iPhone 3G Performance Complains

According to Apple, the last update of the iPhone firmware 2.0 (version 2.0.2) should have dramatically improved 3G network reception and performance. Indeed, the 3G indicator displays more "bars", but is it directly linked to a better reception/emission, or just a hack to convince users that their iPhone 3G are now more solidly connected to 3G networks?
According to some users, nothing changed, and Apple's statement of improved iPhone 3G performance is just to fool them into believing they are getting better reception. On the other side, some users report that the last update fixes their 3G reception issues...
So where is the truth? In addition, is it a true issue in all countries or mostly in USA where 3G network coverage is still limited compared to Japan or even EU?
It will be hard to identify the truth between, users who were expecting maybe to much from a firmware update, and Apple that does not want to publicly announce that the 3G reception is (still) bugged due to software/hardware issues. However, one should also admit that many users are having great experience with 3G networks with the iPhone 3G, so it might well be due to a poor sensitivity of the 3G chips/antenna.
For sure users experiencing phone’s 3G reception issues, such as dropped calls on the 3G network, weak 3G reception and connectivity and 3G speed declines, would like to get a solution. Of course news networks are prompt to jump on the story and claim that this issue might affect all iPhone 3G while it could be limited to a certain number only, or to a production lot. For sure, releasing a popular device leading to a huge buzz can also be dangerous for Apple as the company will be exposed and will have to react, otherwise its image could suffer much more than the price of couple of hundreds of iPhone 3G units to be exchanged.
To illustrate this, an iPhone 3G user decided to launch a class action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of overstating the iPhone 3G speed, and of slower-than-promised data download speeds.