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Looking at the results of the xda-developers pool I decided to get an XPeria as it clearly out shined all other phones. I got X1i this Saturday and was shocked about the poor signal strength. I was so looking forward to using this phone and keeping it but was more inclined in sending it back. Now after a couple of days just browsing the developers site which I am used to as I had an artemis before this. I see this was not the last of the problems. There have been mentions of overheating and GPS lag as well as the WIFI being rubbish. I have found the following problems
1. Signals fluctuating and mostly no service when in hand even in some good reception areas. Normally on H when in the carry case but switches to G as soon as held in hand.
2. GPS is frustrating. My artemis used to lock within seconds while having an upto date ephermis file. But even with AGPS and recently downloaded ephermis file, I had to wait over a minute to move off. It locked and then it lost and then it locked again(This was when it was in my hand). Once locked it was stable. It was on Google maps by the way.
Right for these, I have found a temporary solution and we have to work on it to make it a standard solution for all X1. Apparently the signals definitely fluctuate when you touch the lower metallic part on the back which has SE logo on it . The opinion on the forums here is that it may block the signal. I think otherwise as I have covered that area without touching the panel with my hand and there has been no signal drop but as soon as you have the slightest bit of flesh on that area the signal drops at least two bars. This led me to believe that there is an electric conduction or possibly u earth the antennas as they seem to be touching that panel from inside as it has been pointed out before.
So simple test was to put a cling film on that part and then test so I did and walah!! There was no signal drop and it worked flawlessly. I think it’s the same problem with GPS as well.
Now I couldn’t carry on using my phone half mummified. I had to take the cling film off. This is possibly the solution to everyone’s problem but I need someone to suggest either a plastic cover for that area or some sort of coating which does not conduct electricity. I think that will definitely sort the problem.
I think you've got a faulty X1 there mate..
Can you take it back to a store and compare it against another one?
The signal is weak on this compared to some other devices, (it's not as bad as the vario though), however I've never noticed a drop in signal by holding it, so I suspect somethings awry with the one you've got..
GPS signal is very very good with the later radios, what version have you got?
I get a lock within 2 seconds (8 seconds from hard reset or flashed a new rom), and it's very very accurate when it does lock.
My GPS works very well (better than htc cruise) also with previous radio.
So I think you have a fault X1, like say by fards.
I'm with Fards on this, I don't get issues when holding the phone and GPS is snappy.
crabby
Thanks guys. I know it has been discussed a million times before but I have compared the phone with other XPerias and it is the same. There are atleast 4 threads pointing out the same. My X1 would have better signals than my artemis as long as i dont touch the back base. Have you all got silver X1is? If so then can you check if you touch the back panel which i mentioned, if there is any fluctuation in the signals(its not instant it takes about 10 seconds for the phone to show the loss of signals).
I have updated radio to 55 and tried the two new stock roms which are R2A for O2 and 010 generic. The phone still looses signals but not completely when i touch the back panel.
About GPS, it does get a lock very quickly but looses it for a short while when i touch the back.
Anyway if someone else comes accross the same problem then please write here as I am sure there is a solution to be found. I was looking at the following
Clear coating
Antistatic spray coating
I must have missed those threads then.
I have a black x1, and definitely don't get any of those issues.
gps is steady and strong.. monitoring it now... as I type. 6 birds locked standing next to window in house hdop 0.6m which I think is very very good
gsm signal on 2 bars and steady
I had the same issue just once. And even when X1 was in the Brodit car holder.
In my case the soft reset was sufficient to solve the problem. But I guess that you already did that.
fards and pelriog? did you experience any fluctuation when touching the panel?
These are the links to threads
Thread1
Thread2
Thread3
Thread4
Same here, touch back panel, hold for 10 secs and signal drops 1 bar. Currently on 3G network, going from 2 bars to 1.
(And yes, my W810i gets a way better signal in low coverage areas. However, usually not a problem, since I hardly encounter Vodafone low coverage areas in The Netherlands).
Tested 5 times. Dutch Vodafone X1i, R2 stock ROM & stock radio.
