My note 3 has noticeably worse reception than my note 2 and thunderbolt did in the same location. The problem seems even worse when wifi is on. In my home I almost never have a signal unless I'm near a window. I noticed that when I turn wifi off I sometimes quickly get a signal back (usually just 1/2 bars of 1X) and my phone seems to have a much easier time maintaining that signal than when wifi is on.
Does this have something to do with the software/radio in the stock ROM? Perhaps for power saving purposes? Has anyone experienced a better signal after rooting and flashing a custom ROM? Not sure what to do as the phone is flawless otherwise but this problem has been incredibly frustrating. Thanks
It's definitely what Verizon did to the phone or their towers. we all have the same problem. ..and truth be told I called Verizon about this and no sufficient answer was given..next day I went to att go...I've been good and even saving $60 more...
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
ROMS have nothing to do with reception. Zero.
Radio firmware, maybe (but even the evidence for that is rather slim. Usually the only things radio firmware updates ever change are things that only the carrier can detect - obscure low level stuff.).
Reading between the lines, it sounds like your signal is weak to begin with (and somewhat worse for the N3 compared to other devices). Since you mention WiFi, I presume you have a separate (wired) ISP, so you would probably be a good candidate for a micro/femto cell range extender. (It gives you localized 3G service for voice & SMS service but actually passes both as VoIP to your carrier across your Internet connection.) You can add a bunch of devices to it if you have a family plan.
There is really only two ways that WiFi would cause interference with the cell radio: either the phone hardware is defective or your router hardware is defective (interference spurs outside it's normal frequency bands).
In contrast to the prior respondent, I don't make the claim that my experience must be identical to everyone else's ... but FYI I'm sitting 20' from my WiFi router, and I have 4 bars WiFi & 4 bars LTE service.
good luck
jr_718 said:
It's definitely what Verizon did to the phone or their towers. we all have the same problem. ..and truth be told I called Verizon about this and no sufficient answer was given..next day I went to att go...I've been good and even saving $60 more...
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. Sadly Verizon is excellent in comparison to all other carriers in my area, especially in terms of 4g coverage by a large margin. I just happen to live in somewhat of a valley where service is poor. I can literally walk up the street 10 minutes and have 4 bars of 4g. Even outside of my house I usually have 2 bars of 3g. With my note 2 and thunderbolt I always had at least 1/2 bars of 1x or 3g indoors and rarely lost service. With my note 3 in the same indoor areas I almost never have service and typically have to go next to a window to get a signal.
bftb0 said:
ROMS have nothing to do with reception. Zero.
Radio firmware, maybe (but even the evidence for that is rather slim. Usually the only things radio firmware updates ever change are things that only the carrier can detect - obscure low level stuff.).
Reading between the lines, it sounds like your signal is weak to begin with (and somewhat worse for the N3 compared to other devices). Since you mention WiFi, I presume you have a separate (wired) ISP, so you would probably be a good candidate for a micro/femto cell range extender. (It gives you localized 3G service for voice & SMS service but actually passes both as VoIP to your carrier across your Internet connection.) You can add a bunch of devices to it if you have a family plan.
There is really only two ways that WiFi would cause interference with the cell radio: either the phone hardware is defective or your router hardware is defective (interference spurs outside it's normal frequency bands).
In contrast to the prior respondent, I don't make the claim that my experience must be identical to everyone else's ... but FYI I'm sitting 20' from my WiFi router, and I have 4 bars WiFi & 4 bars LTE service.
good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My signal is indeed weak in general. However, it is significantly worse than my previous note 2 and thunderbolt in the same areas. It seems to have a ton of trouble holding on to a signal, especially when I'm on wifi or not on a call. When I do have service I can usually make a decent quality phone call. The strange part is once I'm on the phone the call is rarely dropped. It's as if the phone is dedicating more power to the radio in these instances, similar with when wifi is on. As soon as I hang up my I seem to completely lose service again. If I attempt to make another call I get "mobile network not available" until I get a bar back. But once I'm on a call again it seems to lock on MUCH more effectively, and I can remain on the phone for over an hour without issues, leading me to believe software could be playing a large part in the inconsistencies.
bladerealm124 said:
Thanks for the response. Sadly Verizon is excellent in comparison to all other carriers in my area, especially in terms of 4g coverage by a large margin. I just happen to live in somewhat of a valley where service is poor. I can literally walk up the street 10 minutes and have 4 bars of 4g. Even outside of my house I usually have 2 bars of 3g. With my note 2 and thunderbolt I always had at least 1/2 bars of 1x or 3g indoors and rarely lost service. With my note 3 in the same indoor areas I almost never have service and typically have to go next to a window to get a signal.
My signal is indeed weak in general. However, it is significantly worse than my previous note 2 and thunderbolt in the same areas. It seems to have a ton of trouble holding on to a signal, especially when I'm on wifi or not on a call. When I do have service I can usually make a decent quality phone call. The strange part is once I'm on the phone the call is rarely dropped. It's as if the phone is dedicating more power to the radio in these instances, similar with when wifi is on. As soon as I hang up my I seem to completely lose service again. If I attempt to make another call I get "mobile network not available" until I get a bar back. But once I'm on a call again it seems to lock on MUCH more effectively, and I can remain on the phone for over an hour without issues, leading me to believe software could be playing a large part in the inconsistencies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its either a dud device, or placebo. I've had all the Verizon phones (I switch every 2 months) including Note 2 and Thunderbolt, and my Note 3 destroys them with signal reception. In the same location as the other two, got 1 bar with TBolt, 2 bars Note 2, and 3 bars Note 3. Gets progressively better with newer phones for the most part (or they have been upgrading towers near my location, but not likely as my wife has had same signal the whole time). It does make me wonder about placebo when you say you only get decent reception near a window (unless you live in a steel/concrete house). Is it better when you stand on your car and hold your phone up in the air too?
TechSavvy2 said:
Its either a dud device, or placebo. I've had all the Verizon phones (I switch every 2 months) including Note 2 and Thunderbolt, and my Note 3 destroys them with signal reception. In the same location as the other two, got 1 bar with TBolt, 2 bars Note 2, and 3 bars Note 3. Gets progressively better with newer phones for the most part (or they have been upgrading towers near my location, but not likely as my wife has had same signal the whole time). It does make me wonder about placebo when you say you only get decent reception near a window (unless you live in a steel/concrete house). Is it better when you stand on your car and hold your phone up in the air too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol definitely not placebo. In fact, it's typically the only way I can make phonecalls. It doesn't take concrete to cause signal loss. Just as an example I'm currently about 7 feet away from one window and 12 feet from another. I have NO signal (no bars, warning symbol). Just took a screenshot, now I'll walk to the window and set my phone on the windowsill. Just took a second screenshot. See below:
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"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
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Windowsill:
Just lost my signal again after moving back away from the window. As I stated earlier it seems to be a software problem since once I'm locked into a phone call I can have service for over an hour but as soon as I end the call I will lose it again. Also, you are one of the first people I have read to have better service with this phone than other devices(especially the note 2). Like myself, I have heard tons of complaints about the service with this device. But as you can see in my case it is a bit strange. I'm hoping someone has some information as to why this could be. Obviously not a placebo when I currently can't make a phonecall (denied due to no service). However, once I get a random bar and get the call connected I can stay on the phone for long periods of time without any dropped calls. Only to lose service again the second I'm off the phone.
