iPhone 4 Attenuated Signal Problem: Proof & Signal Test Results
by Aayush
When Apple started receiving criticism for the attenuated signal problem in their latest release, the Apple iPhone 4, they planned to make good by explaining the problem and by pointing out that every cellular phone has it.
They chose some competing smart phones including the Droid X and pointed out the sensitive area on those phones, claiming they too will lose signal if held covering particular areas. Although not a false claim, it is certainly a defensive one. They had a page showing antenna flaws in a bunch of phones, which now has changed. Below is the video showing attenuated signal in the Droid X which was up on that page earlier.
PA Consulting Group took the iPhone 4 and some other competing smartphones, just as Apple did and performed some tests on the antenna of all the phones. Surprise surprise, the result: if a finger or the palm of the hand covers the antenna opening at the side of the iPhone 4, the signal is seriously affected.
Furthermore, Even when the iPhone 4 is not held in the death grip, it’s performance is slightly lower than that of Blackberry. Whao, never thought I’d be writing that. The PA Group have posted a report based on the results of tests they performed on the phones here. You can read it out, it’s pretty detailed.
They also made a video of them performing those tests. Watch:
