Apple launches iPhone 4 antenna website

The Apple iPhone 4 can lose signals when it’s held a certain way but this also happens with other devices, a new web page from Apple says.

Hot off the heels of its press conference this morning, Apple’s new web page aims to explain how holding various devices can impact the quality of your signal strength.

The opposite of amplification, attenuation happens whenever a signal is obstructed. All antennas — including television, radio, GPS, and cellular antennas — can experience attenuation. And with most antennas, the density and composition of the human hand can cause attenuation to a greater degree than some other materials. On a mobile phone, signal loss typically occurs when your hand attenuates the most sensitive part of the antenna.

The company shows how this “Death Grip” can impact the signal on the Apple iPhone 4, which is nothing new to IntoMobile readers. Apple also shows this process happening on other smartphones like the BlackBerry Bold 9700, Droid Eris, Samsung Omnia II and the iPhone 3GS.

Apple insists this is being overblown by the media, as it said less than 1% of iPhone 4 users have complained about the antenna to AppleCare. Nevertheless, it is giving users free bumper cases throughout September and it will even refund users who have already purchased one.

Apple has a point about antenna reception but you have to wonder why this has never been a major problem until the iPhone 4. You could argue that it’s always been there but the ferver around the iPhone 4 has amplified it but there are indications that it’s something more than that.

We’ve heard multiple stories claiming Apple knew about this potential problem but pushed forward anyways because it liked the new design. Additionally, it is mighty suspicious that it introduced its first case with the Apple iPhone 4 – a case that just so happens to solve this antenna issue.

How say you, readers?

[Via Apple]

About The Author

Marin Perez

Marin Perez has torture tested cell phones and smartphones for industry leaders like CNET and InformationWeek. He remembers when 4G was just a screen on PowerPoint presentations and is fascinated with the amount of innovation out there. Marin has spent a lot of time with BlackBerry and Android but he finally broke down a bought an iPhone to see what all the hype's about. He also has too many tablets.

Michael_Martin

Why not compare it to current Android & Blackberry phones, not to last years models, which in Android's case is discontinued & was on the low end at that.

No Nexus One comparison? Even the press said they can't replicate on their blackberrys.
matthewdlyons

Ok. I guess I should give credit for the olive branch extended by Apple with the free cases. However, one doesn't have to read between the lines to see that Apple still isn't really owning up to the problem. Why not just stand up and take the hit like a responsible company, instead of playing the "they do it too!" game? I don't recall an outcry about dropped signals and calls from Droid Eris, BB Tour or Samsung Omnia owners.

I can't wait to see what Bloomberg's response is to the BS accusation. The saga continues.
marinperez

Bloomberg has stood by its story and, of course, will not publicly out its source.
manoman

You have to wonder why this has never been a major problem is probably the right question to ask. Having had fallen prey to Nokia’s nasty unusable N97 am left wondering how the media never pushed for a recall of that particular phone. It is no secret a lot of people would love to see the iPhone fail hence every smartphone released the question asked is “could this be the iPhone killer”. Considering that 0.55% of users have complained about this further suggests that this really is media hype. Like that silly song says if you don’t like it take it back or don’t bother buying it simples. My N97 now sits on top of the book shelf gathering dust a waste of 500 pounds had to take a loan out to pay off my contract.
guest

I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but all the 3 phones are Verizon phones as well. It could be that "sweet spot" in the room where all phones have 5 bars of signal, and any minor blocking of the signal could completely get rid of it because of the fact that the general signal in the room is not 5 bars, but more like 1 or 2. It may even be something to do with Verizon's wireless technology… I'd like to see verification of their tests.