Still No Fix for iPhone 4 Proximity Sensor
While Apple’s new iPhone 4 has been crawling through the ‘Antennagate’ media gauntlet for its signal attenuation problems, an even more serious one has been kicked to the back burner. A surprising number of the new smartphones have a problem with their proximity sensors. I first mentioned the problem nearly a month ago here, and back then it did not seem like that big of a deal—certainly nothing as bad as the antenna issue. Fast forward to the present and the problem seems to be spiraling out of control.
The iPhone’s proximity sensor tells the phone when to turn off the touchscreen when you bring it close to your ear while making a call. Without the sensor, your ears can bump the screen and push buttons. This can result in you hanging up, muting someone or even dialing another number. The defective units do not turn off the touchscreen 100% of the time or sometimes reactivate it in the middle of a call.
Apple’s own forums are exploding with comments about the proximity sensor problem. The thread about the problem is already much more popular than the one about ‘Antennagate.’ In fact, even two PCWorld editors have had the problem themselves. One even had to get three replacement iPhone 4s.
While Apple CEO Steve Jobs did mention the problem during his recent press conference to allay worries about the iPhone 4’s antenna design and promise everyone free rubber cases, his statement was less than reassuring. He said that Apple would try to fix the proximity sensors via a software update. iOS 4 has already seen its first update. Why did this “fix” not make it into that one? Is this just apple posturing and pretending like usual that the iPhone 4 has no problems? It makes you wonder exactly how many units are defective in one way or another that Apple shipped.
Having problems with your iPhone 4’s proximity sensor? Angry? Think that a software fix is just a pipedream? Let everyone know and tell us how the defective sensor is affecting your smartphone experience.
Tags: proximity sensor, defective, apple iphone 4
same as my iphone 4 it always go on loudspeaker or mute, when the screen touches my ears. we got three iphones and they are all like this but mine is the worsed.
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The proximity sensor on my iphone 4 just activated itself while I am on a call…ANY call. Out of the corner of my eye I can see the screen come on and then immediately go off..and then it comes on again and stays on and then goes off. This happens throughout the entire length of the call. This in addition to an issue I had when looking through my pictures. I began deleting some of them and the screen would go black and then pop up another picture from my library all the while the spinning wheel and a message saying “Saving Photo” would come on screen and not go away. Then there would be black boxes in my picture library when I checked my photographs. I just got this thing TWO days ago!!
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on my second iphone…..proximity sensor bad on first one….worse on second one…..have three friends with same problem….class action???
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Beta 2 and finally beta 3 have brought conclusion to this issue. May it rest in peace in the bowels of Earth. 4.1 is coming….
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iPhone4 proximity sensor driving you batty? There’s an app for that!
its is “Call Guard” By Carlos Ribas
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very nice. wk
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I’m on my 3rd iPhone 4 and all of em have had the issue so it’s either a small software issue or a massive recall hardware issue.. I’m in the developer program so I’m tempted to install 4.1 beta 3 as I’m hearing reports that the 4.1 beta 3 fix the proximity sensor issues but I want to be really sure at this point before I do it because my phone is jailbroken and unlocked and if I update to the beta I’ll lose my unlock because it updates the baseband and even if I downgrade I’ll be able to jailbreak it again but I’ll lose the unlock because the baseband will stay the same. I’m on AT&T but I like to have em unlocked so if and when I sell it it will be worth more and available to tmobile users as well. But at this point I’m almost tempted to sacrafice my jailbreak the problem is so bad. My only other hope is that someone will release a patch through cydia for everyone that is jailbroke and stuck at 4.0.1
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I replaced my first ip4 due to proximity sensor problems. My second ip4 has gone on hold and speaker during calls in first 2 days.
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I currently own an iPhone 3gs- Live in Maryland and have NEVER had a dropped call.
Have numerous friends that have purchased the iPhone 4 (all upgrades from the 3gs)- all have told me they are having more dropped calls with their new phones. I even tried to make a call from my office (to same number) with a co-worker at my office. My 3gs- no problem. His 4- phone connected and then lost call twice!
This is a real problem- Apple is just ignoring the issue (they finally admitted the antenna issue was real- after Steve Jobs insisting previously is was not an issue).
