One of the more disturbing things coming out of the iPhone 3G launch is reports of suspiciously poor 3G reception and speeds. Specifically, I've seen several people report one bar - specifically, one bar - of 3G reception in areas where other devices report strong reception. (More complaints at Engadget.)
This may be a problem with a batch of iPhones, or with something in AT&T's network, though I've also seen someone reporting the problem on O2 in the UK. The first review iPhone we got had this problem - it would mysteriously drop from four bars of 3G to one for no apparent reason, while our Motorola RAZR2 V9 reported better reception. Then it would shoot back up to four bars for no apparent reason a few minutes later. That unit would also occasionally throw up an "invalid SIM" error, requiring a reboot. That phone also had hideously slow 3G data speeds in the 50 kbps-150 kbps range, so the missing bars weren't just a display issue; there was something wrong with the way the phone was hitting the network.
We exchanged that iPhone for a different unit and no longer had the problem. We took the new iPhone and carried it around comparing it to a Motorola V9, and the two phones connected roughly the same number of calls on the 3G network. The new unit also had much higher data speeds in the same locations - still not great, in the 300-400 kbps range, but at least reflecting 3G.
So that may explain the inconsistent user reports: some phones have problems, others don't. Apple reps also said that our first iPhone was activated in a nonstandard manner, so we weren't willing to generalize from that one to all iPhones. And the hideous AT&T network disasters on Friday, affecting anything and everything iPhone, further clouded the issue. (Edited: We can't say for sure whether the 3G issues we experienced on iPhone 3G launch day were due to our phone or the network.)
Another explanation may come from the fact that many people are switching from 2G phones to the new 3G. Remember, 3G and 2G are different networks, so you could have five bars of 2G and one bar of 3G in the same location. The iPhone 3G clings to any 3G signal, no matter how weak, before switching to 2G. In other words, if you have a tiny little half bar of 3G and five powerful bars of 2G, the iPhone will stay on the 3G network with a tiny little half bar until it absolutely can't any more. Some (but not all) other 3G phones switch over to 2G more quickly.
Is this a problem with a few individual units? Is this a 3G vs 2G issue? Is this part of the "day one" network problems that sunk the activation servers, doomed MobileMe, and gave a whole lot of people subpar 3G speeds? It's going to take a few weeks and a lot of user reports to figure that out.
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July 13, 2008 5:58 PM
I have the same problem. I really wish I could go to the Apple store to get it replaced or at least talk to them to see what's up but there is still lines here in OKC and it's Sunday... So maybe Apple will take notice and help us out? Let's hope so. I paid for a 3g phone and I basically just got a newer 2g. Since it won't work. Keep in mind though on the AT&T coverage map, OKC is completely covered, everywhere I can't get reception it says there is reception. Frustrated!!
July 14, 2008 12:24 AM
I have the same issue also. I am on Optus in Australia. My iPhone shows 1 bar or 2 bars and my old N95 shows almost full signal!
July 14, 2008 5:40 PM
same in The Netherlands, Amsterdam. Most of the time no 3G reception or somethimes one bar, while my Tytan II has full reception. T mobile
July 14, 2008 8:39 PM
I have a similar problem. On your first review unit, when the signal level dropped from four bars to one how long did it take to come back up, minutes or seconds? Was the 3g data speed continuously poor regardless of the signal level indicator.
July 15, 2008 5:36 AM
I live in Porto/Portugal and purchased my iPhone on Vodafone. I have had low signal strength also, in fact the signal is very unstable ranging 1-4 bars constantly. In the same place, my old E61 shows full signal. As many people said the same thing in other countries, I think these issues with intermittent reception on the SOME new iPhone 3G models has nothing to do with the carriers, it is the phone itself.
I hope Apple figures out that this is a problem and releases a software update to fix it.
See also: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7603312#7603312
[]s,
Marlos.
July 17, 2008 8:54 AM
I am on the Optus network in Australia and get good 3G reception with my N70 on three and yet get VERY POOR 3G reception and poor 2G reception on the iPhone and Optus.
Even in an area where Optus signals SHOULD be strong, I get poor reception on the iPhone.
Regards
Lawrie
July 17, 2008 9:58 AM
Why can't Apple put in a 3G-AUTO-2G software switch in SETTINGS to allow the user to select which network to use vice allowing the iPhone to decide automatically all the time?
July 17, 2008 1:55 PM
Here in midtown NYC and at home in NJ I been getting pathetic 3G speeds. ATT and or Apple should give us an official response to this terrible service. I have poor reception in 3G and edge like connection speeds.
u can put the iphone on 3G or Edge whenever you feel like. I left mine on Edge hoping for faster service but it just disappoints every time.
