Apparently, users are reporting that if they touch the outside metal perimeter of the new iPhone 4 they begin to lose signal:

iPhone 4 Loses Reception When You Hold It By The Antenna Band?

I'm willing to bet you that this is occurring because this time Apple didn't steal patents from other companies like Nokia. Their QA testing for their hardware is probably nothing compared to the huge labs Nokia has. I'm somewhat enjoying the fact that Apple doesn't know how to get the basics of phone hardware right. I mean isn't one of those basic things they teach people in electrical engineering.

I could only imagine the blood that would be spilled if a Nokia phone couldn't make a phone call successfully because you're holding the phone.

So I can faithfully say that I can indeed make phone calls on my N900 without losing reception.... and it's supposed to be an internet tablet device.

could it be that his device is defected?

Allright Jmangs!!! way to go

There seems to be other people reporting the same issue. E.g. data connection speed is really poor when touching the antenna.

This article predicting problems was linked there.

I doubt it's because they didn't license GSM patents or whatever. Probably it's more likely the testing conditions they did (since they do have several prototypes that Apple people test in the field) did not include something. Say maybe they were using cases to disguise it was the new iPhone, or some coating wore off.

I also don't think the snideness is really needed..

Apple will fix it with iphone 5 forcing people to upgrade.

I dont think they can fix that. I believe its a hardware issue especially since the antenna is right there. Which means recall or Rebate one of the two i am sure.

-MASTER

i wonder if having this raw metal exposed and connected to the innards could be a hazard to the phone in case of strong static arc?

or give everyone free pink apple brand bumpers

AT&T made them do it. Now Apple will take some of the heat for dropped calls.