So we all been reading about the death grip on the vibrant like the iphones, but speeds are still good and calls don't drop...
Now I think we do lose some speeds as all phones will but I think it reads wrong, heygrl found a secret menu that confirms we're not losing as much signal as the bars are reading....
So what's your opinion...
P.s. I meant to cancel this and make it a poll.. O well....
Disregard thread
temperbad said:
So we all been reading about the death grip on the vibrant like the iphones, but speeds are still good and calls don't drop...
Now I think we do lose some speeds as all phones will but I think it reads wrong, heygirl found a secret menu that confirms we're not losing as much signal as the bars are reading....
So what's your opinion...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dunno. I can't reproduce it, maybe I don't have enough deathgrip practice.
designerfx said:
Dunno. I can't reproduce it, maybe I don't have enough deathgrip practice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotta be in a not so great coverage area.... I can only reproduce this sometimes... Great reception I can't get it to drop bars...
I have amazing coverage, and I can get it to drop simply by touching the bottom of the phone with a single finger. If I'm on a 3G call, it will eventually drop to EDGE (and sound like ****). All that I'm doing, is letting the phone rest naturally in the seat of my palm. Only the bottom half of my pinky finger makes contact with the bottom.
Data speeds are cut in half by the same practice. If I uncomfortably hold the phone horizontally (as if it's in a GPS cradle), and pinch the top to grab it, I pull down 5Mbps and upload at 2Mbps over 3G. When I apply a single finger to the bottom of the phone, those speeds are more than halved, and the latency goes from 56ms to ~400ms.
From the looks of it, I'm guessing it's hardware. It seems as though the phone may be too sensitive. What a shame.
I keep hoping that it's something that can be addressed in hardware, but who knows. It's disappointing that no major reviews are really out for the device, and that no news sites have reported the issue.
I love this phone, but I don't think I love it enough to spend $500+ on something that can't properly lock onto GPS, has a faulty compass and 3G sensitivity issues to boot.
Still, I'll ride out my Buyer's Remorse period in hopes that something is announced. In the meantime, the rest of you should call T-Mobile and Samsung to express your concerns.
It's a software issue much like the GPS and Compass.
Some people are upgrading from old phones that ever saw the speeds the Vibrant can get over T-Mobile's HSPA+ network. The network has ALWAYS been setup to switch calls from 3G when the signal gets low enough.
Is it software or hardware? You tell me! This is on a non-HSPA+ tower.
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I guess some people have this issue and some don't. Looks like you have a bad one Jon C if you are losing a signal by only "applying a finger" to the bottom of your phone. I personally kind of find that hard to believe and would love to see a video of you recreating this problem.
In my case, if I cover the entire bottom half of the phone with my palm, my bars drop but my data speeds increase every time.
Bottom line, I've had the phone since day one and still haven't dropped a call so I highly doubt it is anything hardware related.
I actually had an issue with my phone and constantly dropping calls when I was on the headset and come to find out that it was because task manager was actually the signal (please do not ask me how) I un-installed TM and my dropped calls ended!!
Jon C said:
I have amazing coverage, and I can get it to drop simply by touching the bottom of the phone with a single finger. If I'm on a 3G call, it will eventually drop to EDGE (and sound like ****). All that I'm doing, is letting the phone rest naturally in the seat of my palm. Only the bottom half of my pinky finger makes contact with the bottom.
Data speeds are cut in half by the same practice. If I uncomfortably hold the phone horizontally (as if it's in a GPS cradle), and pinch the top to grab it, I pull down 5Mbps and upload at 2Mbps over 3G. When I apply a single finger to the bottom of the phone, those speeds are more than halved, and the latency goes from 56ms to ~400ms.
From the looks of it, I'm guessing it's hardware. It seems as though the phone may be too sensitive. What a shame.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. I'm experiencing the exact same thing in the Los Angeles area. Doesn't seem like a software issue, though I hope I'm wrong.
jrwingate6 said:
I guess some people have this issue and some don't. Looks like you have a bad one Jon C if you are losing a signal by only "applying a finger" to the bottom of your phone. I personally kind of find that hard to believe and would love to see a video of you recreating this problem.
In my case, if I cover the entire bottom half of the phone with my palm, my bars drop but my data speeds increase every time.
Bottom line, I've had the phone since day one and still haven't dropped a call so I highly doubt it is anything hardware related.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I mentioned below (or above), I'm experiencing the same thing that Jon C is experiencing.
Not only do the bars fluctuate depending on how I hold the phone (and I'm not talking about any type of "death grip"...normal hold), but SpeedTest shows me that the data speeds are affected as well.
I can do a video, if you really want to see it. Believe me, I wish I was not having this issue, and have zero reason to be making it up.
That being said, the jury is still out as to whether or not this is affecting me in "the real world". I did have a dropped call tonight (the other person was on a land line, so I know it was me), but other than that one, my calls have been pretty stable.
laphoneuser said:
As I mentioned below (or above), I'm experiencing the same thing that Jon C is experiencing.
Not only do the bars fluctuate depending on how I hold the phone (and I'm not talking about any type of "death grip"...normal hold), but SpeedTest shows me that the data speeds are affected as well.
I can do a video, if you really want to see it. Believe me, I wish I was not having this issue, and have zero reason to be making it up.
