[...] Stacey Higgenbothem alludes to a possible issue with the 3G chip, which is believed to be supplied by Infineon. If the issue is with hardware, then it could be a real challenge to fix with a firmware upgrade. The other side of the equation is the network itself. With over 3 million iPhone 3G devices sold already, is the AT&T network crumbling under heavy demand for voice and speedy data? An official AT&T statement indicates that the iPhone 3G is performing well and that issues are handled on a case-by-case basis.  [...]

[...] via Gigaom [...]

[...] GigaOm] Technorati Tags: [...]

[...] nicht genug der Kritik: Auch das im iPhone 3G verbaute UMTS-Chipset soll nach Ansicht eines bei GigaOM zitierten Analysten Müll sein. Die nicht ausgereifte Technik des (vermeintlichen) Lieferanten [...]

[...] Tuesday, Richard Windsor, an analyst with Nomura Securities chimed in. In a research note, he said: “We believe that these issues are typical of an immature chipset and radio protocol stack [...]

[...] Nous supposons qu’Apple va à un moment ou un autre modifier la pile de protocole par une mise à jour, ou discrètement changer de chipset pour un système plus abouti qui sera ou ne sera pas fabriqué par Infineon. [GigaOm] [...]

[...] gizmodo, gigaom 3g, A+Featured Gadgets, amp, Apple, cell phones, Consumer, consumers, Cool, couple more years, [...]

[...] or quietly swap out the chipset for a more mature one that may or may not be made by Infineon. [GigaOm] addthis_url = [...]

[...] Windsor of Nomura published a research note (spotted at GigaOm) Tuesday singling out the iPhone 3G’s chipset, made by Infineon, as the probable culprit for [...]

[...] Windsor of Nomura published a research note (spotted at GigaOm) Tuesday singling out the iPhone 3G’s chipset, made by Infineon, as the probable culprit for [...]

[...] ATI Radeon HD 4870 x2 - Gizmodo Top 15 Cell Phones - Infosync Best Buy Vending - Chicago Tribune iPhone 3G Chip Problems? - GigaOm AVS Forums Crash - Engadget NVidia QuadroPlex D2 - Engadget Hubble Hits 100,000 - Ars [...]

[...] T-Mobile may have a point. Richard Windsor of Nomura published a research note (Spotted by GigaOm) Tuesday singling out the iPhone 3G’s chipset, made by Infineon, as the [...]

[...] assumption I made is that the issue is with the Optus network, but could it be the iPhone itself? GigaOm reports that the issue may be with the Infineon 3G chip used by the iPhone: Richard Windsor, an analyst [...]

[...] this is a case of bad things coming in threes. Earlier today, a GigaOM post describing a financial analyst’s belief that the Infineon 3G transmission chipset included in [...]

[...] GigaOM] Image via [...]

[...] [source] [...]

[...] Tuesday, Richard Windsor, an analyst with Nomura Securities chimed in. In a research note, he said:”We believe that these issues are typical of an immature chipset and radio protocol stack where we [...]

[...] GigaOm: 3G iPhone Connection Problems Chip-Related? [...]

[...] anyway, the story is already making the rounds on sites like GigaOm or Slashdot. Twitter - which is like an early early warning system, because it is so fast - already [...]

[...] gigaom] addthis_url = [...]

[...] sales for Apple. Criticism of AT&T’s 3G network and the possibility of a recall based on potentially flawed Infineon chips don’t seem to have slowed sales at [...]

[...] allegedly work well), Apple’s secrecy behind developing the phone and thus limited testing or Infineon’s 3G chipset. Posted by ulfw in category: [...]

[...] ? se pare ca pe langa cererea initiala coplesitoare vor trebui in curand sa faca fata si unei avalanse de rebuturi … ce sa-i faci, daca au ales sa mearga pe ideea de chinezarie, vor plati … Post a [...]

[...] GigaOm posted plausible theory to explain the iPhone 3G connection problems many users have experienced. Reception problems were reported with the iPhone 3G on Monday. Nomura analyst Richard Windsor published a research note yesterday that identified the Infineon iPhone 3G chipset as the probable culprit for the recent 3G issues. Apple has not acknowledged any problems. [...]

[...] Richard Windsor, un analyste de Nomura Securities, cité par le blog GigaOm, ces dysfonctionnements de l’iPhone 3G seraient imputables à la puce 3G intégrée, [...]

[...] GigaOm, however, picks up some analyst rumors about potentially flakey 3G chipsets, while iLounge steps it up with T-Mobile and Vodafone laying blame on the same, with the Syndney Morning Herald claiming an unnamed source revealed that Apple only provided 3G test units to carriers the day before launch. Ouch. Any chip experts out there that could help identify what problem would cause reception problems for a fraction of users? [...]

