My iPhone has been truly sucking lately.
I can't get decent signal anywhere, well over 1/2 of my calls drop, yesterday I listened in on 3 other conversations when my own conversation suddenly switched to someone else's, it's been really bad, and I've been getting really annoyed.

My husband suggested turning off the 3G network, and he was right!
We were in the Mac store a few hours later, and we heard someone in there complaining about the SAME stuff. The "genious" said he should turn off the 3G network because it's having problems w/the iPhone lately. He said Apple's working on a firmware update to fix it. For now, turn off the 3G in your general settings, and your phone will be more reliable. BUT, then I found THIS CNet article, and it says Apple is refusing to admit a problem. GRRRRRRRRR And it looks like, from that article, that it may NOT be solved by a firmware update!
I need to get my booty into an AT&T store and make sure I let them know that I'm having these troubles, and get a log of it somewhere.

I turned off 3G, and the phone seems better. I turn back on 3G when I want to use data. It's a PITA, but at least I'm not dropping calls all the time!

Now, I want Apple to give me a refund for the stupid 3G data plan that I HAD TO SIGN UP FOR with this new phone -- increasing my monthly bill in exchange for supposedly a wonderful 3G network. They're also going to have to pay for a new TV soon, too, because the next time I see one of those TV ads about the wonderful 3G network (twice as fast, twice as great, blahblahblah), I may just throw my remote at the screen!

I still love the phone, and the 3G's great for data.
But I'm no Machead who's going to cover my eyes and ears and go on and on about the magesty & glory of Apple and the iPhone! This truly sucks, and I'm not happy that I was forced into paying MORE for 3G, and the geniouses at the Mac store tell me I have to TURN IT OFF to make my phone work right!

~Carey

Agreed, I've been looking into getting the new one but reviews LIKE THIS are making me proud of the "ole' an trusty"

Jon

Believe it or not AT&T let me out of my contract no questions asked...no early termination fee. Just see you later. When I first got my lovely iPhone it worked great for a month or so, but all of a sudden nothing...dropped calls, the dreaded no signal, and just plain sucky reception. Sent it back and forth to Apple 3 times new phone, refeb phone same stuff. Apple said it was AT&T...AT&T said it was Apple. So in the end I sold it on ebay for $5 less than I paid new 1 week before the new info on the 3G (twice as fast half the price) came out. Lucky me! I loved the iPhone and hope that someday everything gets ironed out(like a Verizon iPhone), so I can get another one.

Ack I'm glad I'm not the only one having these issues! And in San Diego too. I had that conversation switching thing too the other day and it really weirded me out!

I'm having issues with my phone actually ringing when someone calls me too...and it's not on silent. It just won't show or sound the ring, but when I go back to the home screen it shows a missed call.

It's really REALLY starting to irritate me.

Now I'm glad I waited... My 'old' 4GB model is a slow with all the new software, but it's still working as well as ever from a 'phone' POV.

Where I live in South Carolina I am on the southernmost 3g tower in my area. As far as service goes, I really haven't had any issues. I did switch my phone off of 3g the other day and the signal got a lot stronger.

That really stinks that you San Diego people are having issues where you are hearing other people talking. Hopefully that isn't a nationwide or worldwide problem. I know I'm really loving my iphone 3g so far.

No issues here, but that's because I live in an area without 3G coverage (contrary to the map on AT&T's site).

My only problem so far has been with the location services which don't work reliably (although seem to work better with 3G off?) Everything else has been fine, so far. Hopefully the issues you're having will get worked out as well!

Yep, and on that same note... SIMPLY KEEP 3G OFF AND YOUR PHONE WILL BE FINE!!! Everyone complains and complains and says the iphone sucks simply because of poor 3G reception (which may or may not be AT&T's fault) but don't say that the phone sucks as a whole because of that one little thing. EDGE is fine, the signal is excellent and the iphone hands down blows any competition out of the water.

To all potential iPhone buyers - Don't let these reviews prevent you from buying one - you won't regret the purchase!

My big beef is that I was REQUIRED and FORCED to pay for 3G service, and I have to turn it OFF to have the phone work well enough to use.

This is true... however many people who don't live in 3G coverage areas (like me) still have to pay for the 3G plan even if we don't use it....

Honestly the extra $10 a month isn't a big deal to me, but it does suck to have spotty 3G coverage, even in 3G areas... my 2G service is MUCH better even in 3G areas... doesn't really make sense.

I personally blame AT&T for simply not having enough network coverage yet.

If you read the news articles about this (like the one I linked to in my original post up there), you'll see that it may not be AT&Ts fault. There is evidence coming out that it's Apple's hardware or firmware that's not functioning properly in the 3G areas.
People have taken the 3G SIM cards out of their iPhones and put them into other phones, and they've gotten better & more reliable performance in the same area.