That being said, the jury is still out as to whether or not this is affecting me in "the real world". I did have a dropped call tonight (the other person was on a land line, so I know it was me), but other than that one, my calls have been pretty stable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make the video.
If your signal strength is lowered the data speeds are affected.
Once again, the bars are obviously COMPLETELY off. Dropping bars as a measurement to whether or not this phone has a hardware issue is a completely unreliable point to make. You and him both must have defective phones because regardless of the number of bars I have I ALWAYS have connectivity to the network.
What reasons would anyone have for making something like this up? I just decided to go out and buy a $500+ phone so I could come here to personally troll you?
The only video camera I own is on the actual phone, so this would be difficult to record. I suppose you'll just have to take my word? I assure you, it is happening.
I'm hoping that it is correctable by firmware update. There are leaked firmwares, which some German users have been testing out. From what I've read, not a single person has had any success, so long as the phone makes contact with their bodies. Every single person (so far) says that, once they touch the device, the GPS becomes unpredictable and unreliable. Otherwise, they are saying that performance indoors increases, and that the overall accuracy and speed seems to be somewhat improved. But again, as soon as the device is handled, not so much. They also mention problems with the compass and overall reception.
Great.
Link to various resources regarding leaked firmwares for Europe.
So, that's not the greatest news. I guess the only upside is that we're not alone. But then again, this isn't the first time a product has launched with issues that were widespread, but never properly addressed.
Anybody else find more encouraging news? I'm still waiting to hear back from my Samsung rep. I'll be emailing back in the morning to get an ETA on the news...
Just drive around town and the bars do drop.. But speed tests are exactly the same as with full bars... Sure some people lose full signal but that's depending on where they live and the bar thing is a coincidence.... The nexus one did the same but it would switch to edge instantly....
I believe it may lose some signal but not as much as the bars perceive... It don't effect my speeds at all and don't many as we'll.... Surely its miscalculating the signal....if it lost calls or signal I'd return this fast.... My test show its miscalculating and not really issue.....
Ill put money that says it's software... Why else does the secret db menu show different reafings than the 4636 one?
I think the reception bars is software but I'm very concerned about the GPS/compass. GPS is a deal breaker. I've been a G1 owner since day 1 and have used GPS extensively and really expect this phone's GPS to work as well or better. OK... enough venting.
G1 had GPS issue with the first rev of software so maybe we are ok......
I too get the dropped bars, it even seems that the phone goes into Edge a lot more than the G1 did for me.
BUT at the same time, I'm getting vastly improved speeds. The G1 would get me to 800kbps down/500 up, maybe once since 2008 have I been able to get up to 950 down or so. The Vibrant is usually around the 3200 down/1800 up area, however I was able to get it 4400 down/2000 up, and that was when I had 0 bars of 3G showing.
And I've yet to experience a dropped a call or sinking in voice quality.
And you know what? For the most part, the dropped bars go away when I put the phone in a case, or even hold the phone with my shirt or something.
So yeah, it seems like a software issue of reporting signal strength. Same thing with the Iphone software problem, except it's in reverse...you are actually getting a better signal than the phone is showing you, as the attenuation from your hand isn't effecting the service as much as it says it is. That's at least my experience so far.
Compared to the G1 this thing is FLYING on the web and with downloads. I downloaded the 7 MB demo of Asphalt 5 in about 10-15 seconds tops. It took me about 45-1 minute to download the 3 MB Facebook app on the G1. So, consider me a happy customer.
I should note that I've been using a silicon case from day one. Issues remain.
I've made, received, and searched the web on 3g (with the up and down arrows glowing), while [supposedly] having no signal. I've always suspected the V of reading it wrong.
I know I've posted in all of these treads about signal drop, but I do believe the problem is hardware (in particular just the antenna location in the phone). Sure the phone is probably not showing the correct number of bars, but I get severe data speed reductions, data freezes and dropped calls. Just today I had 2 dropped calls where my phone was on my desk and started ringing, when I grabbed it to answer it, my signal dropped and disconnected my call. At that same desk I used to answer calls all the time with my G1 and have no issues. The signal isn't amazing at my work, but it's a stones throw from google and in silicon valley so it's not like I am out in the boondocks.
I'm with Jon C here about riding out the buyers remorse and then returning the phone if these things aren't fix. Paying $550 after tax for this thing and getting reduced functionality over my G1 is leaving me a little bitter.
Oh and FYI, I doubt the people here that are complaining have rare defective phones. Look around the web, there are tons of people on other forums and on t-mobiles boards complaining about this stuff. I've also tried several different store's floor models and seen the same problems inflicting them. I just think that we are all in different situations when it comes down to signal quality. The ones of us who have to use these phones in areas where signal isn't stellar seem to be the ones having the most trouble.
Nexus has the same issue I think when the antenna is at the bottom were gonna have to deal with it... C here's n1 doing it also http://www.google.com/m/url?client=...8QFjAB&usg=AFQjCNGfcgwLevuT85WMxP2YocdLUlsm-w
Flip the phone upside down having the radio up top.... Now hold it.. You will notice you d don't drop much bars if at all.....