[...] GigaOm, however, picks up some analyst rumors about potentially flakey 3G chipsets, while iLounge steps it up with T-Mobile and Vodafone laying blame on the same, with the Syndney Morning Herald claiming an unnamed source revealed that Apple only provided 3G test units to carriers the day before launch. Ouch. Any chip experts out there that could help identify what problem would cause reception problems for a fraction of users? [...]

[...] piirin olevan vielä lapsenkengissä ja radioprotokollien olevan kehittymättömät. Asiasta kertoo GigaOM. Ei kommentteja, Kommentoi tai [...]

[...] in the States, but evidence is mounting that the problem may lie with the iPhone itself. GigaOm quotes an analyst at Nomura Securities who put the blame on “…an immature chipset and radio [...]

[...] GigaOm, however, picks up some analyst rumors about potentially flakey 3G chipsets, while iLounge steps it up with T-Mobile and Vodafone laying blame on the same, with the Syndney Morning Herald claiming an unnamed source revealed that Apple only provided 3G test units to carriers the day before launch. Ouch. Any chip experts out there that could help identify what problem would cause reception problems for a fraction of users? [...]

[...] in the States, but evidence is mounting that the problem may lie with the iPhone itself. GigaOm quotes an analyst at Nomura Securities who put the blame on “…an immature chipset and radio [...]

[...] GigaOM] Image via iFixit Author admin Comments [...]

[...] trying to figure out who’s to blame. Is it the fault of the carrier? The software? Or the chips inside the device? While I have a feeling this is really a witches’ brew of all three, the [...]

[...] of its users. Do you have reception problems? Take our poll at the top of this thread. [via cnet gigaom cnet cnet some more cnet and so forth] you will try to descriminate the iphone 3g every possible [...]

[...] un analista dice que el responsable de estas molestas fallas es el chip Infineon. Richard Windsor, analista de Nomura Securities piensa que estos problemas son típicos de chips y [...]

[...] on the blogosphere started with the following comments from a Nomura Securities analyst quoted in GigaOm on August 12 … … but the issue may be with Infineon’s 3G chip, according to Richard [...]

[...] Wenige 3G Streifen wegen Infineon? [...]

[...] everyone trying to figure out who’s to blame. Is it the fault of the carrier? The software? Or the chips inside the device? While I have a feeling this is really a witches’ brew of all three, the [...]

[...] GigaOm, however, picks up some analyst rumors about potentially flakey 3G chipsets, while iLounge steps it up with T-Mobile and Vodafone laying blame on the same, with the Syndney Morning Herald claiming an unnamed source revealed that Apple only provided 3G test units to carriers the day before launch. Ouch. Any chip experts out there that could help identify what problem would cause reception problems for a fraction of users? [...]

[...] in the States, but evidence is mounting that the problem may lie with the iPhone itself. GigaOm quotes an analyst at Nomura Securities who put the blame on “…an immature chipset and radio [...]

[...] AT&T has stated that problems are not on their end in the US, and European countries also stated that they’ve seen slowness with the iPhone on their network where every other phone was fine. Forums everywhere have been complaining about lousy reception compared to other phones in their network—even in Japan—which secures that it’s a hardware issue. Our guess is that Apple will somewhere down the line either run an update to the protocol stack via an upgrade, or quietly swap out the chipset for a more mature one that may or may not be made by Infineon. [GigaOm] [...]

[...] AT&T has stated that problems are not on their end in the US, and European countries also stated that they’ve seen slowness with the iPhone on their network where every other phone was fine. Forums everywhere have been complaining about lousy reception compared to other phones in their network—even in Japan—which secures that it’s a hardware issue. Our guess is that Apple will somewhere down the line either run an update to the protocol stack via an upgrade, or quietly swap out the chipset for a more mature one that may or may not be made by Infineon. [GigaOm] [...]

[...] performance of the 3G chip on iPhone 3G seems to be below customers’ expectations. So low, in fact, that there have been strong rumours circulating about a device recall. This is [...]

[...] reception issues. According to multiple reports on the web it was speculated that the 3G reception issues might be Harware related. But as per the response received by macrumors it is a software issue that is affecting 2% of [...]

[...] constantly dropping the connection and attempting to switch back to the slower EDGE network. While some have said the device’s connectivity problem is a chip problem and could lead to a total recall (not of the Arnold variety), others think a simple firmware update [...]

[...] in the States, but evidence is mounting that the problem may lie with the iPhone itself. GigaOm quotes an analyst at Nomura Securities who put the blame on “…an immature chipset and radio [...]

[...] Article de Gigacom contre la puce Infineon Article Businessweek contre la puce Infineon [...]

[...] un problème matériel sur l’iPhone 3G (on a incriminé la sensibilité de son antenne, puis sa puce 3G fournie par Infineon). Le tout devant nécessiter un rappel général des appareils vendus, avec à la clé une petite [...]

