again, my Edge reception returned and my iPhone works as a phone again.

I

[Hardcoregeek]

Here is the low down?It not the buyers fault because they bought the iPhone and they do not have good service or no service at all and for someone to say that, well I cannot say what I want. Yes we have a choice on what we buy and ?not everyone? knows about the issues that are going on with the 3G iPhone. As a consumer you expect that what you buy works ?as advertized? and if you are paying for something that is ?not working? as advertized then we expect it be fixed or compensated for your trouble. Apple is falling way short on this aspect. Too bad we do not have lemon laws for our cell phones as we do automobiles.

I have friends that have the 3G and they tell me oh! I love it, I have no problems with it, so I get one and then ask about are you having this problem, are you having that problem, then they tell me yes?So if you have friends with iPhones, I am sure they told you the same thing so that they are no embarrassed that they spent all this money on a phone that does not work.

I am a IT professional, and have been for 10 years, I knew about the issues, and have been reading about the ?bugs? and knowing about the fix that is out, I bought one, a upgrade from my 1st GEN 4GB. Only because I knew that the chip manufactures and Apple were working on a fix and in my thinking that 2.02 was the answer, and I am sure many of us were thinking the same thing.

[anilsudh]

There is return period, unlike buying a car. Is 30 days not enough for you to try the phone and the service?

[tomdfw1]

My 3G 8MB phone after 2.02 patch seems to have improved the Edge signal...I never got much 3G before in my area...so I can't comment on that. I was getting a lot of slow/lost internet connections...now they are just slow. lol

[anilsudh]

"Improved communication with 3G networks" does not in any way imply acknowledgement of reception issues. That's just trying to read too much into the statement.

[paulygparty]

I got my $120 AT&T bill so I decided to call them yesterday about the issues I was having. I wanted a partial credit for all the headaches this has been worth. The lady on the phone acted like this was the first time she ever heard of an issue. ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

After explaining how I switched to EDGE just to get a signal, but I was still paying for 3G speeds, she told me no credits had been authorized for any iPhone users.

Then I told her I wanted to cut my data plan off until this was figured out and she told me that was not allowed under my contract.

If this is not settled soon, how exactly do you start a Class Action Lawsuit? False advertising, faulty product, and so much $$$$ I feel like I am being robbed.

@Krazit: You can have 10% of whatever I get :-)

[anilsudh]

So why didn't you return the phone and terminate the service within the return period? You waited for more than a month and now you want a partial credit. Get real!!

[mrgoodall]

uh, i just checked and there is no 3G plan for iPhone, its a data plan period. If you get edge, its data, 3G guess what Einstein, yep still data. If you tell the rep that you arent getting 3G but getting Edge and Edge is data, guess what, you've used data. Maybe she did just hear about this issue, because most CSR's dont read cnet, they are talking calls, and I can only assume that half of the bellyaching going on about the phone hasnt reached the only people that can help, ATT and Apple. Krazit cant do squat for you, except push a "story". Now if Krazit really wanted to do us a favir, he'd get off his tush and get a reaction from Steve Jobs, Phil Schiller, Ive or one of Apple's top guys to go on record and offer us some guidance, but if thats not getting done, we've just wasted a lot of time and data on our pricey broadband connections. Either way, my iPhone works like a champ.

[macwasmyfriend]

I live in a big city and have great 3g coverage. I own a tilt and an Iphone. With the tilt I get great 3g reception but with the iphone I do not have good reception. Even after applying the 2.02 update I get no service signals and very low reception signal. If I turn off the 3g coverage I get better reception. I hope the fix will come soon. It is very frustrating to keep having the same issue

[macwasmyfriend]

I live in a big city and have great 3g coverage. I own a tilt and an Iphone. With the tilt I get great 3g reception but with the iphone I do not have good reception. Even after applying the 2.02 update I get no service signals and very low reception signal. If I turn off the 3g coverage I get better reception. I hope the fix will come soon. It is very frustrating to keep having the same issue

[MaggieRed]

Try going to Network settings, turning Off 3G for a second and then turn it back On. See if that doesn't regain your 3G signal and network connectivity.

