Samsung Captivate/Vibrant Caught in Grip of Death

July 16, 2010 By Geoff Duncan

Apple is taking heat for reception problems with the iPhone 4, but guess what? Looks like Samsung's Galaxy S Android-based phones have a very similar issue.

The “grip of death” antenna issue with the Apple iPhone 4 has become a bit of a PR albatross on the device’s back. Apple has (correctly) pointed out that a number of phones from a broad range of manufacturers also exhibit significant signal loss when held in particular ways—there’s just no denying that putting a big insulator like a hand or a skull right next to a small radio is going to cause some signal loss. Similar signal loss has been demonstrated with Apple’s previous iPhone 3GS model, as well as phones from the likes of HTC, Nokia, and RIM.

Now it seems Samsung’s new line of Galaxy S Android-based smartphones aren’t immune either: according to Information Week, both the Samsung Vibrant (available on T-Mobile) and Samsung Captivate (available on AT&T) exhibit very similar “grip of death” signal loss when held with either the left or right hand around the bottom of the phone. The author of the article reports the phones drop from three or four signal bars to zero in the space of a few seconds when held in this seemingly ordinary way, and regain signal when the grip is released.

The article notes that neither phone dropped a call while in the “grip of death,” and the author was still able to send text messages in that state. But on the other hand, the author also notes he has never lost a call or data connection with the iPhone 4′s “grip of death” either.