I've had the same issues with the n3. My thunderbolt use to keep 2-3 bars of 4G around the house and at work. With the N3 I am lucky to stay at 1-2 and most of the time it is downshifting to 3g. On 3g the speed is good but when it jumps back up to 4G with 1 bar the phone becomes useless.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
You can read 10 or even 100 people on the internet that have the problem..... That still means you're seeing 9,999,900 people NOT reporting a problem. What you google search, you WILL find. I can search for people who have BETTER signal, and WILL find many many people in the same circumstance as I. There is something wrong with your phone. Re-flash odin image. If that does not fix, then exchange it as a defective device. WIFI or phone call status should NOT affect your signal.
TechSavvy2 said:
Its either a dud device, or placebo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must have a dud Note 3 also then because I have worse reception on my Note 3 than my Note 2 that's sitting right next to me. And sometimes the signal strength on my Note 3 starts going down over time to where I have to turn airplane mode on and then back off to get good bars and signal back.
Is because you squeeze it too hard when you are holding it.
Sent from my Galaxy Note III; Previous owner/hacker of Galaxy S III, Galaxy Nexus, Droid X, HTC HD2, HTC Touch Pro 2, HTC Tilt, HTC 8525, O2 XDA II, O2 XDA.
I really don't think you have a dud. I actually believe its the latest MJE update. My reception was noticeably better before that update and I believe that update had updates to the radio as well. Since then it has gone down. I've been keeping my fingers crossed hoping the upcoming kitkat update will resolve this but alas verizon is taking it's time with the update.
Both me and my friend have the note 3 and we both have noticed the same thing. We both drive trucks and the same area where we had service with a rezound and DROID we don't have service with the n3. I read somewhere the note 3 uses an "envelope" or something like that for power management for cell reception. Instead of stepping up or down power for the antenna is supposed to keep power as low as possible to conserve battery life. I've also heard someone else say that the previous radios were also better. Would love to find a solution, on a bad day I can drop 30-40 calls where it was only 5 or so with the rezound.
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium HD app
My Note 3's reception is equally as bad. It's terrible compared to my old Droid Razr Maxx and that's ridiculous. I'm really considering going to some other phone as this one has multiple problems including volume that goes up and down playing music, mute that doesn't stay muted, that stupid 'processing' nonsense with the camera when using stability, nanny nonsense with 'loud music can damage ears, turning down' and auto dimming the screen when no available setting can stop it, only a app can and worse yet, three times so far the friggin clock can't keep time and freezes!! Not happy with this phone at all!
I wont have time to try anything for a while but I was looking at some things on the phone and wondering if anyone knows what these values are or if anyone has tried to change them. Tired to do some research but I don't have much time during the week to do anything phone related.
android.telephony.apn-restore
persist.radio.add_power_save
persist.radio.jbims
Really hoping something can be figured out, me and a fellow truck driver talked yesterday and today and I had to have dropped the call 40+ times each day.
Just an update on my end. I called verizon several times regarding the reception issues I've been having. They sent me a new SIM which was no help. They sent a tech out who concluded the angle of the tower to my house causes a dead spot. Long story short I got them to send me a range extender at no cost. Works good in my home office but my Note 3 still has sub par reception everywhere else compared to my droid maxx and wife's S4. I still believe this latest update caused the radio to perform so poor.
Interesting information from everyone. Thanks for the input. The power management for cell reception sounds like the biggest potential culprit as my signal changes significantly when switching wifi off(usually gaining a signal or a stronger signal instantly). It is also strange that I will typically not have service 90% of the time and cannot make a call from my house. But if I acquire service for a few seconds(long enough to make the call) I can easily stay on the phone for over an hour in the same location where I do not have service. It's as if it "locks on" as a result of boosting my signal(reception power). I plan on rooting soon if this problem is not solved to see if any custom ROM's help with the issue, especially if the Kitkat update does not fix it.
The problem is the locked bootloader. Without a custom kernel none of the drivers or anything like that can be changed to improve anything major. Also I did try and disabled the radio power save and noticed an improvement (not much but it's a start) I think I'll try and flash the previous radios and see if that helps. Won't be able to test it until Monday. I get good service at my house but not much once I get away from a larger city
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium HD app
czach5932 said:
The problem is the locked bootloader. Without a custom kernel none of the drivers or anything like that can be changed to improve anything major. Also I did try and disabled the radio power save and noticed an improvement (not much but it's a start) I think I'll try and flash the previous radios and see if that helps. Won't be able to test it until Monday. I get good service at my house but not much once I get away from a larger city
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, forgot about that. I'm looking forward to your results. How did you disable the radio power save? Are you rooted?
I use rom toolbox pro but any build prop editor works. It's about 2/3 the way down. And I didn't have a chance to do any exact comparisons but even my friend said it seemed like I dropped calls less often
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium HD app
Worst phone ever
Horrible Reception
Locked bootloader
Last Samsung device
Htc One M8 here I come
Htcs RF is top notch
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Related
Okay, I've had my phone for a day or two and right off the bat I noticed that even though the phone had no bars of coverage, I actually had coverage and a good enough signal to boot.
I then found myself on XDA reading up on how to lock 3G since the old Nexus One/myTouch etc. trick doesn't work on the Vibrant.
I then came across someones post that leads us to a hidden menu
This menu has a wealth of information that, most of it I can decipher BUT I did find this lovely menu that lead me to the Vibrant's TRUE -dBm reading. The bars are WRONG, the Phone Information Testing menu is WRONG, and the phone has reception that is on par with the Motorola CLIQ I replaced it with. After -103 or so dBm, this shows as NO coverage (0 bars).
Here are the steps for those of us unfamiliar with it.
from i9000 FAQ said:
To get to the DEBUG and Phone status information -
*#*#197328640#*#*
Then select DEBUG screen
Then select BASIC INFORMATION
and the RSSI readout shows true -dBm
I suspected this yesterday but I wanted to be sure it wasn't a placebo effect kicking in.. explains everything really. We don't have -0dBm and this is proof.
During an active call, hit +Add call and punch in this number to bring up the menu. Store it as a contact also
(*#*#197328640#*#, add a contact like Field Test Mode, then go back and add the *, go back to the dialer and punch in *#* and it should bring this up.. select and you're on your way)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to note that the G1 doesn't "drop" 3G as much because the antenna is at the top (you'll see it when you take off the battery cover) so it has an easier time grabbing a signal because your hand isn't attenuating the signal. Do the same for the Vibrant or any other phone and you'll see your bars jump.
Final word: Good reception. Better than Samsung's of the past. I noticed that when I went to a few key locations and maintained a signal where my previous Samsung's fell off the cellular grid.
I bet it'll be fixed when they release 2.2 if they don't do it immediately, hopefully anyways.
Thanks for the info! I think you are right that the software isn't getting the real readings.
Definetly software I have speeds also when my bars drop if they even do when I'm in a poor signal area....... I love this phone.....
-100 under the RSSI readout is where the bars go to zero it seems. I had to get it just right though. Normally have 1 or 2 bars with the Vibrant.
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I'm experiencing issues with the 3G signal dropping if I even touch the phone. If I switch to EDGE-only, I find it's impossible for me to lose any bars. Same on my 2G iPhone (no signal loss on 2G).