Ok I did the touch the panel thing and my bars increased by one... hmmm perhaps there is another faulty batch out there as I get great signal (touch wood) and my gps is very responsive and accurate...
Silver X1 here.. Been touching it up for about 15 mins now
It does seem to drop by 1 bar when touched, but also drops if i just put my hand really close to the back without actually touching. hmm..
what concerns me more is how it just drops the whole line randomly and gives an x then has to search again. Lost a good few calls from that..
well here ive got no problem at all with signal.
But GPS does suck even though most people everywhere say X1 GPS is awesome.maybe it is just my zone/country.. could that be possible?
uhm.. of course not, their satellytes afetr all.
I have disassembled my X1 myself and found that under lower part of backside (piece that have SE logo) is an antenna of some kind.
The antenna is a thick circuit that ran on top of another piece of plastic that cover the loud speaker.
The circuit only have 2 contacts to the main PCB.
My guess is that the reception site of either GSM or GPS is on that part.(may be bluetooth or WiFi too, but I think that's not it)
I wonder what SE/HTC engineer is thinking, putting antenna on this part of the phone! (covered with my hand everytime I use it!)
The solution is "use bluetooth headset" and "hold your phone upside down" and you will be fine.
Yeah, mine loses a bar when touching the metal case at the back, I've not lost any calls (that I know of) because of this though.
I had a look under the speaker section myself last week, and can confirm the antenna circuit over the speaker section. Underneath there's also what looks like a tiny external antenna socket... we could mod our experias to have a rubber duck aerial? Who's up for walkie talkie lookalike xperia?
lol @ walkie talki and upside down. I think the designers have done a very poor job as far as the antenna location is concerned.
Tumpin does your phone loose all signals when in your hand?
Taking this seriously as suggested in my first post has anyone tried putting a cling film on or to that matter anything to cover that area and holding the phone. I did it with the cling film and there was no drop in the signal. So i think it is just a matter of us using some kind of invisible coating or cover on that area so there is no static conductivity. Look at post #5
I would appreciate if everyone gives there suggestions as well how to deal with it. For the people who took the phone apart you could have put something on the inner side to block the static discharge.
I returned my xperia for the second time for signal problems. The problems started after it was repaired for the crack in my case. After that the signal was very poor. GPS was not working in 90%. I wait for 15 minutes for signal, but the only thing that happend was heating the battery. Also HSDPA have a weak signal. In most times I only can use GPRS. The first time I returned the phone for this problem nothing changed. And this time I had a new crack in my case, so I hope they send me a new one!
Im using a X1a and I find its GSM/3G reception is really poor, I already upgraded the radio to the latest but its still the same poor poor reception. Specially when Im using the metal case I frequently get drop calls on my device
kanthai said:
I have disassembled my X1 myself and found that under lower part of backside (piece that have SE logo) is an antenna of some kind.
The antenna is a thick circuit that ran on top of another piece of plastic that cover the loud speaker.
The circuit only have 2 contacts to the main PCB.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious! Any chance that you see what for are the two metal plates contacts from the metal cover of the phone? Those near the SE logo. These two and the other two towards the camera are there for... what? The metal cover is used for something as when you rig in the phone and all four contacts are "online" but what for? Thanks!
I have a black X1i and noticed that reception increased when using it with the keyboard opened in horizontal position.
Same here, I tought it was because I open my metal case that is why reception goes up.
stevencyc said:
I have a black X1i and noticed that reception increased when using it with the keyboard opened in horizontal position.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After getting my i9000m replaced by Bell due to SD card failure I have noticed a couple of interesting things about the new phone:
1) The GPS is fixed. I used to wait 20+ minutes and still have no lock before, now if I am not moving I generally get locks of under 10m in 7-30 seconds. Very acceptable
2) The glass is different. The glass on this phone almost feels sticky and is nearly impossible to put any fingerprints on. My old phone would get dirty very often and I had to clean it many times each day. This is a big improvement.
3) FM Radio reception is MASSIVELY better. I use my phone inside a tall building downtown and my old phone would be fuzzy and almost impossible to listen to. This one is perfect, never fuzzes out.
