yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[HTC Sensation] crajay:
Can someone post a video showing a sensation that doesn't have death grip to prove it exists
[HTC Sensation] Pinball_:
The instant i move my hand over the top end of the phone, vertical or horizontal my wifi totally drops out.

Have to literally hold the phone with 2 fingertips that end or hold the phone in the centre to avoid it.

Thats with best wifi performance selected also, so screw wasting more battery on that.

I love my Sensation but this really is bad.
[HTC Sensation] mrmotivator:
Same here. Got mine from o2 this morning, everything about the phone is amazing. Thought I'd test out the "death grip" fully expecting it to be a massive exaggeration and maybe only see a slight drop if I completely cupped the phone. I only have to put one finger on it on the top end with my left hand for it to drop out from nearly full to absolute zero. Really disappointing seeing as everything else is great. Going to return it for another one, they probably all have the issue but I can deal with a slight drop. A complete drop out to unusable zero with the tip of my finger is quite bad.

It makes me wonder though if rather than blocking the signal, holding it in a certain way is having an iPhone 4-like effect and shorting out or closing a loop or something.
[HTC Sensation] Robboftw:
I can only deduce there must be a fairly large batch of them with faulty back covers or something to that effect. Get them swapped and see if it improves.
[HTC Sensation] Cymruan:
It's amazing how polarized this is (as ever). Either it affectes phones and makes them useless,or doesn't have any dicernable affect and isn't noticable. I don't know if it's people making a bigger deal than it is because they are let down, or people ignoring a slight difference to persuade people to still get the phone they love. Shame there is no 100% impartial party that we can trust that will check a massive batch and really let us know.
[HTC Sensation] Robboftw:
Considering I don't use my Sensation and the Galaxy S II is my main phone (as it's superior), I would have no issue admitting a fault and there simply is not one with my phone.
[HTC Sensation] slycog:
lol.... so true. Seems to be the norm on xda.

Holding the phone as one normally would in landscape mode causes the wifi to completely disconnect on my sensation, neither the performance option/case make a difference.

Can someone with a defect free phone demonstrate continuous use of wifi in landscape orientation in a video?
[HTC Sensation] bobsbbq:
Where is the information about a fix using Tin foil? I have read about it but can't find it.
[HTC Sensation] samnada:
In my house with my router I don't lose my wifi connection in landscape no matter how I wrap my hands around my phone. I've used Wifi Analyzer and the signal does drop about 20dB, but I still have at least 3 bars, and never drop the connection.

Here are two vids that might explain at least part of the differences in user reports. Could be as simple as the signal level you're starting with:

Weak signal to start, connection drops:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kUqa1oAbTU

Strong signal, connection doesn't drop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64GKuuczoE

I have the second one. Starts at about -50, drops to about -70. Stays connected.
[HTC Sensation] Axefield:
This is true, but does not take away the fact that there's a serious problem. If I have -70 and full bars to start with, it will drop to -100 and off when holding two handed on landscape.
[HTC Sensation] samnada:
You think that's unique to the Sensation? I also have a Samsung Galaxy S (Vibrant) and it shows a similar drop if I wrap my hands around it. If my hands drop the signal by 20dB they're going to do that no matter what device I'm holding.

Perhaps the location of the antenna in the Sensation makes it more susceptible when held in a "normal" landscape position, but the tests I've seen basically require smothering the phone with your hands. Just doesn't seem that difficult to not do that. But there may also be manufacturing defects in some phones that make them more susceptible.

I just responded to a request for a vid showing no lost connection in landscape. I've seen other vids showing the same thing, and my own experience verifies it. I don't think anyone is lying, there are likely just variations in phones, routers, and hands, as well as levels of perfectionism.
[HTC Sensation] ARC X12:
I truly agree with this. For those who confirmed that their wifi performance was affected when held horizontally, they showed a video of it occuring. But have never seen a video of it "not occuring" for those who said that theirs are not affected. Its good to see some of them also.
[HTC Sensation] samnada:
Define "affected".

There's a big difference between some loss of signal but no loss of function, connectivity or throughput, and total loss of connectivity.

