yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[HTC Sensation] m1r4j91:
Seriously... That is an epic fail for all the "fanboys" or "haters", who would really hold their phone like that? The sensation is a great phone, the signal is fine too, if anyone was to use their phone like that, then they have problems :/
[HTC Sensation] kgbkny:
These are the same type of people who were complaining about the G2 hinge design when the display portion of the phone would hang down ever so slightly if the phone was held upside down.
[HTC Sensation] bcpk:
That's an extreme case of trying to "find" a problem, but to be honest the G2 hinge did have issues which made it feel somewhat wobbly even when you were just holding it normally.
[HTC Sensation] Zheiko:
You are overreacting, GSMArena.com the most... its total bull****, when I take my HTC Desire into both hands, I loose the signal completely, and not only WI-FI, My GF has Desire S, and I didnt notice any deathgrip by normal usage... yes, when I take the phone in special grip, then yes, I loose like one point of my home wifi, but thats it... I am getting Sensation anyway, for the great price I will have it, I'd be stupid not to take it(even if I should re-sell it)
[HTC Sensation] ARC X12:
I am more concerned if the Sensation has this problem when held horizontally specially when doing web browsing. Could someone with the Sensation confirm if this problem exists when held horizontally?
[HTC Sensation] DuoM:
Actually I think that this design flaw can have very real consequences in real world use.

While I don't hold a phone the way he did with the phone inline with my fingers I do often hold it in one hand with the phone lying across my fingers. This allows me to type one handed using my thumb, as I am right now. Sandwich in one hand phone in the other.

It looks like I would run into this problem regularly :(
[HTC Sensation] Zheiko:
I dont think you would... The phones are intensively tested for daily use, and this is the Flagship of HTC, why the hell would they release the phone with this fault, if they knew that you'd have this problem everytime you use the phone?

Same was with iPhone, they released it, they knew its happening, but still, they decided to get the phone on market and see. And honestly, I know a lot of ppl, who knows about the iPhone4 problem, and they dont complain that it'd be happening a lot...
[HTC Sensation] DuoM:
Well, let's wait and see, but if it has problems when lying flat on the fingers it will most likely have problems when I use it single-handed.
[HTC Sensation] dbirdflyshi:
think about this though, if cell coverage drops when it is flat on the palm of the hand, wouldnt the same issue occur if it were to be flat on a table or couch or chair? For all who have this phone i am curious and am eager to find someone to tested this to confirm that it only happens on the hand and not other flat/ contouring surfaces!
[HTC Sensation] ARC X12:
This is exactly the same as my concern but only when doing web browsing and holding the phone horizontally.
[HTC Sensation] hishamzz:
Thinking bout purchasing the HTC Sensation and I have got some questions which I feel would help me with that increasing difficult decision :)

Its a scary thought that the Wifi and bluetooth reception drops but would it also apply to the regular call signals too? Using a casing on the mobile would solve all those problems?

Worthy been an investment to make? :-S
[HTC Sensation] darryl22:
i have looked at this so called signal issue at length after reading this and imo it does not affect it enough to worth worrying about.

after holding this upright with one finger on the top to balance it i got -42dBm after laying it flat on the table i get -49dBm if i use the death grip i get -55dBm i have even tried landscape mode and completely covered the back of the phone with my hands and managed to get it to -61dBm even after all this the wifi icon at the top of the screen did not drop from full

i also have a gell skin on mine which takes the dBm from -40 to -42
[HTC Sensation] zoomee:
I concurr with the above. I tested my mates today - FULLY covered the back of it with my death grip and NO noticeable loss of signal.....
[HTC Sensation] pogimodo:
I have had my Sensation for two weeks and the wifi signal disconnects very frequently. It occurs in a variety of holds including portrait, but it disconnects especially often when held in landscape mode with fingers around the top edge. This is a major problem for me and I'm in communication with HTC about getting the device replaced.

For those of you who don't think it's a big deal I would still recommend you bide your time before buying this handset.
[HTC Sensation] recondo1202:
Can someone with a Sensation test this out? Will the Sensation BT/WiFi signal drop if lying flat on a table, couch or some type of flat surface?

I lay my phone on my desk a lot while streaming music via BT...

