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

Tue Aug 19, 2008 11:21AM EDT

See Comments (36)

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]

 

 

 

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

Post a Comment

Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

  • 6 Posted by androo@ymail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've been dealing with these dropped call issues since I purchased my iPhone 3G on launch day, July 11th. I live in DOWNTOWN Denver. Not some suburb, or area in the foothills. The heart of downtown Denver, where AT&T 3G reception is allegedly very very rich. I repeatedly receive the famous "NO SERVICE" display, or the 3G/EDGE flip-flop. As for dropped calls, don't get me started. This is my first ever Apple device, and I want so much to love it. Please Apple, just fix this thing. The phone is feature rich, but if it can't perform it's primary function - that is a PHONE - properly... it is a useless toy. FIX THIS!!!!

  • 7 Posted by seraseru on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hah! That's why I don't worry about American 3G carriers at all, they're all just a bunch of rubbish.

  • 8 Posted by leamen@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm in Akron, OH. I was with Verizon for 6 years don't remember one dropped call. This really effects future customers for AT&T and Apple, because its my friends and family that are busting a gut because I have to call them back on this IPhone. I'm not having too much trouble with 3G The phone either has service or NOTHING!!!

  • 9 Posted by iinvest on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    After the 2.0.2 update, I've been having problems merging calls (conference call with three people). I used to get 2 bars with 2.0 3G and now with 2.0.2 I get one bar and drop calls using 3G. It all started when AT&T turned on 3G in my area. I used to get 4 bars with Edge connection. At this point 3G is really useless and we are paying extra $10 for useless feature. I had the old iPhone it was $20 a month for unlimited data and there were no problems. Now I'm paying $30 for unlimited data with slower and often times no connection.

  • 11 Posted by john_and_maria_monaghan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    I updated to 2.0.2 2 nights ago. Spent the day yesterday at my house with absolutely no improvement. At one point yesterday, after dropping out of an important call twice, I hung up, grabbed my kids $15 AT&T go phone, and finished the call. The guy on the other end of the line, not recognizing the phone number, asked "what did you do, call from your home phone?" The difference in call quality was that great!!! I was sitting in the exact same spot in my home office I'd been sitting in.... I hope they do something about this, because it's almost embarrassing now to call someone from my iphone.

  • 12 Posted by hnr3@ymail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just finish downloading 2.02 before download I was receiving 3G reception now when I turn on 3G I get the No Service message at the top of my screen. When I turn 3G off I get 5 bars and I am on the E-network. Before I was just getting dropped calls with 3G on. Is this the fix from Apple eliminate 3G entirely form my phone?

  • 13 Posted by tehawsomeness on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    I turned off the 3G feature and I get 5-3 bars inside my house. I only drop calls in my basement. If your going to use the internet connect to your home network or better yet use a computer! Besides, if the 3G chip is too fast for the network it shouldn't even be in the phone to begin with.

  • 14 Posted by jason.lefevers on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am pretty sure that this is NOT an AT&T issue. I have had a few other 3G phones on there network and I've never had poor 3G reception. It's funny how Apple will be the first to run commercials claiming how buggy and unuseable Microsoft's Vista is, but they have the same problems with their hardware and software. Microsoft should make a parody commercial about how Apple is a "do what I say, not what I do" company.

  • 15 Posted by mlee2448@flash.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    Maybe everyone how is having the 3G flip flop problem should move to Aledo, Texas because I don't get 3G at all sometimes a don't even get Edge.

  • 16 Posted by a.lunareclipse on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    It seems that this update which was also supposedly for my 16GB iPhone has the same glitches. I have actually noticed that some of the apps that came with the phone are slower and the touch screen is having some issues. Some of the free apps I downloaded took more than once to download and even then they don't always work. Signal strength has been a little more touchy as well. I think that for the amount of money I spent on this phone (which by the way is ridiculous, especially when I now find out that the new 3G is almost 1/2 the price)the phone & the apps should be working appropriately. If the problems continue to get worse I'm going back to Verizon!!!!

  • 17 Posted by cark@ymail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just updated. I'm sitting in my barn 200' behind and down the hill from my house, I have windows too, and a building made of poplar... duh? Reception is A-OK, i'm enjoying youtube, three email accounts and full blown Safari interface to my earthly being. The reasons for all my joy are that I purchased the IPOD Touch in order to keep Apple from running the more important aspects of my life...I now know I can now trust them to provide entertainment, only.

  • 18 Posted by julie.leatherwood on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    Definitely NO improvement after the update. Had a Samsung Blackjack with excellent 3G reception up until Tue. Pages loaded quickly, no issues with calls, great speed. The iPhone in the exact same location usually will NOT load sites in 3G, and when it does it is extremely slow. All I'm looking for is 1)admitting the problem and 2) some sort of timetable for a solution

  • 19 Posted by danni091965 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm soooo sick of all the dropped calls. Its shameful. Certain apps , completely shut the phone time and the lag time on the keypad is terrible, but the phone still makes me smile.

  • 20 Posted by danni091965 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm soooo sick of all the dropped calls. Its shameful. Certain apps , completely shut the phone time and the lag time on the keypad is terrible, but the phone still makes me smile.

  • 21 Posted by derekjeterkid2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    The 3g iphone is worse for me now than before 2.0.2 as in reception and browsing the internet

  • 22 Posted by robert.temple@rocketmail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hello Iwas thinking of getn the iphone should i hold back till this problem get resolved or wait till the next model of the iphone thats rumored to come out next year with more memory 16gb or 32gb and more features than this iphone 3g in question.

  • 23 Posted by dblock305 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    I haven't downloaded any updates at all since purchasing the iPhone 3G two weeks ago. My first question is do I need to download 2.0.1 before 2.0.2? Second question is should I even download anything if I'm having no problems at all? Thx. -D-

  • 25 Posted by the007nica on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    Since my update, dropped calls have gotten worse. I don't mind the dropped calls as much as the 2 minutes that the iPhone takes to reacquire service after a dropped called. I also now have a significant lag on text messages and e-mails as well. I live in Las Vegas, a flat valley surrounded by mountains. I can't even imagine what reception must be like in flat landscapes.

More Posts: First Prev 1 2 3 Next Last

Post a Comment

Sign In to Post a Comment

My Tech

Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.

Also on Yahoo! Tech

Computers Home Office Wi-Fi & Networking Phones & PDAs Cameras & Camcorders TV & Home Theater Portable Audio
 

Site Map | Tour | Subscribe to Yahoo! Tech

Question and Answer content at Yahoo! Tech is written by Yahoo! users at Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. For more information, read the Full Disclaimer.

Opinions expressed by the Advisors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! receives no compensation from any manufacturer or distributor nor does it compensate any Advisor for the coverage of any product or service in any Advisor's content.