Then during the last conference- Steve the liar admits there is a proximity sensor issue and that the problem will be fixed with the next OS update. Surprise- nothing has been done!
Face it folks- Steve Jobs is a f-ing jerk- he does not give a sh*t about his customers- all he cares about is making more money for himself- I have lost all respect for this company.
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Taking phone back IF 4.1 does not fix proximity problem. Have had problem from day 1. Was told can replace after 30 day return period expires.
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I’m in the exact same position as Bob is and this totally BITES!! What sucks the MOST is that we have to put up with this CRAP because we’re all ‘fanboys’ and love apple products hence our loyaty-which is being stepped on without regard now and as soon as someone else makes an at least as good as phone, I will jump this apple ship lickety split because I’m SICK of their fn arrogance- ie ‘if u don’t like it,return it’ attitude. How bout this apple?- We do LIKE it obviously by your sales figures so why don’t you FIX IT!!? Instead of acting like we re stupid drones, get real and be honest and fix it recall it or exchange for one that works. It’s called customer service. You made a DEFECTIVE product that if it were any other company would have bankrupted them if they acted as you are. You have loyal customers who are only gonna take so much of your lying bs so I advise you to get with it soon because their are many people I know of who are VERY close to giving you a collective middle finger. I hope you are listening because you have a superior product WHEN IT WORKS but when it doesn’t your customer service BITES!!!!!!!!!
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Well, as of today I am on my 4th iPhone 4. *This time, I made the Genius give me a fresh, unopened 32GB model right from the box. I made only one call so far and… the issue is actually worse than my #3 swap. I am past the 30-day return window so, no whining from me. That being said; allow me to try to bottom line this:
1. ALL iPhone 4s have the issue, some people just don’t realize it (yet).
2. The sensor was moved ABOVE the speaker -and- it also doubles as the ambient light sensor.
3. It is set to “trip” at about 3/4″ -and- the problem seems to be that (it) constantly creates a new “distance point”/ re-calibration as you move it around your head.
**If iOS 4.1 does not really fix this, then Apple has a serious bag of PR hurt coming it’s way. Of course, they will do the right thing in the end, but for this to have slipped by their field testing is truly unbelievable… as in: I do not believe it!
Lastly, I think the odds are pretty good that Steve himself has had the issue. I can’t imagine him being too thrilled about it.
This is amazing.
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Had the problem since my very first phone call. Found the gigantic thread on the Apple support forums. I tried every suggested ‘fix’ including a restore, and still have the problem. Called AppleCare right after the press conference since it appears that Apple likes to look at the numbers of users calling in with particular problems. I got a horrible rep who didn’t even tell me all of my options until I told her that I read on the forums that I had other options. Only THEN did she tell me that a new handset could be rushed out to me right away instead of one only being sent 14 days after I sent my ‘defective’ one in! She didn’t seem to care that my iPhone is my only phone. I’m in grad school, so I know I’m not the only one, lol!
What’s even worse is that the whole reason why she told me I could send my phone in in the first place was because it was a hardware issue. Well, I made this call AFTER the press conference, so I politely reminded her that the CEO of her company said it was a software issue. She just said “well, it’s not software if you did the restore and it didn’t fix it.” I was like uuuuuhhhh…he also mentioned a software update was coming but he didn’t know when. Yeah…
So then, I asked her how to return the phone (I live hours away from the nearest Apple store) just in case the software update doesn’t come out until after my 30 day return period ends. She had no idea how. She transferred me. Facepalm.
This has been a miserable experience. First with the product, and then with the customer service. The phone is going back in 1 and 1/2 weeks if there is no fix. Will buy another product. I can’t even go back to my old 3G because it was crippled by the iOS4 update. This whole experience has been unbelievable.
Bad show, Apple!
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Wouldn’t a Software issue affect everyone? If its a bug in the software then everyone should experience the issue.
I called applecare, they told me right away, “WOW sir you need a new phone, it shouldn’t do that, I’ll make an appointment for you, just bring it in and we will replace it”
I got out of work early, showed up, sat at the genius bar for 30 min for them to say,
“Apple is telling us that this will be fixed with a software update. I could give you a new phone, but its probably going to happen with the new one to and we will just have to keep giving you new phones. Wait for the update, and if it doesn’t fix it, come back and we will replace it for you”
I have been a HUGE Apple Supporter for a long time, but I’ve seen a change in the company that I do not like.