Difference though nexus switches to edge and it does actually lose speeds... In my experience vibrant drops bars on 3g and doesnt switch to edge or lose any speeds
To explain why some people are dropping calls and some aren't, perhaps it has to do with the level of 3G coverage in your area? There has to be some other reason why all of our handsets show decreased bars, but only some experience data dropouts and dropped calls, and others are perfectly fine.
laphoneuser said:
As I mentioned below (or above), I'm experiencing the same thing that Jon C is experiencing.
Not only do the bars fluctuate depending on how I hold the phone (and I'm not talking about any type of "death grip"...normal hold), but SpeedTest shows me that the data speeds are affected as well.
I can do a video, if you really want to see it. Believe me, I wish I was not having this issue, and have zero reason to be making it up.
That being said, the jury is still out as to whether or not this is affecting me in "the real world". I did have a dropped call tonight (the other person was on a land line, so I know it was me), but other than that one, my calls have been pretty stable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take your phone back and get a new one. I'm not experiencing this and that can only mean you guys got DUDS. Like I said, I haven't had a dropped call yet and I talk on my phone almost my entire commute from Baltimore to Washington D.C 5 days a week. When using my Nexus, the calls would always drop in the same to areas on my way to and on my way home from work. I guess the Vibrant has a stronger signal which is helping it not drop connection.
For your information I am using a Gel-Skin. I do not know if this effects it but I will be driving to work today with out the Gel-Skin on.
Related
If you cover the radio on any phone the thing will lose some signal.
Here is a video of my tp2 doing the same thing the nexus does...
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eo7uFtAKDY&hl=en&gl=US&warned=True&client=mv-google
In a poor signal area this will happen....
If you want the n1 get it, all the droiders are just posting non sense...
We already know this, the only reason it is so popular with the Nexus One is because it happens very easy and commonly. At least that is why I believe why, nothing you have said is new findings or information to us. Besides, it is quite obvious covering the radio would decrease the signal.. it just shouldn't be so prominent.
there are really two separate issues both of which i have experienced.
1) the issue with covering the bottom of the phone. if i do this in a 3G coverage area i can consistently lose 1 bar. not a big deal if you have 4 bars.
2) second issue is the complete lack of ability to obtain 3G coverage in areas where it is available, this is evident of users who have posted phones side by side. I experience this in Phila consistently and they supposedly upgraded the network here for the HSDPA+ rollout.
did i get this right?
aj
Eclair~ said:
We already know this, the only reason it is so popular with the Nexus One is because it happens very easy and commonly. At least that is why I believe why, nothing you have said is new findings or information to us. Besides, it is quite obvious covering the radio would decrease the signal.. it just shouldn't be so prominent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may know this, but from the other threads I do t see any videos on proof that other phones do this as well.... yes, covering antenna will do this, and once again that's why I posted this, so thanks for you smartaszish comment.... thanks, glad you know this but others don't....
lol @ this board.
I for one was not aware the same issue occured on the tp2.
Interesting a design flaw within HTC'S deisgn pattern.
You would think they opted out of including the radio in the same spot for every device.
GNOve said:
lol @ this board.
I for one was not aware the same issue occured on the tp2.
Interesting a design flaw within HTC'S deisgn pattern.
You would think they opted out of including the radio in the same spot for every device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It happens on a large number of devices, not just ones from HTC. I remember people discovering this on Blackberries as well.
It's likely fallout from the "OMG! Cell phones will rot your brain with their antenna!" scares - I think they all put them at the bottom of the phone nowadays.
The reason this is such a big deal with the N1 is that it had the widely reported 3G issues and many are still having issues even after the first OTA which was supposed to fix the issue. So, now everyone is on a witch hunt and when this not-so-commonly-known, but fairly commonly implemented design quirk is found on the N1 it gets big press. Check out this blog on the same problem on the iPhone:
http://igadgetlife.com/gadgets/appl...h-watch-how-youre-holding-it-and-5-more-tips/
temperbad said:
You may know this, but from the other threads I do t see any videos on proof that other phones do this as well.... yes, covering antenna will do this, and once again that's why I posted this, so thanks for you smartaszish comment.... thanks, glad you know this but others don't....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I learned that (what I said) from a guy on this forum. I actually know nothing lol. I could've been wrong for all I know, but it sounded pretty accurate..
I like that word, smartaszish.. hmm..
temperbad said:
If you cover the radio on any phone the thing will lose some signal.
Here is a video of my tp2 doing the same thing the nexus does...
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eo7uFtAKDY&hl=en&gl=US&warned=True&client=mv-google
In a poor signal area this will happen....
If you want the n1 get it, all the droiders are just posting non sense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=5622550#post5622550
GNOve said:
You would think they opted out of including the radio in the same spot for every device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this design has been in play for a while; i guess HTC had our brain's best interest in mind, lol. i had 2 HTC Touch HD's (UK and Telstra versions) and the manual specifically states touching the bottom of the phone would impact antenna performance.
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I've said this a million times but..
I have an N1, my cousin has an N1. My wife has my old MyTouch. I recently sold my G1 that I've had since it released. I drove around Dallas, Texas with all three and they all have the same signal strength 100% of the time. Every time the N1 went to Edge...so did the MyTouch and G1.
99% of people only have an N1 and just complain about how they "Dropped to Edge"..yeah...welcome to cell phones. You don't have 3G 100% of the time. Just because you're in a 3G coverage area doesn't mean you have 3G at all time. If you lose 3G, you get Edge. I don't have any problems with my Radio. I travel across Dallas county every day to and from work. There are some 3G dead spots but it happens. It was the same on my G1 and MyTouch.
