Tricks To Help Your iPhone 3G Reception Problems, Or At Least Make You Feel Better
While Jesse James and Den Den had the fortitude to go out and win themselves an iPhone 3G at launch, I'm still waiting for the crowds to die down and the inventory to go up here in NYC before I do anything that will involve me standing on the street in late July, which is even less pleasant here in the city. Especially in midtown, where most of the stock seems to end up. (shudder.)
But here are a few tips that will supposedly ameliorate any 3G reception or signal strength problems you might have.
iPhone Atlas posits that the iPhone isn't aggressive enough in its supposed ability to switch back from a 3G to a 2G network when 3G signal strength goes wonky, and that it's this failure that's at the heart of these connection woes we're seeing.
But beyond switching off 3G entirely, which is just depressing, you can do a few things that might help. Some are the garden variety solutions that probably won't help, and which you've probably already given a shot if you're having problems: reset/restore the phone, reset the network settings, or reseat your SIM card.
But some second-tier fixes could be worth trying: Replace your SIM card - mine still says "Omnipoint," which gives you an idea of how SIM cards can linger for decades. Tape your SIM card to rid yourself of concerns that your SIM card's physical contact can use some assistance. It's reported to work the occasional wonder, but it also might void your warranty. Give the iPhone a full charge just in case, or buy a signal booster like zBoost, which at $250 is almost as bad as buying a new phone. When all else fails, exchange your iPhone for a new one.
Boosting iPhone 3G signal strength [iPhone Atlas]
tiny dancer
Posted to Hot Stuff, In the News on 24 July 2008
· Comments (2)
Other stuff like this: iphone 3g, reception problems, tips and tricks
Within one hour of its unboxing, The One became the undisputed ruler of Tiny's entire home. Buy this or despair.
There is always the option of, you know, turning 3g off unless you need to use the internet.
My iphone 3g does seem to have trouble with cutting signals, but it goes away almost entirely when I turn of 3g. Then, if I'm not in a Wifi Zone or know I'm in a 3g zone, I just turn it back on. Its simply WAY too easy to turn 3g on and off to discount it.
Also, is this something that could eventually be solved with a software update? Or is it entirely with the hardware?
@MarsAttack I think it's kinda both. A software update could fix this issue in general, but the real question is why this doesn't happen to all the 3G iPhones, which leads me to think it's a hardware problem too.