iPhone 3G connectivity issues may be down to Apple hardware
iLounge reports on an issue that's causing headaches for many iPhone 3G owners: that of poor and fluctuating 3G coverage even in locations where the signal is supposed to be good, and in fact is good on other handsets.
It's a problem which AT&T and Apple are looking into in the US, but is also plaguing owners around the world.
The worrying conclusion some people are drawing -- though it should be noted that this isn't yet proven -- is that there's a problem with the "immature (3G) chipset" believed to have been provided by Infineon.
An analyst from Nomura, Richard Windsor, considers that the issues could be embedded in the low-level software and the chipset, which would make a firmware upgrade alone ineffective.
If this does turn out to be the case, Apple has a potential problem, particularly if it affects a large number of users.
Would the company put the issue down to first-generation teething problems (effectively the iPhone 3G is starting again) and "tough luck" for existing customers, or would they offer some kind of repair for those who needed it.
I also wonder whether a poorly designed/performing 3G chipset further impacts battery life. Though 3G in general drains a mobile phone's battery faster than 2G/EDGE, an ineffective one could be even more detrimental.
A situation we'll have to watch develop.
(Via iLounge)
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