iOS 4.1 Beta 2 Fixes iPhone 4 Proximity Sensor Issues

By Jose Gutierrez (5:47 pm, Jul 27 2010)

Apple appears to have fixed the widely-reported iPhone 4 proximity sensor issue in the latest iOS 4.1 beta 2 update.

The latest beta also includes a baseband update (AT&T 7.1), which seems to fix HSUPA upload speed issues, which slowed video and photo uploads to a crawl.

Despite reports to the contrary, our tests show that the proximity sensor issue appears to be have been fixed. (MacRumors says the issue hasn’t been addressed).

In numerous tests, I couldn’t get my iPhone 4 to hang up a call. Previously, the iPhone was plagued with proximity sensor issues. It would constantly hang up calls when I held the phone next to my cheek.

But after installing the iOS 4.1 beta 2 update this afternoon, I couldn’t force the iPhone to hang up calls when lifting it up to my face, no matter how hard I tried.

I stress that the issue only seems to have been fixed. I could of course be wrong. Apple hasn’t yet documented what is in the latest beta update.

The proximity sensor issue is perhaps the biggest real-world problem facing the iPhone 4. Despite the brouhaha about Antennagate, the proximity issue perhaps affects more people in day-to-day use. While not affecting all iPhone 4 users, problems with the proximity sensor has been the source of widespread complaints. The sensor is supposed to disable the touch-sensitive screen when the iPhone is held up to the caller’s face — but reports suggest that the redesigned sensor incorrectly judges distances, especially when the sensor shines directly inside the user’s ear. This results in constant hang-ups, mutes and random beeps as a face or ear makes contact with the screen.

Steve Jobs promised a fix in an upcoming software update during the infamous Antennagate press conference a couple of weeks ago. However, Jobs didn’t specify what specific iOS update would contain the fix. “Next software update,” one of Jobs’ slides promised.

Gizmodo is also reporting that the iOS 4 beta 2 seems to fix the proximity issue. Again, I stress that the issue SEEMS to be fixed: all we have are a couple of anecdotal reports.

The iOS 4 beta 2 also seems to fix the HSUPA upload speed issues.

A bug limited the upload speeds using HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access) to about 50-100 kilobits per second — 15 times slower that the maximum possible speeds. Only HSUPA is affected by the problem; download speeds are not affected. I had the issue before beta 2 and it now appears fixed.

Let us know if you see anything else.

23 comments »

About the author

Jose Gutierrez is a San Diego-based Sailor who loves technology, specifically anything Apple. When he's not jailbreaking a device, you can find him blogging at Mac Mobility. Follow Jose on Twitter.

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Posted in Apple, First impressions, iOS, iPhone 4 | Tagged: AT&T, baseband, beta, developer, iOS, Proximity |