Of course, this begs the question of how the 'bars' are measured. But it would appear as if the 3G reception is not stellar on the Vibrant. When I'm not touching the device, I can reach -91dBm. When the device is held, it immediately jumps to -111 and gives me a reading of zero bars.
Jon C said:
I'm experiencing issues with the 3G signal dropping if I even touch the phone. If I switch to EDGE-only, I find it's impossible for me to lose any bars. Same on my 2G iPhone (no signal loss on 2G).
Of course, this begs the question of how the 'bars' are measured. But it would appear as if the 3G reception is not stellar on the Vibrant. When I'm not touching the device, I can reach -91dBm. When the device is held, it immediately jumps to -111 and gives me a reading of zero bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me its on par with the nexus one except the n1 would drop to edge much quicker.although the vibrant drops bars sometimes the speeds are the same and call quality sounds just fine.i think its just reading wrong like OP says... No issue for me.sometimes I can't even get one bar to drop.
Again, as with the N1, it's hard to tell if this is a carrier issue or a hardware issue. T-Mo's 3G network is by no means up-to-par with their 2G network. But in my area, 3G is marked as 'Best' on their maps. This makes sense, considering I live in T-Mo's headquarters coverage, with HSDPA+.
But even with all of this coverage, I am getting 0-2 bars on 3G, max. This bothers me.
Jon C said:
Again, as with the N1, it's hard to tell if this is a carrier issue or a hardware issue. T-Mo's 3G network is by no means up-to-par with their 2G network. But in my area, 3G is marked as 'Best' on their maps. This makes sense, considering I live in T-Mo's headquarters coverage, with HSDPA+.
But even with all of this coverage, I am getting 0-2 bars on 3G, max. This bothers me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not hard to tell at all, go under the service menu and check your signal strength.. the proof is right there. How can anyone be unsure when I took screenshots of my Vibrant, in an active call - showing no bars of coverage - -0dBm (no service) and then under the service menu it says I have -105 dBm of signal strength and It was usually much higher than that. I had to illustrate my point though. -111dBm under the Phone Info menu is like -98dBm under the Service Menu.
I understand what you're saying, but, I'm getting "signal lost, retry?" pop-ups when holding the phone while 3G is on.
So it would seem it's not just a software misread of signal-to-bars?
Jon C said:
I understand what you're saying, but, I'm getting "signal lost, retry?" pop-ups when holding the phone while 3G is on.
So it would seem it's not just a software misread of signal-to-bars?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That has nothing to do with signal, as I can get that with plenty of bars, or on wifi... That is something else that has popped up for people (especially in the market)...
but any way, on 3g with zero bars I am actually getting slightly faster D/L speeds than I did with my g1 (probably upload too but I don't remember what I used to be getting)
Went from low to mid 600s up to right around 800 (or 790 up to 850)
I think the software explanation is completely bogus.
It might be true that the phone doesn't report the signal correctly. But the fact that as soon as you hold the phone, the signal changes, implies that this is not a software issue at all. Your phone's software has no way of knowing if a hand is touching it or not. The only thing the phone know is that the signal strength is changing which is a physical effect, not a software effect.
I did multiple tests using the network speed test applications and all showed that the phone's signal was significantly affected by me naturally holding the phone.
For example
If I held the phone awkwardly so that I didn't cover up the antenna at all I got these results:
Download: 736kbps
Upload: 720kbps
holding naturally:
Download: 133kbps
upload: 3kbps
I've repeated this test multiple times and always get very similar results. There has not been a single instance where holding the phone naturally got me anywhere near the same up and down rates.
So, case in point, this is not a software issue, this is a bad placement issue.
unxconformed said:
I think the software explanation is completely bogus.
It might be true that the phone doesn't report the signal correctly. But the fact that as soon as you hold the phone, the signal changes, implies that this is not a software issue at all. Your phone's software has no way of knowing if a hand is touching it or not. The only thing the phone know is that the signal strength is changing which is a physical effect, not a software effect.
I did multiple tests using the network speed test applications and all showed that the phone's signal was significantly affected by me naturally holding the phone.
For example
If I held the phone awkwardly so that I didn't cover up the antenna at all I got these results:
Download: 736kbps
Upload: 720kbps
holding naturally:
Download: 133kbps
upload: 3kbps
I've repeated this test multiple times and always get very similar results. There has not been a single instance where holding the phone naturally got me anywhere near the same uOpp and down rates.
So, case in point, this is not a software issue, this is a bad placement issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think we all get it is losing some signal, all phones will when your covering the antenna in a not so great of coverage area... I think were getting at that its reading wrong when it does drop. Where as instead of just losing one or two bars its showing full signal loss, but that can't be totally accurate because of still getting good speeds and calls not dropping...
Yes it loses some signal but not as much as I think the readings make it out to be....
temperbad said:
I think we all get it is losing some signal, all phones will when your covering the antenna in a not so great of coverage area... I think were getting at that its reading wrong when it does drop. Where as instead of just losing one or two bars its showing full signal loss, but that can't be totally accurate because of still getting good speeds and calls not dropping...
Yes it loses some signal but not as much as I think the readings make it out to be....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough, I guess we are sort of talking to different points, but that doesn't change the fact that my upload and download speeds are absolutely dismal when I hold the phone naturally. No matter what they change in the software, this won't get fixed and the antenna issue is still a problem. I wouldn't care if the signal dropped a bit, but the extent that it does affect me is enough to make me want to return the phone. I mean did you see the difference in my upload and download rates? It was between 5.5x to 240x worse when I held the phone naturally. That is pretty terrible, especially when I compare it to my G1 (which had a far superior spot for the antenna in my opinion).
unxconformed said:
Fair enough, I guess we are sort of talking to different points, but that doesn't change the fact that my upload and download speeds are absolutely dismal when I hold the phone naturally. No matter what they change in the software, this won't get fixed and the antenna issue is still a problem. I wouldn't care if the signal dropped a bit, but the extent that it does affect me is enough to make me want to return the phone. I mean did you see the difference in my upload and download rates? It was between 5.5x to 240x worse when I held the phone naturally. That is pretty terrible, especially when I compare it to my G1 (which had a far superior spot for the antenna in my opinion).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I lose some speeds but not as bad as you... Being in a real strong signal I can't even make the bar drop one...
I do agree the antenna is in a bad spot just like is was on the n1.. I saw a video before I got mine and was pretty sure it was also gonna be at the bottom and sure enough it was ....
Edit: I got so used to holding the n1 at the top so much that this don't even bug me...although I believe the body even shields some signal since its basically aiming at your body...
unxconformed said:
Fair enough, I guess we are sort of talking to different points, but that doesn't change the fact that my upload and download speeds are absolutely dismal when I hold the phone naturally. No matter what they change in the software, this won't get fixed and the antenna issue is still a problem. I wouldn't care if the signal dropped a bit, but the extent that it does affect me is enough to make me want to return the phone. I mean did you see the difference in my upload and download rates? It was between 5.5x to 240x worse when I held the phone naturally. That is pretty terrible, especially when I compare it to my G1 (which had a far superior spot for the antenna in my opinion).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are two completely different and separate issues.
0db would actually be crazy awesome signal. Not "no signal" as previously mentioned. That this phone is saying 0db is "no signal" is obviously a glitch.
I ran the speed test both ways and got much faster download speeds with zero bars and my hand covering the antenna than when holding it at the top and full bars
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I hope that it is. It annoys me that my mom's 30 dollar phone gets full bars while this 500 dollar phone drops to one or two.