Another reason why I’m waiting to upgrade my iPhone to the new 3G model. I’d rather wait see what happens with the 3G phone in terms of other hardware changes, etc.
R

I have three iPhones in my household and have not seen any problems at all with 3G. I have had some problems with quitting apps, but iPhone reception has been flawless. My co-worker has two iPhones and I have three other friends with iPhone, no problems with 3G.

I think you may have a bad unit and that is all.

I have an iphone 3G in the UK and have had it replaced by the apple store as the 3G chip was faulty…comparison with their store iphone showed up that my iphone had 3 bars less reception than on their referance phone instore.
New iphone works perfectly.

While it would be nice to blame the 3G problem on someone else, Apple still has a lot to apologize for. The 2.0 firmware was so terrible and buggy that it’s difficult to tell where the software problems end and the hardware problems begin. 2.0.1 fixes some performance issues, but there’s still a lot yet to be resolved.

I have a theory about the 3G problem… While I don’t have the 3G myself, I’ve found the Wi-Fi reception on the 2G iPhone to be quite terrible. It’s worse than my laptop, and worse than my HTC Mogul. I have a feeling that, to mask the terrible battery performance, Apple’s being too aggressive with power-management. Apple’s under-powering the antenna, it’s picking up a weak 3G signal, so the iPhone is dropping back to EDGE. Because it’s much more energy-efficient, EDGE works fine with the under-powered antenna.

It’s just a theory, supported by anecdotal evidence, but it makes sense to me. Heck, given the reports of how bad the 3G battery-life is, being forced to use EDGE seems more like a feature than a bug. I bet Apple would say the same, if they ever commented about anything.

Somehow Infineon’s web site’s down.

Is there any good news coming from Apple these days?
Mobile me = fail, need I say more?
App Store = joke, apps keep coming and going, none of them are of any real use
iPhone = fail, 3G problems, battery issues, bad GPS, case cracking, chip problems

Ive been an apple user for a number of years but frankly im really warming to windows. I have fewer problems with my office Windows based notebook and MS Mesh is great.

My opinion is that apple really are on the slippery slop now. oh well it was good whilst it lasted.

oops I forgot one thing.

This whole cloud computing thing (which in fact im a big fan of).. first of all apple released the mac book air which is basically a cloud computing device and then goes on to demonstrate how little they know and how little they can execute a cloud computing initiative aka Mobile Me.

Gee my iPhone 3G works great. I’m at the fringes of the service area at home and get acceptible reception. In my small town of 80,000 I get great reception most everywhere.

As for the issues with the buggy 2.0 release I think Apple is doing just fine. Overall I am pleased. A longer lasting battery would be nice but there are constraints with the form factor. Stop whining and get a extra USB cord to charge on your office computer and a car charger.

I have no issues such as those being described and I have already traveled quite a bit with my iPhone 3G.

A cellular test set could instantly eliminate the handset as the culprit - so it is truly unfortunate that AT&T does not equip its retailers with the equipment and training to test their terminal devices. One test set from Wavcom or Anritsu can be used for just about any tri band GSM or CDMA handset - checking for freq, mod, signaling, and data link layer tests.

Hmm… I too have no issue with 3G here in southwestern US. The 2.0 software has small hiccups, but I won’t go so far as to calling it buggy. I do experience the keyboard lag compared to version 1.1.4, but that’s it. Overall, I would rank this at 4.5 out of 5 on the satisfaction scale.

I haven’t had any problems here (Silicon valley) that I wouldn’t first attribute to ATT’s lousy buildout around here. The same phone works phenomenally in CIngular’s old stomping grounds along the I-10 corridor in SE Texas and Louisiana.

WiFi reception is about as good as my MacBook Pro.

Seriously - I think that this is primarily a case of excited expectations. Apple normally executes so well, but the MobileMe fiasco and supply problems have cast a cloud over the 3G, and it’s natural to think all of these issues are the phone’s fault.

Not sure how much time Om spends in the valley compared to the city, but down here, ATTs call quality and reception has always been subpar, thanks to a healthy NIMBY community. Unlike LA, where cell sites hang off of buildings at every corner, you have to hunt for cell towers around here. Spectrum management around our three airports in the south bay probably also have something to do with it.

This is the Chip used
(link)

Its the 608- the lowest.

Enjoy.

No issues with my iPhone 3G … or with the 4 other iPhones in my family …

(link)

Good post, very interesting. Hopefully my new apple doesn’t fry with nVidia soon. You have to wonder somedays about the (lack of) quality control standards at these companies.

Two 3G’s and a 2.5G here. No major problems other than apps occasionally crashing. @Jason - I’ll give you a 3 out of 10 on that troll — you can do better.

