Gikas continues, “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.”
“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,” Gikas reports. “We also expect that using a case would remedy the problem. We’ll test a few cases this week and report back.”
MacDailyNews Take: “We’ll test a few cases this week and report back,” but not until we milk this for all it’s worth. They already had iPhone 4 test units in their big bad “controlled environment radio frequency (RF) isolation chamber,” but they couldn’t test iPhone 4 in a few cases while they were at it? Puleeze.
Gikas continues, “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.”
Full article here.
AppleInsider reports, “The latest update from Consumer Reports is a 180-degree change from what it advised users earlier this month. In that report, the company noted that there was “no reason” to not buy an iPhone 4. The company said, at the time, that they were unable to recreate the signal loss issue.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Whatever. So, Apple will sell approximately eleven less iPhone 4 units to Consumer Reports’ geriatric subscribers (CR ought to be testing Jitterbugs, not smartphones). Using Consumer Reports as a basis for tech buying is like using Windows for color-sensitive print work. It’s something only attempted by the ignorant.
So, bottom line: Consumer Reports finds iPhone 4 superior to all other smartphones in most respects, but because you need a case for it if you’re going to cover the antenna while holding it a certain way — a case, by the way, that’s something most people add to their phones regardless — Consumer Reports won’t recommend it, at least until they milk as much free pub out of their “non-recommendation recommendation” as possible. For more, please read: Consumer Reports: Oh yeah, almost forgot, Apple iPhone 4 is also the best smartphone on the market – July 12, 2010.
Why do we get the feeling that Consumer Reports PR employees’ day jobs are at Greenpeace? They both seem to have the same modus operandi: Use Apple to gin up free publicity.
All that said, as we’ve stated consistently: If the iPhone 4 requires a case or a hardware “fix” of some sort, then Apple should provide one free of charge to every iPhone 4 owner.
Okay, I’ve got the reception-grip problem in full, and the proximity thing even worse (yes, I tried resetting the settings). I got the bumper, but it has to be removed to charge with any but the new slim connecter (yes I tried cutting the hole larger). Oh yeah, and ATT is a mess.
Even so,the perfection of everything else, and the joy of using all the capabilities outweighs the minor irritations. Apparently the CR people can’t get beyond their myopic test-bench obsession.
This is the most incredible device I’ve ever owned, and you can have it when you pry it from my cold, dead…etc.
My” twitter-sphere” has gone crazy with this now.
And in the mean time millions of iPhone 4 users continue to use their phones without a problem and with better reception than before.
Wow guys, you need to at least cut back to the diet Kool-Aid. Your responses to any criticism, even if valid, are extreme and childish. Living in Canada I’m glad there’s been a delay in delivery, as I’m not upgrading my 3GS until I feel all of these issues (i.e., antenna, yellowing screen, yellow pictures) have been properly addressed, something that I feel Apple will eventually correct over time. Additionally, I’ve recommended to friends and first time iPhone buyers to hold off buying until the 4 is at the level it deserves to be at.
I love reading the up to date articles on your MDN iPad app, and while I expect there to be a bias towards Mac products because of your site, you risk losing readers, validity and relevance if the idolatry and idea of perfection of ALL things Apple doesn’t cease. If we don’t constructively criticize that which we love how will it continue to improve?
P.S., Being a former Crackberry owner & businessman I’m still “uncool” enough to carry my iPhone in a belt holder, which means when I take calls I’m bare-handing the device. I don’t want to adjust my lifestyle and/or preferences to obtain the newest phone that doesn’t work like it simply should out of the box. End of story…
MDN that is what I have been saying too! Who gets a expensive cell phone with a glass exterior and doesn’t get a case for it? Reception issues aside! I have no doubt Apple will fix the reception problems but until then get a case for the phone! I don’t use an iPod without a case, I wouldn’t dream of having this phone and using it sans case.
“@Deadline Approaching”
“…This is clearly Apple’s worst blunder…”
Excuse me, but exploding iPods, PowerBooks, and burning AC adapters beats this by a long shot.