So this whole reception vs wrong bar display has really been bugging me. I decided to run a test . Took my son's Nuron to Target. Went to the back of the store and the bars dropped a little but stayed 3G the whole time. Took the sim card out and placed it back in my Vibrant standing in the same spot. Phone came up. 3G/Zero bars. After just a few seconds it switched to Edge.
What does this tell me? That the Vibrant is definitely weaker in the recption department. I'm on the fence whether on keeping it now. I have 2. Already swapped both of them out once just to make sure. All 4 phones are pretty bad in reception. My wife can't even get a 3g connection in her office and she sits by a window. Opinions?
My vibrant gets 3g in places my nexus dreamed of getting it wiithout the force 3g hack..
I'm happy with the reception. I do think it does lose some signal but not as much as the bars are leading. ..
But yea my n1 was worse in the 3g department in my opinion. ...
Bars are definitely misleading. As a matter of fact, I'm not even concerned with the bars anymore. I'm concerned with maintaining a 3G connection and not swapping to Edge. I've been looking at the actual -dB via *#*#197328640#*#* and it's at around -105 plus/minus 5 when the bars go to zero.
I really think it's just a software glitch. I've done this a few time with speed tests where I take my SIM out of the Vibrant and back into the G1, run some tests, then put it back into the Vibrant, and run some more tests. The Vibrant, while displaying 3-4 fewer bars, is about 3-4x faster than the G1.
So I take it for what it's worth.
The reception with the device is definitely a concern.
I live in the best 3G coverage area this city has to offer. I'm surrounded by HSPA+ antennas, and if I don't touch the device (and have a 'clear signal'), I can pull down 8 6Mbps, easily. As soon as I enter a building, I can barely stay connected to 3G, with speeds that fluctuate wildly (but are mostly in the sub 1Mbps range. Outside, things are a bit better, and that's understandable. But other 3G phones on the network (like the cheapo MyTouch 3G) do not skip a beat in their reception capabilities, when it comes to indoor performance.
I'll put it like this: There's something wrong in the world, when my bleeding-edge phone can't out-perform the MyTouch 3G in GPS, 3G reception or digital compass tests.
If a fix isn't issued, I'll be waiting for the HTC 'Vanguard / G1 Blaze / whatever'.
MMcCraryNJ said:
I really think it's just a software glitch. I've done this a few time with speed tests where I take my SIM out of the Vibrant and back into the G1, run some tests, then put it back into the Vibrant, and run some more tests. The Vibrant, while displaying 3-4 fewer bars, is about 3-4x faster than the G1.
So I take it for what it's worth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've done the whole speedtest thing with zero bars and speed doesn't really change. The problem is dropping a 3g and switching to edge. My wife can't even get 3g in her building and she's only about 3 miles from me. Granted she's on the 12th floor but does sit by a window. The thing that bugs me is, I'm paying for the speed but her phone is not getting it. I guess another way to look at it is she should be working anyway and not playing with her phone! But then again, if mama ain't happy, nobody is happy
I don't believe this one bit for the exact same reasons I outlined at the T-Mobile Forums
Flawed, maybe, but still a valid concern. I failed to mention I made calls as well as did a little surfing. Nokia stayed 3g the whole time and never dropped to edge. Samsung switched to edge and didn't come back up to 3g until I walked out of the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nearly all of what you said doesn't add up or make sense.
T-Mobile's 3G network coverage doesn't match it's GSM/EDGE/2G network coverage yet and thus, they've setup the network to handoff calls to GSM when your 3G signal is poor. There is no WAY that the Nuron kept 3G, especially during a call next to the Vibrant on 0 bars unless your phone is defective.
Secondly whenever I've rebooted my phones and EDGE is far stronger than 3G, to the point where the phone won't stay on 3G.. it will default to the much stronger EDGE signal first before attempting to connect to the 3G network because the signal strength is too low.
Third of all I've had the Nuron next to my CLIQ, and it's switched over to EDGE at the drop of a hat where my CLIQ stayed on 3G completely. I've gone to the same exact places with my Vibrant and it stayed on 3G just like my CLIQ would albeit without the same number of bars. The Nuron is the one of the quickest phones I've ever seen to drop a 3G connection and that's why I dumped it.
So yeah, we need some proof in this case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jon C said:
I live in the best 3G coverage area this city has to offer. I'm surrounded by HSPA+ antennas, and if I don't touch the device (and have a 'clear signal'), I can pull down 8Mbps, easily. As soon as I enter a building, I can barely stay connected to 3G, with speeds that fluctuate wildly (but are mostly in the sub 1Mbps range. Outside, things are a bit better, and that's understandable. But other 3G phones on the network (like the cheapo MyTouch 3G) do not skip a beat in their reception capabilities, when it comes to indoor performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pulling down 8Mbps on a phone that is hardware limited to 7.2Mbps, that's a first! We really need some proof that you "TOUCHING" your phone with one finger drops the signal to EDGE but when you don't touch the phone, you get an impossible 8Mbps... not only is this impossible in all respects, you've yet to prove any of it.
The myTouch 3G you spent so much time around has a Video Camera.
heygrl/spottbby, is it me or are you basically accusing me of lying? If so, wth would I be lying for? Phone wise, I love it. GPS even works for me. I'm asking for opinions not accusations. I don't go around accusing people of lying and asking for proof that their GPS is broken.
ljv said:
heygrl/spottbby, is it me or are you basically accusing me of lying? If so, wth would I be lying for? Phone wise, I love it. GPS even works for me. I'm asking for opinions not accusations. I don't go around accusing people of lying and asking for proof that their GPS is broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. I've spent time with the Nokia Nuron, and most importantly lots of time on T-Mobile's 3G network and there is NO way you held 3G with a Nokia Nuron during an active call next to a Vibrant on EDGE.
And actually, come back to us in 3 days so we can still see if your GPS is still locking in under 5 seconds.
Wow, I hope you're an exception and not the rule of a Senior member. Anyway, I'm done with you. Thanks for being so helpful.
Sell your phone! No seriously, sell it... If you're not happy with it then do it now while you still can. You, I, we can speculate on what the issue is, there can be an update today, tomorrow, or never. If your that dissatisfied move on or please give it more time.
Catchin' the VIBE on the XDApp
heygrl said:
I don't believe this one bit for the exact same reasons I outlined at the T-Mobile Forums
Pulling down 8Mbps on a phone that is hardware limited to 7.2Mbps, that's a first! We really need some proof that you "TOUCHING" your phone with one finger drops the signal to EDGE but when you don't touch the phone, you get an impossible 8Mbps... not only is this impossible in all respects, you've yet to prove any of it.
The myTouch 3G you spent so much time around has a Video Camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the typo, I meant to hit "6" and was in a rush and didn't check before I posted. My average for the USB modem is 8 (indoors), and my brain was sleepy at the keyboard and autopilot failed me. The T-Mobile twitter account was posting about 9Mbps speeds here (in Seattle), and I was posting on somewhere else for that, making the point that we have amazing HSPA+ coverage in the city. Too much internet for this sleepy person. Been awake since 4AM. Forgive me, internet. I am only human.
Phone: 6Mbps (until handled by flesh)
USB Modem: 8 (always)
Also, the MyTouch 3G doesn't belong to me, so I can't really just take her home for the night to make pointless internet videos to please someone who identifies themselves as 'heygrl'. If you want to blow the lid off of this conspiracy, you can mail me a video camera, which I will ship back to you once the video is complete. But that would be crazy, no?
