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Apple Claims iPhone OS 2.0.2 3G Fix, Users Mixed
While Apple officials now claim that iPhone OS 2.0.2 delivers "improved communication with 3G networks" in an attempt to fix widespread reception/connectivity issues, users are mixed on the subject; some report slightly enhanced 3G reception, a minority report worse 3G reception, and most report no change.
iPhone Atlas reader Reader Chasulme is in the mild-improvement camp:
"The upgrade to 2.0.2 has made my iPhone 3G go from a completely inoperable 3G mode (had to be kept off or disabled), to be pleasingly functional (all things considered). In testing since the upgrade, I find that flat out "No Service" at my home has now shifted to 1-2 bars 3G."
And this reader is in the worse-off camp:
"I use to get 1-3 bars of 3g service in my house and now I cant make a call? I have to switch off the 3G to get any bars Things are going the wrong way!"
Reader John G is in the no-improvement camp:
"I took AT&T coverage maps showing five locations that should have full signal strength and have virtually no signal. They mentioned the new update released today (2.0.02) but wouldn't disclose what it was designed to fix. They also replaced my phone and loaded the latest update. I've been back to two of the five locations (home and office) and there is absolutely no improvement in my 3G connection. I'll be calling Apple and asking for Steve Jobs cell number or a refund and release from my contract."
It does appear that, even if reception hasn't been enhanced for most users, Apple has made improvement in one significant area. The iPhone 3G automatically switches between 3G and 2G networks for voice and data connections. In theory, the phone should hop off 3G when signal strength is too low or non-existent, and hop back on when the signal gets better. Previously, the iPhone 3G wasn't aggressive enough regarding the switch from 3G to 2G. In other words, the phone stayed connected to the 3G network when the signal strength is too low to allow incoming or outgoing calls. The iPhone OS 2.0.2 update appears to improve the switching mechanism.
As described by one iPhone Atlas reader:
"I find switchover (3G to EDGE) to now work reasonably, where it was useless before."
I think John G needs to calm down. I found the situation frustrating too for the first month or so, but I think we should be a little patient. If you're not willing to pay the price for being an early-adopter of new technology, then either wait a year after a new product's introduction, or shut your pie-hole when you experience the predictably frustrating growing pains of innovation.
The "early adopter" excuse is just that - an excuse for rushing out a product without adequate testing and quality. The early-adopters should be the BETA testers, who should have found all these issues before it hit the general public.
This is a phone - it's not a jet pack, or artificial heart, or space shuttle. Also, it's on it's second major revision, so I don't get the whole "early adopter" excuse.
Did it say in the ads or during product registration that you take the risk of early adoption, and the phone may not live up to your normal expectations of a cell phone?
Now, if Apple and AT&T want to pay me or give me a very cheap price for the phone and service until they work out the kinks, sure.
We have paid $300 + $70/month (in the US) for this phone. We don't pay that kind of money to be told to "calm down". You said the reader wasn't willing to pay the price - well, if paying about $2000 for two years of using a cell phone isn't enough, what is?
I would bet it is a combination of increased, unexpected load on AT&T network and Apples inabilities. Both companies are at fault. It is a well known fact that iPhone users consume more data. AT&T should know that. But I wonder. Also with Apple being so secretive about new products, how could this have been tested properly. I mean there would have had to be thousands (at least) in the wild to properly test. But they did not show up anywhere. Perhaps Steve just drove around Cupertino with the iPhone 3G in his car, counting bars.
This is sad.
My experience with the 5 people who have the iphone (in the UK.) the 2.0.2 update went well but in order to get it to fully function the phone needs a reset after install and then the 3G being turned off then back on again (I power off in between). It then has better signal (same as my 3G samsung) and switches seamlessly between 3G and GSM.
Only 1 person I know has had problems but they chose to jailbreak their phone and use Cydia whereas the rest of us use the FileMagnet App.
This Update seems to work after a reset and 3G/GSM toggling and then works well in the UK (eastern side) at least!
- by raja_b1 August 24, 2008 2:13 PM PDT
- I am getting sort of better 3G reception after the recent update.
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(9 Comments)But I am getting a bandwidth of around 700 - 800 kbps, probably because I am at 6000+ feet.
The only problem I am seeing is when the 3G goes really weak it does not switch immediately to Edge and if I am using a bandwidth intensive application like "Simplify" or "GPS Tracker" or "PC Mobilizr" then the complete application hangs up and the iPhone Freezes causing me to ReStart.
So as of now i am not using these applications when I am moving, else 3G reception indeed has improved to be a little better.