Thanks,
[HTC Sensation] recondo1202:
This is good news...did you try to test like the GSMarena video?
[HTC Sensation] sorcerika:
Is this some kind of joke? I've NEVER had such problem...
[HTC Sensation] alireza_simkesh:
two very different comments about the same issue....wondering which one is really the true one:confused:
[HTC Sensation] bigmachine:
there are other videos on youtube on this topic..

one video shows drop in wifi

youtube.com/watch?v=jRzho6B3X7A&feature=related

the other does not

youtube.com/watch?v=d6rA4UKl1xY

really confusing now..
[HTC Sensation] recondo1202:
Sounds like we will just have to purchase it and try it out for ourselves...we do have the small window to return.

I think I'm still leaning on purchasing it...
[HTC Sensation] :
New article in Gsmarena.

http://blog.gsmarena.com/death-grip...-falls-victim-when-you-hold-it-wrong-we-test/

This is their "own" test. The first was one was reported by Nordichardware.
[HTC Sensation] aaa:
The death grip is worse than I thought...I will skip Sensation and wait for the next phone :)
[HTC Sensation] andbakk:
Why didn't they test the phone holding it naturally in landscape mode? Holding the phone in portrait mode and cupping the top with your hand is not natural in any way...
[HTC Sensation] xl VipeR lx:
It still exists, i tried it on my Sensation. im tempted to get rid of it right now. dont know, dont like touchwiz but the deathgrip is off putting.
[HTC Sensation] alexsql:
Well

Guys,

anyone who wants to get rid of your 'junk' HTC Sensation, please send it to me, I'll be happy to sacrifice and take over your frustrations. I won't even charge you for it!

:p
[HTC Sensation] xl VipeR lx:
lol i said i was tempted. ONLY tempted.

besides i noticed my DHD fares better, but it also gets 1 bar on my ground floor in my hand, and 3 bars on 1st floor and full in the loft, in my loft no matter how i gripped it i wasnt able to lose the signal, 1st floor max lost was 2 bars, if i deathgripped it and covered the whole bottom.

ground floor deathgripped went to 1 bar or lost everything but held naturally managed 1 bar. but dhd deathgripped or held naturally went down to 1 bar.

could be my house too lol

but im actually thinking of keeping it. besides this issue, it is perfect, btw on the way home i was actually talking on my bluetooth stereo headset. phone was on the passenger seat. reached out and laid it flat on my hand, no loss playing music i didnt lose audio either while it flat, i managed to lose connection to blutooth but then again i laid my hand flat on it covering it all and also shoved it under my leg at the same time. but as i eased off with my leg with the phone still deathgripped. bluetooth back on.

so bluetooth doesnt seem much of an issue.

BTW the phone fits snugly in the HTC HD2 leather pouch they used to give with the HD2. still kept mine :P
[HTC Sensation] darryl22:
i have just done the test that they do at the start and i get no wifi drop off what so ever i even put my other hand behind it and still got no drop off
[HTC Sensation] Cogiflux:
Well... I got my HTC Sensation today... I live in Europe and I received the phone at office and in that place the wifi connection of the phone was continuously disconnecting and reconnecting and disconnecting again just by touching the phone or by moving it of 2-3 centimetres, if i took it in my hands while watching a flash videostream it disconnects immediately, also in one meter range from our wifi router.

It was so bad that i thought i had received a faulty unit... then in the evening I brought it at home and here the received signal is strong and there's no way to loose the connection also if covering the phone with both hands and shaking badly...

The only difference is that in the office there's like 15 other wifi networks at different ranges, while at home there's only 3-4 with low signal strength... maybe that makes some difference ?

My old iPhone 3GS had no problems like that at the office anyway...
[HTC Sensation] redbullcat:
Hmm...gonna test this when I get my Sensation next week. I still think this over dramatization of a problem.

EDIT: Just watched the GSMArena video. Who holds their phone like they were demonstrating? No one. I hold mine in my right hand, and tap with my thumb and fingers on my left hand. I don't hold it like were demonstrating. Although I can accept this would be a problem if you're holding the phone in landscape.