Some people think they have an issue and they don't.
dumbestcrayon said:
I've said this a million times but..
I have an N1, my cousin has an N1. My wife has my old MyTouch. I recently sold my G1 that I've had since it released. I drove around Dallas, Texas with all three and they all have the same signal strength 100% of the time. Every time the N1 went to Edge...so did the MyTouch and G1.
99% of people only have an N1 and just complain about how they "Dropped to Edge"..yeah...welcome to cell phones. You don't have 3G 100% of the time. Just because you're in a 3G coverage area doesn't mean you have 3G at all time. If you lose 3G, you get Edge. I don't have any problems with my Radio. I travel across Dallas county every day to and from work. There are some 3G dead spots but it happens. It was the same on my G1 and MyTouch.
Some people think they have an issue and they don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right on man. I've been trying to say this for days, but people seem to not get it. The antenna placement obviously contributes to a decrease in signal, but it's not the main issue. The main "problem" is T-mobile's 3G saturation in a lot of areas. Again, here inside my Toledo apartment, I easily get the phone to drop to Edge by holding the phone low. Sitting in the middle of my sister's apartment in Chicago (Lincoln Park), I can't make the phone drop to Edge no matter how I hold it. It's obvious that T-mobile has more "towers per capita" in Chicago than here in Toledo. That's the crux of the issue people are seeing, plain and simple.
Same here in New York. I discovered its a design flaw and NOT a issue with software. I did some testing and come to a conclusion that its purely network strength!
If I am in my apartment, I get 2-3bars of 3G. If I put my hand at the bottom, it switches to edge or no signal(depending on my settings). Where as if I'm in Times Square in an building, I get full signal. But regardless of how I cover the phone it will not loose 3G, the most would be a 1 bar lost. ALL N1 has this problem! The videos on youtube are very inconsistent with demonstrating the problem with holding the phone and coverage area. Even the rep I spoke with said he didn't have a problem with his N1, but in truth he had full bars in a strong area. This is theory though, can be proven with 4 N1s in the same area together.
If anyone willing to give this a shot let me know...
uansari1 said:
Right on man. I've been trying to say this for days, but people seem to not get it. The antenna placement obviously contributes to a decrease in signal, but it's not the main issue. The main "problem" is T-mobile's 3G saturation in a lot of areas. Again, here inside my Toledo apartment, I easily get the phone to drop to Edge by holding the phone low. Sitting in the middle of my sister's apartment in Chicago (Lincoln Park), I can't make the phone drop to Edge no matter how I hold it. It's obvious that T-mobile has more "towers per capita" in Chicago than here in Toledo. That's the crux of the issue people are seeing, plain and simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I've been saying to everybody and they just don't get it. It's not HTC or Android. It's T-Mobile. I've had T-Mobile for over 5 years. I've had the G1 since it released, the MyTouch since it released and the N1 since it released.
They're all the same. It's not the phone or the OS. It's T-Mobile. They just don't have the power that AT&T does in that aspect. I'd like to have AT&T's network but I don't want to use only Edge. Also I pay less with T-Mobile even with my AT&T discount.
cortez.i said:
this design has been in play for a while; i guess HTC had our brain's best interest in mind, lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is too bad, I'd rather this phone melt my brain than drop my signal. haha
EDIT: Indeed, this IS TMobile's fault. But I can assure you without a doubt that this problem is more prevalent in this phone. I'm in the Cleveland area, 3g sucks around here. I started actually picking up a 3g signal in July of last year, after owning the phone since November. This problem will be based completely on your location, and most of you will never encounter it. (unless you plan a trip to the lovely state of Ohio or some equally flat, economically deficient area)
So does the iPhone have its radio at the top of the phone?
I agree this is a design issue. Sure having the radio at the top might affect your brain etc. But what about when you want to use the internet? The phone will be away from your head, so it doesn't matter. Or people who call a lot, but use BlueTooth headsets?
They should have put it at the top, and I think from now on ALL phones should do so to avoid this problem in the future.
HighTech216 said:
Which is too bad, I'd rather this phone melt my brain than drop my signal. haha
EDIT: Indeed, this IS TMobile's fault. But I can assure you without a doubt that this problem is more prevalent in this phone. I'm in the Cleveland area, 3g sucks around here. I started actually picking up a 3g signal in July of last year, after owning the phone since November. This problem will be based completely on your location, and most of you will never encounter it. (unless you plan a trip to the lovely state of Ohio or some equally flat, economically deficient area)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes... the problem may be more prevalent in this phone... but again, as you admitted, that's because T-mo has poor network coverage. This phone is the thickness of a pencil and practically all screen. Places to put the antenna are limited, and I'm betting putting it anywhere else wouldn't result in better service, but worse.
Ha! I guess other people just jealous and don't want to see Nexus One doing well, and wanted to find fault on Nexus One. hahahahah
radiowc said:
Ha! I guess other people just jealous and don't want to see Nexus One doing well, and wanted to find fault on Nexus One. hahahahah
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That, or you take this forum too personally.
Simply put: Reviews of the nexus one will have a direct affect on the HTC products of the future.
If nobody acknowledges that there is an issue, it will never be addressed.
Does any one agree with my point above?
