Ever since yesterday’s video showing the iPhone 4 losing signal bars while being held, the Internets has been filled with speculation as to the cause of the problem. A topic in our very own iPhone 4 forums discussing the problem has generated over 190 responses, so there is concern among new iPhone 4 owners. The iPhone 4 “death grip” has generated enough anti-buzz that Apple has released an official statement (via Gearlog).
“Gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your Phone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.”
UPDATE: Engadget is reporting that Steve Jobs has replied to a customer regarding the antenna issue. Jobs response, “Just avoid holding it in that way“.
Satisfied with Apple’s response? Let us know in the comments or in our forums.
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so pretty much they told us to get over it and gtfo?
Spot on translation.
They just want you to buy a bumper. Maybe they relized the problem after they manufactured all the phones so they decided to make that bumper so you can buy that to “fix” the problem. Just a thought.
I knew it!!! I knew when apple realeased an “official” case for the first time in 4 iphones that there was a reason… I thought though that it had more to do with the glass breaking though.
if i pay that much for a freakin phone..i should be able to hold it any way i want with no problems. F U steve
Getting a little full of ourselves now are we Apple? That said I went in and grabbed a bumper this morning for my phone and it does work like a charm!
It is what it is just buy a case for the phone. I already purchased a rubber case for mine, not because of this issue which I didn’t have a problem with but because I wanted to protect my phone if I drop it.
Steve – thanks for the reply. Here is my even shorter message to you:
You are an idiot.
Didn’t realize Steve was such a Dick.
NICE customer service! I liken it to Toyota telling the customers to not push the gas pedal so hard when they were having the sticking issue.
A totally umprofessional reponse from Mr. Jobs.
Confirms for me that they knew of the issue and sold the phone anyway. Not likely that this will be fixed with a software update and I suppose as soon as phones begin to surface that not longer exhibit this problem, I will be seeking a replacement.
iPhone 4′s release has been a fiasco.
“iPhone 4’s release has been a fiasco.”
Sorry to hear that you think it’s been a fiasco. Not everyone thinks that way (I don’t). My litmus test was frequency of dropped calls. I drove for 15 miles in Nassau County NY and did not have one dropped call!!! I call that an unqualified success!!!
First off, I wonder why anyone would even take the time to write to Steve about the issue. I seriously doubt he writes back anyway. Probably one of his numerous staff monitors that box. Honestly, how many emails do you think he gets in a day. Then when some person gets a response they think Steve actually wrote to them. LOL If you really are that concerned with the antennae issue call customer support and don’t bother writing to Steve so his staff can have fun and write witty one liners.
Apple = fail. Then you fools go and buy the bumper for 30 bucks. What a bunch of idiots. You guys got ripped off so hard.
That was the worst customer service ever!!! F off Steve
Try moving around, the bars will come back just like the other iPhones. Apple is going to release a fix to keep the phone at 5 bars at all times. LOL! The networks are hella busy right now with all the people surfing and downloading ect…. It always happens during a launch. I’m not having any problems. I’ve been on the phone a bunch today with no problems.