Anyone Have the New IPhone 4 Yet?

[Spark]

Why Consumer Reports can't recommend iPhone 4
By ConsumerReports.org
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Lab tests: Why Consumer Reports can't recommend the iPhone 4.

It's official. Consumer Reports' engineers have just completed testing the iPhone 4, and have confirmed that there is a problem with its reception. When your finger or hand touches a spot on the phone's lower left side—an easy thing, especially for lefties—the signal can significantly degrade enough to cause you to lose your connection altogether if you're in an area with a weak signal. Due to this problem, we can't recommend the iPhone 4.



We reached this conclusion after testing all three of our iPhone 4s (purchased at three separate retailers in the New York area) in the controlled environment of CU's radio frequency (RF) isolation chamber. In this room, which is impervious to outside radio signals, our test engineers connected the phones to our base-station emulator, a device that simulates carrier cell towers (see video: IPhone 4 Design Defect Confirmed). We also tested several other AT&T phones the same way, including the iPhone 3G S and the Palm Pre. None of those phones had the signal-loss problems of the iPhone 4.

Our findings call into question the recent claim by Apple that the iPhone 4's signal-strength issues were largely an optical illusion caused by faulty software that "mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength."

The tests also indicate that AT&T's network might not be the primary suspect in the iPhone 4's much-reported signal woes..

We did, however, find an affordable solution for suffering iPhone 4 users: Cover the antenna gap with a piece of duct tape or another thick, non-conductive material. It may not be pretty, but it works. We also expect that using a case would remedy the problem. We'll test a few cases this week and report back.

The signal problem is the reason that we did not cite the iPhone 4 as a "recommended" model, even though its score in our other tests placed it atop the latest Ratings of smart phones that were released today.

The iPhone scored high, in part because it sports the sharpest display and best video camera we've seen on any phone, and even outshines its high-scoring predecessors with improved battery life and such new features as a front-facing camera for video chats and a built-in gyroscope that turns the phone into a super-responsive game controller. But Apple needs to come up with a permanent—and free—fix for the antenna problem before we can recommend the iPhone 4.

If you want an iPhone that works well without a masking-tape fix, we continue to recommend an older model, the 3G S.

[savage1]

I just tried to get the phone to lose reception by holding it in the evil place.
The bad news is that it did lose signal strength.
The good news is that at least for me the position cited above seems unnatural, and that in the normal/natural position I am not touching the spot.
When I purchase a case soon, I expect the possibilty of a dropped call, etc. to decrease to almost negligible should I pick the unit up in the wrong way.
Also, in all fairness I should say that ny assessment overall of the phone is based on more simple needs than some-I use it basically for phone calls and internet(scores, chat lines, surfing, etc.).
Thus, I think if you have more complex needs, than you should listen to what folks like Spark have to say as they are more versed in other areas.-in short I am basing my praise for what I need the phone for-your needs may differ a bit.

[Spark]

I just tried to get the phone to lose reception by holding it in the evil place.
The bad news is that it did lose signal strength.
The good news is that at least for me the position cited above seems unnatural, and that in the normal/natural position I am not touching the spot.
When I purchase a case soon, I expect the possibilty of a dropped call, etc. to decrease to almost negligible should I pick the unit up in the wrong way.
Also, in all fairness I should say that ny assessment overall of the phone is based on more simple needs than some-I use it basically for phone calls and internet(scores, chat lines, surfing, etc.).
Thus, I think if you have more complex needs, than you should listen to what folks like Spark have to say as they are more versed in other areas.-in short I am basing my praise for what I need the phone for-your needs may differ a bit.

Exactly my point savvy ... you use it for internet scores ... so you do not need a smart phone ... perfect for you ...

Just because Apple manufactured that phone with a flaw you need to go out a buy a phone case to make your $300 phone work properly??? That is not counting the rate plan and $30 Data feature every month ... that is not right

[savage1]

Exactly my point savvy ... you use it for internet scores ... so you do not need a smart phone ... perfect for you ...

Just because Apple manufactured that phone with a flaw you need to go out a buy a phone case to make your $300 phone work properly??? That is not counting the rate plan and $30 Data feature every month ... that is not right

I hear you Spark.
Regarding the case, well I need a new case anyways(the old one doesn't fit properly as the new IPhone is a bit thicker than my old one)-thus depending on the cost of the new case which allegedly will solve the problem, I am going to reserve judgment.
Someone suggested that Apple went everyone a free case in view of the problem, but you know that is not going to happen.

[Spark]

Not to change the subject .... but I am still using my chair everyday savvy ,,,, Love it ...

[savage1]

Not to change the subject .... but I am still using my chair everyday savvy ,,,, Love it ...

Its funny you should mention the chair because during the past few weeks for some inexclipable reason my back has gone bad(I might have strained it while walking in Colorado-either that or late middle age is just taking its toll lol).
Needless to say, I have been using the chair quite a bit of late, and it has really helped to alleviate the problem.
Toast to the chair for both of us!!!!