Oh, I can't maintain this web of lies any longer!
Actually, you're right: It's all a conspiracy to troll you and your perfect phone that has no problems at all. I decided to come here, create a handle with my real name and location, just to give you **** and lie. My plan was to build up the illusion that I was just "some guy" experiencing problems with his device. I'm actually a sleeper cell for HTC, trying to give the Vibrant bad press, so that the upcoming HSPA+ device can overtake it in market share! And it would've worked too, had it not been for you rotten kids!
Or, maybe, you're just an asshole fanboy that fights every person on these forums who has a problem with their phone because they have nothing better to do than play a written game of 'Defender'?
Watch it, now: those landers can appear out of thin air!
My house is gets marginal reception and the Vibrant was consistently getting no bars, whereas my old Treo had been generally getting one.
When I complained to T-Mobile they said they had seen such problems and that I should activate the SIM card that came with the phone rather than continue to use my old SIM card. They did that, and things improved slightly - still not as good as the Treo, but it is getting one bar now and then, whereas it never did before changing to the new SIM card. As far as 3G at home, thank god for Wifi!
When out and about, the bad spots are still bad spots, but generally I'm getting 3G most places I go.
Jon C said:
Sorry for the typo, I meant to hit "6" and was in a rush and didn't check before I posted. My average for the USB modem is 8 (indoors), and my brain was sleepy at the keyboard and autopilot failed me. The T-Mobile twitter account was posting about 9Mbps speeds here (in Seattle), and I was posting on somewhere else for that, making the point that we have amazing HSPA+ coverage in the city. Too much internet for this sleepy person. Been awake since 4AM. Forgive me, internet. I am only human.
Phone: 6Mbps (until handled by flesh)
USB Modem: 8 (always)
Also, the MyTouch 3G doesn't belong to me, so I can't really just take her home for the night to make pointless internet videos to please someone who identifies themselves as 'heygrl'. If you want to blow the lid off of this conspiracy, you can mail me a video camera, which I will ship back to you once the video is complete. But that would be crazy, no?
Oh, I can't maintain this web of lies any longer!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lots of fluff with no delivery..
I live in the best 3G coverage area in my city. I'm blanketed in T-Mo towers on every side. Inside my house, if I don't touch the phone, I pull down 5Mbps+, and Upload at ~2-3Mbps. It's fast enough to tether and use as my primary connection. Latency is ~35-50ms. I can stream Hulu with no hiccups.
However, if I so much as touch the back of the device with a single finger, the 3G drops until it reverts to EDGE. This is with a silicon case, and I can replicate it every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because you don't have the means to get a video recorder, lets see some speedtest.net results showing your 3Mbps upload and ~35ms ping. I'll wait.
Anyone with half a brain can blow a hole through your "one finger, fully cased drop to EDGE" theory. Your flesh is NOT touching the phone itself, there is no way the phone can be affected by "One finger, in between silicone" theory.
Moreover, how are you doing this? On a glass table with the phone face down so you can see the bars drop as your finger touches the silicone case?
Maybe you've got the phone floating in mid air.
I just used PDAnet last night, when my cable modem died. This phone is really puzzling to me with 3G reception. One moment, I'll have phenomenal speeds (5Mbps down), the next moment, I'll be barely pushing EDGE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you just acquire that USB modem you have now?
Maybe you're just making it up as you go along. RETURN THE PHONE WHILE YOU STILL CAN.
Apparently, it has a CRIPPLING defect! One finger on the Vibrant encased with silicone (NOT a conductive material) will drop all 3G connectivity!
Why would you want to keep a phone that does this? Why do you still have a phone that behaves like this?
Especially since you proclaim it's not normal and not limited to just your Vibrant. "It's definitely a concern with this device"
I mean that myTouch 3G you barely have any access to doesn't display the same behavior!
Jon C said:
This locational stuff is driving me crazy. And it's the only complaint I really have about the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...Oops..
You're not terribly bright, I suppose...
So, I have the phone, flat on a surface (say, a table). I hit "begin test" and off go the horses!
I lift the phone, with a single finger touching the 'hump', and the ping doubles, and data speeds are halved (if not worse).
Speeds aren't as amazing tonight, but it's just as well. Enjoy.
Flat on table. No finger.
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Flat on table. A single finger lifting phone by the hump.
Don't ask me why the date isn't correct. It puzzles me as well.
Tests were performed minutes ago, in the exact same conditions, in the exact same spot. The only difference is that I touched the device during the second test.
Either way, you're still an asshole, and I'm still right. Conductive materials or not: it works every time.
Shall I provide more evidence for His Majesty, the Asshole? Or are we satisfied? Let me know.
Jon C said:
You're not terribly bright, I suppose...
So, I have the phone, flat on a surface (say, a table). I hit "begin test" and off go the horses!
I lift the phone, with a single finger touching the 'hump', and the ping doubles, and data speeds are halved (if not worse).
Speeds aren't as amazing tonight, but it's just as well. Enjoy.
Flat on table. No finger.
Flat on table. A single finger lifting phone by the hump.
Don't ask me why the date isn't correct. It puzzles me as well.
Tests were performed minutes ago, in the exact same conditions, in the exact same spot. The only difference is that I touched the device during the second test.
Either way, you're still an asshole, and I'm still right. Conductive materials or not: it works every time.
Shall I provide more evidence for His Majesty, the Asshole? Or are we satisfied? Let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not only is this completely UN replicable on MY Vibrant, where are the record breaking upload/ping results?
No ~3Mbps upload. No ~35MS ping. You're still on 3G in the second test, NOT on EDGE..
There are only a few things that could be happening here.
Your 3G signal is not as strong as you think it is(this is the case), I will bet you any amount of money that both of those tests we're performed on completely different towers, and I know you DON'T know which towers have HSPA+ and which don't. T-Mobile did not and has not upgraded each and every 3G tower to HSPA+. And last but not least, your phone is DEFECTIVE!
This antenna signal bar display problem just came up after the iPhone 4 fiasco LOL! I don't have any problem on mine. Keeps going strong! My iPhone 4 is collecting dust on my desk LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, we got lucky with this one, old chum! It usually drops below even that. You should see how much it degrades if it's held...*GASP*...in your palm! Oh my goodness! Such a concept! Holding a phone!
Like I said, but it bares repeating since you're hard of reading: speeds weren't stellar tonight. And hey, lookitthat! The date info is all whacky! Man, must be 'shopped! I can tell, because of the pixels!
Ping was a little higher than usual, and U/L wasn't as fast as it can be. Why? Don't know. Point still remains, and there's your proof of the problem. My old phone can't record video, but I can take a million photos for you, and make an animated .gif, just to be a ****.
I had this issue with the first Vibrant, and I have it with the second. Probably have it with the third.
Tell you what, though: I'll grab a third and report back. Maybe it is defective. Maybe there is a perfect Vibrant, like yours. But still, two 'defective' phones seems kind of unlikely. But we'll see! Oh, shall we ever see...
Cheers, old buddy.
P.S. I will drive to the actual tower and sit next to it, replicating this exact problem, if you'd like.
Jon C said:
Yeah, we got lucky with this one, old chum! It usually drops below even that. You should see how much it degrades if it's held...*GASP*...in your palm! Oh my goodness! Such a concept! Holding a phone!
