Consumer Reports has tested the iPhone 4 with cell tower simulations. They found that the loss of signal aka death grip is a true problem especially for left-handed people therefore they wrote, "the signal can significantly degrade enough to cause you to lose your
connection altogether if you're in an area with a weak signal. Due to
this problem, we can't recommend the iPhone 4.
Consumer Reports also found Apple's claim that the signal bars were wrongly calculated was bogus.
They found a way to fix the lower-left antenna corner issue, "Cover the antenna gap with a piece of duct tape or another thick,
non-conductive material."
Although iPhone 4 was on the top of their smartphone rating due to these
issues they do not recommend it.
The do continue to recommend the
iPhone 3GS. Wireless and Mobile News' "Review of Reviews" of the
iPhone 4 (AT&T) showed many good features, but also concerns
for the limited data plans as well as signal attenuation.
The
iPhone 4 had problems with
slow uploads. Apple reported that they were stunned with the
south-paw attenuation/death grip and there was problem with signal bars
that would be fixed with a
software update.On almost every cell phone there can be signal degradation from hands
blocking the antenna. We posted several videos that show
signal attenuation. If was previously reported that electrical tape did not solve the "death grip" gripe.
More articles in the iPhone Category.