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Hi all,
Got an Incredible 2 a few days ago. So far so good *except* the antenna seems weak compared to my original Moto Droid1. With my original droid i almost always had 4 bars at home, in office, etc. With this phone im lucky to get 3 bars, often only 1 or 2. Anyone else have this issue? Its got me pretty worried and consideringreturning ...
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i agree.. when compared to my previous phones, i feel like i am getting much worse reception.
Will this lower reception also affect data speed?
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the reception might be the same and how it calculates the bars may be different. do you have any other reason to suggest your getting less signal other then the bar display?
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Ooh that's interesting. I'm only judging by the bar display. I sort of hope that you are right.
You could have a point there OneStepAhead. I Google'd "Droid incredible signal strength" and found many people commenting that the bars seem to have next to nothing to do with actual performance, eg making calls and sending data with virtually no bars worked fine. That's been my experience so far as well so I am going to ignore the bars for a while and just see if it hangs in there. Given this very common issue with the first version of this phone and the excellent reputation it had despite it, it'll probably be OK.
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Even though the bars seem to jump around more and seem to not be as strong as my previous phone, I'm actually getting faster data speeds on it when I do a speed test.
Don't look at the bars in the status bar go into the setting menu and goto about phone and look at signal strength there that is accurate not the bars at the top for example my dinc 2 is one bar right now at -80db and my coworkers Droid x is four bars at -83db so technically I am getting better signal
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Thanks for the comments. It's true, the bars jump around like crazy but don't have much to do with the signal strength readings in the system. In fact, sometimes the bars go up and signal strength goes down. Seems I'm pretty much always between -70 & -80. Your input makes me feel a lot better about this phone because it was the only thing making me nervous.
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the less negative the better the reception, correct?
The Elixir app has a little widget that shows the "percent" of cell signal you're getting. So it's not a db measurement, but perhaps something they calculate from that measurement. That'd be an easy way to see the number of bars and a percentage measurement at the same time. Sounds like of like what Apple said back during Apple's antennagate, where the bar algorithm was supposedly off.
Astromech said:
The Elixir app has a little widget that shows the "percent" of cell signal you're getting. So it's not a db measurement, but perhaps something they calculate from that measurement. That'd be an easy way to see the number of bars and a percentage measurement at the same time. Sounds like of like what Apple said back during Apple's antennagate, where the bar algorithm was supposedly off.
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right, that is why I suggested the theory of the bar algorithm being off as its apparently happened before. Let's hope that's the case!
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bik2101 said:
the less negative the better the reception, correct?
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Im not positive on that, i assume there is a sweet spot somewhere. Im guessing once the number gets low enough the signal strength is no longer good. Im just basing that on cable modem technology which should be between -15 and +10 if i remember correctly. too far on one side is not good. Surely some XDA member can shed some light on this?
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I have a Dinc2 as personal phone and OG Droid as the work phone, just sat it next to each other they are both at -70dbm and speedtest gave approx same speeds
hmm so from my observastions, i'm getting at abotu -90 to -100 pretty much wherever i am. this is not a good thing right?
I was at a friend's house last night. My phone had almost no signal (and therefore barely worked) but neither did a friend's blackberry on at&t and another bb on tmobile. I was at about -97 or so. Typically I'm between -70&-80 pretty much independent of number of bars showing. Last night I guess we were all basically in a dead spot.
That aside, just tried wifi on this phone last night and was blown away by the speed. It doesn't even come close to comparing to my ogDroid which took forever to ping. I never used wifi on that phone cuz it was actually slower than using 3g!
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Apples antennagate actually effected call quality I owned an original incredible and the reception and call quality seem to be a bit better on the incredible 2
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OneStepAhead said:
right, that is why I suggested the theory of the bar algorithm being off as its apparently happened before. Let's hope that's the case!
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And what I'm saying is that if the Elixir measurement or that of another app says you have, say 60% signal, but you only have 1 bar, at the least you'd be able to ignore your bars as irrelevant and rely on your percentage figure until such time as they release a fix for the superficial bar issue. Annoying, but a workaround.
Good tip on Elixir. Its %s seem to coincide for the most part with the bars. I made a call from Costco today with zero bars and it sounded fine. So I think i'll ignore all the bar stuff and just make sure it keeps working fine. My guess at this point is it will be perfectly OK.