Showing 23 comments

logan at 10:26am 15th October 2010 great review. love my captivates. great unlocked cell phones. processor is faster, it's lighter and easy to navigate. fits right in my pocket and the apps, games, and all that is great. keeps me busy! much better than my old unlocked blackberry phones. gps and email are great for my business and keeping in touch with my clients. got our blackberry unlock codes and cell phone unlock codes for free! facebook and games are fun, it's like my own little computer for everything I need! speaker phone is loud enough and the web browser is great for my fantasy team. got our last couple unlocked samsung phones at unlockthatphone.com 2 thumbs way up
jbm at 10:14am 1st October 2010 To all of those having no bars, while not even holding the phone, I found a way to make it work. When I turn off my 3G, the phone works just fine. It has all of its bars now. It makes the phone work, however, I don't think that I should have to give up my 3G to make the phone work....
Bry at 7:38am 18th August 2010 I have had the Vibrant since day one and really haven't had any issues with it besides the GPS issue. I think Samsung is going in the right direction here with this phone. The processor is supper fast and is one of the best phones on the market at this time. I also have the reception issue only when I take my case off the phone and I touch the bottom by mistake, but I never drop calls like I did when I was with AT&T three years back. As you can see nothing has change from then to now with the there crappy service and boged down network. If you are still on the fence about getting this phone just do it.
bwrandon at 2:21am 4th August 2010 I have the captivate and aside from smothering it in vaseline and shoving it in my special cavity I haven't been able to replicate the dropped signal issue. I have had problems where I cover the microphone when i brace the phone from the bottom with my pinky. In this case, I AM holding it wrong
Kevin at 11:13pm 22nd July 2010 I have the same dropping bar issue, does not batter how I hold it or leave it on the desk, it shows No bars most of times, but did not drop the calls ,YET. I have noticed when I sync with facebook, most of time, it says connect error? why is that?
asuclay at 5:17pm 20th July 2010 I have been with T-Mobile for 6 years and Love Tmobile and do not like the Iphone but I just picked up my Vibrant and Love it. Beautiful look and I don't miss my G1's keyboard as much as I thought, BUT I have had the Reception problem sometimes when not even holding it. I had to send a text multiple times just to get it through. I'm hoping there is a fix.
1. guest at 12:18pm 9th August 2010 same here!!
Josh Kirschner at 7:29pm 17th July 2010 Too many people are focusing on the "bars". What's relevant is not dropping bars, but dropping calls. While almost every other cell phone, including the Samsung Vibrant will have signal reduction depending on where you put your hands, none seems to have the dropped call issues of the iPhone 4. We did an analysis of the issue on our site and created a video where you can plainly see the Vibrant's ability to make calls even with "less than zero" bars: http://www.techlicious.com/blog/samsung-vibrant-a...
mike at 5:52pm 17th July 2010 the writer is an APPLE CHEERLEADER. GO APPLE GO !!!! LOL
Olegreg at 4:34am 17th July 2010 I love people say "Hold it normally". Normal for me is different may not be normal for you. I demonstrated this with a co worker today we both have 3GS's and we hold our phones completely different. I have a open grip while he hasa more grip of death on his. And even nokia has agreed with apples claims so stop being a hater and be glad that the iPhone is owned by an American company the same with Android. To each his own and long live compition cuz the consumer is the winner.
1. DeeMoe at 5:07pm 18th July 2010 That is hilarious that you site the comparison to Nokia... WOW Nokia, they are awesome... OH WAIT... it's not 1982 anymore !!
Apollogenx at 1:58am 17th July 2010 Yeah, the iphone slows down and DROPS CALLS. Clearly fan boys are just trying to manufacture a story when there isn't one.
adrenalynn at 1:30am 17th July 2010 Bahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahaha! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PwnBhCIy0s No one cares about the Vibrant because like 10 people bought it.
1. athree at 3:27am 17th July 2010 Did you watch the whole thing? He does a speed test and it runs virtually the same. He had to squeeze the phone as tight as he could to get the bars to decrease. And of course not many people have the phone yet, it's not even out.
Starter at 1:16am 17th July 2010 This phone does have issues... There's a weird problem where if I "place a phone call" to someone, I will first hear a ringing tone, and then when they answer, I will hear their voice clearly, and they will hear mine clearly... And it will stay that way indefinitely, until one of us hangs up... This could be very alarming for someone used to the iPhone. Another hassle is that Samsung insists on "trying to sell" the phone by offering it on a variety of networks, rather the more consumer-friendly approach of hoarding it with a single terrible provider. Again, a strange choice, almost as if Samsung had the bizarre notion to design a good product, make sure it works, and then sell it to anyone who wants to buy it. Weird. Finally, the use of Droid OS means that apps and accessories will be a truly "free market", which sucks for most people who prefer to have a giant corporation micro-manage what they can and cannot have on their phones based on what will cost them the most... I'm not sure what the hell I'm supposed to do with all the money that will save me... What a pain in the ass. This phone has no grip of death issues. Apple fanboys are getting a little too corny...
1. eman at 12:37pm 24th August 2010 "Good one" Hahahaha
Tim at 12:52am 17th July 2010 Yeah, I often cup the phone in my hand and use my phone looking like someone without opposable thumbs, the basis for this article is a joke, no question the iphoneys are looking to lash out, I've already had hands on the Galaxy at the Detroit show and it impresses very much, not an alternative to an iphone but a better choice period.
guest at 12:34am 17th July 2010 lol the writer is an apple fanboy
Dave Just at 5:23pm 16th July 2010 I am currently using the vibrant and I was testing out the "grip of death". I seem to only loose signal if I touch the very bottom of the phone. Touching the sides of the phone and holding it normally does not affect signal when touching the bottom of the phone I go from four bars to zero. However even with zero bars i can still send and receive data and make calls etc.
1. Galaxyfreak at 3:02am 17th July 2010 Yes, I also experience the same thing. It only has the issue if you hold the very bottom. I would not call it a death grip -- death cuff would be more appropriate. But no issues in connections/call quality, not like my wife's iphone 4.
Apollogenx at 11:57pm 16th July 2010 This article is BS and clearly an Apple fan trying to spread rumors. Lame.
Tom Pajak at 6:11pm 16th July 2010 Is it me or does the Galaxy S look similar to the iPhone 4??...with the same issue to boot??...wanna blame the reception problem on software Steve Jobs???? because Im pretty sure the Galaxy S isn't running iOS4
1. matt at 2:07am 17th July 2010 Sorry Apollogenx. The signal drops completely on my new vibrant when held near the bottom. No doubt useful for Apple fans to point out.