The steel band around the outside of the iPhone 4 houses two antennae, separated by a black strip.
The company has endured much criticism over signal strength issues which are apparently related to the steel band around the edge of the iPhone 4 which forms the antennae for its phone, data, Bluetooth, and wifi services. Many users have found that when they hold the phone with part of their hand covering the gap between the phone and Bluetooth/wifi antennae that signal strength deteriorates significantly.
Apple’s last public statement on the issue claimed that the problem was with the algorithm used to calculate signal strength, which was incorrect. The company said, as a result, the display of signal strength on all iPhone models was incorrect and exaggerated the actual signal. It didn’t explain why covering part of the phone caused a change in the displayed signal strength, however.
MacUser was able to replicate the problem when we tested the iPhone 4 for our review, and influential US publication Consumer Reports said it couldn’t recommend the iPhone 4 because it had confirmed the signal strength issue in its tests.
