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Experts Explain iPhone 4 Antenna Problem
CWmike writes "Reports of call and data signal strength problems in the new iPhone 4 have a basis in fact, a hardware expert said Thursday. Later in the day, Apple acknowledged that holding the iPhone 4 may result in a diminished signal that could make it difficult to make and maintain calls or retain a data connection. '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,' Apple said in a statement issued to several media outlets, including PC Magazine, which had run tests earlier Thursday. 'If you ever experience this on your iPhone 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.' Scores of new iPhone owners confirmed the reception problem in a string of more than 360 messages posted to a thread on Apple's iPhone 4 support forum."
A blog post from an antenna design company explains that the reception problems are probably the direct result of phone design adapting to FCC requirements.
Because the case is made out of rubber and runs around the phone, effectively isolating you from the antennas, avoiding the antennas to connect to each other through you.
Pretty good is actually pretty bad.
The skin connects the front and back antennas through electrical conductivity. If there is a case blocking the connection the problem doesn't happen.
the problem comes about when your hand shorts the two metal bits together. Put a case on them and you won't short them.
Saw a great post on reddit earlier today where a user goes through a bunch of Apple's own advertising to see how they've shown the phone being held.
Sturgeon was an optimist.
The reason the case is part of the antenna system is actually to improve reception, because it makes the surface operating as an antenna larger.
When isolated it works pretty well I suppose. But it fails when a user touches all antennas at once, effectively short circuiting the entire system.
Pretty good is actually pretty bad.
Because it's bullshit. No other phone has a conductive casing with the antennas attached to it. Now we know why.
Pretty good is actually pretty bad.
Are you fucking serious?? I hope you don't seriously believe that touching an antenna on a device with few-watt or less output power is dangerous.
First of all, internal antennas are the new part. For the longest time, every cellphone had a telescoping, exposed antenna. You can even still get them, if you want.
Second of all, the phone transmits at an outside maximum of 2W - usually much less. You can literally suck on an antenna broadcasting at 2W and not feel a thing (I've done it)
Third of all, tons of other things that you use all the time transmit over exposed antennas: Old cordless phones, many walkie-talkies, baby monitors... etc. The reason you cover up an antenna has to do with protecting the antenna and, as it happens, protecting it from detuning.
I have developed a truly marvelous proof of this comment, which this signature is too narrow to contain.
Sorry, guys. This is the right way
Please tell me where I can touch my Nexus One (with a single finger, mind you) that will cause it to drop a call. Calling this a nonissue is moronic.
shows you in the manual
see page 6, moron
The Admin and the Engineer
Putting your finger there may attenuate the signal. But it won't short the antenna. My antenna is internal. I can't even take the backplate off and short it. Once I get home, I'll do some speed tests for ya if you like, but right now, I'm in a huge concrete box. BTW, that's an Incredible...he did ask for an N1 death-point ;)