Upgrade to firmware 2.0.2 if you’re using iPhone 3G

by Simon Ng on August 30, 2008



I have heard from some of the readers experiencing drop call problem on iPhone 3G. And, this issue seems not a case for one or two faulty iPhones. Quite a lot of iPhone 3G users, especially in US, are complainting the drop-call and call quality issue at Apple’s discussion board. What’s the problem with Apple’s new iPhone?

Apple recently has released two updates on firmware (i.e. 2.0.1 & 2.0.2). I have been asked by some of the readers about these versions of firmware. What bugs are fixed? Should I upgrade to the latest version? For both versions, no specific details about the firmware is disclosed by Apple and from my best understanding, I just know it fixed some bugs. And, the bugs are particularly related to iPhone 3G, I guess.

As of today, a source from DailyTech finally confirmed that firmware 2.0.2 update includes a fix for iPhone 3G reception issue. AT&T already urged their users to upgrade their iPhone to the latest version. It’s now more clear that if you’re iPhone 3G owner, try upgrade to the latest firmware version. But there is a catch. Don’t expect the problem will be complete solved once you install the new firmware. Why?

So, before answering the question. Let’s take a more in-depth look at the update of firmware 2.0.2. The explanation is a little bit technical, but I try to explain the situation as simple as possible. Quoted from DailyTech, firmware 2.0.2 fixed a power control issue on iPhone 3G and this power control determines the quality of 3G connectivity. In simple terms, the old iPhone 3G (i.e. 2.0/2.0.1) is asking for more signal power than it actually needs when making calls that contributes to the drop-call issue. Here this may better explain by a simple illustration. Consider the following situation for a connection between iPhone 3G and cell tower:

Cell Tower: “I can only handle a maximum of 50 signal power units. More that, I’ll drop call”
iPhone 2.0: “I need to take 5 signal power units for making call & 5 signal unit to download data”
iPhone 2.0.2: “I only need to take 2 signal power units for making calls and 3 signal power units download data”

Think about there are six iPhone 2.0 users are making calls with the cell tower. In total, it’ll draw 30 signal power units from the cell tower. Okay, the cell tower can handle it. Now, all the six users are making calls and at the same time, browsing webpage, it’ll need a total of 60 signal power units from the cell tower. And, it’s over the maximum capacity that the cell tower can handle. So, the cell tower may consider to drop one of the calls. That’s the current situation why some iPhone 3G users experience drop call issue, particular in busy area.

And, by simple calcution, using the same illustration, you’ll see if all the six iPhone users are using firmware 2.0.2, the total signal power that are required is only 30 units. The cell tower can handle it without any issue. Of course, no call will be dropped.

Okay, come back to the question. Why even upgrading to firmware 2.0.2 may not resolved the drop call issue immediately? Let’s consider the illustration again. For the six iPhone users, you’re just the one upgrading to 2.0.2. All others are still using the faulty firmware. At maximum, when all users are making calls and web browsing, it’ll need a total of 55 signal power units from cell tower. Still over the capacity that cell tower can handle. The cell tower may still drop your call.

So, to completely resolve the drop call issues, it requires all iPhone 3G user to cooperate and update to the latest firmware.

If you’re iPhone 3G owner, it’s recommended to upgrade to firmware 2.0.2. And, for 2G user, my recommendation is to stay with firmware 2.0 if you have already upgrade and jailbreak the iPhone. Wait a little bit longer and upgrade to firmware 2.1 directly.

Did you experience any connectivity issue with iPhone 3G? Feel free to share with us.

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Tagged as: firmware, firmware-2.0, iPhone, jailbreak-iphone

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