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I recently upgraded to a Dinc 2 with misgivings due to reports of weak signal. Last week I drove from Salem (Oregon) through the coast range to Tillamook, down US101 to Lincoln City and then back through the coast range to Salem. Carried and compared a Blackberry Bold 9650 and Dinc 2 (Verizon).
Whenever I stopped and compared the dBm on the two handsets, the readings were within 2-4 dBm, despite the Dinc 2 signal bar showing half or less bars than the BB.
It makes me agree with abqslim's post that the signal bars on the Dinc 2 have little to do with signal strength.
I was just curious, why do many favor 6 bars over 4 bars in the notification bar?
To me the number of bars seems arbitrary when signal strength, as measured by db's, is what really matters.
On Sense, I prefer the 6bar appearance to 4bar...
higher resolution (in terms of averaged data analysis).
I like it because it gives me a better idea of what my current db's is actually at. It also looks prettier IMO
Sent from my HTC Incredible
I like the 6 bars because I like how it looks, it makes it easier for me to tell my actual signal
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Cryous said:
I like the 6 bars because I like how it looks, it makes it easier for me to tell my actual signal
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same
although I'd probably prefer even 8 bar as long as it didn't look too weird.
POQbum said:
same
although I'd probably prefer even 8 bar as long as it didn't look too weird.
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That first bar would be pretty tiny...
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As a single guy gets older, hitting 6 bars greatly improves your chances over just 4 bars!
If ive helped you, please hit the damn thanks button!
Because the measurement is different. If you have 100% signal with 4 bars, each bar would typically represent a 25% signal change between them. With 6 bars the signal bars would represent about a 16.7% change between each. So you get a finer measurement of what your signal actually is.
SoCGHOST said:
Because the measurement is different. If you have 100% signal with 4 bars, each bar would typically represent a 25% signal change between them. With 6 bars the signal bars would represent about a 16.7% change between each. So you get a finer measurement of what your signal actually is.
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Yeah. I always had 1 bar with the 4-bar 3G signal and it bugged me to death. Then I got the 6bar and had a pretty constant 2-3 bars.
That's a big reason why I like it, the 1 bar on the 4-bar made me seem like it was going to drop a call or the signal was about to go out.
I'm using the rooted GB OTA. Where can I find a mod that would display 6 bars?
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After scouring the internet, doing extensive research and compiling thorough personal observations, I've determined that 6 bars is better than 4 mainly because it just looks cooler.
I've used many roms so far and my current one is cm7 nighty 99, and I know I don't have service in my school, even next to a window... the previous rom I had was incredible HD 1.0 which I had a bar and service in my school. Ill know when I have the best service is when I know ill have service in there, and yes everyone with att has complete full bars, but thats besides the point. I truly don't mind changing roms, and I'd rather right now so I could care less to upgrade the radio so how about some input guys?
Sent from my Incredible 2 using XDA App
ROMs don't effect real signal strength. There can be variations to how each rom reports signal strength, but the actual signal isn't determined and can't be enhanced by the rom. For example, I've seen one rom constantly bounce around, displaying 1 bar for -90dbm and 3 bars when the dbm was -100+, where another rom was more consistent, but the true signal strength was the same between the two. Probably one just averaged more when determining what to display.
I've battled with low signal strength for the past 2 years on Verizon. Tried every trick in the book, and nothing did a thing. The only thing that helped was getting a network extender.
Hmmm... interesting. Then what do you think could have given me signal in my school versus this current rom which gets nothing?
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Nvm stupid question
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What radio do you have.
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x Eacott said:
Hmmm... interesting. Then what do you think could have given me signal in my school versus this current rom which gets nothing?
Sent from my Incredible 2 using XDA App
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Not a stupid question at all.
As a matter of fact, ROM's will not affect your TRUE signal strength, but I have tried Sense and AOSP ROMs on the Inc1 and its readout 'bar' wise did change between both styles of ROM.
More then likely its a reporting issue on the Dinc2 - which means nothing really.
If on AOSP you should be able to change the bar readout to -dbm readout which will be more accurate.
The true question is this...have you been measuring by dbm in 'about phone'?
And the real money maker...Are you able to make and receive calls? Is data speed an issue?
I'm on the official JB ROM and have noticed that my device's wifi signal is very low (1 to 2 bars at most) inside the house.
Is there a fix to make the signal stronger or maybe a custom ROM or radio that has stronger wifi?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
U could increase signal strenght using dd-wrt on ur router. Maybe that could help..
