The Problems with Apple’s iPhone 3G
Users started complaining about substandard reception, lousy signal strength, dropped calls and slow data speeds just days after the iPhone 3G’s July 11 debut. The gripes broadly include weak 3G signals in areas supposedly flush with 3G and dropped calls, often as the iPhone automatically switches from 3G to EDGE when the user moves between coverage areas. Other issues included slower-than-expected web browsing that doesn’t match Apple’s claim that 3G gives users a 2.4x speed boost over EDGE.
Citing a couple of unknown sources, BusinessWeek‘s Peter Burrows claims that the iPhone 3G’s troubles stem from a faulty chip or chipset from Infineon Technologies AG, a major mobile chip designer and manufacturer. Others blame AT&T for a poorly-designed 3G network, or insufficient capacity to handle the flood of calls as 3G iPhones continue to sell like hot cakes.
Apple’s not talking, but a report in BusinessWeek said sources close to the issue claimed Apple was working on a firmware update that would fix the problems. Such an update would be carried out through the normal iPhone update process, which involves download and installation of the update via iTunes.