Paul22000 said:
So does the iPhone have its radio at the top of the phone?
I agree this is a design issue. Sure having the radio at the top might affect your brain etc. But what about when you want to use the internet? The phone will be away from your head, so it doesn't matter. Or people who call a lot, but use BlueTooth headsets?
They should have put it at the top, and I think from now on ALL phones should do so to avoid this problem in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cell phones do not effect your brain. That's a myth.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S on T-mobile in the UK and I find that the phone signal indicator jumps around all over the place depending on if it's being held or small movements in it's orientation.
In a worst case scenario I can have the phone showing 3-4 bars of signal with it on a desk and then if I pick it up and hold it a couple of inches higher than it was the signal can drop to 0 or 1 bar. It often then comes back after a few seconds.
Coverage here isn't the best and it seems that I can usually still make and receive calls and it doesn't actually go out of service but is anyone else noticing the same?
The same happens when it's forced onto 2g only but not quite as badly.
I also have an HTC Desire here too and that seems to be much more stable.
The GPS on the other hand which a lot of people are complaining about seems to pick me up with ease. Even sitting on my desk inside a building it quickly locates me to within a few metres.
I've owned and used an iPhone 3G, Nexus One, and now the Samsung Galaxy S.
In my location on vodafone the SGS and N1 are equally "poor" on 2G/3G - meaning I have to find a spots in my house in the countryside to find a strong signal. In practice it's not been a big deal and once out-and-about both the SGS and N1 are fine for me. The GF is now using the N1 with 3UK without any complaints.
The iPhone 3G however would show a much stronger signal than either Android handsets (note I've used the same vodafone SIM in all these phones and the iPhone 3G was a factory unlocked import from Italy) - however the truth about why that was is revealed in Apple's recent press release about iPhone4 antenna issues - that is, they were using a bum calculation and displaying too many bars, so it only appeared to be a stronger signal when in fact I suspect it was exactly the same in reality as the N1 and SGS.
See it for yourself, Apple's engineers got it very very wrong and it's now biting them on the ass:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/07/02appleletter.html
"we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength."
That makes total sense to me, so I have no concerns about the Android phones appearing to show a weaker signal in my gaff. The fact Apple engineers can make such an accidental "mistake" says a lot to me about their quality control, whichever way you cut it.
Interesting read, thanks for that, I hadn't realised they'd made an announcement on the problem yet.
The more I use the phone the more I find it works as I'd expect it to in the T-mobile coverage that I'm in it's just that it's a little alarming when the phone signal indicator moves around so erratically when picked up or moved even only slightly.
I guess I'll continue to use the device and just see how it performs in the real world.
Ha. I remeber when I first got the iPhone 3g. They were using the honest signal meter then. I was only getting 2 bars almost everywhere. Then came the software update and I had 4 bars everywhere. Now I still drop calls even with 5 bars.
Ollie2 said:
I have a Samsung Galaxy S on T-mobile in the UK and I find that the phone signal indicator jumps around all over the place depending on if it's being held or small movements in it's orientation.
In a worst case scenario I can have the phone showing 3-4 bars of signal with it on a desk and then if I pick it up and hold it a couple of inches higher than it was the signal can drop to 0 or 1 bar. It often then comes back after a few seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to dig out a slightly old post but i'm experiencing the same thing. I'm also in the UK on T-mobile. The phone sits on my desk at work and randomly goes from 4 bars down to zero signal for no apparent reason.
I've had a G1 on T-mobile for the past 18 months and i've never had any reception issues at work so its definitely an SGS issue.
I could deal with the indicator going crazy but when it leaves me unable to send a text or make a call for a few minutes each time it zero's out its pretty annoying.
/watch?v=LROTHrTR92k&feature=player_embedded#at=22
sorry I can't post links quite yet, add this onto the end of youtube.
It better not be like this when I pick it up Sunday.........
wow. i really have to wonder what he did to make it look like that.
When losing reception, phones don't go 100%-0% in a split second.
I bet he's just going for ratings after the whole iPhone mess.
Also, i can assure you that it doesn't matter how you hold it, even if you bury it in your hands from all sides, there's no catastrophic signal loss.
Mine has that problem. Full signal. Hold on the phone down the bottom and it drops down to 1 or 2 bars. As soon as you let go of the bottom, back up to full bars.
Signal loss when covering the antenna area is not a "problem", it's the laws of physics at work.
1 bar is totally reasonable, and depending on signal quality, 2 as well.
But going 100%-0%... that's pure BS.
I think this appears only when in 3G mode.
The VDO might not be telling the whole truth. From a user point of view, I have never seen signal dropped drastically like that.
Evans_Prophet said:
I think this appears only when in 3G mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it would still appear in GSM -mode, but the signal drop is nowhere near the amount when using UMTS.
Mine does it as well, in 2G and 3G, drops from -111dBm to 0dBm
My blackberry bold 9700 lose some signal when i cover the bottom. Every phone lose some signals when cover the bottom.
i can confrim this also happens with my Samsung Galaxy s aswell, and to those who say this is normal and happens to every phone, then you are wrong, i have a bunch of old nokias and NONE of them lose signal no matter where you hold it. the phones i tried it on are, the e71, 5800, the 6220 classic and the 6630. none of these phones loses any signal when gripped from anywhere. im so disappointed in this phone now
coldlazymo said:
i have a bunch of old nokias and NONE of them lose signal no matter where you hold it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes they do. It's physically impossible to make an antenna that doesn't lose signal when covered. You can code the bars to show the signalstrength any way you like though. If I code the bars to show 4 bars 1-20% and a fifth at 20%-100% you'll very rarely see less than "full" signal.
