After FIVE MONTHS of struggling with garbled sound quality over Bluetooth connections of all types, I finally discovered the solution last night, by talking to an Apple tech. iPhones do not like to be paired with more than one Bluetooth device EVER. I don't mean "at a time". Ever. The more Bluetooth devices that are paired with the iPhone over time, the worse the problem becomes. Hence, I was making my own problems worse by buying and trying new headsets. The solution (for me anyway) was to go to Settings, General, Reset, Reset Network Settings. Then re-pair your ONE Bluetooth device of choice. Instant clarity and quality connection achieved in my case. [Of course, you then also have to re-enter your WIFI password (if applicable) because that connection is reset as well.]

I purchased an Ipod 4 to use in conjunction with a Nokia LPS-5 induction loopset which creates a bluetooth connection between phone and hearing aid. A wonderful device. Does not work with iphone 4, yet worked fine with iphone 3. The lps-5 costs about $300 AUS. Best Apple can say is that it is not a compatible blue tooth device. Apple has made millions out of the iphone so how about providing a software fix.

All iPhone 4's suffer from this...you just don't know it yet!

Problem: The iPhone 4 currently cannot maintain a Bluetooth signal while listing to music when the phone is in your pants pocket. Simply put, you can’t even go for a walk with your phone and listen to music via Bluetooth headset.

Hardware used for testing

6 different IPhones 4/4.1 (ranging from purchases made on launch day in Canada till oct 15th)
Various Blackberry's
Various iPhone 3GS
Plantronics Backbeat 903/906
Motorola Rokr S9 HD
Rocketfish HD
Jabra Halo
Sony Ericsson
Motorola Endeavor
Blue Ant T1

How to test your iPhone 4

1. turn on Bluetooth headset
2. turn shuffle off in iPod settings (Settings - iPod - Shake to Shuffle - OFF)\
3. play a song
4. verify that you can hear the music playing in your headset
5. Lock the screen
6. put your iPhone 4 in the front pocket of your pants or shorts, screen facing leg.
7.Go for a 5 min jog outside (happens much more frequently outside). If you're not a jogger then a walk around the block will trigger it.

Basically it sounds like a CD skipping and progressively gets worse. Therefore anyone that goes for a walk or anything athletic cannot listen to music via Bluetooth headsets on. Being able to work out and listen to headsets with no wires is priceless, this phone cannot do that. Without this functionality working it’s just a shiny regular phone.

The kind of good news is if you own a 3GS or Blackberry it works great. 50 feet away at least. Or in your pocket while running, walking, full cardio training etc. very clear and never skipped once.

Hint: it has something to do with the screen. We did all of the testing with the screen completely covered in various cases and we tried the phone with cases that had nothing covering the screen and no case at all. When the screen is in closed in a case or held in hand by its edges it works fine. With the screen exposed whether using a thin protective screen or not the problem happens.

Note: all of the iPhones 4 were completely reset. One of the iPhone 4’s we tested was never setup to be a phone, it was just used to play music. All failed the test. All other phones passed.

I also am having what MAY be iPhone 4 Bluetooth problems. Like others, my iPhone 4 Bluetooth reception is occasionally garbled and the range is abnormally short. Sometimes, it can be difficult to perceive whether this is a Bluetooth issue, an AT&T reception issue or some combination of the two.

However, unlike this writer, the very first time I called Apple tech support on this (one hour ago on Aug. 28, 2010, after my first six weeks of use), an Apple tech acknowledged the reports of some owners encountering Bluetooth problems and walked me through a series of possible fixes (all of which I'd already tried during the previous week, including a new OS install). The tech then offered to replace the iPhone ASAP today, even though a Bluetooth software update is rumored to be coming within the next week or so.

He scheduled a local appointment and I am on my way out the door right now (to the Apple Store) where I'll pick up a replacement. When I return home, I'll restore my software with their elegant backup system.

