Steve Jobs On iPhone 4 Reception Problem: 'Stay Tuned'

Apple's iPhone 4 received rave reviews from critics, but users are reporting reception issues with the new smartphone.

According to some users, holding the phone in such a way that one's fingers cover the iPhone's antenna band causes a loss of signal strength.

An iPhone 4 user emailed Steve Jobs about the antenna problem, and the CEO replied right away.
He wrote,

There are no reception issues. Stay Tuned.

Is there a fix to come?

Not according to Apple's official statement, or an earlier email exchange between Steve Jobs and another iPhone 4 buyer.

"When I put my hand on the steel bands I lose all reception. [...] Any plans to fix this?," the user wrote. Steve Jobs answered: "Just avoid holding it in that way."

Apple released a statement on the iPhone 4 reception issues:

Gripping any mobile 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. 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.

See what users' other biggest complaints about the iPhone 4 have been.

More about iPhone 4:

• Videos of the new iPhone

• Pictures of Apple's new iPhone 4

• iPhone 4 features: 15 things you need to know about Apple's new phone

• Early iPhone 4 reviews

• New iPhone 4 commercial

• iPhone 4's glass screen: Will it break?

• iPhone 4 Pre-Sale MELTDOWN: Orders Exposed Private Info, Charged iPhone To Wrong Users

• The 9 BEST things about the iPhone 4

• Apple reportedly canceling iPhone orders without explanation

• The WORST things about the iPhone 4

• Official Reviews Are In: What Do Critics REALLY Think Of Apple's New iPhone?

• iPhone 4 Problems: Users' Biggest Complaints So Far

Comments

[Pectin]

01:33 AM on 07/11/2010

Got one yesterday. And just as I thought, there's no trouble with it at all.

Maybe I'm just "lucky"...

I'm sure all the others will explode any second, now...

[Gisele Honscha]

03:07 PM on 07/05/2010

I like apple less and less.

[johnmitchel]

03:29 AM on 07/01/2010

I was having the reception issue, but figuered i would buy a case either way. found some dope ones at iphone4-bumpers.com, hopefully it helps haha

[aquamadman]

05:45 PM on 06/29/2010

Alright Mr. jobs, why dont you invent the i hand to hold the iphone, then we can by 2 things from apple that dont make phone calls!!!!

[Tarich]

12:05 PM on 06/29/2010

FAIL.

It's not an iPhone reception problem, it's an iPhone phone problem.

What do you call a phone that doesn't work as a phone? Broken.

Maybe it's because Steve Jobs doesn't like left handed people. Has anyone thought of that?

http://geekcomforts.com/2010/06/iphone-4ail/

[vintagefunk]

08:59 PM on 06/29/2010

Actually, I am right-handed, and frequently hold a phone in my left as I dial with my right. As do many righties.

It seems the problem his somewhat fixed. I have tried several times to reproduce it today and have been unable to.

[macracan]

09:37 AM on 06/29/2010

Hold it like this.. now stand on one leg... right... now hold your breath! Just perfect, you have adequate reception now. Talk all you want and enjoy!

[Louisknyc]

09:01 AM on 06/29/2010

I don't have any of these reception issues' nor do I have any yelllow screen issues; checked out CNN's video. Even he couldn't initially replicate the problem. People are just looking for problems.

[LaughingMan]

01:42 PM on 06/29/2010

......yeah, which explains the add-on that Apple has to sell for people to mitigate this "non-existent" issue that has only been acknowledged by Apple people, and no less that the great giant head Steve Jobs himself (albeit begrudgingly and backhandedly).

Because there are not reception issues.

Right.

You, sir - Textbook definition of Apple cultist.

[Louisknyc]

03:15 PM on 06/29/2010

Oh disingenuous one.
Apple HAS to sell for people to mitigate: WRONG...no one has to buy, not everyone should buy. My phone works perfectly without the BUMPER (if that's the add-on you're struggling to name)

I HAVE ZERO PROBLEMS. You don't want to believe it, tough. I'll tell it so reasonable people can understand that problem is NOT universal and will vanish into cyberspace in a fews (as the iPad wifi non-issue did). You folks, with an anti-Apple agenda are trying to keep it alive.

Let me repeat for the intelligent folks on her (Laughingman excluded):
1) I have ZERO problems with reception; Ive covered all sides of the unit..no change in signal strength. I have 4 friends with iPhone 4. Same there..no problems.
2)Yellow bar on lower screen: ditto 4 friends and I do not have any screen defects. Do they exist? Yes, On how many screens? Who knows? But it doesn't seem likely that its' afffecting any more than a tiny fraction of all iPhones sold
3) People who use words like "sheep" "cultist" etc etc are children. Children who can't stand Apple's constant success. they try and use the Internet to make noise about every product release. They know Apple stories will get covered. These people will never complain about quality control problems with the EVO for example (detached screen, unresponsive screens, poor battery life)...only Apple.
So folks take any negative Apple stories with a grain of salt.

[Louisknyc]

03:19 PM on 06/29/2010

typo:
vanish into cyberspace in a few weeks (as the iPad wifi non-issue did).

ALSO LaughingBoy: show me a link where Jobs says the reception issue is a widespread issue affecting all or even a majority of his phones.

[vintagefunk]

09:01 PM on 06/29/2010

No, this was a real problem. It looks as if it has cleared up or been fixed now, because I was unable to replicate the problem today, after several tries. But I was able to do so late last week.

[lapinbrim]

08:37 AM on 06/29/2010

Maybe if you hold it a mile underwater, next to that other example of epic fail caused by corporate hubris, the unchecked oil vent, the reception will improve.

[Androidomania]

07:28 AM on 06/29/2010

All of the engineers at Apple are being sent back to college
for elementary courses in Antenna THEORY, Antenna HISTORY, Antenna MATERIALS
and this reeducation is going to be 24/ 7
Instructors from HP, Nokia, HTC etc. will be having pop quizzes .... eventually bringing everyone up to date. The world is waiting for the announcement of iphone5

[Androidomania]

07:15 AM on 06/29/2010

new book: From the Pet Rock to the i Phone 4: The Evolution of Bric-a-Brac in America

[Androidomania]

07:12 AM on 06/29/2010

ATT must be freaking out because if the iphone 4 can't get or send their signal
they are not going to be able to make a lot of money, but still have kick back
a lot of money to apple for these junk phones.................billions and billions....
BEING HE EXCLUSIVE PROVIDER OF ............
..........................................................................ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, nothing at all

[Androidomania]

07:05 AM on 06/29/2010

there was a time when folks would give their kids piano lessons

today however they are all thinking about having to give their kids iphone 4 lessons

is this progress?

[Androidomania]

06:40 AM on 06/29/2010

When they send the first walking talking robots to Mars, are they going to use
an iphone 4 to call home? After all, the iphone 4 is considered the most advanced
smart phone. The robots will just have to be careful how they hold it.
Oh Mama, can this really be the end....to send the iphone 4 to Mars as AMERICA'S BEST

[Androidomania]

06:45 AM on 06/29/2010

it is a good thing Apple does not make cars......they would have to include an manual
............................................on ....how....to....hold.....the....wheel...........................
even HENRY FORD.....was beyond that.

[oldgeek1]

06:18 AM on 06/29/2010

I forgot, Apple wants me to think different.
Instead of holding the phone in my hand I should .......

[Tarich]

12:14 PM on 06/29/2010

duct tape it to your head, obviously.

[bkaczor]

06:06 AM on 06/29/2010

Oh... And one other thing....the phone doesn't work when you hold it