Apple will point the finger at AT&T, and AT&T will point the finger at Apple. I wish someone would just admit to the problem AND FIX IT.

It might be a fatal flaw in the hardware:

Cnet - Analyst: Infineon chipset possible cause of iPhone 3G issues

In which case Apple could be in for a pretty rocky ride if it's not firmware fixable....

Have had no problems here either in the good ole STL.....loving my iPhone every day.

good to know. i've been having some issues like that, like crazy. I thought my phone was just quirky.

Mine is rockin!

So don't come a knock'n....

Mine pretty much drops calls CONSTANTLY.. I have to dial a number 3, 4, TEN times before it'll go through.

I absolutely LOVE the phone, but that is just unacceptable.

Jon

Thats cause you live in Pennsiltucky

Turn off 3G and see how it does over the period of a few days to a week... I bet you'll have much better luck.

To turn off 3G go into the iPhone Settings, tap General then Network and set "Enable 3G" to "Off"

The phone will then be forced to use the 2G network which at this time gets much better signal strength and is much more reliable.

That's my thing too. I absolutely ADORE my iPhone and would buy it again in a heartbeat! But it just irritates me that I have to pay more for something I can't even use. It's not the $10, that doesn't really bother me, it's the principle of the thing.

You CAN use it... anywhere that there's a 3G network available. When you travel somewhere with 3G, you're going to use it... thats what you pay for.

There may be an end is sight.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/08...ate_report.html

I keep 3G off for the most part and only turn it on when I need it. 90% of the time I have wifi access and i rarely use the internet when I don't. For those times that I do need it, its there and I can switch it on in seconds.

To me, it doesn't make sense to keep 3G constantly running. It kills the battery because its constantly check the signal strength, determining if it should be using 3G or EDGE.

Yup, I can use it here in my 3G area.
And I'll hear other people's conversations, drop 90% of my calls, not get any signal at my desk or anywhere in my house. ahhh, the wonderful 3G network. SO worth the money.

The phone sucks. The phone sucks. The phone sucks.

I've decided that you annoy me.

Exactly.

Maybe Phoenix is immune to the problems facing everyone else, but i have had absolutely no problem with my iPhone3g. The calls sound way better than when I was on verizon, and while I would like to have more bars in some places when under 3G, I haven't had any issues with download speeds.

I did turn off 3G as a test and found that my battery lasted a little longer, but that's pretty much it.

Bahahahaha....

Well see the weird thing for me is that it was fine for the whole first month and just lately, like the past 2 weeks, I started having these problems. It really kinda threw me for a loop. Count yourself lucky you're not having problems. Yet. haha

Wait just a second here....

Apple is shouting from the hilltops about this new 3G handset which goes faster (on the faster 3G network). Folks were "ooohing" and "aaahing" at its arrival while racing to be first in line for the improvement. The phone has poor 3G reception (which IS AT&T's fault because that is precisely how the new version differs from the old). But we're not supposed to complain about it?

Oh, I complained. I gave them the itSucks back, I got my money back, got my BB back, and now I'm worry free.

nice reliable 3g signal here at Cincinnati international airport... So suck it, Shane.

Check this out...article in Business Week about substandard chippage. Looks like a firmware fix is on the way.

Yep - similar report on Apple Insider

We may see a firmware update as early as next month, though it may take up to a few months for them to tweak and perfect the chip performance.

I do have to agree with the people that are upset here. We were promised "twice the speed, half the price". I personally haven't really had any problems with mine. The biggest issue I had was spending 4 hours on the day it came out, then waiting a week to actually get the dang thing.

These people do have a right to complain. They bought a 3g phone, are paying for 3g service, and saying "oh, just turn it off" simply isn't good enough.

Anytime something new comes out, there are always issues. That's why I never buy cameras from the first batch when they come out. I know in my area, the 3g network wasn't even online until literally days before the iphone 3g launch. I'm sure time will fix this problem. But these people definately have a right to be perturbed.

I haven't had problems with 3G other than it draining my battery. Can't wait until the 3G Mophie Juice Pack comes out.

What REALLY pisses me off is how messed up Mobile Me is. I got the iPhone to more easily show my work on the fly and for Mobile Me's calendar syncing. Everything is great EXCEPT the fact that Mobile Me won't sync with my desktop or laptop iCal. I spent 4 hours with Mobile Me technical service on their crappy online tech support trying to figure this out. There is no phone support to "give the full online experience"...yes, she actually typed that. It's ridiculous. I almost lost my entire calendar to this nonsense and now I can't even export my calendar. I couldn't quit mobile me if I wanted. Luckily, it's working with my iPhone perfectly.

All iPhone users should check out the Mophie Juice Pack though. I've not used it, but it's gotten great reviews and apparently doubles your battery life and is pretty low profile...acts as a case.