I've noticed this as well in an area with extremely bad reception (inside a skyscraper) - my iPhone seems to frequently default to showing 5 bars when it can't

I've noticed this as well in an area with extremely bad reception (inside a skyscraper) - my iPhone seems to frequently default to showing 5 bars when it can't actually make or receive calls, but then when I go next to a window and it actually establishes a workable connection, the signal strength meter shows 1-2 bars. I haven't seen a citeable source, though. Edit: clarified a bit. Also, I wanted to add that I get one or more dropped calls basically every day, even outside (in Manhattan).