Like I said, but it bares repeating since you're hard of reading: speeds weren't stellar tonight. And hey, lookitthat! The date info is all whacky! Man, must be 'shopped! I can tell, because of the pixels!
Ping was a little higher than usual, and U/L wasn't as fast as it can be. Why? Don't know. Point still remains, and there's your proof of the problem. My old phone can't record video, but I can take a million photos for you, and make an animated .gif, just to be a ****.
I had this issue with the first Vibrant, and I have it with the second. Probably have it with the third.
Tell you what, though: I'll grab a third and report back. Maybe it is defective. Maybe there is a perfect Vibrant, like yours. But still, two 'defective' phones seems kind of unlikely. But we'll see! Oh, shall we ever see...
Cheers, old buddy.
P.S. I will drive to the actual tower and sit next to it, replicating this exact problem, if you'd like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your old phone can't record video? This is your first T-Mobile 3G phone and you've got no experience of your own prior?! Wow.. explains it all. You wouldn't be able to reproduce any speed drops next to a T-Mobile tower, no ma'am. Won't happen. There is no chance for the phone to switch to a neighboring cell site - without HSPA+ - to give you those non-HSPA+ speeds.
First of all you would have to verify that the tower is 3G is also upgraded to HSPA+ and then you would have to verify that it's the CID/tower for EVERY test. Your phone is switching between different towers. It's blantant
Do you just stay at home all day, writing "Stargate: Atlantis" fan fiction?
First off I'd like to say I'm thankful for everything the devs here do. I've tried the 3g fix and it didn't do anything, so now I'm just curious if there is anything else out there that fixes it.
I'm on the newest DL09 and the problem is still there. Bad reception. I'm serious when I say I get full 3g bars maybe 1% of the time, and I'm dead center in a verizon 3g area. I've never seen a signal jump around as much as on the fascinate. It will switch between 3g and 1x constantly throughout the day, and when it's on 3g it looks like the bars are dancing all day long because they just jump around.
My original Droid will have a steady 5 bars pretty much all day. Fascinate...not even close. It's getting ridiculous actually. I can download updates for apps on my droid no problem, but I actually wait til I get home on my wifi to download updates on my fascinate. I constantly get "stuck" loading a page on the net because of the ridiculous reception.
Now my question is...is there any fix out there that actually works that I might have skipped over? Good reception is a HUGE thing, especially when I'm dead center in a 3g area, and the fascinate doesn't have it. I'm thinking about selling it in the next few days because it's absolutely crazy.
People complain all day long about the GPS and no froyo...and I'm actually confused as to why many do not complain about the reception. That's the biggest issue with the phone IMO.
Thanks for any help.
Have you actually tried contacting Verizon about it? It sounds like you've got an antenna issue, which should be pretty easily addressed with a phone swap.
AlexDeGruven said:
Have you actually tried contacting Verizon about it? It sounds like you've got an antenna issue, which should be pretty easily addressed with a phone swap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friends has the same issue, and I've seen people complain about it before. So I think it's a fairly common issue.
brian85 said:
First off I'd like to say I'm thankful for everything the devs here do. I've tried the 3g fix and it didn't do anything, so now I'm just curious if there is anything else out there that fixes it.
..
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm assuming you tried the reprogramming codes?
http://www.ehow.com/how_4532332_reprogram-verizon-phone.html
probably the 1st thing you tried, but just checking. I know for me, i went from being in the -102 range (1 bar) to -89 range (2 to 3) at work. Also at home i went from -92 to -51 (MAX)
You did option 2 correct?
Just did option 2 and it seems to have done nothing. Going back and forth between -96 and -101
If you dont see people compalining about reception, its largely due to the fact that the phone doesnt really suffer from reception issues. If I were you, I'd call verizon and make a formal complaint about the hardware restricting your usage, I'm sure they will work with you.
I'm a sales rep at a Verizon corporate store, 4 of my co-workers have Fascinates and we ALL experience a MAJOR difference in signal quality compared to co-workers with Droid X's and Droid 2's...
There's a five page thread on droidforums (fascinate section) about every single person in that thread having reception issues on the fascinate. And if you do a "fascinate reception issue" search on google, there are threads everywhere about that.
I just have a feeling everyone is focused on froyo and GPS so that's why reception isn't brought up much. I highly doubt, with as many people that have this problem, that it's just a problem on some of the galaxy s phones.
agreed bro i lose signal from my bars are really sporadic
BlackHoleSlam said:
agreed bro i lose signal from my bars are really sporadic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it's very frustrating.
What's even more frustrating is even when I get 4 full bars I only get -89 on the mobile signal widget..that's far from max reception.
I've never had reception problems per se but I have full bars and 73 dbm. Also for some reason my 3g download rate is nerfed. Earlier today on speed test got 63 kbps and 462 ping dunno why. Mostly hovers in the 300kbps range
Sent from my sch-i500 using dl09 supah clean
AlexDeGruven said:
Have you actually tried contacting Verizon about it? It sounds like you've got an antenna issue, which should be pretty easily addressed with a phone swap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had two phones now, and they both have very poor signal strength. Comparing my Fascinate to a friends Droid, sitting just a few inches apart, he had a dbm in the mid to high -70's, while mine was in the high -90's.
If you're in a solid coverage area, it gets fine reception and you're not likely to see the problem, but as you travel into a lower signal area, the Fascinate trails off very, very sharply. Even though I live in an area with supposedly blanket coverage, my house is towards the bottom of a small hill and I typically get zero or 1 bars on the display, every once in a while 2, but it'll drop back to 1 or 0 as soon as I pick the phone it.
The Fascinate does have a very week antennae design.
I rarely see 3 or 4 bars...come to think of it, I don't think i've ever seen 3 or 4 bars. This is when I'm in an area which should definitely have excellent coverage.
OP: do you have actual symptoms of poor signal like slow down/up load or dropped calls?
My speed tests when i have 1bar 3G are about 800Mbits up and 500Mbits down. Never dropped a call (rarely make calls, though). I have read that some folks suspect that the Fascinate has reporting issues? I don't know...but since I'm not seeing horrible speeds I've tried ignoring the fact that its always reporting 1-2 bars.
Kind of similar to the TWoS thing. I chased this one for a little bit too before dismissing it as a reporting issue (for now).
I originally was upset about the reception but came to realize that the office building I work in is built like a bunker. Other then when I am in the center of the building I get good reception, at my desk near a window I get 1-3 bars. However anytime other then when I am in this building I almost always have full bars.
However I have noticed that when I am in my office what ever bars I get my friends droid gets one more. But when it comes down to that it isn't Verizon...again the problem is with Samsung.
Hey guys,
what if I did option 1 instead of option 2 in *228 reprogramming?
On another note, my 3g indicator constantly disappears in verizon hotspot areas, it is really quite the annoyance.
Are you on a stock kernel?
Sent from my USCC SCH-I500..
Negative, I'm on Dl09 supah clean with adry's 12/30 test kernel.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
The reception for my Fascinate isn't spectacular. I don't know how it ranks among smart phones, but there is a definite difference between it and my chocolate 8550. In known holes in vzw's coverage I occasionally lose signal, but I don't use it as a phone enough to drop many calls.
However, I spend the majority of my time in strong signal environs, so it doesn't really come up as an issue for me, and I just accept it. It will be a decision factor for my next phone though.