Nokia is always been the best when it comes to reception quality. Am happy with my GS signal quality.
mickeko said:
Yes they do. It's physically impossible to make an antenna that doesn't lose signal when covered. You can code the bars to show the signalstrength any way you like though. If I code the bars to show 4 bars 1-20% and a fifth at 20%-100% you'll very rarely see less than "full" signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i tested those phones, i covered them up entirely with my hands, and there was no signal loss. it stayed at 5 bars. and its not a matter of coding since even with one bar i get good call quality.
but as Hassan said, nokia have always been very good with reception quality. and maybe i am overreacting since this is the first time i have come across this, having had all nokias before and this is my first samsung/android phone. but that doesnt really mean its acceptable, i cant get a decent signal when i hold my phone, at first i thought it was the network, since this was a different network than i was with before, but now that i have tested it and this happens, i cant help but feel like i have been screwed over a bit. going from 3-4 bars when not holding the phone to it dropping to 0 is not something i like in a phone
btw, it's best to know the difference between "no bars" and "no reception".
In contrast to most phones on the market, no bars at all means you have minimal reception.
It is still possible to make calls like this.
When there's absolutely no reception, you'll see a circle with a crossout line.
coldlazymo said:
i tested those phones, i covered them up entirely with my hands, and there was no signal loss. it stayed at 5 bars. and its not a matter of coding since even with one bar i get good call quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, now read this carefully: Just because the bars don't go down doesn't mean you don't have any signal loss. You get signal loss on ALL phones when covering the antenna. You having 5 bars doesn't change that, it only tells us that the signal loss isn't severe enough to show on the display. That IS a matter of coding.
Obviously there's ALSO a quality difference. Depending on what transmitter/receiver is being used, the quality, location and size of the antenna and whatever will affect the quality of the signal. Some hardware have less signal loss than other when being covered, but fact is the signal loss is ALWAYS there regardless of the number of bars Nokia, Samsung, Apple or Anheuser-Busch brewery decide to show for whatever signal strength.
You can kill your data connection by covering the antenna on the GS...
Try with the speedtest app. Especially upload _WILL_ be killed proper, when the antenna is covered.
I put some standard kitchen aluminium foil between the phone and the backcover, It still drops bars, but uploading works a lot better.
its fine, i take it back now anyway, turns out i was right the first time, it is just the network. i lose bars even when the phone is sitting on a desk. and when i say lose bars, i mean the bars will actually fluctuate randomly, from having full bars to no bars, then back again, when the phone is in a stationary position on a table, near a window. it just happened to be coincidence that when i was testing it the timing was close enough for me to blame it on this. my apologies
Why is it most of the reception issues are in the US? I don't hear anything for Iphone 4 users in Japan and I'm using Galaxy S in Singapore, no drop calls, no drop signals blah blah. I think it is the network not the phone!
Oh noes, the world has come to an end, flee for your lives.....
If you are seriously disappointed that a phone made by imperfect people is not "perfect", then plz just return it and don't come back to this forum.
Unless you are getting dropped/crappy calls all the time, then wtf are you people complaining about? This forum is full of whiners.
Not as much whiners as hysterical people.
I can understand it a bit, since this isn't exactly a cheap phone, and is supposed to be one of the best (if not THE best) devices around.
The thing is that every time a POSSIBLE issue pops up, everyone start going crazy like "OH MY GOD IT'S 100% A PROBLEM THE PHONE IS NOT OK GET ME A DOCTOR"
Instead of, let's say, inspecting the matter rationally, and seeing if there's really a problem.
The Galaxy S has an almost full plastic body. There's no way it could share the iPhone's antenna problem, since the antenna is not exposed to our hands.
That video looks like an attempt to pull attention, for whatever reason. The only way i manage to replicate his results is by putting tinfoil on the back of my hand (which kind of leads me to think- we don't see the back of his hand even once in the video, nor there is sound, so possible raffling cannot be heared)
And even then, the results are not as drastic.
Everyone should calm a bit down and enjoy the device instead of inspecting it under a microscope for problems.
If a problem that affects your use somehow (e.g GPS, lags) appears, THEN do the complaining.
Let me start by saying that this thread isnt intended for ranting or anything like that. Im starting this page to collect anyones experience with this signal issua and to submit it to a friend that works in customer care with T-mobile.
Please include the following info.
* How often does it happen?
* Where are you gripping the phone?
* Do you have a kungfu grip on the phone or are you barely holding it?
* Do you loose signal completely or does it just dip a few bars?
* Do you ever drop calls because of this?
* Also include a brief explanation of times this has happened
NOTE: BEFORE YOU REPORT THIS SIGNAL ISSUE, PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF YOU ARE IN A GOOD COVERAGE AREA! you can check here
Ill go first
1. This happens all the time whether im inside or outside.
2. I'm gripping it like any normal person would, at the bottom.
3. It happens when i have a kungfu grip, a very lite grip, or simply placing a finger near the bottom of the phone. Holding my finger a quarter inch away from the phone makes the bars drop all the way to nothing.
