iPhone 3G Glitches Stemming from Hardware?

By Geoff Duncan August 14, 2008

iPhone 3G Glitches Stemming from Hardware?

Since going on sale in the U.S. on July 11, some users of Apple’s new iPhone 3G have complained of weak and even non-existent 3G service, even in areas where 3G phones from other manufacturers have access to strong connectivity. Although many iPhone users report no unexpected problems with 3G connectivity, Apple’s support forums are rife with complaints about poor broadband performance, and the complains seem to come from many countries where the iPhone 3G is available, including Japan, the U.K., France, and (of course) the United States.

Now Sweden’s leading engineering and technology newspaper Ny Teknik claims (Swedish) it knows why: it claims that tests conducted by (unspecified) experts found that signals from the iPhone 3G antenna can be quite weak, which would result in poor or no connectivity to 3G phone networks. Ny Teknik claims the signal levels are well below that specified for 3G connectivity by the International Telecommunications Union, and likely result from incorrect adjustments between the 3G antenna and the amplifier.

Some iPhone 3G users are also complaining of dropped voice calls and lower-than-expected battery life.

Industry watchers say the connectivity problems could have a number of causes, from issues with carrier networks to a batch of substandard parts built into some iPhones. Faulty components have plagued mobile phones in the past: Motorola’s initial release of the popular RAZR phone had to be recalled because of reception problems.

Apple has yet to publicly comment on Ny Teknik‘s analysis; Apple spokesperson Natalie Kerris recommended to the AP that users regularly update their devices via iTunes to take advantage of any new software updates for the iPhone that might be released.

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Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

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