Maybe others have a similar situation: worse yes, but liveable.
Swyped w/ XDA App. When in doubt, mumble.
I have noticed the signal over the past 24 hours has been jumping all over the place like Verizon may be running tests or something. The drop being very consistent intervals of no bars but still 3g.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
My brother has Fascinate as do I and out of the Box his got 2 more bars than mine and his almost always has more signal.
Remember this was before I started rooting and all that.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
I've posted this in a couple forums and I'm trying to figure out if it's a widespread issue or just an issue with a few units. My PLAY is consistently getting 2-3 bars LESS than any other phones right next to it. And it seems that BGR also had similar issues with their review unit and said that the PLAY had some of the worst reception they've seen in a long time. And when I posted about this on the official VZW forums, other members also stated they are having similar problems. I'm also struggling to connect to 3G when my area is completely covered in 3G and was ALWAYS on 3G on my iPhone 4.
So I'm wondering, how is everyone else's reception on Verizon? Are you having similar problems, or are you getting just as many bars as other phones in the same area?
My phone also shows only 1-2 bars at most. However if you go to the status of the phone, the phone, the actual strength for me is between -79 - -80 db which as far as I can tell is perfectly good reception.
Haven't had any dropped calls and could make calls so far everywhere I went.
I have the rogers version (canada) and reception/3g is amazing, almost always full bars. Wireless on the other hand sucks.
My friends iphones/captivates get wireless where mine wont...
On AT&T with my R800a and I have better signal now than I ever did on my iPhone 3GS, oddly enough. I get signal in places the iPhone used to choke on consistently.
From what I remember being on Verizon years ago, bars didn't matter as much as CDMA voice is pure digital. You either have a solid connection or you don't at all. EVDO was similar as I remember it, sharing the same data stream and the reason why you can't talk and surf at the same time. Is the phone just showing weak bars or is it a problem of no signal at all?
At any rate, I bet SE will patch the radio firmware in the 2.3.3 update for the US.
It's mostly just showing low bars but the fact that it's having trouble staying on 3G is the biggest thing. It's on 1x 80% of the time but I should always be on the EVDO connection. I'm going to try a few more tests with my girlfriends iphone and my play and see just how much they are different. I really hope it's something that is an be fixed through software.
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk
My reception is terrible on my unbranded R800a, as I rarely have more than two bars. I know most phones have this issue, but when I hold the phone near the bottom for too long (which is often), it messes with the signal. 90% of the time when I'm using it, it reads zero bars.
I've yet to have a dropped call though, so I'm not too concerned about it...more of a mental thing than anything else.
Edit: I'm getting -101 dBm in most rooms in my house...looks pretty bad to me.
Like I mentioned before, have any of you gone into the about phone section and read the actual signal? I don't think you can trust the bars as actual signal strength. Check the actual numbers.
I had one issue with the phone at 1x, I restarted it and it was fine. I had the same issue with my Droid 2 sometimes, so I don't think it was all on the phone.
Went back to the Verizon store today to see if they would swap it out with a new one. But first we compared it to the floor model and it had the same problem. It had consistently lower signal than other phones in the store. He basically said I have the 14 days to return it and decide whether I want better signal or the gaming controls. He agreed with me that the phone wasn't holding a signal as good as the other phones. Even driving down the highway which ways gave me 5 bars is giving me 1. And my signal is 86+
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk
Mines is about the same as my htc droid eris on the verizon network.
In settings, about phone, it shows -90 dBm
Just read somewhere off the internet that the about phone settings dBm doesn't represent 3g. it represents 1x. Not sure if it is true.
Do you think I should just try and make them swap the phone out for me and see if the new one is any better before just returning it for good? And what are the chances they would gladly swap it out for a new phone without giving me a hard time and making me pay a restocking fee? The phone is awesome except for the reception issues I'm having. And I'd hate to pass on the phone if it's an isolated incident.
They will xchange it. Do what ive done call tech support and make them document u need aa replacement
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
I tested talk and web browsing, works fine on verizon. Possibly just another iOs limitation. *_*
Back to topic, I've noticed the 2 - 3 bars usually in LA but the signal strength is good dBm. ?
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
mine is usually round -85 DBm and like 1-2 bars, my other tunderbolt is full bars for my wife, have nto checked DBm on it tho
placing xperia play next to original droid.
Droid: 4 bars, -70dBm
Play: 1 bar, -74dBm
Both 3g.
Not sure what this means?
trothmaster said:
placing xperia play next to original droid.
Droid: 4 bars, -70dBm
Play: 1 bar, -74dBm
Both 3g.
Not sure what this means?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This means that the reception is a tiny bit worse in pure radio power. However, its scale is MASSIVELY shifted in regards to bar listings. I would be just bottoming out around -96dBm on my Droid. Dropping out at -80dB is a bad thing.
so it sounds like a software update could help? or am I miss-understanding....
I swapped out my phone and my new one is much much better
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk
I also swapped mine and see no improvement. What improvement were you seeing?
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Having the same signal problems with my r800x. I think it might just be an issue with Verizon.
How's everyone's reception been? Compared to a galaxy s4 or any other phone you had prior. Better? Worse?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
I had the Note 4 before getting this and I've noticed it to be around 4 to 6 dBM worse. WiFi is noticeably weaker as well. I have the 64GB variant.
One reason I purchased this phone was the supposed better radios of Motorola. It is noticeably worse than the Samsung Note 4 and HTC One M8. I wish I could just go back to my M8 but that is impossible without repurchasing one and wasting my Edge ;p. I never lost 4G with my M8 while I lost 4G with the Note 4 in a few areas and many times with the Droid Turbo today. Very disappointed in the radio performance, will try again tomorrow with new Sim Card, but I think I might be screwed. The phone is stable at my home and slightly better than the Note 4 here. At work is where I had all the trouble.
jrcbandit said:
One reason I purchased this phone was the supposed better radios of Motorola. It is noticeably worse than the Samsung Note 4 and HTC One M8. I wish I could just go back to my M8 but that is impossible without repurchasing one and wasting my Edge ;p. I never lost 4G with my M8 while I lost 4G with the Note 4 in a few areas and many times with the Droid Turbo today. Very disappointed in the radio performance, will try again tomorrow with new Sim Card, but I think I might be screwed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd wait a few weeks before doing anything drastic. As with any new phone, there will likely be some software bugs to address that may affect signal in the first few weeks.
I can attest for certain the Radio is MUCH better than any phone that I have had. (S4,S5,One M8, Note 4, iPhone6 etc)
My experience that is much different -is a 20 Mile stretch of road to my Home. I live in Fringe Reception area in Norther California (Foresthill) I haven't ever been able to drive the 20 Mile Stretch home without dropping a phone call.( This usually happens numerous times) With The Turbo I was able to stay connected to Verizon Customer Service the Entire 20 Miles to my Home!
The only Bummer about this experience is that I was on the Phone with Verizon regarding the lack of Simul Data! What a complete ****ter! This is something that I will give props to Apple about. The day the iPhone 6 was released the phone could use VOLTE . Kind horse **** that a Flagship VZ Moto exclusive device doesnt have the proper software to use VOLTE on release.
scooby-snack said:
I can attest for certain the Radio is MUCH better than any phone that I have had. (S4,S5,One M8, Note 4, iPhone6 etc)
My experience that is much different -is a 20 Mile stretch of road to my Home. I live in Fringe Reception area in Norther California (Foresthill) I haven't ever been able to drive the 20 Mile Stretch home without dropping a phone call.( This usually happens numerous times) With The Turbo I was able to stay connected to Verizon Customer Service the Entire 20 Miles to my Home!
