Develop Bugs

[Q] Question Regarding Signal on AOSP vs Sense

Maybe this is all in my head so I need a confirmation. Do Sense ROMs have better signal strength/data speeds? It doesn't make sense to me but I just seem to have much better reception and speeds when using a Sense based ROM, including EVO framework ones as opposed to CM and Ruby. Is there ay reason for this or am I just imagining it?

I've often wondered the same thing.
I think, however, that actual reception is tied to the PRL, the radio, the PRI, and some more uber-technical stuff - in other words, things well under the hood that aren't impacted/changed when a ROM is flashed.
That said, I suspect ROMs play differently with those things depending on how they are built, hence what appears (or may actually be) better signal.

It all comes down to the RIL and radio. A rom won't mess with those. They should be identical. Check the signal dBm's to compare roms.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

I figured it would be a radio thing but it always seemed it was changing from ROM to ROM. That being said, I switched from a Sense ROM to an AOSP one and the signal has not changed at all so thanks guys for answering the question. I knew it had to be in my head hehe

solarpolitiks said:
I figured it would be a radio thing but it always seemed it was changing from ROM to ROM. That being said, I switched from a Sense ROM to an AOSP one and the signal has not changed at all so thanks guys for answering the question. I knew it had to be in my head hehe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One thing you DO have control over is the firmware of the radio. There are currently 3 versions of radio firmware that you can flash. This has nothing to do with the ROM. Different people have different results in terms of link stability and speed depending on them. Look for the Radio thread to find the downloads and information.

I've actually had this issue on the EVO and can confirm after testing that the signal strength is less with an AOSP ROM (every one I've tried actually). Drives me crazy because I really want to use one.

oubravs2b said:
I've actually had this issue on the EVO and can confirm after testing that the signal strength is less with an AOSP ROM (every one I've tried actually). Drives me crazy because I really want to use one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How exactly did you test this? There are many variables that could influence signal.

Best ROM for best reception?

I just got an S3. Yikes.
Even with a solid Wifi signal streaming is very choppy. On voice calls, this is the first phone I've ever had that drops calls mid conversation from home. And I've had a lot of phones on my three lines over 13 years here. Finally, LTE reception in L.A. is not great which is a problem because the phone takes too long to switch off LTE to 3G so I find that I often have no data connection at all even though solid 3G signal is available.
I tried all kinds of tweaks to make the WiFi work better (static IP, different bandwidths, etc) and nothing worked.
Sprint kept telling me to exchange my handset so I'm on my third one and had the same problem with all three.
I'm running out of time on my 14 days so hoping for some ROM guidance so I don't have to kick the tires with a bunch of ROMs trying to find the best performance. I don't want to feel like a beta tester so please only recommend stable ROMs. Don't really care about anything other features, in fact I kind of like to keep it simple. I just want stability and solid wireless performance.
Thanks in advance.

try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1748818
and believe me its a hit OR miss , reception issues are more than common in Sprint GS3
i have had enough and i will be switching to either a EVO LTE or Note 2.
all the best.

uscpsycho said:
I just got an S3. Yikes.
Even with a solid Wifi signal streaming is very choppy. On voice calls, this is the first phone I've ever had that drops calls mid conversation from home. And I've had a lot of phones on my three lines over 13 years here. Finally, LTE reception in L.A. is not great which is a problem because the phone takes too long to switch off LTE to 3G so I find that I often have no data connection at all even though solid 3G signal is available.
I tried all kinds of tweaks to make the WiFi work better (static IP, different bandwidths, etc) and nothing worked.
Sprint kept telling me to exchange my handset so I'm on my third one and had the same problem with all three.
I'm running out of time on my 14 days so hoping for some ROM guidance so I don't have to kick the tires with a bunch of ROMs trying to find the best performance. I don't want to feel like a beta tester so please only recommend stable ROMs. Don't really care about anything other features, in fact I kind of like to keep it simple. I just want stability and solid wireless performance.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll ask the obvious question: Did you update your phone with all the OTAs since it came out of the box?
If not, do this, then compare.
There are pockets in LA that have spotty reception, and you may live/work in an area. For me, I work in Downtown and get solid reception with no dropped calls, even in a building which is a nightmare for all network carriers.. I enjoy the AOSP built ROMS, but they seem to create signal problems with phones. So I suggest staying away from those.
I do recommend MIJJz 4.1.2 ROM which is a Sprint leak of the latest build. My phone seems to get improved reception quality and data signal strength. Up until I switched to MIJJz ROM it would take up to 30 seconds in my work building to get updates on Tweetcaster. Now, I get updates in mere seconds. For example, I've been able to keep up on all the football recruits who have signed with UCLA today, including Kylie FItts signing. Good luck to you.
GO BRUINS!!!
BOOM!!!

