Although a bit early for this kind of speculation, reports from iPhone owners using the Apple Discussions forum seem to indicate that iOS 4.0.2 is more than just a security patch.

Several Apple Discussions users are very happy to inform fellow forum members that their iPhones are behaving much better since upgrading to iOS 4.0.2.

The issues surrounding iPhone 4 handsets, such as wireless reception, and problems with the phone’s proximity sensor, are particularly mentioned by forum posters who claim to be experiencing them no more.

A user identified as “403102lpm” said: “Just upgraded my 3G to 4.0.2. Smooth and painfree. Just as slow though,” he noted, confirming yet again that 3G handsets can’t handle the workload imposed by iOS 4.

User “Garydp” is downright ecstatic, saying “Ok I have updated my firmware and I am now very happy. Not sure what in the update but my text problem has gone my wifi connection problem has gone.”

He added, “When holding the phone with the death grip I can only get it to drop one bar instead if three and that's holding it for a very long time,” suggesting Apple has further addressed the alleged reception issues surrounding its iPhone 4.

Garydp says he is yet to try calling to check whether the proximity sensor issues are gone, or whether Bluetooth has been improved, but claims he is “very happy” so far.

He doesn’t specifically mention whether he’s an iPhone 4 owner, but his post seems to indicate he is.

“DeidreC” has a similar story to share. He explains that he too thought Apple was supposed to patch only a “security breach issue”, but noticed a clear improvement in the behavior of his phone’s proximity sensor.

Unlike the aforementioned poster, DeidreC specifies that he is an iPhone 4 (32GB) owner.

“Okay…I know that it isn't supposed to fix anything but the security breach issue, but I have just made 2 calls and pulled the phone away from my ear, and I swear that both times, the screen did not activate until the phone was at least 2-3 inches away from my ear,” he writes.

“Call me crazy, flame away...but I could not help but notice this,” DeidreC adds.

For cruzanmonk, “Bluetooth issues seems to have been resolved,” he tells fellow forum users. “With my Jawbone Icon I walked all over the place and it did not disconnect.”

“Also got the Nike+ Sensor to link but not the remote yet,” he explains.


Softpedia note

It is possible that Apple has implemented fixes for some of these widely reported issues, yet hasn’t documented attempts to resolve them in order to observe reaction, or save face in the case of failure.

It is also possible that these users just needed a reboot to get some issues fixed, or that certain issues occur in certain conditions.

Softpedia readers are encouraged to report any changes they notice after updating to iOS 4.0.2. With enough feedback from you, we will issue a followup based entirely on your experience.