July 18, 2008 8:30 PM
I have a strange problem. Sometimes when I sleep my phone, I take it out of my pocket to see that I have no reception when mere seconds ago I had 5 bars. Usually I restart my phone and I return to 5 bars of signal. Weird.
July 21, 2008 7:25 PM
I'm having the same problem. The most I seem to get is one MAYBE two bars at the most if not 'no service'. The reception varies between these signal strengths continuously in the same place. Calls cut out and it can take several attempts to get a call to connect in the first place. I have restored it completely, reset network settings, turned off 3G and excluded environmental causes and no improvement. On the phone with apple at the moment and they are giving me the run around. They did admit to me I am not the only one having problems but still blame the network in my area. I am with Optus in Australia.
July 22, 2008 3:39 PM
Same problem for me....this seems so random.
Another problem i was having was that while i was in my room the phone would show "no service" because there was no 3g connection there, and when i turn 3G off it now has 5 bars of 2g, it wouldn't auto switch.... I think it has to do with the batch because me and my brother who bought at the same time have the same problems.
July 23, 2008 10:14 AM
I have yet to see the "3G" network indicator on my iPhone. Yet, while having 1 bar or no signal, my wife's iPhone (right next to me) will have 3-5 bars and show the "3G" next to the signal strength.
ugh.
July 23, 2008 1:09 PM
You're lucky if you have SOME data service. I rarely show 3G on my phone, but never Edge. So I'm basically limited to Wi-Fi.
July 24, 2008 12:40 PM
This is BS. I have the same problem. 3G at work which is in the heart of silicon valley is not working on my 16GB iPhone 3G. AT&T should refund my data plan fees until they get this sorted out!
July 25, 2008 10:02 AM
same here. picked up 16gb 3g and have yet to see the 3G indicator on the phone. only wifi access... i was afraid i was going to find comments about this online today. SOB!
July 27, 2008 1:19 PM
for those of u having this problem. call at&t and ask them to "reboot your data plan." they are basically resetting your connection. that's what ended up fixing mine. since then i have had solid 3G connection.
good luck!
July 29, 2008 6:14 PM
I am having a similar problem in Concord, Massachusetts. I get 5 bars when I turn off 3G and one bar when 3G is on. Unfortunately my phone reception is scratchy and poor in comparison to my wife's ATT LG phone. I have an appointment to see Apple tomorrow. We will see.
July 31, 2008 5:18 PM
Today is July 31, 2008 Almost 3 weeks after iPhone 3G was launched. I live in an area of Orange County California where ATT indicates that I have full 3G coverage. (NOT). My 3G signal drop from many bars to zero bars, while my son who was sitting right next to me had his Motorola mobile phone show a consistant high number of 3G bars. In addition, several times when on a telephone call from my 3G IPhone my call would drop off completely. Calls to both ATT and Apple resulted in both pointing fingers at the other for the problems I have encountered. Of the two the Apple tried to help. The ATT rep was useless, uncaring and rude.
July 31, 2008 8:22 PM
Today is July 31, 2008 Almost 3 weeks after iPhone 3G was launched. I live in an area of Orange County California where ATT indicates that I have full 3G coverage. (NOT). My 3G signal drop from many bars to zero bars, while my son who was sitting right next to me had his Motorola mobile phone show a consistant high number of 3G bars. In addition, several times when on I made a telephone call from my 3G IPhone or received a call, the call would drop off completely. Calls to both ATT and Apple resulted in both pointing fingers at the other for the problems I have encountered. ATT indicated that they have had other calls complaining of the same problem and have sent them back to Apple to have their iphones replaced. My appointment is in two days. Let's see what happens.
August 4, 2008 11:43 AM
I live and work in downtown chicago- I can't imagine a better coverage area in the nation, period.
I picked up the 3G a week ago and have had TERRIBLE service- 2/5 calls fails to dial through, missing calls, dropping calls. AWFUL 3G speed. Connection swapping/dropping requires power cycle to recover.
August 5, 2008 5:57 PM
I live in Campbell, CA and my iPhone 3G works perfectly. I get 5 bars with 3G on and I have no issues with the sound. I read on another article that if you go to an AT&T store and ask for a new sim card that it can fix the issue. I'm not sure if it will work but it's better than nothing.
August 6, 2008 10:17 AM
i also live in downtown chicago. no bars in my very centrally located home today and no ability to connect calls.
August 7, 2008 5:55 PM
No Stupid Brian,
It's not better than nothing... Are we the beta testers for a 500.00 product? Is Apple becoming a Microsoft?
The Iphone has a shitty antenna design, side by side with 20.00 phones it loses even when making normal phone calls, it is a phone first, and a overblown piece of shit.