Blake
Achievements in Game Center are added
Charles
…that the proximity sensor is fixed although it seemed to me that the first beta fixed it.
Why would you say that? My two (mine & wife’s) both have had this problem since day one and still does! Have you REALLY looked into this before concluding that?
Gene
Charles, I believe that the point being made is that the first developer beta of 4.1 had the fix, not 4.0. Did you install the 4.1 developer beta on your two phones?
patrick
Any word on it fixing the Bluetooth audio issues?
John
Heck even my iPhone 3G with iOS 4.0.1 has proximity issues. I don’t think it was limited to the iPhone 4. The keypad is active while I’m talking and I’ve caused buttons to be pushed resulting in lost calls and annoying beeps and switching to speaker phone.
sbi
Did anybody test to see if the overly-yellow photo issue has changed?
http://www.getresponse.com Simon
The proximity sensor issue is NOT fixed. I am still getting the same issue. My phone keeps disconnecting, muting calls or putting them on hold — sometimes even calling other people. All of this because the proximity sensor doesn’t work like it should.
jimbo
How about the battery drain/push notification issue that cropped up with the 4.0 update on ipod touches?
Gazoobee
It’s not even worth *talking* about whether the issue is “fixed” or not until the software is released.
The number of possible combinations of software installs on the various phones of those who are keen enough to be in the beta program eliminates any possibility of troubleshooting the presence (or not) of a “fix.” This doesn’t even touch on the fact that said “fix” might involve multiple software packages or changes.
It’s a total waste of time to post to this article with “It’s fixed for me” or “It’s NOT fixed.”
PDM777
Should I wait for iOS 4.1 or take my phone back if I am having really bad problems with the proximity sensor?
zoliue
sgtive job is the biog jewes lier,he don’t fix shit the proximity sensor still fuck top for everyone………………………………………………………………………………………
Gerard Duquette
“Should I wait for iOS 4.1 or take my phone back if I am having really bad problems with the proximity sensor?”
I second this thought. My wife and I are two weeks into it and I’m nervous to even take a call because of this issue!
Sam
I installed 4.1 beta 2 and after spending some time with it I can’t duplicate the end call issue. Im trying everything and it seems to be working well. My 3G has 4.0.1 and it has the problems. Now, I don’t know if it’s fixed but comparing the two versions it’s a noticable change.
JIP
It is NOT fixed. Not at all. >:-( I have had countless calls interrupted by unintended mutes, dialings, facetime attempts, and end call button pushes. Beta 2 does not fix this situation even a little bit.
http://CultofMac Dan
The issue is not resolved. While on a call tonight, over time I actually dialed another number. The call I was on was put on hold while the phone dialed another party. This is so annoying I’m ready to return the phone. Beeps, flashes, dropped calls, putting calls on hold and now dialing outbound. GREAT JOBS!
Hammer Smith
PROXIMITY SENSOR ISSUE! Version 4.01 solves the issue of my iPhone 4 FOR NOW! Take the iPhone out of the fancy case and see ! It looks like the casing ( i used the full leather casing) interferes with the sensor. It’s terrible, i know, but that’s the way it is (for me). Check yours and would be greatful if you could post your message back.
HS
Al
I got an iPhone 4 last week.. It came with iOS 4.0.1. I have the screen stay blank issue after taking it away from my face after every call, i could mash buttons but couldn’t see what i was hitting.. It was driving me nuts! I can simulate the issue everytime. Nway, i took the phone out of the fansy leather case and it’s great now.. No problems what-so-ever. Time for a new case I guess. Damn, i like that case! Cheers, Al.
http://www.vergent.net voipmpls
Yeah, this bug is TOTALLY not fixed. Hello! I read somewhere that screen protectors aggravate the issue, but I carry the phone in my purse and don’t want to mess up the screen. And as for taking the case off. . . that just makes your calls drop! I’m gonna call this fix an EPIC FAIL. Dear Apple: try again, please.
Fredrik
What about the poor WIFI download speeds? I get between 600kbit-800kbit download speed on my new iPhone 4 running iOS 4.0.2. My old iPhone 3G gets 4400kbit on the same wifi net.
Ryan
IT IS NOT FIXED!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! I am so tired of this phone…Facetime and retina display and processor speed and all of that are just bogus trade-offs if the damned thing can’t even work as a phone. SO STUPID!!! Yet every time I try to bring it up in forums, it’s amazing how religiously fanboys defend their god. APPIC FAIL!! Check out my video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPcQ-cYg8iA and tell me what YOU think…
ronrontan
10 minutes ago I upgraded to 4.1 ->The fix is a hoax! I have the same frustrating problem!! My Iphone 4 still refuses to recognize my favorite JABRA 3030 stereo headset ( Refuse? NO, is unable to….. ) , the spinning wheel goes on spinning & draining my battery, The turning wind mill is just like the spin ” The proximity sensor on 4.1 is far more reliable….” , which makes me ask: Can almighty spinning Apple fix a hardware issue with a software update?
Tremayne
I have found that if you block most of the sensor except a small portion it will work as expected. Your welcome.
Will Ballinger
i think an easy fix is achievable, make all the buttons in call sliders, like the unlock, this way u really would have to focus on what u were doing instead of accidentally hitting buttons randomly during calls. At least if the End Call button was this way, but why not all =)
Thanks