4) Cell reception is MUCH WORSE. At my house I used to get usable signal in a couple of rooms, now whenever I am at home I just get the red exclamation mark and I have no service.
My old phone had a build date of 10.07 and my new one has a build date of 10.11. The new phone has the black piece with the letter "M" on it (Antenna wire?) and the old one did not have this.
Anybody else notice interesting things like this with the newer/older phones?
I got the same phone 10.11 and noticed the exact same things.
1) same
2) same, but might be the residue from the sticker on the screen
3) 10x better now
4) reception is the same as it was before
my 10.12 phone has a WORSE gps. i did the hardware mod where you bend the contact up a little bit and it didnt really do anything to fix it either. ive tried resetting the data and doing cold starts and everything else people have suggested and nothing. the accuracy is very often way off.
After a few days with the phone I have noticed something interesting. The GPS seems to be working properly, then completely broken on a rather predictable fixed interval. If I repeatedly run GPS test to find my position it tends to work properly for 30-40 seconds then be completely broken for 30-40 seconds, then repeat. I observe the same behavior with all GPS apps, it isn't just GPS test but I find it is the easiest program to get this data from.
Still, this is far better than it was before but I wonder why it is doing this?
Hey there guys, i currently have an issue with my recently purchased G2. Whenever i have the keyboard out holding vertically, i noticed my wifi signal started to decrease when i held at a certain position with my left hand. I usually have my left index finger resting on the side of the keyboard (top part of the phone), whenever i am holding it horizontally and i have noticed that the wifi drops considerable when doing so from 3 to 1, indicated by the wifi signal on the phone.
Any of you guys have the same problem? Try covering the top part of the phone or the left side of the phone if its held landscape (the area where t-mobile logo is) and tell me if your wifi strength decreases. Thanks guys!
youtube.com/watch?v=qdj2y9Fx_5o
(sorry won't allow me to post a link since I don't have at least 8 posts!)
Yes I have had issues with wifi whenever I cover the top part of the phone. Either when in landscape mode or hplding it to my head
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
I definitely see this. I don't even bother trying to play Pocket Legends on wifi.
I tried to google where the wifi antenna was, but gave up pretty quick - normally I have good "4g" coverage so I don't keep wifi turned on, even at home.
i dont think this phone even uses antenna's i opened up my phone before and there was nothing that looked like an antenna unless its inside the screen
My signal drops 1 bar by doing that as well. I assume its where the receiver is located
Sent from my SilverBullet "RootedHTCDesireZ"
Easy on the death grip! also get a stronger wifi router, pref an N router. it'll help you.
it's not even that i have my whole hand plastered on the side of the phone, it is just my index finger that is giving me only 1 bar of wifi, even if it is lightly rested..
I kind of noticed this too last night. I was laying on my bed, and replying to a post in a local forum. I typed in my reply using the HW keyboard, then submitted. Then it failed. I noticed that I was not connected via WiFi anymore. I closed the keyboard and changed switched to a different position, then poof, WiFi came back on.
However, I don't completely blame HTC for this, since my Router's signal (WiFi-N too) is not that strong up in up in my bedroom. So I guess the antenna is located somewhere near there, and when signal is not that good, it drops. Not that big of an issue for me though.
Uh... keyboard out and holding it vertically.... why would you ever hold it like this?
I'm guessing he means horizontally. I get the wifi signal to drop when I hold it like this. There is a hole on same cases near the bottom left (when held normally keyboard out) that gets covered by my hand. This seems to be the location of the wifi antenna.
Sorry i mean horizontally haha. I guess this is a common problem not a unit problem. Is there any fix for this? I use wifi whenever im home or work since it is faster but i find myself clicking links and going to web pages without my left hand placed on the phone (held horizontally) in order for the page to load up fast.
I'd understand if i was covering it fully or if my fingers were firmly pressed against it but this thing is just too damn sensitive!!
Finland_2_Cupertino said:
Easy on the death grip! also get a stronger wifi router, pref an N router. it'll help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy? The man can't hold his phone the way it was intended?