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I traded my 4 because it’s unclear why the sensor doesn’t work. Apple has turned this release into a monster Debacle. But now that my girlfriend broke her front screen and slivers of glass is cutting her hand. Apple didn’t think that it may need some sort of lamination. I’m curious because she had a screen protector but AppleCare told her that’s why her proximity sensor was malfunctioning. Not sure if that would have stopped the screen from breaking. But at least she wouldn’t have to pull glass from her hand. Nice job Apple.
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I had the same issue with the proxymity sensor on my iPhone 4. After calling apple twice I decided to return the phone and wait for them to fix the issue. I went back to my 3 gs and I have no issues with the sensor. I hope only enough people will decide to return their phones so apple will step down from their arrogant pedestal and fix this hardware issue.
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The phone is not fit for use. The proximity sensor issue interrupts the majority of my calls, and roughly 1/5 of them get dropped. For Apple to sell this junk to people like me who need to use their phones as part of their livelihood is appalling. This is one class action suit that has real merit. The central legal standard is that products should be “fit for intended use.” IPhone 4 is not.
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Why exchange your handset if they are telling you it is a software problem?
Sounds like people who have scratched iPhones trying to get replacements.
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I’m on my 3rd iP4 as well for prox problem. 3rd one is better than the last one and MUCH better than the launch day model. I’m thinking it’s HW at this point, as the last genius used a micro flashlight to show me how his co worker’s iP4 has lighter colored glass (over the prox sensor) than mine… the 2 available replacements had glass as dark as mine. If iOS4.1 doesn’t fix it, we return them until we get one that works. Apple’s silence is becoming quite concerning. Unacceptable for a $300 phone. I agree it is a faulty sensor in several launch “batches”.
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Keep your phones…if it is a harware problem, after the software fix comes out you will be able to exchange the phone. I returned my 3gs one day before the iphone 4 came out that way, I could give my wife a “new” 3gs after I bought the new iPhone 4. If the software fix does not work…you will get one that does work as long as it is returned within the first year.
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It is not a software problem. My IPhone 4 was a nightmare; I could not use it as a phone – had to use speaker phone of earwig. I returned my for full refund and strongly recommend to anyone else having this problem with the screen proximity sensor to take your phone back. A software patch if not going to fix it; if anything they will simply reduce your screen’s overall sensitivity. Apple’s response to this and other IPhone 4 related problems should be enough for any reasonable person to be upset enought to return their phone.
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They’re lying to you, don’t take no for an answer. You have a legal right to exchange defective HARDWARE, as they’re TRYING to create a software fix. As long as you’re in the 30 day window, it shouldn’t make a damn difference. They tried hassling me, but I forced them into 2 exchanges, and ultimately a return.
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I’ve had the proximity sensor problem from day 1; it affects the majority of my calls. I NEVER had an issue with my 3G or 3GS.
I find it interesting that only SOME iPhone 4 owners have problems. This tells me it could be a hardware issue; maybe a small batch of sensors were bad?
Will a software update fix the issue if only a few have a hardware problem? I would think not. Maybe that’s why Apple is being VERY quiet about the supposed “software fix”.
I went back to AT&T and he said they couldn’t do anything about; I had to contact Apple. He was kind enough to call the local Apple Store and they said I COULD NOT get a new phone; I had to wait for the “software fix”.
I call AppleCare and was told it was a major issue for them and a fix was in the works. He didn’t know when. I asked about getting a new phone and he said if I went to the Apple Store they would replace it, I told him what they said on the phone and said that was not correct.
I went to the Genius Bar yesterday, explained my problem and he said a “software fix” was coming. He didn’t know when. He did not initiate an offer to exchange my phone. When I asked if I could exchange it he said OK, BUT I would forfeit the ability to return it to AT&T within the 30 day refund period, It was either a “take it or leave it” situation. I didn’t take the exchange. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I have 10 days to decide if I want a refund or wait for the “software fix”
I’ve been a loyal MacHead for 20 years, and what frustrates me the most is that Apple is not being honest about what is going on regarding this issue. I find it VERY hard to believe that if a software update would fix the problem it would have been done by now. This why I think it’s hardware only affecting a percentage of phones.
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