I had an iPhone the last two years and with the same router the signal was full all around the house. I really like this device and hope to find a solution.
the wifi antenna is on the bottom half of the phone, hold it at the top and youll see a big improvement. iphone is at the top middle
I also read some time ago that the Nexus show you the "true" signal streangth whilst other devices/manufacturers programs the software to show more bars just the please the costumers eyes. So even though it might look less on a Nexus the actuall speed remains the same as other phones. Don't know if this is true but i like to believe it is
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Tjotte said:
I also read some time ago that the Nexus show you the "true" signal streangth whilst other devices/manufacturers programs the software to show more bars just the please the costumers eyes. So even though it might look less on a Nexus the actuall speed remains the same as other phones. Don't know if this is true but i like to believe it is
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It's a relief if it's true, but I think the problem is there. In the same distance around the house I had signal with the iPhone 4 where GN has none.
I happen to get low bars too, not a lot but I get hella fast downloads than my previously droid incredible. I can download a 100mb file in about 15-25 seconds.
My droid incredible took around 50 seconds to a minute. So I do praise whatever they did to the WiFi performance or it could be the ROM lol..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I have been trying to figure this one out for ages!!!
Can anyone answer why TW roms report signal strength different from AOKP. (I don't mean 4G vs LTE or faster or slower speeds) When I have a TW rom installed, I can go virtually all day and have no reported signal loss, but if I have a AOKP (all source android for that matter) installed and I use the phone in the exact same place I have as much as 50% time without signal while the whole time I actually have signal as I use the phone. On the TW rom, signal almost never goes less than one bar but yet I can have no signal at all, but if it is like that for any amount of time then it will show no signal, but the AOKP will show no bars but still have signal and yet it still reports as no signal.(maybe there is a different scale for signal strength) This doesn't just on my phone, as I have 3 that I tested on with the same result. There is no problem with signal as I have said and the phone works fine during this time unless signal is lost totally. Some say TW has faster DATA and BETTER signal, I have never experienced either, both seen just as fast, which is why I wonder if sammy does it on purpose with some code or if AOKP has a smaller scale in which to report the strenght, hench my issue.
Have searched but not found anything,
scotteb said:
I have been trying to figure this one out for ages!!!
Can anyone answer why TW roms report signal strength different from AOKP. (I don't mean 4G vs LTE or faster or slower speeds) When I have a TW rom installed, I can go virtually all day and have no reported signal loss, but if I have a AOKP (all source android for that matter) installed and I use the phone in the exact same place I have as much as 50% time without signal while the whole time I actually have signal as I use the phone. On the TW rom, signal almost never goes less than one bar but yet I can have no signal at all, but if it is like that for any amount of time then it will show no signal, but the AOKP will show no bars but still have signal and yet it still reports as no signal.(maybe there is a different scale for signal strength) This doesn't just on my phone, as I have 3 that I tested on with the same result. There is no problem with signal as I have said and the phone works fine during this time unless signal is lost totally. Some say TW has faster DATA and BETTER signal, I have never experienced either, both seen just as fast, which is why I wonder if sammy does it on purpose with some code or if AOKP has a smaller scale in which to report the strenght, hench my issue.
Have searched but not found anything,
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Did you actually check the signal dbm or just compared with the signal bars?
The signal bars are just images, therefor, you could set it to show 1 bar and actually have full signal db.
Compare their dbm and you'll see if there's actually a difference.
Another thing, keep in mind that every phone is built differently and one could have 3bars of signal while the other has 4bars, both phones running the exact same thing.
BWolf56 said:
Did you actually check the signal dbm or just compared with the signal bars?
The signal bars are just images, therefor, you could set it to show 1 bar and actually have full signal db.
Compare their dbm and you'll see if there's actually a difference.
Another thing, keep in mind that every phone is built differently and one could have 3bars of signal while the other has 4bars, both phones running the exact same thing.
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no sir same number of bars. i bet if others checked theirs would probably be the same. touch cell standy by under battery in settings
scotteb said:
I have been trying to figure this one out for ages!!!