While this is an amazing phone, I'm regretting to learn that the radio equipment is pretty ****ty. It's such a disappointment. I have a top of the line router and live near a cell tower and still get poor reception. All my electronics are RF shielded and I live in a new home with little wireless noise. I know a thing or two about troubleshooting wireless challenges and I am absolutely positive that it's the radio hardware.
I've had friends bring over their devices, one being a DZ and it also performed poorly. Hoping that there's something software related that can be updated by HTC to fix this. Chances are slim though... thankfully I switch out phones every 4-6 months. Love my DZ other than this major flaw.
When I hold my DZ horizontally with keyboard open I either have all wifi bars or 1 less sometimes but it still works very well.
I had indeed to have a look at the icon when I read this thread to notice that I could lose 1 bar sometmes as I have never noticed any problem with wifi.
I have tried different ways of holding the phone and even when I try to cover wifi antenna location I don't always succeed in getting less bars.
Could it have to do with the fact that I'm a girl and have smaller hands so cover a smaller surface of the device?
I've posted a video on the problem.
I'm quite surprised that there is no other thread on this after realizing the number of people that have the same problem. I want to know if this is a problem for all users or only for certain defective G2s, so I know if should send it in.
missparker76 said:
When I hold my DZ horizontally with keyboard open I either have all wifi bars or 1 less sometimes but it still works very well.
I had indeed to have a look at the icon when I read this thread to notice that I could lose 1 bar sometmes as I have never noticed any problem with wifi.
I have tried different ways of holding the phone and even when I try to cover wifi antenna location I don't always succeed in getting less bars.
Could it have to do with the fact that I'm a girl and have smaller hands so cover a smaller surface of the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That could probably be the cause.
I was able to replicate the issue again, but now with better WiFi coverage. So yeah, I noticed that my signal bars drop 1 to 2 bars when using the HW keyboard, and it immediately pops back up to full strength when held in a portrait position. However, the AP that I was connected to was a G one, I think.
As for me, this isn't quite of a major issue for me yet. I only use the HW keyboard when doing SMS and typing in long info while browsing. Though it can be a pain when doing instant messaging on the phone.
I don't think the type of router is the cause, i think its just poorly placed and sensitivity of the wifi antenna. I tested it out on my university wifi and same result. The engineers failed on this one!
I noticed a drop of radio signal when using the hardware keyboard of my G1 (HTC Dream). IMHO there is nothing like a perfect place for a radio or an antenna in a smartphone. See the discussion going on regarding the signal drop of the iPhone 4, same thing. Every human being has different hands and holds a phone in another way, maybe similar but still different. There is no standardized hand, you know?
Just my opinion. :]
I purchased a Netgear WNDR3700 and set it up using both stock firmware and DDWRT customer firmware and did extensive testing, not just for G2/Desire Z testing but for my other wireless devices as well. I can assure you that the radio hardware and antenna placement/design are really lacking.
I've found that with my new wireless connection there is far more stability as I've never optimized my old router (Linksys WRT610 with DDWRT FW), but a definite loss in signal from the way the device is held. It really sucks, but it's not at bad as the mobile connection. I always have just a couple bars and then 0 bars, then it begins bandswitching and sucking some hardcore ****.
I really love the Desire Z otherwise but it looks like I need to hold out for the Motorola Atrix or the dual core LG Optimus coming out soon.
Me too
I see this drop in reception too, and sometimes a drop in 3G reception when I hold it certain ways. A bummer, but pretty much par for the course. I've never met a phone that doesn't suffer this same problem one way or another.
I just live with it. It's still a great device.
has anyone opened a bug ticket on HTC's site?
I am currently running google maps 9.42.3. Android 6.0.1 Kernal 3.10.49-g6d40c12.
Last night, while taking my grandson to a soccer game, navigation would not update my position or take the next turn. I rebooted and that did nothing. As in the other thread, my GPS is not great. However, I could hit the location button on the map and it would get reasonably close to where I was at. Certainly close enough to suggest the next turn.