Maybe HTC can boost the signal strength or something, I don't know. I'm going back on live chat to talk about it with a HTC rep tomorrow.
[HTC Sensation] bcpk:
I was indignantly sceptical at first, but I just tested it on my own Sensation and it produced exactly the same result. In fact, I was able to drop wifi just by touching the top section of the backplate with one finger. It wasn't instant but it did end up eventually killing the modem entirely like they say. This is a disappointing oversight by HTC, I wonder what they can do to remedy this. At least the battery cover is removable, unlike the sides of the iPhone. Perhaps they will issue a redesign...
[HTC Sensation] darryl22:
just got mine to loose wifi i was outside at the bottom of the garden about 35-40ft from my homehub which is at at the other end of the house 2 bars before death grip lost wifi with death grip i think it has a lot to do with what wifi router people have as some push the wifi signal better than others ie b/g/n
[HTC Sensation] redbullcat:
Good point. I'll bring this up when I speak to a HTC rep tomorrow :)
[HTC Sensation] jaws5656:
This problem is appear only wifi and bluetooth or it's also affecting 3G connection at the same time?
[HTC Sensation] rp-x1:
I've used my Sensation with 3G and Wifi and bluetooth on me, wood, metal and in a plastic car mount, and have not had any issues with any form in terms of signal drop.

I don't understand people who live and die by stats, if it doesn't drop calls or data access, does it truly matter if it drops a couple of dB? :rolleyes:
[HTC Sensation] OccasionalDroid:
These videos are not just a couple of dB, they are complete modem crashes, and it is a problem as when you hold the phone in landscape mode the wifi will drop out for a definite...
[HTC Sensation] :
Just saw the new gsmarena video. Two questions:

Did they test more than one device in a real use scenario?

Does it seem that the tester had to press the spot abnormally hard for attenuation to occur?

Remember guys, it is in the interest of gsmarena to keep pushing this story. No problem, fewer hits on their site. I'm waiting for a more neutral party that will test this issue under real world conditions with multiple devices. It is quite obvious that attenuation will occur with any radio if you cover the antenna completely, but that counts as a misuse of the device.
[HTC Sensation] :
I just discovered the issue on my hd 2. If I cover the top of my phone really hard, I lose 1 bar for my wifi. Only thing is, I never use it this way, and I have to squeeze it very hard. I'm gonna send it back to htc. ;)
[HTC Sensation] vetruvet:
It seems to me that ever since the iPhone antenna issue, people have been deliberately trying to find the "death grip" for phones... Yes, some phones are more prone to this than others, but no phone is going to be completely unaffected...

Unless the problem is prevalent when holding the phone in normal usage scenarios, I don't think it really matters.

Now, if people start reporting more and more cases of normal usage leading to signal drop, beyond what may be considered faulty units, then there is a real problem...
[HTC Sensation] sorcerika:
This thing is more and more confusing...

Some people have that issue and others (include me) don't have at all...
[HTC Sensation] cheesinar:
I've tried every way possible to replicate this death grip problem on my sensation.

Absolutely no issues on my phone with loss of signal. In fact I've yet to come across any issues at all.
[HTC Sensation] portelgeist.:
its more complicated then.

some people said no issues at all, and some people said they have the issues.

is it any different with 3g/4g?
[HTC Sensation] redbullcat:
Just hope I'm one of the people who don't have the issue :) (I don't have my Sensation yet, I've got to wait until my exams finish on 16th June. BUt I've had a few plays with it now and then). :p
[HTC Sensation] xdafalter:
I got my Sensation nearly 2 weeks ago with Vodafone branding in Germany. I discovered the issue even before I heard about the "deathgrip", which is clearly a term created by the media to gain more interest in their article. I thought, oh no, please not a problem like the idiotPhone has...

In my case it affected WiFi, not the carrier signal, bluetooth untested. But WiFi signal nearly dropped from full to signal loss, 5m away from the hotspot. This happens when I hold the phone in landscape with both hands/palms on the sides and just the thumbs above the screen. My natural holding when reading and surfing, but might differ from person to person. So a slight move of the position of the left hand an everything is alright again... as an engineer myself I can live with it, I know nothing can be created perfectly, so there is always some case where something is not the way it could/should be (there is also no free lunch). Maybe a new hw-revision will make it better or already has?

I send it back yesterday, but not because of this issue. I first want to see how the bootloader story develops, also the phone already dropped by about 60 bucks in others stores.

