In order to measure the antenna it is necessary to connect the antenna via a cable. However, cable currents can cause severe gain lobes. Although an antenna balun or ferrites can be used to block any cable currents, both these tools change the near field of the antenna and thus change the antenna performance to a certain degree. In this way, the antenna can be handled just like any other component. Currently, most pick and place machines are capable of handling typical Bluetooth PIFA antennasized components.
Soldered connections are also quite accurate and reliable.
Nevertheless, a potential problem with a heavy antenna, e.g. a large ceramic antenna, is that it may overstress solder joints under drop test conditions. The antenna in a Bluetoothenabled device is one vital part of the whole solution, the choice of which will affect, for instance, product power consumption and bit error rate. Thus the incorporation of an optimized antenna could be the deciding factor in choosing between two similar devices.