I know this has worked on this phone in the past. Is it possible that I "broke" it by turning off Google Play services access to my contacts? I now get messages saying that maps won't work properly because play can't access my contacts. I could understand why maps may not be able to navigate to a named contact if it didn't have access to my contacts but why would little ole me affect navigation? What could my limited contacts possibly have to offer to bring what used to be a great app to the point of being non-functional?
Thanks,
Wade
For what it's worth, Play Services needs access to pretty much your entire phone to work at all. And contacts is also tied to things like your Dialer, which is tied to your cell antenna... you get the picture. I found out the other day that if Google Maps can't get a fix from GPS, it takes a fix from whatever cell tower you're connected to, even if that tower is 10 miles away. More towers in your area, the better chance you won't notice the difference.
I am having navigation issue.
I don't know very much about the problem but you can fix navigation issue by just touching to the Harpia GPS device by removing the back cover of your mobile. It actually works for me every f***** time.
10 Seconds GPS Redneck Fix
Using @ashishwebmail touch tip I devised a 10 second solution for my XT1609 G4 Play. Sort of a temporary redneck fix but it works.
(Next I'll probably be experimenting with very thin conductive tape that might fit within the back of the phone.)
I straightened a paperclip except for the end with the bend upward. Took off the case and phone back. Put the paperclip in my case with the upward bend flush in the case corner so it contacts the GPS antenna. Replaced phone in case without phone back. Voila!
Getting a GPS fix every time in 2-6 seconds using both GPS Status and GPS Test, indoors with WiFi on or off!
Unable, as a newbie to this board, to post a link to the case I'm using. It's my favorite smartphone case ever, and cheap.
It's the one on eBay with the title "Slim Shockproof Rugged Hybrid Soft Silicone Case Cover For Motorola Moto G4 Play"
Conductive Tape GPS Fix Confirmed
Removed the case and phone back. Laid a 2 mm wide strip of aluminum tape from the top GPS corner, along the edge of the battery compartment, to the bottom corner, careful to keep it away from the phone back notches. Doubted the adhesive was electrically conductive as I think it's just cheap construction flashing tape, so I folded it back on itself on top of the GPS antenna to be sure it made electrical contact with it. Replaced phone back and case.
Getting GPS fix in 1-3 seconds indoors every time in 20 tries! (This is with WiFi on or off.)
I had an issue with the GPS not working for navigation on the Moto G4 Play and I ended up having the phone replaced under Motorola warranty, it was a bad GPS. This seems to be a fairly common issue for this model.
I installed my GPS antenna just sitting on top of the PX5 HU , hidden in dash. I have had intermittent performance and I'm trying to figure out the issue. Historically until today I have been using the HAL9 k Android 8 ROM. I have upgraded to the HAL9k Android 9 ROM but not tested enough to comment on performance.
Historically it would work one day, then struggle to keep a lock the next.
I am wondering if I should change the GPS antenna location? Perhaps move it behind rear view mirror. The GPS test shows 20+ satellites with a 15-20 meter accuracy when checked.
Does anyone suggest anything to improve reliability ?
I put my GPS antenna under the roof liner on passenger side.
Modern cars have laminated, coated windscreens that attenuate radio signals.
Having pretty steady reception.
Sent from my Nokia 7 plus using Tapatalk
90Ninety9 said:
I installed my GPS antenna just sitting on top of the PX5 HU , hidden in dash. I have had intermittent performance and I'm trying to figure out the issue. Historically until today I have been using the HAL9 k Android 8 ROM. I have upgraded to the HAL9k Android 9 ROM but not tested enough to comment on performance.
Historically it would work one day, then struggle to keep a lock the next.
I am wondering if I should change the GPS antenna location? Perhaps move it behind rear view mirror. The GPS test shows 20+ satellites with a 15-20 meter accuracy when checked.
Does anyone suggest anything to improve reliability ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have mine inside one of the clearance lights on my truck. Not sure what you drive but maybe there is a creative option. I would think in the dash, up against the HU, would be about the worst reception so anything will be an improvement.
I have mine behind the cover for the a pillar to the left of the windscreen, I just popped the pillar cover off and stuck some double sided tape on the antenna and then job done when I popped the pillar cover back on. Gets full signal all the time.
