Issue blamed on software

A number of iPhone 4 owners are experiencing problems with the device's proximity sensor, Apple's support forums reveal. The sensor is extremely important on an iPhone, since it shuts off the touchscreen when a person brings the phone to their ear. Without the feature a person can accidentally hit onscreen buttons, carrying the risk of muting or hanging up on a call.

In the glitch now being reported, a touchscreen may turn back on after very little movement, and even rapidly switch on and off. Some users have claimed success in resetting an iPhone's settings, but others have not, and have instead had to swap for a replacement at a local store. The issue is believed to be software-related, a matter of how quickly the sensor triggers.

The iPhone 4 has been plagued with a number of problems since launch, most notably a reception issue which at least appears to cause the device to lose signal if held a particular way. Apple has promised an update to resolve the situation, but has also insisted that people simply use a different grip. Complaints of discolored screens have meanwhile dwindled, which may back the claim of a bonding agent that had yet to evaporate.

by MacNN Staff