4. Usually it dips to no bars whether its on 3G or on Edge.
5. I have not dropped a call yet from this, but im keeping a close eye on it.
So when i use the phone i normally just hold it at the bottom, but i have a very lite grip on the phone. Actually, my palm isnt even touching the phone. My hand is sort of cupped around the phone with my fingers gripping the sides. Holding it this way my signal drops completely to nothing, but i dont drop a call (not yet). If i hold it at the top the signal comes back, but then i need to use two hands to use my phone......not ideal for a lot of people. Even then, if i dont have my hand just right, it will stilll effect my signal. I did a lot of testing going back and forth between the system test screen and the signal strength screen build into the phone, and the strength was the same between both screens, and the bars pretty much matched up perfectly with the signal levels. These tests were done in different areas, and all areas were the highest signal level possible according to T-Mobiles data coverage map. I hope this can be resolved by software, but after looking at this more and more im worried its just the hardware. Again thats just my guess
Thanks for the input guys. As soon as i have a few people reporting the signal issue, ill submit to T-Mobile.
Without even typing my own comment I'm just going to cut and paste your report because its pretty much the same thing.
1. This happens all the time whether im inside or outside.
2. I'm gripping it like any normal person would, at the bottom.
3. It happens when i have a kungfu grip, a very lite grip, or simply placing a finger near the bottom of the phone. Holding my finger a quarter inch away from the phone makes the bars drop all the way to nothing.
4. Usually it dips to no bars whether its on 3G or on Edge.
5. I have not dropped a call yet from this, but im keeping a close eye on it.
Ive more or less learned to hold it near the top or palm it when I'm playing on the net. I've grown so accustomed to holding it in my right hand and using my right thumb to navigate now I'm holding it in my left and using my pointer finger. Totally not what I'm used to, but I guess if I want to keep the phone I have to bend to its will. Software issue I doubt it. I'm guess its just retarded sheilding around the antenna and we are more or less screwed unless they are going to say its some kind of tilt sensor problem. Who knows
As for the good signal. Comparing it to my G1 I would be maxed out in bars since the closest T-Mobile tower to me is 900-1200 feet away.
1. How often does it happen?
Everytime I grip the phone from the bottom, the signals bars drop, and it even states I get knocked down to Edge (that rarely happens, though), however I am experiencing no data connectivity/speed loss and no dropped calls.
2. Where are you gripping the phone?
Thumb and forefinger rest on the middle of device, the bottom of my hand is resting comfortable just above the lip on the bottom
3. Do you have a kungfu grip on the phone or are you barely holding it?
Holding it so that it won't fall out of my hand but not too tight.
4. Do you loose signal completely or does it just dip a few bars?
Dips a few bars, sometimes dropping to Edge, but again, I don't think it's really losing as much signal as it's showing, which is what I believe to be the entire issue.
5. Do you ever drop calls because of this?
No
6. Also include a brief explanation of times this has happened
All of the time, indoors and outdoors, although it seems to happen less outdoors.
1. Happens when I'm inside.
2. Gripping it normal way at the bottom.
3. Sometimes I lose all bars, sometimes I only have one bar left. Speedtest still shows in the thousands.
4. No dropped calls so far.
5. Something I have noticed today in T-Mobile store.. when I held their display phone the bars didn't drop at all, and neither did they drop on my phone.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
in regards to your number 5. A lot of t-mobile stores have mini towers in the store. So that why it probably didnt happen in the store
That's not true.
s15274n said:
That's not true.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is at least in IL. A really close friend of mine is the manager at one of the local Corp Stores and he has shown it to me at 3 different stores he ran. So ya its pretty true here at least.
I am getting the same thing as you guys i was really mad when i found this out i was making fun of iphone for this. But i still have hope samsung will fix this I too dont get any dropped calls and my network still works even when its showing 0 bars (which is about 80% of the time). so im thinking that this might be a software issue and the bars are not showing correctly. does anyone know if the same thing is happening to the captivate or any of the other phones?
well, im inside right now and I held the phone lightly like it would be browsing the web or something and i only drop 1 bar. But I think that's mainly because I'm right at the 3/4 bar threshold. Outside, i have no drops in bars, but I'd check the actual decible reading later.
Its the bump on the bottom of the phone. O well prolly gotta get a zenus case. They look sharp.
O btw I'm still gunna make fun of iPhone users. They are such fanbois
For me it happens inside when I hold the phone. Keep in mind that this is WITH a silicone case. It is quite disheartening. =\
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I own the Captivate and this happens to me as well, half the time I have this phone I have 0 bars, but still no dropped calls, and better sound quality and download speeds than the htc aria I had for 3 weeks which would show 2-4 bars where the captivate shows 0-3. I think where apple for years overestimated iphone bars samsung is underestimating bars with the galaxy s so i am not really worried about it at all.
I haven't experienced any dropped calls or call quality degradation. The antenna status is always fluctuating, and it was always the case with my retired N95 as well.
As for the data, I got a pretty bad 3G signal in my apartment and office, but outside I haven't notice any degradation of service whichever way I am holding the phone.
This happens when I hold the vibrant horixontaly it drops down to greyed bars and sometimes to edge
when I hold it horizontaly I am on the web browser or watching a video but no drop calls
Someone should try one of these lol...