No problem with 3 phones here in this family and no one else I know with the 3G is having any either…

I have to agree with Om on this one, I have been *very* disappointed with the spottiness of 3G coverage. This sums it up for me - last friday I was at the Giants game, AT AT&T F*#$NG PARK, and I could only get Edge - and that was in the Field Club seats behind home plate. That is should just embarrassing for AT&T … IT’S THEIR PARK!

At my house I only get Edge - that’s Twin Peaks IN SF. At the Safeway near my house I get no coverage at all. I get 3G most places in the city, but then behind a building or in a bar or something it will only be edge. Stanford shopping center in Palo Alto last week - at the Apple store - Edge. Downtown Mountain View in my office - Edge. It’s totally unforgivable. This is the heart of Apple/AT&T country. I’d hate to think how it is in middle America.

I’ve been blaming AT&T (was a happy Verizon customer for years), but if a hardware recall solved the problem I would be first in line.

@DB Uhmmmm, this is a little off topic, but why weren’t you using the WiFi at AT&T Park?

@Raymond - Believe me, I tried. That was spotty too. It was my first time with my iPhone there so maybe I missed something, but I am a web professional, longtime apple user, and know my way around Wifi, etc. …There seem to be 2 different ATT WiFi networks there. I would lock into one, then for some reason it would just drop randomly at some point. At other points I couldn’t sign on to either one. To further frustrate me, even when I was on Wifi, I was trying to upload photos using a certain social network’s app (which shall remain nameless), and it seemed to not recognize the WiFi connection and only upload over Edge (the uploads took forever for each iPhone photo). …Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a Mac user solid since ‘88, and overall I totally love the iPhone - but AT&T’s 3G coverage (or perhaps the chipset’s robustness) is a joke.

Mike Cerm is closest to the truth…
3G is very mature tech and has been in Asia for over 3 years now. I recall having similar issues with Sony + Nokia phones when 3G was new. Most times the culprit is the carrier.
Here is the solution that works: Most 3G phones can lock to 3G signal or fallback on GSM. In cases where the signal is fluctuating, the phone tends to drop the call. Again, this has happened to me on best european phones.
The sony+nokias have a setting which is like “Use 3G”, “Use GSM” or “Both”.
Change from both to GSM and your problems will go away.
Of course, you don’t get 3G speed for surfing but then u dont miss calls. When you want to surf, you can toggle back to 3G mode to try your luck. This problem would fade away once the carriers get the coverage sorted. To be fair to AT&T, US is a large country and coverage in many places could be spotty.
Again don’t blv what AT&T says about 3G coverage being avlbl on their website, as many carriers tend to include locations which are also under deployment.

It’s disappointing to see that Apple refuse to acknowledge the issue or address it in any way. I can see massive class legal actions from users with faulty IPhones. It is not good enough for Apple to keep producing defective hardware throughout the world.

None of the problems described here and I have owned 3 iPhones in my time.
a drop here or there but not unlike a BBerry or Nokia? Performs better or equal to any other phone out there…..MAYBE you do have a bad unit?

To correct someone, over 4 million iPhones were bought by victims … errr …. customers so far.

Unless I win it, I ain’t going to have one ever. Over hyped, bad Q&A, bad support, poor connections, ….

I’ve heard that hairline fractures are appearing on some phones - clearly visible with white cases.

Apple seems to acknowledge a lot of issues of late or are slow to respond. Example: The last major OS to fix the DND flaw - but fixed only for servers - not clients.

I agree with the complaints. Every call I made or received today, the person’s voice faded in and out or dropped all together. This is very frustrating. I will go to my local Apple store and demand a trade to the Treo, which I carried before ( The great iPhone) and had no problems…plus the treo has microsoft office and you can actually save, file and attach documents. Better battery, camera, video, keyboard ect…….

Electronics Engineering Times (EET) magazine had an article on Apple choosing non-tier 1 component suppliers aledgedly so that Apple would have a tighter control over them. Apple bypassed the industry leaders to “have more control”. Here is the article:
(link)

I am also sure that it is a hardware issue and Apple and it’s customers are going to pay dearly for this mis-judgement.

There may be a problem with the iPhone’s chipset, but what everyone seems to forget is that CDMA assigns resources as users join a cell, splitting the available total bandwidth between them. One user? No problem. 300? Then you start having problems. Voice is likely still prioritized on 3G networks, which means that whatever data rate is left is shared amongst the remaining users. The 7.2Mbps is for EVERYONE on the same cell, not PER USER. Remember that. I explain this and compare it with EDGE and GPRS in the latest post of my blog: (link)

I have problems with 3G net work selection it fails to register on 3G network, Bluetooth not functional, failed to receive sms., cannot play realplayer files

Just wondering what the latest is regarding this problem. Has anything been determined?