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Apple Looking Into LTE Connectivity Issues Affecting Some iPhone XS and XS Max Owners
Apple is looking into reports that some customers are experiencing LTE connectivity issues with the newly released iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
According to one iPhone XS Max owner, Apple is conducting an outreach program with some customers who have a new device that is experiencing LTE problems.
Apple has asked him to install a baseband logger to track his cellular connection, presumably to figure out if there are any serious issues that need to be resolved. We've heard similar reports from MacRumors readers who have been asked to provide device logs to engineers when troubleshooting the issue.
Affected users have noticed fewer bars and poorer signal on iPhone XS and XS Max compared to older devices, but it doesn't appear to be a universal problem. While some people have complained of weak connectivity and slow speeds, others have noticed LTE improvements, which confuses the issue.
Many of the early complaints came from Verizon users, suggesting there are perhaps carrier firmware issues that need to be resolved, but it's unclear if carrier firmware is the full extent of the problem.
In the most recent iOS 12.1 beta, Apple updated the modem firmware in the iPhone to version 1.01.20-1, up from 1.01.12 in iOS 12.1 beta 1. On the Verizon network, the iOS 12.1 update also introduces new 33.5.6 carrier firmware.
New firmware on left, iOS 12.1 beta 1 firmware on right
Modem firmware updates are a routine part of major .1 iOS releases, so it's not yet clear if the new firmware specifically addresses issues that customers have been experiencing with LTE connectivity.
Early reports on the MacRumors forums have, however, suggested that iOS 12.1 does indeed bring some improvements. MacRumors archer75, for example, says the update has doubled his LTE speeds. Other users, though, have said the update does not address LTE problems.
Regardless of whether a fix has been bundled into the iOS 12.1 update, Apple is taking reports of LTE problems seriously and investigating what might be going on, so should this be a software-related issue, a resolution is likely in the works.
According to one iPhone XS Max owner, Apple is conducting an outreach program with some customers who have a new device that is experiencing LTE problems.
Apple has asked him to install a baseband logger to track his cellular connection, presumably to figure out if there are any serious issues that need to be resolved. We've heard similar reports from MacRumors readers who have been asked to provide device logs to engineers when troubleshooting the issue.
@reneritchie Apple just reached out to me to see if I could answer some questions about my Xs Max reception issues they’re doing an outreach to some affected users and are asking to install a baseband logger to track my connection to the tower
— Devin Meredith 🇺🇸🧐 (@Devmer11) October 3, 2018
Affected users have noticed fewer bars and poorer signal on iPhone XS and XS Max compared to older devices, but it doesn't appear to be a universal problem. While some people have complained of weak connectivity and slow speeds, others have noticed LTE improvements, which confuses the issue.
Many of the early complaints came from Verizon users, suggesting there are perhaps carrier firmware issues that need to be resolved, but it's unclear if carrier firmware is the full extent of the problem.
In the most recent iOS 12.1 beta, Apple updated the modem firmware in the iPhone to version 1.01.20-1, up from 1.01.12 in iOS 12.1 beta 1. On the Verizon network, the iOS 12.1 update also introduces new 33.5.6 carrier firmware.
Modem firmware updates are a routine part of major .1 iOS releases, so it's not yet clear if the new firmware specifically addresses issues that customers have been experiencing with LTE connectivity.
Early reports on the MacRumors forums have, however, suggested that iOS 12.1 does indeed bring some improvements. MacRumors archer75, for example, says the update has doubled his LTE speeds. Other users, though, have said the update does not address LTE problems.
Regardless of whether a fix has been bundled into the iOS 12.1 update, Apple is taking reports of LTE problems seriously and investigating what might be going on, so should this be a software-related issue, a resolution is likely in the works.
Related Roundup: iPhone XS
Tag: LTE
Buyer's Guide: iPhone XS (Buy Now)
[ 390 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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2 weeks ago
It's likely a hardware issue per Apple Engineering team
You... don’t understand how software works, do you?
The FCC reports clearly show the XS and Max have weak antenna gain.
If Apple can fix this using software, their team has a good chance of winning the Nobel Prize in Physics.
2 weeks ago
I don’t think that this can be fixed via software upgrade. I had the problem on two different devices. I finally reverted back to a X that my local Apple store still had in stock last week.
You... don’t understand how software works, do you?
2 weeks ago
You... don’t understand how software works, do you?
I guess not? Maybe you can inform me in your deep wisdom how a hardware issue with weak antenna gain. I swear, every time I make one post on here there is bound to be someone who ends up making comments back to me that are snarky, rude, and borderline degrading. It’s frustrating... back on topic.
2 weeks ago
When did we, as consumers, start accepting that it was okay to spend our money on products that are essentially still in beta testing?
I love Apple and have bought lots of products from them over the years but they, as well as other companies are releasing products with some major issues.
Is it that there is so much pressure that they have to keep releasing products that still need tweaking? Or is it that these devices are so complex that it's almost impossible to test for every use scenario.
I think we're all expected to put up with these problems when you are an early adopter but I also think that it spoils the whole experience of getting a new tech gadget when things don't work 100% out of the box.
I understand that in the scheme of things it's probably a small amount of devices with problems but that's cold comfort to the person who's just spent their hard-earned money.
I wonder what needs to change so that this stops happening?
I love Apple and have bought lots of products from them over the years but they, as well as other companies are releasing products with some major issues.
Is it that there is so much pressure that they have to keep releasing products that still need tweaking? Or is it that these devices are so complex that it's almost impossible to test for every use scenario.
I think we're all expected to put up with these problems when you are an early adopter but I also think that it spoils the whole experience of getting a new tech gadget when things don't work 100% out of the box.
I understand that in the scheme of things it's probably a small amount of devices with problems but that's cold comfort to the person who's just spent their hard-earned money.
I wonder what needs to change so that this stops happening?
2 weeks ago
How about WiFi? My iPhone Max doesn’t like 5Ghz, keeps switching to 2.4 when other iPhone X in the household retain connection even if the signal quality is subpar. Then when the max connects to 2.4, the speeds are terrible, most of the time falling below 30Mbps on more than 460 downstream connections.
2 weeks ago
Would s@ck if it's a hardware related issue. Way too many reports, wifi/5G/LTE,
would be great if a simple patch could resolve it.
2 weeks ago
I'm seeing 1.8Mbps download on my max vs. 38.4Mbs on my iPad pro sitting right next to it, both on the same network.
2 weeks ago
Would s@ck if it's a hardware related issue. Way too many reports, wifi/5G/LTE,
would be great if a simple patch could resolve it.
would be great if a simple patch could resolve it.
2 weeks ago
Apple, perhaps the most secretive company in the world, have a "team" that are telling you they have an entire line of products that have a "major problem" that is "likely a hardware issue"? Is that really your contention here?
Lol. Yep that’s what Rolltide is saying. You should read the other thread...he’s driven over a thousand miles to perform troubleshooting actions for Apple’s senior engineers.
A few years ago he had “secret” information from high levels about Verizon that he posted on Howardforums. Of course it turned out to be completely wrong.
He’ll dispute it but I can post the thread to make my point. It was so hilarious that I actually saved it.
The team I am working with at Apple confirms there is a major problem . I am only posting what they are telling me .
Oh please stop posting this nonsense. The most valuable company in the world IS NOT telling you that their flagship product has a “major problem”.
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