Can anyone answer why TW roms report signal strength different from AOKP. (I don't mean 4G vs LTE or faster or slower speeds) When I have a TW rom installed, I can go virtually all day and have no reported signal loss, but if I have a AOKP (all source android for that matter) installed and I use the phone in the exact same place I have as much as 50% time without signal while the whole time I actually have signal as I use the phone. On the TW rom, signal almost never goes less than one bar but yet I can have no signal at all, but if it is like that for any amount of time then it will show no signal, but the AOKP will show no bars but still have signal and yet it still reports as no signal.(maybe there is a different scale for signal strength) This doesn't just on my phone, as I have 3 that I tested on with the same result. There is no problem with signal as I have said and the phone works fine during this time unless signal is lost totally. Some say TW has faster DATA and BETTER signal, I have never experienced either, both seen just as fast, which is why I wonder if sammy does it on purpose with some code or if AOKP has a smaller scale in which to report the strenght, hench my issue.
Have searched but not found anything,
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I've noticed the same. On TW I show 3 bars and on AOKP I show 1 bar. I believe it's just as you said the signal image reads off the dbm and AOKP might be set to show 1 bar off -108dbm with TW is set to show 3 bars
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Aosp bases roms show signal more accurate then TW based OEM roms. We even found that att had changed some images early on to show more bars then what you were really getting.
Wayne Tech S-III
zelendel said:
Aosp bases roms show signal more accurate then TW based OEM roms. We even found that att had changed some images early on to show more bars then what you were really getting.
Wayne Tech S-III
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Maybe for some folks it's just showing up like that.
But in my area, TW ROM's get me faster & better signal than ANY AOSP ROM. Hands down, flat freaking true. I've tested it with speedtest and speakeasy.
TW consistently gets me a better signal and about 20% faster download speed than any AOSP ROM since the ICS to the current 4.2.2 ROM's.
And not just on one phone either. I've had three S3 warranty phones (don't ask. lol). They all behaved the same way.
I've done "scientific" (as best as I can) tests and it's been very consistent like this. TW just gets a better signal I figure, which = faster download speed. I don't know how else to explain it.
I should also state that I'm on the edge of LTE area. AOSP ROM's usually give me about 1 or 2 bars and 5-12 mbps download speeds.
When I get closer to downtown, I get 30+ mbps download easily.
TW ROM's give me 12-18 mbps where AOSP struggles to reach 12 mbps. In the same exact location on my desk.
The speed is something else completely. That has nothing to do with the amount of bars shown.
Wayne Tech S-III
How can touchwiz provide better coverage when the modem is the same regardless of the ROM on the phone?
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FabC87 said:
How can touchwiz provide better coverage when the modem is the same regardless of the ROM on the phone?
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Well to be honest it has to do with 2 things. One is how the software talks with the hardware. Second as I stated above. There have been times the carrier have flat out lied about how many bars you have. We found this when ripping the apks apart and there instead of being 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 bars they removed the 0 and 1 bars and replaced them with the pngs for 2 bars.
zelendel said:
Well to be honest it has to do with 2 things. One is how the software talks with the hardware. Second as I stated above. There have been times the carrier have flat out lied about how many bars you have. We found this when ripping the apks apart and there instead of being 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 bars they removed the 0 and 1 bars and replaced them with the pngs for 2 bars.
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Ya its weird, as long as it shows 1 bar, then it will not register signal loss, but soon as that bar disappears, but still with signal, it will register as loss of signal. When there is no signal there is a diff icon, so then and only then should it report as a loss..... I would like to fix but so far I have found nothing concrete, just options.
I think CM shows the true signal bars whereas TW shows the fake one.
Capt said:
I think CM shows the true signal bars whereas TW shows the fake one.
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Yup that was proven long ago.
Wayne Tech S-III
scotteb said:
Ya its weird, as long as it shows 1 bar, then it will not register signal loss, but soon as that bar disappears, but still with signal, it will register as loss of signal. When there is no signal there is a diff icon, so then and only then should it report as a loss..... I would like to fix but so far I have found nothing concrete, just options.
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A lot of times if it shows no bars yet you still have signal ie. Still able to text, call, surf Web it's because you're transitioning from 4G to H+ or whatever the transition maybe.
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drock212 said:
A lot of times if it shows no bars yet you still have signal ie. Still able to text, call, surf Web it's because you're transitioning from 4G to H+ or whatever the transition maybe.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium[/QUOTE
Well I have found some info, I am going to try this and based upon the results, I will post back so that anyone that wishes to modify their rom (if it works) will be able to do so.
The problem that I am referring to has nothing to go with the transition from 3g,h,h+, or lte for that matter. connection does not change, problem happens when you are in an area that has a lower signal, thus being able to USE the phone even though there are no bars.
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