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The bump on the bottom of the phone holds the antenna. It is designed poorly. They should have put the antenna up at the top of the phone where very few people hold it.
swatspyder said:
The bump on the bottom of the phone holds the antenna. It is designed poorly. They should have put the antenna up at the top of the phone where very few people hold it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not always an option besides I rarely have my hand over the antenna because the phone is so big, you have plenty of places to hold it at. At least it doesn't give you a false sense of a good antenna like HTC.
I've noticed signal dropping down to nothing when I hold it but I've never dropped a call or had data crap out. The software doesn't reflect the service you're actually getting.
Sent from Samsung Vibrant using XDA app.
0 Bars
I have the same situation. I mostly get 0 bars at home but I use my WiFi. I have never had a very strong signal in my house, may 1-2 bars on average. When I use the Vibrant, I get 0 bars but I can still receive sms and phone calls. I haven't had any drop calls. So I would have to say it is a software issue not a phone related issue.
You can't put the antenna on top anymore, it is the law, at least here in the states.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Ive had spotty 3g at my house since i got my phone. Most ive seen is 2 bars. Noticed tonight i left my phone on table and came back and i had full bars with 3g.
Picked up phone like i always and hold with left hand it drops to 1 to no bars. So i hold the phone with right hand i get stronger signal, left hand weak...
Im guessing the antenna is on the left bottom side of the phone apparently covering it up drops my 3g signal significantly, going from full to no bars just by covering left corner ...anyone else?
Not really complaining because i still connect 3g fine but i do drop to edge allot if im in certain rooms and phone calls never drop just curious of maybe a solution or whatnot
I looked on youtube and found this but you dont have to hold phone like this. just palm it with left hand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vefQ4I2wOXs
And sorry if posted already i could find anything on this here
Happens here too. Funny thing is that I have case on it. One thing those in the youtube comments are mixing up and not understanding is the signal strength. I wish they were more smart people in the world lol..
Anyway what I am getting at is that this happens with all Vibrants, it just depends on your current signal strength in dBm. For example, if I'm inside with around 4-5 bars, around -81dBm. Then when I grip it, the signal will go down by -20dBm or more resulting in two to three bar lost. Where as if I'm outside with around -51dBm and do the same thing. It will result in the same -20dBm but you won't notice it enough because the bars don't start to go down until around -89dBm or more.
* The lower the dBm, the better your signal.
* It was the same issue with Nexus One.
* The design of the phone is causing your hand to have more of an effect on it.
If anyone want to proove this case. Just get two Vibrants next to each other in the same area and do the hand thing.
Yea see i never noticed this with my N1 But yea what your saying makes scene.
Its not a big deal i still connect avr 1mbps with weak signal but found it odd
Yea same here. I do admit the signal is even more sensitive than my n1 was though. Oh well I guess this is just one thing we have live it until a better phone comes again.
Shouldn't 2.2 come with an updated radio and if so maybe it will help
It might make the radio use more power from my experience but this isn't a software issue. Though speaking of software, right now the dBm read out and bars are off by 5 or so dBm. So when we get the 2.2 update we should see the proper signal read out which will appear stronger and it should be more stable as well. Either way, our hands will still be able to affect the phone. Just like any other phone but more drastic with the Vibrant, N1 and iPhone 4.
The bars are generally useless and I don't think it's really an issue unless it's actually dropping the signal. I have zero bars of 3G all the time, and I still get full speed. The difference between zero bars and zero signal is rather large, IMO.
If the signal attenuation from holding it causes you to drop 3G altogether, well, I feel for you. It's never happened to me, and I've done all kinds of grip experiments to see if I could make the signal attenuate.
To go on, the Vibrant has the best radio of any phone I've ever used. The test for me is whether I can hold signal in my building's elevator. Virtually every phone I've owned (and most all my friends' phones) dropped signal as soon as the doors closed or shortly after. Prior to my Vibrant, the champ was my Blackberry 8820, which could hold signal for about two floors before cutting out. The Vibrant? It may drop to EDGE, but I still hold some kind of signal all the way down, which is amazing.
That something I notice the first day I got the Vibrant , did not have that issue with other previous phone in the same spot... if I put the phone in a table it gets full bars.. once I pick up the phone it goes back to 2 bars... the only way I get full bars is if a hold the phone just from the bottom.
I'm going to have a seizure if I see another one of these threads.
-81dBm is an obvious flaw and should be completely disregarded UNLESS you're off of JFD or anything based on JFD. This phones reported signal strength refreshes FAR more often than nearly all other Android phones on the market. Motorola on T-Mobile being the slowest to refresh any signal changes.
The bars are wrong and very inaccurate. Do a search. Update to JI2 or JI4.
heygrl said:
I'm going to have a seizure if I see another one of these threads.
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Click to collapse
Another one of what threads?
Cut me some slack i rarely ask questions here and no one force you to click on this thread... but i do appreciate the info you gave.
Only thing i noticed when I went threw your post history is you replying to this question with threads with topic names not related to this problem.
And if you read my first post you would have seen
demo23019 said:
And sorry if posted already i could find anything on this here
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Click to collapse
and
demo23019 said:
Not really complaining because i still connect 3g fine but i do drop to edge allot if im in certain rooms and phone calls never drop just curious of maybe a solution or whatnot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... thanks for the info guys