If you’ve got it on the headunit there will be too many obstructions/Interference.
Behind the rear view mirror would be ideal to be fair.
You should just put it on top of your dash for a day or two to try it and if it works fine then you know the problem is because of where you’ve currently got it.
90Ninety9 said:
I installed my GPS antenna just sitting on top of the PX5 HU , hidden in dash. I have had intermittent performance and I'm trying to figure out the issue. Historically until today I have been using the HAL9 k Android 8 ROM. I have upgraded to the HAL9k Android 9 ROM but not tested enough to comment on performance.
Historically it would work one day, then struggle to keep a lock the next.
I am wondering if I should change the GPS antenna location? Perhaps move it behind rear view mirror. The GPS test shows 20+ satellites with a 15-20 meter accuracy when checked.
Does anyone suggest anything to improve reliability ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The gps signal is quite a complicated one which is subject to among other things; multipathing (signals bouncing off other things and confusing the situation) For that reason your antenna should be mounted as high as possible with as few obstructions as possible with the widest angle towards the sky. In other words outside and center on the roof would be the best place. Now understandably people don't want to drill holes through their roofs or even have the antennas visible.... but the closer you get to that point, the less error you will have.
Inside the dash on top of the radio has to be about the WORST place you can think of.
mines just jammed behind my head unit and works fine.
I have mine also behind the HU hidden in the dash. Work's great. The only issue i have is, when i didn't use the GPS for some hour's. It is like the GPS Antenna would be in deep sleep mode. It takes some minutes until i have a 3D Fix, it shows satellites, but won't connect. After 2-5 minutes it works fine.
Do you have also this kind of issue at cold start?
tomygunner said:
I have mine also behind the HU hidden in the dash. Work's great. The only issue i have is, when i didn't use the GPS for some hour's. It is like the GPS Antenna would be in deep sleep mode. It takes some minutes until i have a 3D Fix, it shows satellites, but won't connect. After 2-5 minutes it works fine.
Do you have also this kind of issue at cold start?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds similar to the issue historically . Would work when I was testing , though the unit would be on for several minuites ( updates patches ect)
Cant believe that some are suggesting its the worse place , considering this is where many installer pros will put it . Makes sense its has direct line of sight under window .
Cant see how A pillar or Rear view mirror would make much difference , since its doing the same ( going though a window)
90Ninety9 said:
Cant believe that some are suggesting its the worse place , considering this is where many installer pros will put it . Makes sense its has direct line of sight under window .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but just because that's where installers put it doesn't mean it isn't the worst* place. It is the easiest place that requires no fishing and is invisible to the user. I don't believe anyone is saying it won't work there - just that it will work better in a less obstructed location and that if you are having signal issues the first thing to test is moving it to an open location and comparing. It's an easy and informative test. When hidden inside the dash, the performance can vary by make/model.
*"Worst" being within reason. Arguably inside the oil pan could be considered the worst or possibly at home on your desk...
90Ninety9 said:
It sounds similar to the issue historically . Would work when I was testing , though the unit would be on for several minuites ( updates patches ect)
Cant believe that some are suggesting its the worse place , considering this is where many installer pros will put it . Makes sense its has direct line of sight under window .
Cant see how A pillar or Rear view mirror would make much difference , since its doing the same ( going though a window)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Direct line of sight from the front, not the back.
8 times out of 10 there are lots of satellites in the (clear) sky in your area to get a good lock, all works fine and the installers get away with being lazy. That however doesn't mean the install was proper. Look at it this way... there is a reason why they supply these antennas with long cords, and I assure you that reason has little to do with bundling up the cord so the antenna sits a foot away from the radio.
I put mine on top of the A/C vent tube above the head unit. I also added a flat piece of sheet metal under the antenna and on top of the vent tube for a ground plane. So the antenna is directly under the center of the dash and there is no metal in the dash above it. The sheet metal under the antenna makes a big difference. Try just setting your antenna on top of your dash and test the signal strength. Then put a metal plate under it and try again. For me I saw a difference with the metal plate.