If you look at the strong signal video I linked and watch the wifi bars in the notification screen you could say there's no affect. The connection was never dropped. The weak signal video shows a big affect, i.e. total loss of the connection.

The difficulty is not everyone is using the same criteria for declaring a serious problem, or no problem.
[HTC Sensation] smashpunks:
I would be glad to post a video in 4.5 hours when my wife gets home with the vibrant. My only video camera. Whats the test. Just turn on wifi, and cover the back and show signal doesnt drop? Or any special attention>?
[HTC Sensation] brianbrain:
I just want to say that from my experience this phone has the best reception of any smartphone I've used on T-Mobile. I'm getting reception in places I used to have none and 4g where I'd only get edge.

Maybe certain grips can cause a WiFi issue, but I'll take that for the awesome cellular reception I've had thus far.
[HTC Sensation] bobsbbq:
Nevermind I found it.
[HTC Sensation] djmaz:
No signal problems with mine so far apart from when I have been working out in the sticks or up hills but that's normal anyway. End of the day imo its better than my iphone for signal, oh and everything else really
[HTC Sensation] ramis7:
I didn't find any death grip in my phone.
[HTC Sensation] aNYthing24:
I have this unfortunately..I'm contemplating on returning it. I basically can't use the phone in landscape with two hands because my WiFi single completely drops out if I'm not in the room with my WiFi router.
[HTC Sensation] sorcerika:
Strange. Some people require 'proof', so I uploaded my vid to youtube about 2 weeks ago and post the link, but seems no one interested.

And people still saying 'some proof for no deathgrip'

Doesn't deathgrip means 'complete loss of signal'?

Yeah, I have complete loss of wifi signal away from AP about 10meters and blocked by 2walls. But IMO this is completely normal.
[HTC Sensation] aNYthing24:
I don't think it is...I used my iPod touch (4th generation) as a reference point and the single doesn't drop at all when I hold it that way.
[HTC Sensation] dubie76:
Tin foil? Really? This isn't a 1970's TV.

I find it hard to believe that HTC who probably spent hundreds of thousands of dollars alone in testing and research released a phone with a problem that can be fixed with tinfoil.:eek::eek:

We all spent good hard earned money on a device. If it doesnt work for you, then return it. No point in complaining or trying to rig it to work with tin foil or other items. Take it back and get something your happy with.
[HTC Sensation] Fishawy:
Hello .. I went to the Mall of Arabia (Egypt) yesterday, where I tested the HTC Sensation. Exactly like it's mentioned here http://bit.ly/lwjkVk. Touch it from the bottom or flip it, and the Wifi signal drops to 0% "I was right under the Wifi antenna with 100% bars by the way", and the same for desire S too "tested it myself as well". Moreover, Sensation has 768 MB RAM, only theoretically. When I checked in the task manager, I found only 556 MB available, and I was told that the rest is being consumed by the system. FYI, there were 3 presented Sensation phones, and the same behavior happened with all three! The HTC guys almost killed me when 4 customers were behind my back watching what I do & they instantly left after seeing the wifi bars drop to zero. :)

This is really a shame for such a phone, definitely drove me away from it. I do love HTC, but Sensation has several drawbacks: RAM, sunlight legibility, and the death grip. The tech. support guy told me yesterday that this is a known issue & HTC will figure out a solution by 15-Jul max, but I really doubt it, as it's a hardware thing that wasn't fixed in the iPhone4 either .. Let's just wait n see. Meanwhile, I'll consider HTC Evo 3D or the Samsung Galaxy S II as other great alternatives, as Sensation is currently out of the competition.
[HTC Sensation] aNYthing24:
Hopefully the tech support guy is right about it being a software issue. It's really a shame because that's the only thing that bothers me about the phone.
[HTC Sensation] mrmotivator:
My guess is that it's not due to blocking the antenna, it's where you touch the back of the phone. The back cover works as an antenna (no Wi-Fi or cell signal if you take the cover off) so it may be some faulty back covers.

I know that I don't even have to cup or cover my back cover, I can hold it with the tips of my fingers but if they touch certain spots on the back of the phone at all Wi-Fi drops completely.

