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Consumer Reports: iPhone 4 = FAIL

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,943
13,135
Portland, OR
Why Consumer Reports can't recommend iPhone 4

:rofl:
We reached this conclusion after testing all three of our iPhone 4s (purchased at three separate retailers in the New York area) in the controlled environment of CU's radio frequency (RF) isolation chamber. In this room, which is impervious to outside radio signals, our test engineers connected the phones to our base-station emulator, a device that simulates carrier cell towers. We also tested several other AT&T phones the same way, including the iPhone 3G S and the Palm Pre. None of those phones had the signal-loss problems of the iPhone 4.

Our findings call into question the recent claim by Apple that the iPhone 4's signal-strength issues were largely an optical illusion caused by faulty software that "mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength.
Duct tape WILL fix anything.
We did, however, find an affordable solution for suffering iPhone 4 users: Cover the antenna gap with a piece of duct tape or another thick, non-conductive material. It may not be pretty, but it works. We also expect that using a case would remedy the problem.
 

drkenan

anti-dentite
Oct 1, 2006
3,441
1
west asheville
Ha - I got an iPhone 4 last week and the signal loss issue is definitely real. Doesn't bother me as much as some other ppl though.
 

Runner

Monkey
Sep 21, 2007
377
0
CT
I've had the phone since the morning it came out and as far as I'm concerned the problem only exists on the Internet.
 

Total Heckler

Beer and Bike Enthusiast
Apr 28, 2005
8,171
189
Santa Cruz, CA
I haven't had any issues w/ my iPhone 4, and any headaches so far have been on At&t's side if anything.

My fault for sticking w/ At&t, but the phone so far has been pretty sweet. My friend just got an EVO which is great too, but I think he's experiencing some buyer's remorse.
Yeah, probably because hes on Sprint. The WORST cell reception almost anywhere.

I have been testing the device for the last month. The only handset itself is cool, but VERY limited by the provider.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,943
13,135
Portland, OR
I used a friends Driod this weekend. All I can say is as soon as my AT&T contract is up next month, I'm switching.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,943
13,135
Portland, OR
although it is a obvious problem, CR is the last group of people id listen to on buying something
:stupid:

I have no idea why anyone would listen to an organization that isn't funded at least under the table by the man. :shocked:

<edit> Fox News says the iPhone 4 is teh awesome. Sorry for trusting CR before asking Fox for my viewpoint.
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/06/24/iphone-review-best-smartphone-on-market

In the dozen or so calls I made with the phone in New York City, both indoors and outside, I didn't drop any calls.
Wow, in "the dozen or so calls", now THAT'S a TRUE stress test.
 
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Toshi

Harbinger of Doom
Oct 23, 2001
38,037
7,554
Didn't they rush the iphone to market because that doofus left a prototype in a bar?
Uh, each new one comes out in June/July. I think sticking to that schedule is independent of the lost prototype.
 

I Are Baboon

The Full Dopey
Aug 6, 2001
32,383
9,289
MTB New England
Someone will need to explain to me why Consumer Reports can't be trusted...


Let me proactively throw out this smiley in anticipation of the responses.... :tinfoil:
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,943
13,135
Portland, OR
Someone will need to explain to me why Consumer Reports can't be trusted... :tinfoil:
That was my point. My folks read and bought religiously based on CR ratings and have never been disappointed. I don't subscribe or anything, but I do look at ratings there from time to time.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,943
13,135
Portland, OR
its also useful for looking into what items NOT to buy
Agreed, like the 98% of American cars they fail every year :rofl:

<edit> I get it, IH8Rice owned a Suzuki Samurai. It all makes sense now. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
 
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IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
Agreed, like the 98% of American cars they fail every year :rofl:

<edit> I get it, IH8Rice owned a Suzuki Samurai. It all makes sense now. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
i particularly point my finger at their review of tv's or any consumer electronics. they gave my old company's set a "best buy" moniker, when the tv was a overpriced POS. they give other tv's good ratings when they also look like crap, but yet the amazing looking sets do not get mentioned.


their car reviews are a whole other story too.

and no, i have never, nor will ever own a Japanese car.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,943
13,135
Portland, OR
i particularly point my finger at their review of tv's or any consumer electronics. they gave my old company's set a "best buy" moniker, when the tv was a overpriced POS. they give other tv's good ratings when they also look like crap, but yet the amazing looking sets do not get mentioned.


their car reviews are a whole other story too.

and no, i have never, nor will ever own a Japanese car.
They recommended both my TV and receiver and I'm happy.

It's called "Consumer Report" not "A/V-phile Monthly". I don't just buy blindly based on what I read. But I do look at their best buy options first and compare. They often don't test higher end stuff, but they usually get a good cross section of a given vertical.
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
Consumer Reports is despised because they remove the "it looks cool" factor from their observations. No points for show. All points given for go.

Case in point:

Ferrari. How many of you asshats would buy one based solely on looks and monster engine if you could and strap a bike rack on top. Pretty sure as a bike shuttle consumer reports wouldn't let it fly, and they'd be right. Doesn't mean you wouldn't buy it though.
 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,573
24,192
media blackout
Consumer Reports is despised because they remove the "it looks cool" factor from their observations. No points for show. All points given for go.

Case in point:

Ferrari. How many of you asshats would buy one based solely on looks and monster engine if you could and strap a bike rack on top. Pretty sure as a bike shuttle consumer reports wouldn't let it fly, and they'd be right. Doesn't mean you wouldn't buy it though.
huh. that explains why they never ask if rootbeer is an available colorway or speculate upon the rigidity of items.
 

Big J

Monkey
Jul 18, 2005
421
0
Chicago
I would like to thank everyone that pre-ordered the iphone 4G. Also, current sales are keeping us super busy so thanks again.

The haters can always get a job w/ the FCC.....the Fed is the only growth business at this time.

J