“Antennagate” was all the rage when the iPhone 4 launched, it caused the device to stop, or severely lower, the amount of mobile reception it received. Well we have the same type of thing happening with the HTC Sensation, which I currently have my hands on (oh, pun). If you lay the Sensation facing upwards on the palm of your hand, the Wi-Fi signal pretty much dies in the arse, there’s no two ways about it. However, to actually have the Sensation (or any device for that matter) in that kind of position while using it is pretty far-fetched; it’s really uncomfortable, so everyday use is not going to effect your signal too much. Hit the break for a video and brief description of what causes the issue.
Why does the signal loss occur?
Great question inquisitive reader, and here’s the answer:
The rear cover of the HTC Sensation is made up of three areas: a middle strip of aluminium and two areas of plastic (one above and below the aluminium). Now, the Wi-Fi signal is transmitted to these plastic areas and pushed out the rear of the device to your router or what-have-you, but when you cover both these sensitive areas the Wi-Fi signal fails to pass through your skin and bone, which in turn causes your Wi-Fi signal to drastically drop or just cut out completely. See the video below of my brief demo — I recommend turning off audio, unless you like traffic and the sound of a camera focusing.
This is ridiculous. Im using it in landscape mode right now and I killed not just the WiFi, but everything!! I got the sensation yesterday and got a g2x for my brother.. I think Im going to either take his phone or return this one and get a g2x. While ugly, the G2x performance is 2nd ti none.. and for some reason need for speed shift works on g2x but not this one.
Do you think this will get fixed with a sofrware update?
Btw I switched back to portrait and 4g returned to post this**
I love HTC sense but if this keeps hppening I will have to move to g2x and root 🙁
I just want to see a video of someone holding it normally, and without showing off the issue. If you hold it landscape with two hands like you are playing a game on it or something, and the wifi issue happens then yea it will be annoying. But if you have to stick your hand on the top of the phone purposely to make the signal drop, in a way no normal person would hold the phone then no big deal for me. iPhone 4 on the other hand this issue occurs when holding the phone normally, as in with… Read more »
I just want to see a video of someone holding it normally, and without showing off the issue. If you hold it landscape with two hands like you are playing a game on it or something, and the wifi issue happens then yea it will be annoying. But if you have to stick your hand on the top of the phone purposely to make the signal drop, in a way no normal person would hold the phone then no big deal for me. iPhone 4 on the other hand this issue occurs when holding the phone normally, as in with… Read more »
Kill your wifi single-handedly…i see what you did there 😉
I want to like this handset, I really do. But issues like this is turning it into a deal killer for me. I will use it to watch TV shows/movies or read the news on my morning train commute so would use it in the very way in which signal strength will be weakened, ie. landscape/both hands on the rear…
I’m thinking I’ll wait for the SGSII instead…
Got my SGSII yesterday, its incredible. Would highly recommend it. I was thinking about the Sensation but yeah,these kind of issues just make it seem like a less premium device. Also if you see the viewing angles they are terrible. This super AMOLED Plus display is amazing. It is super quick. Everything you could want in a phone.
except still using the 5 year old resolution, no QHD with sgs2 🙁
Well put it this way, three days ago I was an iphone 4 owner. I had used the phone for almost a year and was so used to the pixel density. There was seriously no transition period between the phones. This one looks incredible. I put it next to the iphone 4 and still think this looks better. This is definity the screen I want to use on a daily basis.
except still using the 5 year old resolution, no QHD with sgs2 🙁
It appears to affect the Desire S as well!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-1036357.html
HTC, stop giving me reasons to mock this phone like I do the iPhone… glass facings, poor antenna, locked bootloader… the list is starting to get a bit long.
Er…get a life, dougie.
I got one of these yesterday and I cant get it to do that. It does tend to fluctuate, but then so did my Desire before it.
Hmm, what a shame for HTC…. great and thanks for doing the video too!
“What a shame for HTC…”
Yet when Apple’s phone suffers the same problem, the ‘haters’ post ugly, vitriolic attacks on every forum available…
Go figure.
Go enjoy your iFail.
I don’t have an iPhone (I presume that is what you mean with your incredibly witty ‘iFail) but I will have one soon whether it’s the wife’s 3GS or I buy a new one.
I wouldn’t consider anything else…
The minute that I saw the inside of the Sensation’s cover, I was worried about how the antenna was going to work. I really want to like the Sensation – it has a lot going for it: nice design and specifications, good weight and size (I like my phones to have a decent amount of heft) but it’s more suitable for a less technologically minded person with problems like these. Oh dear.
doesn’t look like any sort of grip, be buggered if i would be sitting my phone flat in my hand like these video’s have been showing
Yeah can’t remember ever holding my phone like that. How much does it get affected in everyday use buzz?
There’s no effect on the signal strength when you hold it normally. The only time I can see this becoming a problem is if you’re laying down watching or reading something in landscape mode with both hands on the rear of the device. Other than that there’s no significant effect.
But what about, say, laying it on your thigh? Or on your tummy when lying down (e.g listening to music)? Or pressed against your leg/body when in a pocket?
I regularly hold my LG Optimus One exactly like in the photograph, single handed, in my left hand, in landscape mode, buttons pointing to the right, when I’m watching videos, or reading websites or ebooks.
So yeah, I can easilly see how the Grip of Death would become an issue for HTC users.
“you’re holding it wrong”.