HTC verifies One X Wi-Fi issues
updated 09:38 pm EDT, Mon June 18, 2012
HTC to alter production process, fix future phones
In a statement to Android Central, HTC has acknowledged the Wi-Fi connectivity issues recently reported for the HTC One X smartphone. HTC has identified an issue with the production process for the One X, and the company says that efforts are underway to prevent future One X models from displaying the same problems.
Beginning last week, reports emerged that the One X suffered from a number of Wi-Fi-related problems. Some caused the battery to drain rapidly, while others rendered the phone incapable of connecting to a Wi-Fi network. Users were able to test their devices for the problem by squeezing the back of the phone between the camera lens and volume buttons, with an increase and fall-off in Wi-Fi signal strength indicative of the design flaw. HTC noted the issue and asked users to provide feedback in order to solve it.
Apparently, the Wi-Fi issue stems from a poorly-connected common antenna. A user fix is possible, but it involves disassembling the device and re-soldering the antenna, though this is inadvisable for all but those skilled in soldering, as it violates the terms of service and may void the hardware warranty.
In its statement today, HTC verified the issue, but claimed that it was relatively isolated. The company has already advised users suffering from the issue to return their handsets, and HTC has reportedly taken steps to alter their production process to avoid the problem in the future. No information was provided with regard to the prevalence of the problem.
The Wi-Fi issue was just the latest setback for the One X. The handset was initially held at customs by order of the International Trade Commission to ensure that the software on the phone complied with import ban restrictions.
