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Consumer Reports has confirmed a reception issue on the new Verizon Wireless iPhone in weak signal conditions. The report feel like deja vu for Apple who had to deal with an onslaught of bad press after users reported similar issues when the iPhone 4 was first launched on AT&T. Apple addressed the perceived antenna issue by temporarily offering bumpers for the iPhone 4 which were said to correct the reception issue.
Like most smartphones Consumer Reports reviews, the Verizon iPhone 4 was taken through a series of standard tests so that it could be rated against other smartphones. In addition to these regular tests, a special test was also run (which was previously carried out on AT&T’s iPhone 4) after the complaints about dropped calls. To offer a comparison other highly-rated Verizon smartphones were also put through the special test including the Samsung Fascinate, Motorola Droid 2 Global, HTC Droid Incredible, LG Ally and Motorola Droid X.
After the tests, only the Verizon iPhone 4 was found to lose reception based on finger placement. Consumer Reports stated:
With the iPhone 4, we placed a finger in contact with the lower-left-side gap. Reception typically dropped notably within 15 seconds or so of the gap being bridged. The iPhone eventually dropped calls when touched at very low signal strength—that is, at levels of around one bar in the phone’s signal-strength meter.
CR did find that finger placement was no longer an issue when Apple’s $29 iPhone Bumper was placed on the phone and it believes most cases offered for the iPhone 4 will offer the same protection. There has not been the same outpouring of criticism by Verizon iPhone owners that accompanied the launch of the iPhone 4 on AT&T’s network so at this time there are no reported plans for Apple to offer free bumpers for Verizon customers.
As a result of Consumer Reports’ tests, the Verizon iPhone 4 will not be included be included on the organization’s list of recommended smartphones, despite its otherwise high rating.
