iPhone users: 2.0.2 update hasn't fixed 3G problems

Looks like Apple's latest software patch isn't a silver bullet for the reception problems that still dog the new iPhone.

Nearly a day after Apple released software update 2.0.2—which comes about two weeks after version 2.0.1 of the iPhone software—users say they're still dealing with iffy 3G reception and dropped calls on their handsets.

"Add me to the list of people whom the update has done nothing for," wrote one user on Apple's official iPhone support forum. "I'm in the suburbs of Chicago in an area in which I should have, and did have on my last two 3G phones, excellent coverage. The update has done nothing to improve the sluggish load times, Safari is till crashing and/or not loading unless I'm on a Wi-Fi network, and I am dropping calls."

From another user: "No improvement after update to 2.0.2, I'm afraid. No 3G at all in my little wood-framed house downtown in the largest city in Northern California (San Jose). Barely usable EDGE, and unintelligible calls. Flips between 3G and EDGE like a fish out of water."

For its part, Apple hasn't said whether the 2.0.2 update would fix the iPhone 3G's widely reported reception problems; indeed, Apple (per usual) has yet to acknowledge the problem at all. The release notes for the 248MB software patch lists only a single change: "Bug fixes."

Pressure has been building on Apple to fix the iPhone 3G's reception issues for more than a week. According to some reports, the iPhone's custom-made Infineon chip might be a little too eager to switch from 3G to EDGE, leading to slower data speeds and dropped calls. Others have blamed AT&T's 3G network, although iPhone users worldwide are complaining of dropped calls and poor 3G reception.

The bloggers at Ars Technica say they've heard that iPhone software 2.0.2 does, in fact, include "some fixes" for 3G reception problems (with Chicago-area Ars writer Chris Foresman claiming that he's getting marginally better reception on his iPhone), but that a fix for the Infineon chip is still pending.

There's also been some chatter that 2.0.2 fixes the iPhone's "sticky buttons" problem—a lag of anywhere between 3-5 seconds when tapping on the iPhone's touch keypad. That's certainly a possibility—I'm seeing slightly less lag when using the keypad, especially with the Contacts list—but then again, the iPhone's performance always speeds up (initially, at least) after a full reset and firmware update.

OK, iPhone users, sound off: How's the 2.0.2 update working for you? Any improvement in 3G reception?

Update [8/20/08]: I've now spent more than 24 hours with the 2.0.2 update, and I can safely say that my iPhone 3G's data reception is, in fact, worse than before. I used to get a pretty good signal here in the office, but now when I try to check e-mail—with the "3G" icon on and three bars, mind you—the little status wheel just spins, and spins, and spins ...

Related:
iPhone firmware update addresses some 3G connection issues [Ars Technica]