It doesn’t matter if you think CR is biased in their tech reviews. The fact is Apple has a problem with the iPhone 4’s reception, and that is turning into a big publicity problem. Apple needs to fix the reception issue, and not with a lame email from Steve Jobs to use a case (I personally don’t like using a case because it makes the phone thicker and more difficult to get out of your pocket quickly) or some excuse of a press release stating that Apple’s math was wrong in calculating bar strength for four years (like ATT never said anything!).
The iPhone 4 needs to be fixed, and this will require a physical change to the iPhone, even if the physical fix is just for good PR purposes.
MDN: “Whatever. So, Apple will sell approximately eleven less iPhone 4 units to Consumer Reports’ geriatric subscribers. Using Consumer Reports as a basis for tech buying is like using Windows for color-sensitive print work. It’s something only attempted by the ignorant.”
This is my favorite MDN take ever!
@skoopman…
I agree with you, you’re definitely not an iPhone kinda guy. Weird post.
“…Your responses to any criticism, even if valid, are extreme and childish. …”
No the MDN response is spot on. If this were some unheard of, never before experienced problem in cell phones, that would be one thing, yet it is demonstrable in other phones where it is not mentioned.
It is only an issue with the iPhone because certain people are making it so.
The only upside to this actual, real-life, not fabricated or blown-out-of-proportion reception issue is that Apple might just get scared enough to lower the price to a point where I can afford to upgrade my 3G.
Apple screwed up royally and should have fixed this already through the firmware update they’ve spoken about. Their delay leads me to think it won’t fix it and they’re figuring out how to fix this with a hardware recall.
Not hardly.
I’m curious about this issue. It’s clearly a change to the electrical field of the antenna brought about by the person’s skin completing the contact. I’m good with that concept. I am curious about a couple of things: First, how solid does that contact have to be? I mean, when I watched the video with the engineer putting his thumb over the gap, it looked to me like he was pressing down pretty hard – which is not a way that I’d ever hold a phone. It may be that some people do grip their phones in this manner, but really, the way I hold it, that just doesn’t happen. So – if this problem only happens if you have skin of a certain conductance, and then only if you grab the phone and squeeze on top of the seam, then while I acknowledge the problem, I have a hard time getting worked up over it or calling it a “flaw”.
I simply haven’t been able to reproduce this problem with my iPhone 4.
MDN word: “personal”. as in, it may be due to your personal hygiene regimen. Or, for those requiring less subtlety: wash your hands from time to time.
I use CR on occassion and appreciate their analysis and reviews, but then again, I am a geriatric.
I dont think MDN is in denial afterall, MDN was and is after Apple to provide free covers which happens to be exactly what CR said:
“But Apple needs to come up with a permanent—and free—fix for the antenna problem before we can recommend the iPhone 4.”
I am sure everyone that has an iPhone 4 has this issue. Whether they have experienced problems depends on their area.
I don’t recommend the iPhone 4 either — it comes with AT&T;service, after all.
I will bet any amount you want that Consumers Reports has way way way more influence in the marketplace than MDN has or will ever had. MDN thinking only eleven people will be not buying an iPhone is inane. I would guess maybe 11 people will buy because of MDN. But among old folks, young folks, all folks MDN is unknown. And best of all in CR there is never any political BS that MDN spouts all the time. You boys are children compared to MDN, and half your readers are about 12 years old. Grow up.
Haven’t noticed any yellow screen issues, but I did buy the bumper because it makes the iPhone easier to hold in my hand (my hands are small enough that the sharper edges irritate it just a bit). The only problem is the design of the bumper; in order to charge the iPhone you have to take off the bumper, which defeats the purpose especially if you have it plugged into a car charger (which I do when on trips with my husband). Hoping to find a case that won’t have that issue, otherwise I’ve been quite happy with it.
And the NY Times has already picked up and repeated the CR report. No mention of MDN there however.
I remember when Consumer Reports did a comparison on which computer they’d recommend, a Mac or some Windows PC (I forget the brand).
