Well, per the graphic above, it helps, but does not solve the problem. Note that test 1 was the iPhone 4 sitting on a table, and test 3 was the iPhone in a leather case and held. Pings and download speeds are acceptable, but upload speed is still band, and the signal strength is 3 bars, versus 5 bars for the phone on the table.
But if a case is needed to make the phone work AS A PHONE, then it should be an included free accessory, not a $30 extra from Apple or a 3rd party vendor. Selling a cover to people just to make your phone work is really poor form!
It’s like selling you a car, and you can take it home with you no problem, right now!
But the steering wheel is extra.
And you can’t buy it at your dealer now, you have to go to NAPA or Shuck’s or O’Reilly’s to pick one up.
But you can buy the car and take it home today!
My son got his new iphone yesterday, he has no case for it yet...and has had no problems whatsoever. He traded up from a first generation iphone, and loves the new one!