I've noticed that sometimes my phone also has no cell signal at all, even when sat right next to an iPhone 4 on the same network with full signal.

Here's a rolling graph of what happens when I touch the top end of the phone in landscape. I'm not even cupping it or holding it unnaturally.

http://imgur.com/TJvOT

When the line touches -70dBm I get 2/full bars on the Wi-Fi icon at the top of the screen. When I touch the phone it drops down to absolute zero.

Edit: Those drops are instant too, the second you touch it...full instant drop.
[HTC Sensation] potblack2win:
I've just ordered this phone from Vodafone UK.

The phone should be arriving sometime next week.

The death grip issue may only effect the UK/Europe model, as the T-Mobile "Sensation 4G" has three antennas at back.

I'm really hoping the version I get has three antennas at the back. If not I check and see how bad the problem actually is.

I can see HTC recalling back covers in the coming weeks/months???

[YOUTUBE]MhPD7tGCsYg[/YOUTUBE]
[HTC Sensation] bobsbbq:
Not sure if this is your video or not? But how far was the phone from the router and was the WiFi mode set to best performance in settings? I also would like to see you hold it in Landscape.

It seems maybe there are some that are not effected as bad as others.
[HTC Sensation] potblack2win:
Not my video

I was browsing YouTube and came across the video. Maybe try leaving a comment on his YouTube vid/ send him a pm

Their are actually valid questions as he may have been close to his router:confused:

HTC we need a statement from you! The longer they leave it the more embarrassing it will get

Eagerly waiting for my phone and as I have a 7 day return policy will test it.
[HTC Sensation] hishamzz:
what deathgrip :-S

Hey guys!

Got down a HTC Sensation from Singapore and loving it to the core! I have not come across the death grip issue as I tested the Wifi in both landscape and portrait mode upto 100 m away from my N Router and I have had no issues whatsoever. Covered the entire back of the phone with the palm of my hand and nada. Signal DOES drop a bit but it does not disconnect the connection :-S

Mine is not the 4G variant.

Zz
[HTC Sensation] britchris1:
Acknowledged by HTC

I made this youtube video showing that this is a real problem

youtube.com/watch?v=1r6W5NamovY

when holding the phone as you would to watch a video browse the internet etc the signal drops and will disconnect (it will however reconnect after a few seconds)

I sent a copy to HTC support (USA) and this is the response I received:

Douglas

[North America Support (Tech)]

I understand your wifi signal drops when you hold the top portion of the phone. At present I do not know the status of this issue as HTC Technical support receives all device information and becomes fully engaged in the support of a device right at launch time, so I was able to get a Sensation and replicate your test however I do not know if this is an issue that can be addressed via software or if the WiFi signal will still function at those reception levels for a typical user. We may need to find if certain WiFi transmission channels are affected more than others.

I would like to escalate your issue for early review within HTC Technical support.

Danty, our escalations agent who is handling this ticket, is waiting on information from within HTC and will reach out to you as soon as we have an update.
[HTC Sensation] bobsbbq:
Where is the Advances settings at to try this? I could not seem to find them.
[HTC Sensation] aNYthing24:
Settings > wireless & networks > Wi-Fi settings > menu > advanced

It hasn't really made a difference for me though.
[HTC Sensation] bigmachine:
hey there, may i ask where in singapore did you get your sensation? im planning to get one too in singapore..thanks!
[HTC Sensation] Fishawy:
Here it is, affecting both GSM & Wifi. "Language is Italian by the way".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&feature=related&v=fNxhEoQAdks
[HTC Sensation] mrmotivator:
Did you hear anything back mate? Everything about mine is fine except this issue (however I have noticed a bit of dust under the screen now). I don't want to take it back to the shop now if it's just going to be replaced with another one that does exactly the same.
[HTC Sensation] britchris1:
Just reached out to them and was told "There is no update on your escalation at this time, we are waiting for more information from HTC Corporate"....

Mine is perfectly fine except the wifi issue as well, hopefully they figure out a fix soon I'll keep you updated
[HTC Sensation] mrmotivator:
Cool, I'll keep an eye on this thread, keep us updated!