I don't like the Samsung devices, their looks (hw and TouchWiz) are not appealing to me, but great anyway. I think their biggest flaw is, that they are produced by Samsung :p ...but anyone has to feel at home his way.

And I like Sense, even if I'm more the linux guy with spartan standards. So with the Open Sense story in mind I hope there will be great things to come when reordering the Sensation later, even if HTC is a bit after the events when it comes to an open system... for now.
[HTC Sensation] luffyp:
Can people who have the Sensation which doesn't have the issue post video to show it please? We have seen videos of the issues, yet there're people who claim they don't have the issue.

Unless their phones have different design, I think this is strange. Maybe they're a little over-protective of their phones or maybe the issue is "little" to them that they regard it as non-issue.

There're many people (including me) who are interested in this phone and would want to know as many info, facts, flaws of the phone as possible so they can make an informed buying decision. Please state facts and don't be over-protective. The "issue" might not matter to some people but they may matter to others. But if you really don't have the issue, I would really love to see the video of the "non-issue" from you. Thanks :)
[HTC Sensation] vetruvet:
That's certainly a problem for any device's reputation... People will post videos about the device's flaws, but rarely do you see videos showing the device not having those flaws...
[HTC Sensation] redbullcat:
Spoke to HTC rep on live chat. This is his statement thing:

I said if they find it is 'not within normal operating parameters' could they issue a redesign on the battery cover. He said:

So I guess this is OK news, and we know that HTC are investigating the matter :) He also said they'd take the GSMArena video (which I told him to watch) into account, but they also have to conduct their own tests.
[HTC Sensation] Zheiko:
Sorry mate, I dont want to ruin your ideas and mood, however, have you ever worked in Customer Care as an agent? I am not saying that in there its the same thing, however you cannot believe everything the CSA says... I know, HTC proved to us, that they DO care and that they listens, especialy XDA-dev is one of the most watched forums about smartphones, so there might be something into it, but unless I read official note that they are investigating it, I wont believe...
[HTC Sensation] ARC X12:
Very well said. I for one, is looking forward in getting this phone but kind of lose interest because of this issue. Had tried an HTC Desire S before and it has this exact issue. Dont know why HTC didnt correct it when they release this phone knowing that its an issue with the Desire S.
[HTC Sensation] zoomee:
Now I'll be honest and state I didn't get chance to try WIFI. I only tested the 3G reception - which didn't budge at all when I deathgripped it completely (just like in the video and even worse!).

WIFI I hardly use but this seems a valid point: "The only difference is that in the office there's like 15 other wifi networks at different ranges, while at home there's only 3-4 with low signal strength... maybe that makes some difference ? "

Might be banding conflicts related as its just WIFI that seems to be the problem. I'm pretty sure HTC will know what they are doing with WIFI chips by now, so this problem should be addressable with software updates ;)
[HTC Sensation] ARC X12:
I think that the problem is not with the software but hardware. Just like the iphone 4, which apple hasnt solved because it was not a software issue but hardware issue. The Desire S which also have the same wifi problem with the sensation is still having this problem until now.
[HTC Sensation] bigmachine:
could it be the asian release version has no issue on this or is less prominent... the previous post, guy from korea also said that he has no issue with it ..
[HTC Sensation] T-junk:
Tested my device.. Imo it was not a severre loss or totally no signal at all..

This seems to be not such a big problem. Will try to check with a proper bw meter in the near future..

edit: 1.35.x stock ruu / OTA gives waaay better radio support.
[HTC Sensation] redbullcat:
But unlike the iPhone 4, the Sensation's antenna are on the battery cover, which is user-removable. This makes all the difference. HTC can simply offer a redesign on the inside of the battery cover, and every is back to normal again.

Apple give users bumpers for the iPhone 4, HTC give users a redesigned battery cover. Simple as.
[HTC Sensation] andbakk:
Got my Sensation today, and I have no issues with the signal so far.

Just a thought, have you tried to clean the antenna contacts on the phone and in the cover? May be a thing to try...
[HTC Sensation] xl VipeR lx:
Didn't think of would to mine was brand new sealed and had the problem from first boot

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e with my finger using telepathy
[HTC Sensation] ClydeB1:
HTC Says No Death Grip Problem With Sensation 4G

HTC's response to the "death grip" saga
[HTC Sensation] redbullcat:
Silly HTC. That's the 4G. Europe has a different version, you need to do a test on this, too :)
[HTC Sensation] bcpk:
Way to bury your head in the sand, HTC. Holding the phone in landscape orientation is not an unusual use case, and you should have tested for that.
[HTC Sensation] xl VipeR lx:
Honest to God i really feel like swearing at them right now. going up to OPeter Chou and giving him a good piece of my mind, hundreds of Sensation Customers complaining, yet all they can do on live support is copy and paste off scripts. Pathetic.