[CRACKnberry]

i left at&t and this crap. i blame apple because its the chip thats doing this. htc diamond/pro here i come.

[garygurtcheff]

I had very few issues with the iPhone prior to the new software update, and have had a ton of issues since. I now have dropped calls, connection to w-fi networks which don't exist, and other general crazy behavior. I want to go back to the old software.

[jake49]

i went back to 1.1.4 just jailbreak it... same stuff as in that stupid app store but free :) find instructions online

[Lawrence Leichtman]

I have no problem with any of the features on my I-phone. Worked out of the box and still does but then I don't load it with dozens of apps.

[MasX08]

I have owned the Iphone 3G since July 12. In that time I have never had more than one bar of 3G signal at my household. I live in the Tampa Bay area and AT&T's Coverage Viewer shows my address having excellent 3G reception, but nothing could be further from the truth. When the update on Monday afternoon came out for 2.0.2, I immediately downloaded it and installed it on my iphone 3g and I still have extremely weak 3G signal. So today I decided to call AT&T and let them know that I was still having issues with 3G signal. I finally got to tier two tech support which are the guys that actually knew something about the 3G reception issues that have been plaguing me since day one. The rep himself said that he had been told that Apple and AT&T have been working on a fix for the inherent problem with the phone, but when I asked him what the 2.0.2 was supposed to fix he was just as clueless as all of us are. I'm now just waiting on a call back from AT&T which I am supposed to receive on the 25th of this month I'll let everyone know what the outcome is with that. Hopefully soon we can all be able to say that the iphone 3G is truly the best phone on the market and it browses the internet super fast.

[TheBoMan]

I've had the iPhone 3G for a week and I get good 3G connectivity. What I don't understand is why would anyone want to be constantly on the 3G network if they are only making phone calls? What's the benefit of that? I turn it on only when I'm going to be using the web. I bought a Touch about 6 months ago and that sealed the deal for me. It was my first Apple product and it impressed me greatly. I'll probably buy a Mac Pro next. For those of you complaining about the connectivity issues, just hold tight. It may take a recall or some firnware updates but Apple's not gonna leave everyone out in the cold if the phone is faulty. It might be a hassle to get it running optimately but don't forget how much technology is packed into this little space. It is by far...by far...the coolest tech gadget going right now. And most importantly, I get better call quality and more bars than I had been getting with Verizon for 2 years!

[cbrittan]

I have a 'Rogers' 3G iPhone and use it in a location that has a consistent good to excellent 3G signal. Both before, and since the 2.0.2 update I lose the 3G signal, sometimes it drops to 'Rogers E' and sometimes (most frequent) drops signal completely and requires a 'reset network settings' to connect again. It connects again, every time in 3G mode but will eventually lose the 3G signal, revert to E, and then for no apparent reason, has 'no signal'. I cannot see any particular reason for signal failures, except to report that I often have a signal strength of 5 bars and then just seconds later, no bars!

[IowaNinersFan]

Once again, Apple delivers another overhyped, overpriced and overrated piece of "art" that can't live up to its hype. Instead of choosing to buy a cheaper, less attactive 3G phone that actually WORKS, you chose to buy an Apple product and then having to explain yourself. How sad is that?!

[bhags559]

I smell a recall. I also think AT&T will need to refund service charges to avoid a class action lawsuit. The lawyers are already circling.

I returned a unit just last night to an Apple store and am convinced that the employees have been given instructions not to admit that there's a systemic problem. They acted like I was the only person on the planet with the issue ~ even after another person walked in with the same beef! "2 - 3% of the handsets" my butt. Not surprisingly, the Genius agent didn't even attempt to trouble shoot my phone, he just reached for a replacement immediately and warned me that it may have the same problem. Problem? What problem?

[IowaNinersFan]

It's not the device. It's just you! (sarcasm) :)