iPhone 4 signal problemsIf iPhone 4 signal problems have been bothering you and you were planning on popping into the Apple Store to complain, we can save you some time. Instructions for Apple employees on how to deal with iPhone 4 signal problems have leaked online. Two things stand out: there’s no chance of you getting a free Bumper case for your iPhone 4 and there’s no mention of that iPhone 4  software fix we’d heard whispers of.

We got official iPhone 4 signal advice from Apple when the issue first came to light and that boiled down to: hold it differently. The AppleCare support document grabbed by Boy Genius Report sticks to that position advising Apple reps to tell customers: “The iPhone 4’s wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped.”

The Apple document goes on to note (correctly) that “gripping almost any mobile in certain places will reduce its reception”. Then there’s the official advice for both iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS owners on where you shouldn’t put your hand if you want to avoid hampering the signal.

For the iPhone 3GS, Apple says you shouldn’t cover the bottom-right side. For the iPhone 4, it’s “the black strip in the lower-left corner of the metal band” that you need to avoid.

The stand out paragraph of the Apple troubleshooting guide though is the final point which declares (in bold and with capitals): “We ARE NOT appeasing customers with free bumpers – DON’T promise a free bumper to customers.”

So while Apple has stated that a rubber case that covers the metal band like its own Bumper cases could reduce iPhone 4 signal problems, it’s not going to be handing them out free. And it’s not telling customers that a software fix is on the way either.

Have you heard anything different from Apple? And are you planning on shelling out £25 for a Bumper case? How well do you think Apple has handled the iPhone 4 launch?

If you haven’t decided whether to pick up iPhone 4 yet, make sure you take a gander at our comprehensive iPhone 4 review.

Out now | £varies | Apple (via Boy Genius Report)

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  • RobHWales

    It's not the fact that there is a problem that bothers me as much as the complete denial. There obviously is an issue of some sort – hardware, software who knows but this blatant denial and the level of seemingly callous arrogance is not good PR

    All the phones that I tried in my local Apple store exhibited the signal drop, on two different networks, friends who have taken the plunge are experiencing dropped calls, and the pages and pages of discussion posts on Apple's support boards show that many people are experiencing problems. And the most damaging thing is that the people who are complaining are Apple fans – these are people who queue up to buy an Apple product – just incredible.

    I'm holding off buying until this is sorted, and so are 80% of the people I know who would have bought it by now but havent – and let's face it, you cant buy one at the moment as nobody has any stock!

  • James Holland

    I love the shouty bold bit. Not sure whether Apple Store employees work on commission or not, but that would explain why they might give away a bumper, to guarantee a higher value sale, no? At the same time, that would send “the wrong message”.

  • iPhone4aDecentHandset

    Google fixed a minor quirk with 3G signal, while Apple denies an major design flaw. So much for the whole argument about Apple's iron fist control resulting in a better product.

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