iPhone 16e cell reception keeps dropping

While Apple does not provide device specific sales, it is not unreasonable to note that there have been many millions of devices sold worldwide and if there was a problem with cellular reception due to the C1 chip, not only would this support site be filled with complaints, but it would also be the top news story on every network news site.

That is not to say that a user such as yourself may be experiencing a problem and that will need to be troubleshooted. The first step to take is to contact your cellular provider. You should naturally expect them to say it is not their fault, but they can provide information about your cellular connection. Follow up by scheduling an appointment with Apple where they can perform diagnostics on your device and you may also be able to compare with the same device model using a different cell provider.

I subsequently visited an Apple store genius bar

I described the issue and was told this was the first time that they had heard about this issue. I guess they wouldn’t tell me that there was a problem

I changed the SIM card

Don’t believe that made a difference

I wiped the phone and did a factory reset

This seems to have helped.

Am convinced this is an issue with the hardware change that is unique to the 16e

Hi, in Australia I had same issue three different places where a turn off/turn on regained cellular reception.

I put a new SIM card in waited a few minutes then reset network settings.

Been a while now and haven’t noticed the problem since.

Did not have this issue with any of my previous iPhones.

Hope yours is working fine now.

You can provide feedback to Apple to let them know about the problem here, Feedback - iPhone - Apple Given the list of steps you took, it wouldn't hurt to contact your carrier too. See if they are experiencing problems in certain areas or tower issues.

Just to add that this is a hardware issue. I have an older iPhone sitting side by side and reception is fine; bars are higher; no issues with calls or reception. So this is specific to the new 16E

Yes it is Apples own design modem, contact your cell provider for an update .

User in Australia here and had the same problem with the 16e that I'd never had with prior iPhones in multiple locations with good network coverage. Flight mode on and off usually fixes it but is frustrating especially when calls go straight to voicemail because you weren't connected when they tried ringing. Haven't discussed it directly with Apple - but was annoying enough I came here looking to see if others were experiencing also.

I’m also having issues with my 16E running iOS 18.6.x / 18.7.x and connectivity. Very often when we land, it takes an extremely long time before I have a connection again, while others can already make calls and send messages. If this were rare, no problem, but it happens almost every time, and at different airports (in Europe). I’ve already done a reset of the network settings and had the SIM replaced. I came from an XR on 18.x.x and never had these issues there. I’m not sure exactly when the problems with the 16E started or whether they were there from the beginning.

16e is the first iphone to have Apple's own design cellular modem.

Maybe some operators have not adapted.

Update to my previous post.

The steps I took seems to have mostly alleviated the issue with cellular just dropping momentarily occasionally now.

As I mentioned previously never had this issue with many other iPhones.

Expected same reliability as one should.

Recently purchased an iPhone 16E and am having multiple issues with cell reception and calls dropping or not going through in or out. Mid call getting disconnected. Am reading this is occurring to others. Anyone find a resolution

I have the same problem with 15 Pro Max on Verizon. Some days I don't have a single problem, other days it works for a handful of seconds and then it drops its cellular connection taking minutes to get it back. If I can get on a call in time then it usually holds out until the call is finished, but there have been a handful of dropped calls.

Having the same issue with my 16e, never had this issue with my previous 12pro. Highly disappointing can’t receive any calls as they drop connection and go straight to voicemail. Tried everything to no avail, really frustrating!!

Same for me in Australia.

16e randomly disconnects from cell network and I have to toggle airplane mode on and off to restore.

Never previously an issue with many years of iPhones. The only variable is the 16e.

Same issue in US with apple 16e. Often No cell and cannot make calls. People call me and get voicemail. Very frustrating. No one seems to be able to fix this