UK mobile network O2 has admitted ongoing issues are affecting the signal quality for customers using the Apple iPhone XR.
The company has responded to complaints from users claiming they have been losing signal several times a day, preventing them from making or receiving calls and texts. The ability to use data services has also been affected, according to users complaining on social media, rendering the phone practically useless as a communications tool if Wi-Fi connectivity isn’t present.
In a statement to the BBC, an O2 spokeswoman thanked customers for their patience and said it was working to solve the issues. The company did not reveal just how many users had been affected by the ongoing issue, which has apparently been causing problems since at least the middle of December.
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“We’re working closely with our partners to resolve an intermittent issue affecting some of our customers using iPhone XR,” the spokesperson said. “We thank any customers affected for their patience.”
According to one user, speaking to the BBC, he first noticed an issue after updating the iOS operating system to the latest version. The last update Apple issues was the iOS 13.3 update on December 10.
It isn’t confirmed whether the update, which was mainly focused on bug fixes and small improvements, is the root of the problems, but it wouldn’t be the first time an iOS update had affected things on the network level.
@O2 Hi there, the o2 network on my iPhone XR intermittently cuts out completely, meaning I have to turn it off/on again to retrieve any service. Not good. Can you advise what can be done?
— James Youern (@GrandDaddyCaddy) January 6, 2020
So still having issues with my #iPhoneXR dropping signal completely several times a day.
Contacted @O2 got a new sim, still happens.
Then took the phone to @Apple shop near me, they reset my phone to factory settings, and said for me to come back if it didn’t solve it.
— Dan (@KingslyLFC) January 6, 2020
So @O2 – my iPhone XR keeps dropping signal entirely – no bars whatsoever, and in lots of different locations, and won’t reconnect unless I on/off. @applesupport Store said you are all working on it – any updates?
— Jim Peeeeeeeeeee (@JimP) January 2, 2020
Apple still offers the iPhone XR, released in 2018, alongside the 2019 iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro range. It currently costs from £629 to buy upfront. We awarded the device a strong 4.5 out of 5 star rating, praising its great battery life, fantastic performance and very capable camera.
Our reviewer wrote: “The iPhone XR is an excellent phone now at an even better price. It offers a lot of the features of the new iPhone 11 and even comes in some colours you might prefer. Some might argue the screen lacks a high resolution. While they’re not wrong, the display here is still nice and colourful. The camera also isn’t as good as the dual-lens array on the iPhone 11.”
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.