Consumer Reports did a spec by spec comparison, and recommended the Windows PC over the Macintosh.
There was absolutely no mention from Consumer Reports, of the quality of the OS, no mention of spyware, malware, or viruses, and no mention of the extra costs for software to make the Windows PC even nearly as favourable to the user as the Macintosh.
When it comes to Apple products, I definitely take any reviews from Consumer Reports with a grain of salt.
Tweets coming like crazy. Fascinating to watch it trend. I think they all got it from MDN.
Consumer Reports ändert Meinung, warnt vor iPhone-4-Kauf http://bit.ly/dh0kAj
Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems — and so do we http://bit.ly/chkLqw
Consumer Reports “can’t recommend the iPhone 4” http://post.ly/mtS1
Citing the iPhone 4 antenna problem (and suggesting it is indeed a hardware issue), Consumer Reports suggests the 3GS instead … are the issues a deal-breaker for you? Consumer Reports performed lab tests on the iPhone 4 and determined that the phone’s alleged antenna problem is completely legit.
Consumer Reports now ‘can’t recommend’ the iPhone 4 http://bit.ly/dbAHeB [post]
Vey conclusive testing…
Can’t recommend it but can recommend duct or scotch tape…?
Didn’t have time to test with a case??? Pretty lame…
If duct tape works and most people use cases for protection, it’s only common sense that any case solves the gap issue…
How could they not recommend iPhone 4 which they say is a better phone ???
“All that said, as we’ve stated consistently: If the iPhone 4 requires a case or a hardware “fix” of some sort, then Apple should provide one free of charge to every iPhone 4 owner.”
OK MDN, so you’re still admitting that there is a hardware problem? That’s the way I read your take. And you’re right, there is a hardware problem. And the second part of your take is also correct — Apple should fix it for free.
Hey MDN… I love you guys for having all the news and often having it first… I have followed your site and now this app for quiet sometime… I share the same passion as you do and many of the readers here for APPLE… But my only request as a Apple fan and a big fan of MDN… Every once in a while a company makes a mistake or a slip up or has a issue… And Apple is one such company, as loyal fans it is our job to raise this issue and not cover everything up blindly as die hard fans.
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Am not talking about iPhone 4 issue in particular, but in general MDN rises to the defense of apple no matter what…. Apple fault or not, apple mistake or not… I request that you as MDN are our voice, our voice of loyal fans, our voice of apple lovers, need to keep little objectivity and tone down the “love”
Coz i though we were fans and loyal ones… Not a cult!
I love it when you tout our beloved Apple success but hate it when you cover up or defend blindly even when Apple is at fault.
I want to be part of MDN loyal fan and apple fan, not in a cult where everything Apple is holy and blasphemous to say apple made mistake.
For years Consumer Reports advised not to buy a Mac because it didn’t run Windows.
I can cover the antenna in bad cell area and make the bars drop on any phone, show me something I don’t know!
My iPhone 4 is fine, I love it!
I tried to post to the CR article asking for their data. My question was whether the iPhone 4 started out with better reception than other phones, and if so whether the 20db drop merely put it on par with other phones like the 3gs or the Pre. If the design results in better reception, and the reception only drops to comparable levels of other phones with traditional enclosed antenna, then isn’t that a design improvement, not a flaw? CR blocked my post. I would rather have better reception by using a case or holding properly rather than a permanently crippled antenna buried inside the case. Anandtech is the only outfit that seems to actually grasped the issue.
“All that said, as we’ve stated consistently: If the iPhone 4 requires a case or a hardware “fix” of some sort, then Apple should provide one free of charge to every iPhone 4 owner.”
As they rightly should. Let’s face(time!) it, Apple fumbled this. They are now in damage control mode. And worse advertising a 5-cent bumper for $30 during the keynote was evidence enough that they were aware of the problems before shipping any phones… but they shipped them anyway against better judgement. Just give people a damn bumper for free.
Right on Consumer Reports!