Apple: iOS 4.1 still doesn't fix problem with iPhone 4 proximity sensor (updated)

August 30, 2010 | Devindra Hardawar
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Update: The issue is listed as fixed in Steve Jobs’ iOS 4.1 presentation. It looks like we’ll have to wait and see just how well it’s fixed.
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Along with the iPhone 4′s widely reported antenna issues (a situation the tech press has dubbed “antennagate”), there were also complaints of an issue with its proximity sensor, which led to accidental button presses when the phone was held up to your face during a call.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that the company was looking into the issue when he gathered press to discuss the iPhone 4′s antenna trouble. But now Apple Australia spokeswoman Fiona Martin says that it still hasn’t fixed the issue, reports The Next Web.

iPhone 4 users have been expecting a fix with iOS 4.1, the next major iPhone software upgrade that’s expected to be released in the next few weeks. Some reports from iOS 4.1 beta testers noted that proximity sensor functionality seemed improved, but Apple has never officially said that the update would offer a fix.

There’s always the chance that Martin is mistaken, so we’ve dropped a line to Apple to see what its U.S. representatives have to say.

Personally, I’ve found the proximity sensor issue far more annoying than the antenna problem — it’s now practically impossible for me to hold my iPhone on my shoulder, and hands-free, like I would with a normal phone. Like AT&T’s notoriously finicky cellular network, the sensor issue is yet another iPhone problem that makes it a far more appealing portable computer than an actual phone.

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About the Author,

Devindra Hardawar is VentureBeat's National Editor and lead mobile writer. He has been writing about technology since 2004, worked in IT support for several years, and studied philosophy at Amherst College. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can reach him at devindra@venturebeat.com (all story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com), and on Twitter at @Devindra.

  • http://twitter.com/jhporte Jeff Porter

    The proximity sensor is the biggest/sole issue I have with the phone. I find myself putting people on Mute, hanging up on them, or initiating facetime calls regularly. I am now to the point where I am ready to replace it or swap it back for a 3GS.

  • http://www.devindra.org Devindra Hardawar

    Yah, my solution so far is to use headphones with mics more regularly. It's more comfortable than shoulder-holding the phone.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WCYTM2QMGL7P63NH436JUIF5CA Johnny

    I found the issue to be completely resolved in the last beta, even the prior beta showed a marked improvement.

  • hfrogness

    I just came back from the store where I returned my iPhone 4, even more annoying than the problem is the fact that most people at apple seem unaware and not very helpful about the problem. I couldn't wait any longer and risk that this is a hardware issue (I think that it is based on still owning a 3GS that works fine), especially given that I kept getting apple employee's telling me that I was holding the phone wrong. If this is a software problem, (turning up the sensitivity on the sensor), why isn't there a fix that adds a slider bar to adjust the sensitivity under settings, wouldn't that be simple?

  • hfrogness

    I just returned my IP4, I would rather not be stuck with faulty hardware, especially given that most apple employee's tried to blame the problem on how I held the phone. It is hard to beleive that so few people are aware of this issue. I haven't experienced any problems with reception that the previous phones did not have.

  • atul2710

    iOS4.1 doesn't fix the Proximity sensor issue. Its worse then before. I m returning the faulty hardware. It sucks………

  • atul2710

    iOS 4.1 doesn't fixes the proximity issue. Its even more worse then before. I strongly feel that its an hardware issue. 3GS works absolutely fine.

  • dentish

    IOS 4.1 does not resolve the cheek dial and hang up issue.The Apple people are ignorant of the problem, or so they claim. I have had three (3) new phones, 2 new sim cards and the problem persists across all new OSs and claimed updates. Whether this is a hardware or software issue does not matter! It is an issue of very profound importance to those of us who need the phone to work. I am a surgeon, and my phone is my work. I cannot be hanging up 7 times per call ( an actual number BTW). Apple needs to address this pronto! Giving up my phone after I have signed up for another two years is fraud. I would not have signed up with ATT if I knew the phone+software was defective. We need to let Apple know loud and clear.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4HWHHSNTLKBWFNUHSZJYJ6LOA4 Lisa

    4.1 did not fix the problem for me. I've had 4 different phones now and have been dealing with this issue since June 21st. I'm fed up and ready to downgrade back to a 3GS. As much as I love the iPhone 4 as a handheld computing device….it SUCKS as a phone!!!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_INBNOM7XP7RXI6ISUMU6N6C7IU DanaJ

    iPhone4 (second one, first one replaced for failed antenna), OS 4.1, am still experiencing Proximity Sensor issues. While slightly less pronounced than > 4.1, this is still a a serious hindrance to using the phone AS A PHONE.:

  • LouiseElectric

    Just sent my brand new Iphone4 back after 10 days really upset waited a long while for it now saving and waiting for the IPhone 5

  • LouiseElectric

    Iphone4 – 10 days ago sent my first Iphone today sent back to service provider after spending 4 hours on phone over a day antenna …. No more Iphone 4 for me waiting for Iphone 5 really disappointed, I thought they had this sorted, everything else was great ….

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JBUA4LAQOSU2PPT5VILOVEQCD4 Aaditi Lathi

    The problems seem to vary, but some users do report that the screen does indeed go blank, but you're still able to accidentally initiate a FaceTime call or other features by pressing the correct place on the screen. Doesn't sound too encouraging, does it? Have you encountered such issues with your iPhone 4, and have you found a solution to it? http://www.applereviewed.net

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