• PC World, Tuesday, July 13, 2010 11:16 PM

Consumer Reports has confirmed what many already knew about iPhone 4 -- touching its external antenna produces noticeable reception problems -- but with that finding offered a damning conclusion: This phone is not recommended. The verdict is a slap in the face to Apple, which earlier this month tried casting the iPhone 4 problem as an optical illusion, caused by the way the phone displays signal bars. Previously, Apple said holding the iPhone 4 in certain ways can affect signal strength, but insisted that overall the phone gets better reception than any previous model. For unsatisfied customers, Apple recommends holding the phone differently or buying a bumper case.

Consumer Reports confirmed that covering the iPhone 4's antenna with thick, non-conductive material, such as duct tape, fixes the problem, and the group believes bumper cases will do the same. But despite loving everything else about the phone, including its sharp display and 720p video camera, Consumer Reports recommended downgrading to an iPhone 3GS or another brand.

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