iPhone 4 Proximity Sensor Troubles

I’ll be the first to admit that the iPhone’s proximity sensor problem isn’t getting the attention it deserves. I realize it’s not as widespread a problem as the antenna issue, but it’s still driving iPhone 4 users, like me, bonkers. I am an accidental face-dial away from returning my phone.

That seems extreme right? But the way I look at it, I’m almost out of options. Speaker phone doesn’t work well because I’m either holding the phone wrong, resulting in antenna issues, or it’s just not clear and my mom can’t understand my rant about the latest Bachelorette episode. My bluetooth headset has rebelled; it’s no longer compatible, which prevents me from hands-free chatting, and ultimately leads to accidental muting — or the super embarrassing, accidental speaker phone in a quiet place.
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I haven’t seen Apple address the proximity issue yet, which is the most troubling part. While most people were drinking and watching fireworks, I spent my July Fourth trying some home remedies. After doing a bit of research to make sure I wasn’t the only one with a crazy phone, I found a few hit-or-miss solutions:

• Reset ‘Network Settings’
• Reset ‘All Settings’
• Soft reboot (hold down sleep button)
• Hard reboot (hold down sleep and home button)

I also found someone who claims this problem can be fixed with a tap and a swipe of your finger.

If none of those take care of your proximity woes, you have one more option: a clean re-install. This means completely wiping your iPhone clean, re-installing iOS 4 and setting up as a new iPhone — NOT from backup. Unfortunately you will have to re-add all your apps, contacts and previous settings, but if accidental face-dialing is taking its toll, it might be worth a shot.

Unfortunately none of these options ended up fixing the proximity sensor problem for me. Hopefully Apple releases an update soon with a solution — I’d hate to return my iPhone 4. In the mean time, I won’t give up. I’m hoping the holiday weekend meant my phone’s OS was on vacation. I’ll be trying the clean re-install again.

Are you still suffering from proximity sensor problems? Have you found a solution that works? Let us know in the comments!