I originally thought mine was just affecting the Wi-Fi but makes the cell signal drop too. I noticed that if I rest the phone down on my leg if I'm sitting down I get no signal with anything whatsoever. So I tried putting the phone in my trouser pocket with screen facing outwards (usually have the screen leg-facing) and yeah, it had no signal whatsoever. Pretty bad fault if it makes the phone unusable if you put it in your pocket a certain way!

I do have trust that I can swap it for another one without the problem and that some are probably worse than others but for such an expensive device I want to hold off to hear an official response other than "it's normal".
[HTC Sensation] qcefer:
This makes me very very sad!!!
[HTC Sensation] Fishawy:
Indeed, it made me upset like hell too .. Was dying to get it. :mad:
[HTC Sensation] 21stNow:
I have tried three Sensations, all from the same store, and have the death grip problem with Wi-fi. On one of the phones, the signal dropped instantaneously when held in landscape mode. On the other two phones, the signal degrades to nothing in about 5 seconds when held in landscape mode. Today is my 14th day, so I have to decide whether to keep or return it.

I haven't heard of a recall actually happening on a cell phone. How likely is this to happen? The only thing that I have heard is Apple giving free cases to iPhone 4 users last year.
[HTC Sensation] mrmotivator:
So I just contacted HTC on their live chat support because I thought I may as well report having the problem too otherwise they wouldn't have an idea of the number of people with the it. They had this to say (sorry about the length):

Really annoying and frustrating because it just seemed to be a complete refusal to admit a problem and it's a bit insulting to be told iPhone-4-style "You're holding it wrong."

No, holding it in landscape is not holding it wrong. FFffuuuuuu.

Guess I'll just keep returning it til I get one that works okay. I have dust under the screen too anyway!
[HTC Sensation] smashpunks:
there are some here that say they do not have the issue. I have on 3 of my handsets. SOOOOO. I will do what this rep says. And keep exchanging them untill I find one that will not do this.

Also I think they all suffer from this issue. Why would only some be effected? And I happen to get 3 that are?
[HTC Sensation] britchris1:
Another frustrating exchange with HTC

So I contacted HTC again as I had not heard anything.... below is the email exchange between us.

Me: Hello I was wondering if there has been any update on my issue escalation?

HTC response Amber (North America Support (Tech)):

We have heard that It is inevitable that signal strength will weaken a little when the antenna is covered in its entirety by a palm or fingers. We test our phones extensively to ensure that under normal circumstances the reception strength performance will be more than sufficient for the operation of the phone. Some customers have raised concerns with Sensation's signal strength and we are investigating whether the problems described are within normal operating parameters. There are many ways to avoid getting a weak signal: 1. Try adjusting the position of the phone, sometimes just repositioning the phone in your hand will boost the signal a little. 2. Try allowing for a little more space between the phone and your palm. 3.Try moving to a location with more signal strength. Remember that certain areas may have better cellular/mobile reception than others. I hope you find this information useful to you

Me: I am not satisfied with this response. I understand under normal circumstances that signal will be weakened when holding a phone - however the signal should NOT completely drop to zero when holding the phone in the manner it was designed to be held. This is a smart phone, the screen rotates so that a user can hold it in landscape mode and currently the phone is incapable of this. I know I am not alone and that many users are complaining of this issue - just look around the web on forums (XDA, HTC, Tmonews, Androidlife to name a few) It was my understanding this issue would be escalated and dealt with. The bottom line is this phone needs a fix... and quick. I await a better response.

HTC response Amber (North America Support (Tech)):

I understand the concern you are having with the operation of your device. I have reviewed your Escalation with Dante as well as others that we have heard of from other customers. We are aware and have been working with our hardware engineers and corporate as Dante advised that we would be done. The information previously provided to you is the feedback we have received from our corporate office. I am sorry if this information is not to your liking but that is the answer in this situation. I am sorry that we have had trouble resolving your issue.

Basically a big FU from HTC..... I think they may have just lost a customer.
[HTC Sensation] jrwingate6:
I have had 3 Sensations as well. My first one had the WiFi issue bad but my last two don't have it at all. I know its not the case because you have the same one and it still affects you.
[HTC Sensation] pyn36:
So is it the general consensus that even a case will not solve the death grip issue with the Sensation? While I was typing this message with both hands sideways I lost all wireless and cellular connectivity and I don't think I'm holding my device differently than any other mobile user would. I just got off the phone with T-Mobile and they said that they are not aware of any connectivity issues while holding the device sideways.