The only Bummer about this experience is that I was on the Phone with Verizon regarding the lack of Simul Data! What a complete ****ter! This is something that I will give props to Apple about. The day the iPhone 6 was released the phone could use VOLTE . Kind horse **** that a Flagship VZ Moto exclusive device doesnt have the proper software to use VOLTE on release.
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Good to hear, so is it a guarantee that when it gets VOLTE it will have Simultaneous data tand voice on every phone call? Also which version of the turbo did u get as far as material.
I purchased the 32GB Red (Carbon) <- thinking about getting the black LOL.
It's for sure a software issue with the phone. My iPhone 6 was able to access VOLTE the day of release in my area. It's unreal that VZ & Moto wouldn't require the feature to be working on release date. It appears to be an issue with the 2014 Moto X as well from what I have been reading
I will say the phone is incredibly snappy, and smooth in performance. I can only imagine how the performance will be when we get L on the phone.
PS. Haven't had enough time to compare the WIFI performance but that is usually not a problem for me anyways- I have 4 Ubiquiti Access Points installed at my home. The way the system works is each wifi AP hands off the WIFI signal simultaneously from one AP to another- all without interrupting whatever you may be streaming The most important item to me is my Cell Reception and a huge Bonus that I can stay connected driving the 20 mile stretch home.
-Scoob
As far as mobile data is concerned, seems to be about the same or slightly better than my G3, however WiFi is significantly worse.
DROID Turbo 1x and WiFi:
LG G3 1x and WiFi:
DROID Turbo LTE:
LG G3 LTE:
Wifi signals are WAY down compared to my other devices which include iphone 5S, 6, HTC One M8, Note II, Note 3, Galaxy S5...
Have the 64GB black nylon one.
I'll have to try outdoors. We have a long range wifi extender to cover a large section of the pasture and all my other devices get a decent signal up to 1km away. This will be a good test.
I had a carbon fiber case on my S5 (Cygnett IIRC) that blocked the LTE signal really bad. That's the disadvantage to having real carbon fiber LOL.
Not sure about the ballistic nylon. Does it have CF in it?
I wish the back came off, I have a friend who's an RF test engineer and he could see if it has attenuation in the (un) desired ranges.
cpufrost said:
Wifi signals are WAY down compared to my other devices which include iphone 5S, 6, HTC One M8, Note II, Note 3, Galaxy S5...
Have the 64GB black nylon one.
I'll have to try outdoors. We have a long range wifi extender to cover a large section of the pasture and all my other devices get a decent signal up to 1km away. This will be a good test.
I had a carbon fiber case on my S5 (Cygnett IIRC) that blocked the LTE signal really bad. That's the disadvantage to having real carbon fiber LOL.
Not sure about the ballistic nylon. Does it have CF in it?
I wish the back came off, I have a friend who's an RF test engineer and he could see if it has attenuation in the (un) desired ranges.
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Looking forward to hearing the results of your outdoor test. And while you're out there, can you check on how readable the screen is in direct sunlight?
scooby-snack said:
I can attest for certain the Radio is MUCH better than any phone that I have had. (S4,S5,One M8, Note 4, iPhone6 etc)
My experience that is much different -is a 20 Mile stretch of road to my Home. I live in Fringe Reception area in Norther California (Foresthill) I haven't ever been able to drive the 20 Mile Stretch home without dropping a phone call.( This usually happens numerous times) With The Turbo I was able to stay connected to Verizon Customer Service the Entire 20 Miles to my Home!
The only Bummer about this experience is that I was on the Phone with Verizon regarding the lack of Simul Data! What a complete ****ter! This is something that I will give props to Apple about. The day the iPhone 6 was released the phone could use VOLTE . Kind horse **** that a Flagship VZ Moto exclusive device doesnt have the proper software to use VOLTE on release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a big difference between holding on to a phone call and getting good data (4G).
Do you get a good 4G signal also? Thanks
My signal not so good with Droid Turbo
I have had around -105 dbm 4G LTE which is 2 bars and have had a few times where I had 3 bars. Normally in the same area I would have 4 to 5 bars. I also had a time where I tried to make a call and it was on 1x when I was in a big city where there is 4G towers. After the call it went to 4G. I sure hope we all get this issue fixed. Other than this issue most everything has been great.
BAYOUREBEL said:
I have had around -105 dbm 4G LTE which is 2 bars and have had a few times where I had 3 bars. Normally in the same area I would have 4 to 5 bars. I also had a time where I tried to make a call and it was on 1x when I was in a big city where there is 4G towers. After the call it went to 4G. I sure hope we all get this issue fixed. Other than this issue most everything has been great.
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Man that sucks the big one. The bars you are seeing are probably 3g or 1x voice signal. Which still sucks if you download an app called advanced signal it will tell you exactly what is going on. I'm defiantly gonna hold off until it gets solved. I have to pay full retail as I am on unlimited Thanks for your input.
My LTE and Wifi strength are also down.
Siting in my office, I used to get full bars of wifi reception on my DNA. Now its at 2 bars. Same goes for my LTE signal.
I'll do some actual testing later, but I hope this gets resolved quickly
Yeah the wifi is killing me. It's incredibly noticeable in various parts of my house that I used to have stellar wifi.
I've had LTE where my M8 struggled to even get 3G. I'm quite pleased with the signal.
I've had better LTE and 3G reception versus my S3. Seems like calls sound better. Better (quicker acquisition, less drops) GPS performance as well. Wifi signal reception seems to be on par. Both phones in the same room a few feet apart, are within 1-2dBm of each other. I haven't tested performance, or compared client statistics on my wireless controller yet.
Signal
Has anyone tried just taking the phone on the road and checking signals not bars but 3G or 4G. If the phone doesnt have voice and internet at the same time that would explain why the phone would go to 1X when your on a call then back up when you get off. If you out and about do you have 4G where you did with previous phones not bars but 4G? The bars on my Droid Maxx tell me what my voice signal strength is not 4G I believe it is the same with the turbo. The WIFI deal Im cluless if it doesnt connect then it doesnt connect. again though it doesnt depend on howmany bars you have. It is how the phone performs. Im in a real crap signal area I can have 1X on my Maxx and still be able to make calls and text because I may have only one bar on the phone. Thanks
wooddale said:
Has anyone tried just taking the phone on the road and checking signals not bars but 3G or 4G. If the phone doesnt have voice and internet at the same time that would explain why the phone would go to 1X when your on a call then back up when you get off. If you out and about do you have 4G where you did with previous phones not bars but 4G? The bars on my Droid Maxx tell me what my voice signal strength is not 4G I believe it is the same with the turbo. The WIFI deal Im cluless if it doesnt connect then it doesnt connect. again though it doesnt depend on howmany bars you have. It is how the phone performs. Im in a real crap signal area I can have 1X on my Maxx and still be able to make calls and text because I may have only one bar on the phone. Thanks
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Look back a few pages, I posted dBm readings between phones. I agree though, comparing bars is useless.
Just figured I'd chime in. I swapped my kevlar version for the normal version and my wifi is back to the same strength that my G2 had. There was definitely something wrong with the kevlar one I had...