In contrast with the overbearing, constant anti-Apple slant at this web site, I find that Apple takes care of customers and problems. Of course, it remains to be seen if this solution will work, but I have complete confidence that Apple will address this issue. Like all cell phones, the iPhone 4 has its own idiosyncrasies and shortcomings, but it is an exceptional mobile phone, a versatile portable computer, a great iPod, a reliable camera and so much more.

What's more, the hardware is the best available and the iOS software simply is as close to perfection as you'll find.

Mac fanatics can't accept that the iPhone 4 needed more testing, but was released sooner than it should have been because of the "lost phone" episode and the fact that there were several impressive devices coming out. It was rushed to market.

The iPhone 4 should be recalled. Just because it might work OK for the majority of the people doesn't mean it shouldn't be recalled. The antennae design is flawed/broken. Recalls don't require that a majority of users have problems. It's an issue that has to do with a flaw in the device. Once that flaw is exposed and proven, it should be recalled and fixed.

I also saw some issues with Bluetooth. It works, but takes much longer than my old 3Gs to re-pair when my headset is turned on. My 3Gs would re-pair in seconds. The iPhone 4 takes up to 1 minute before it recognizes the Bluetoof device. Not a problem, but definately annoying as H E double toofpick

Why Mike is an Apple fanboy (judging by his comment above)

1. He uses the "awesome" adjective to describe an Apple product or one of its features.

2. He claims that his copy of the product has no such flaws, implying that no one else could have being affected by those flaws either.

3. He compares his Apple product with a Microsoft's equivalent, and obviously his current choice is "way better".

4. He declares himself completely satisfied with such product, implying that he has a perfect product for which he paid a perfect amount of money.

5. He choose the very INQ website to write his comments directly against an INQ anti-Apple article, displaying his obvious state of permanent denial.

And the beat goes on with Apple.... Oh, to the people who think the Inquirer is too harsh and funny on Apple, It is just humor!! You make a good product, I am sure the Inquirer will say so, you make a bad product..... the Inquirer will say so!

Enjoy the fun here.

If you want Tables of Data, pages and pages of comparisons, tests, graphs etc then go elsewhere.

The Inq is a red-top. I keep coming back because I want some fun with my news. The data sites I will visit when I'm buying a cpu or graphics card etc, but otherwise those sites are too boring for daily casual reading, imo.

I really dont see this article as being any different than any comment that is posted about the article. What I mean is the author is just reporting a story while also giving an opinion. Clearly it is a negative opinion but the only thing that needs to be taken from the article is that the Iphone might or might not have bluetooth issues. All the rest is opinion and should be taken as such.

I think the Iphone has problems but i really dont see this as being any different than any other phone. I have had many phones in the past and some had very serious issues that were not resolved. Its just that the Iphone is the leader therfore it has more attention to its problems. Only time will tell i suppose.

Devistator

(and no I didnt spell my name wrong, thats how I spell it)

I have a 3GS on iOS 4.0.1, and I must say the Bluetooth support has been nothing but awesome for me. Way better than my last phone, an Windows Mobile 6.5 POS.

I use it with a Motorola headset, and a VTech desktop phone so I don't have to carry it around the house when I'm at home. I'm satisfied.

Come on, get a bit more professional please, i'm all for a bit of Microsoft/Google/Apple banter but that article is just pointless Apple hating drivel.

Facts please. Journalism please.

That analysis is a little over the top, even for a tabloid style site such as this. It doesn't really inform beyond the anecdotal evidence of some users and the bluetooth issues they maybe having. I would strongly recommend the Anandtech approach of doing actual tests and offering useful insights to your readers. I am no fanboi and don't own any Apple hardware but your iPhone jihad is getting a little tiresome.

bluetooth represents free sharing

jobs hates anything free therefore he has no intention of making the Iphone have a working bluetooth

prepare yourself for a tirade of delaying tactics and diversion tactics

all the more reason to jailbreak the bloody things