In my opinion it is completely unacceptable that neither the manufacturer or the carrier of the Sensation will admit to issues with this device since these problems are hardly isolated incidents.
[HTC Sensation] crisisinthecity:
I never noticed it until I read this. Mine doesn't drop out completely everytime, but it does drop to the dot from full bars if I hold it landscape and touch the top side of the phone. Sometimes my wifi icon dissappears completely then comes back once I'm not touching to top of the phone. Crazy. So we don't think its a faulty back plate or we do?

Edit: I did some more testing. Inside my house I only lose a bar. If I'm in the room with my router I lose nothing. If I am outside it drops off bad. I am not sweating this as much anymore, but i will surely keep an eye on it. Its poor design to put the antennas where you naturally touch the phone in landscape. Specially considering I hear there is an alluminum foil fix.
[HTC Sensation] cirrob:
What I would really like to see is one of these people claiming not to have the deathgrip (can we just call it "holding it normally in landscape" now?) Post a video showing how they are holding it to avoid the signal drop. In the video I'd like them to show how far away from the router they are and a close up of their hand position while holding it in landscape. When I tested this on two sensations at the store the grip I had to use in landscape mode to AVOID signal drop was so unnatural it was impossible to type while holding (my left hand had to curve away from my body to point towards the phone in a perpendicular position with just two fingers touching the center-back of the phone). Again, this was to avoid complete signal drop. The Rep and myself tried this several times on two phones.

HTC's ability to demonstrate a consistent fix to this issue before the gs2 is released is directly related to their ability to keep this customer
[HTC Sensation] mrmotivator:
Just an update to my situation. I rang o2 and told them about the wi-fi dropping out, they said they hadn't heard of anyone else with the problem but were happy to swap. To their credit they guy on the phone was really helpful and even though I wasn't allowed to take it back to a brick and mortar store due to getting it online, they said they would get a new handset delivered to my door, and take the old one off me. They gave me a whole new sealed box replacement, not just the handset. Opened it up, checked it for dust too, no dust under the screen this time either! Charged it up, turned it on and it's literally exactly the same as the last one. I've had it a day now and noticed dust under the screen too in exactly the same place as the last one (in between charger port and volume rocker on the left hand side).

Really disappointed, don't want to be a hassle to them but as other people have said, is it unreasonable to want an expensive phone on a 2 year contract to be right the first time you get it? I don't think so...
[HTC Sensation] william31518:
I have this problem too... from full bar to disconnect takes.... 2sec... wow HTC. I got my Sensation from Taiwan. and already talk to HTC about it, hope they will come out some solution(s) ASAP. do you guys think it's the battery cover's problem? i mean if they redesign the battery cover, problem might be solved?
[HTC Sensation] Pandemoniumone:
Saw this on my first and second Sensations...waiting for my third to arrive in the mail.
[HTC Sensation] johnsonrod27:
im sorry i hate to be mean here.. but are some of you people retarded ? do you have brains of 7 year olds? do you believe in santa clause ? if your first one did it .. the second ones going to do it.. if the first and second on did it the third one is going to do it.. if the first second and third one do it there fourth is going to do it .. jesus guys, be reasonable here.. this is a design flaw on every single phone.. i had 2 sensations and when i was told to return the second one for a third you know what i did ? i canceled and sold the phones on ebay.. they are ALL this way and no software update will fix this .. bottom line.. i cant believe there still are people *****ing about this when there are 924381948 pages of people saying the same thing.. omg, your does it too ? no **** .. move on .. the phone is fantastic.. minus the deathgrip, screen touch problems which i got on week 3 with the phone and the camcorder freezing during playback when you have the box checked in the sound menu for audible clicks .. try it out and watch this device fail.. what a let down.. i switched from att for this thing and am now back dropping calls because tmobiles other phones are all a joke as of now .. sorry HTC and Tmobile but you blew it ..