Im going to get rid of my Sensation, go back to my trust DHD, which does FARE BETTER than the Sensation at the moment, dual core is going to have to wait,

Personally having a phone that cannot make calls because it loses reception in my left hand or having one that loses wifi when i hold it like a ps3 controller in landscape or across my hand. it beats the object of BEING A PHONE!
[HTC Sensation] xl VipeR lx:
This is happening to my DHD too, when i hold it like i do the sensation it happens, its not more evident as the dhd is bulkier our hands spread out over it.
[HTC Sensation] Curious!:
as luffyp said, please put a video who claim to have no issue. I'm interested in this phone, too
[HTC Sensation] xl VipeR lx:
yeh, its bad, trust me it is, my dhd is better at keeping signals, because it is bigger and wider and squarer than the sensation, the way you hold it doesnt cause a deathgrip.
[HTC Sensation] undercover:
Just played around with mine. Yes it does loose bar or two when you hold it tight. Done some testing as well. Now, top plastic/rubberised part of back cover is wifi antenna, bottom is phone signal.That looks like it could benefit from them silly antenna booster stickers, as long as you connect them to the pins inside (easy peasy just take cover off, and here they are. If i ever experience this issue, i will try it, meanwhile someone who does have a problem could try it, and i could share my ideas.

How i know which is which? Well, if you take cover off, you will notice that reception drops on both mobile network and wifi. Now toch bottom pin and watch network signal reappear. Now touch two top pins, and you will see that wifi is improved greatly. Basically, body acts as antenna.
[HTC Sensation] xl VipeR lx:
mine it does lose quite abit, im thinking about selling mine :(. nice but not good enough for me, losing wifi and reception is a no no
[HTC Sensation] undercover:
Well, try doing what i mentioned above. You dont loose anything, apart from a few quid. PM me if you need details of what i think might work.
[HTC Sensation] sorcerika:
Just curious. I found little difference between mine and gsmarena's photo.

This is mine.

http://yfrog.com/h3qawpoxj

As you can see, there are 3 contact points on upper area.

But gsmarena's photo, there are only 2.

Maybe it can make some difference?
[HTC Sensation] raegae2000:
Ya I was wondering the same thing. I'm hoping that it increase the wirless signal, thats why I put off buying the EU version in hopes of a better reception.
[HTC Sensation] omar302:
OK. Thats the first guy with a non-Vodafone & non-US T-Mobile Sensation that confirms he has the extra connector. Could be that the Vodafone versions, being the 1st release had this issue & then later releases were rectified by adding the extra connector?
[HTC Sensation] cheesinar:
My phone is from HK and only has 2 contact points at the top of the phone, but I'm having absolutely no issues with signal.
[HTC Sensation] reneover:
Do you experience WiFi issue in landscape mode? Or not at all with third contact point?
[HTC Sensation] omar302:
Reply from HTC

HTC replied to this issue through their Middle East Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/htcmea
[HTC Sensation] IJS-T:
Official reply from HTC, which I tend to believe considering the experiences other sensation users have posted:

http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_does_an_apple_denies_sensation_death_grip_issues_exist-news-2756.php
[HTC Sensation] sorcerika:
If I place phone like gsmarena's vid, I lost 1 signal bar.
[HTC Sensation] reneover:
And in normal landscape mode? Like when you are watching a YouTube video, or playing a game like angry birds?

If i do that my WiFi is imediately gone.
[HTC Sensation] sorcerika:
It's strange, I have full 4 indicators in normal landscape mode...

Both wifi and cellular.
[HTC Sensation] bambollero:
Detailed followup on the swedish nordichardware (cant post direct lincks :/) along with extensive review. They confirm the grip and compare to the GS2S reception.
[HTC Sensation] xl VipeR lx:
Would you mind sharing some ideas

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e with my finger using telepathy