August 8, 2008 6:22 PM
I went to AT&T store swapped my 3022 Sim for a 4022 and it didn't make a lick of difference. So this slution is a bust. Just FYI.n Next I am taking my phone back for an exchange.
August 11, 2008 6:51 PM
O2, UK, iPhone 3G - same problems here, weak to non-existent 3G signal on iPhone 3G. Not just my handset. I work with a group of IS folk, there are more than a dozen iPhone 3G in the office all exhibiting the same problems with 3G signals. Many of us have switched off 3G and using the iPhone 3G on 2G only with WiFi where it is available.
It is no good Apple and O2 going into denial about this. We all know that there is something very wrong. Apple know there is something very wrong. O2 know there is something very wrong. So cut the cr*p and get it fixed before eBay gets flooded with iPhone 3G handsets.
August 13, 2008 11:16 AM
I have a 14G iphone 3g updated to 2.01. I use the UK network O2 who are the official supplier.
I owned the first gen iphone and although I am excited by the hardware and software improvements for 3g. I am disappointed that this Iphone can not 'reliably' for fill its primary function to make and receive calls.
I experience call drop outs, call failures. In addition I experience a lag when searching for contact. I also note that my first gen iphone had a stronger (bar) signal then the new iphone when I am at home. Download on 3g using the speedtest app on the apple store shows my download rate at 27 kb/second and an upload rate of 170.72 kb/second in the centre of the city of London!!!
If it is a hardware issue then Apple will have to replace / fix this to avoid the breaching their contract with the phone supplier. The only way to get apple to do something is to complain to your phone provider so that they have registered and dated your complaint, this will feed back to apple through their statistic gathering and help claim any compensation including waive/reduction of charges over that period. In addition take your phone back to the shop brought from and keep asking them to fix it, this costs them money, if it begins costing too much then they will have to act.
Also is it just my Pc or have apple blocked that thread - "your not alone" or are they just inundated with people trying to read it. It does not work for me anyway... http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7603312#7603312
Its not all bad, the applications on the iphone used to crash on a regular basis reverting back to the springboard but I can confirm that at present the new software 2.01 update seems to have resolved that particular issue.
August 15, 2008 12:43 AM
I live in Dallas and the iphone 3g reception is just awful...To many dropped calls and internet like a 56k modem...i had to turn off the 3g just to have service on my phone....
August 15, 2008 2:34 AM
I have the same problem it sucks they say that with the one of the next updates i'll be fixed I hope so........ I'll cancel my contract and unlock my iPhone as planned.
August 23, 2008 8:06 PM
my edge is faster then 3g during google search...BS! i waited hours for this
August 26, 2008 11:35 PM
I live in new york city and can't even get 50% of my attemped calls placed with my 3g iphone. It perpetually makes me want to throw the thing against the wall. Could we get a rebranding initiative in place to rename the device igadget or something that completely removes its name from what its supposed to do best: act as a phone and successfully place calls? Miserable
August 27, 2008 2:22 PM
In Washington DC, one mile from the White House, terrible reception. I turned off 3G and it's losing fewer calls, but the vice quality is awful. Works fine, then not at all or poorly. I'm tired of apologizing to clients for the failed calls.
September 25, 2008 5:06 PM
I have had the iPhone 3G for about two months and it has the new / current 2.1 version of software. My 3G reception is terrible. At my office desk with 3G off I get full bars in Edge mode. When I turn 3G on, it first goes to one or two bars and then to no service, you would think it would auto switch to back to Edge, but it does not! In my office a coworker has put his Samsung 3G on the table next to my iPhone and he will have four bars 3G and I will have no service. To me this demonstrates that it is the phone not the service, as both phones are using AT&T corporate plan. The only change the software update made was that before the update the signal meter would indicate 2-3 bars and now its 1-2 then no service. Overall I love the phone; just the 3G is useless as far as my experience goes. I leave 3G and wireless off and turn them on only when I need data intensive capability. Call quality / dropped calls seem similar to my last few phones.
November 12, 2008 1:06 AM
The man at the apple store told me the metal covering keeps it from getting good signals since most fones are made from plastic
December 10, 2008 8:57 AM
Hi! I have both the old and the new 3G iPhone. The old one rocks - the new one loses the network constantly, sends calls straight to voicemail because the network apparently can't find it and then drops calls every few moments. Frustrating, and I am on the TelCel network with a contract ($$$) in Mexico. Conversely, my old iphone just ROCKS even to power usage wins over my new phone. Dang!
Adair
April 12, 2009 7:40 PM
Hello, I am from Austria and have the same Problem, Sometimes my iPhone 3G goes down to 1 Bar or sometimes to 0. It nearly never switches to EDGE or GPRS.