lord dredd said:
try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1748818
and believe me its a hit OR miss , reception issues are more than common in Sprint GS3
i have had enough and i will be switching to either a EVO LTE or Note 2.
all the best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The evo lte will be a waste of time cuz its identical hardware to the s3 as far as radios and soc. I do not have the issues that you or op speak of. Streaming videos is hit or miss cuz of the server not the phone or wifi. Maybe it could be router and wifi only in the instance if the video you are streaming is not in a web browser and the router and wifi access point dont like the ports the stream is trying to use and keeps re negiotiating.

I came from the evo lte, I dropped more calls on that than on my gs3.

Download and install the MA4 modem. You will get the best reception out of TW ROMs. I'm on MOAR and it is great. I also have gotten great reception on The Peoples ROM and Darth Stalker. Any of the TW ROMS should be good. I received very poor reception on AOSP ROMs though. Also make sure your PRL and Profile are updated. Most likely it is Sprint and not the phone though. A ROM cant make something out of nothing. I know my area is receiving upgrades and I went from 1 bar always at my house to 3-4 just in the last couple of weeks.

uscpsycho said:
I just got an S3. Yikes.
Even with a solid Wifi signal streaming is very choppy. On voice calls, this is the first phone I've ever had that drops calls mid conversation from home. And I've had a lot of phones on my three lines over 13 years here. Finally, LTE reception in L.A. is not great which is a problem because the phone takes too long to switch off LTE to 3G so I find that I often have no data connection at all even though solid 3G signal is available.
I tried all kinds of tweaks to make the WiFi work better (static IP, different bandwidths, etc) and nothing worked.
Sprint kept telling me to exchange my handset so I'm on my third one and had the same problem with all three.
I'm running out of time on my 14 days so hoping for some ROM guidance so I don't have to kick the tires with a bunch of ROMs trying to find the best performance. I don't want to feel like a beta tester so please only recommend stable ROMs. Don't really care about anything other features, in fact I kind of like to keep it simple. I just want stability and solid wireless performance.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never had any issues with reception only on aosp ROMs but I would suggest getting darthstalker ROM and flashing the MA4 kernel it offers the best signal on any ROM I've had and believe me I've flash almost all and above that you get the best battery life and has some pretty good signal and data speed tweaks
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

I second the MA4 suggestion, you can try the stock or stock+root variant in the development section, I'm getting improved reception and speeds since moving to it.
Also, do some searching for the thread which tells you how to bypass the sprint proxies , that improved my music streaming performance over 3g as well.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

lord dredd said:
try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1748818
and believe me its a hit OR miss , reception issues are more than common in Sprint GS3
i have had enough and i will be switching to either a EVO LTE or Note 2.
all the best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best of luck. I had the evo lte and reception issues through three strait phones over 3 months ended up landing me in a s3
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

actually on the contrary, my experience has been fantastic with Evo Lte
it never lost the signals and data (3G ) was practically double.
occasional low memory and the fascination of BLACK to be black brought me to s3 .
a couple of my friends also say that their LTEs are way better as far as reception and data speed are concerned.
TBH i am still trying to find a way to not let my s3 lose reception here and there.
Though its pretty new but i guess i might try darthstalker's with ma4 kernel
thanks

Service issues, what would you guys recommend?

Well I've been on AOSP ROMs for a couple of months now, and I love everything about them. The only thing I HATE is the service problems that come with them. So I switched back to the stock TW rom and updated my PRL and profile, my PRL went from 25012 to 25014 and my service at home (with an airave, mind you) was 3G and full bars. Thinking I had it all settled, I went back to AOSP and I'm still getting the service issues I had before: either I'm getting 1x + full bars, or 3G and 1-3 fluctuating bars, usually steady at 2 (again, this is on an airave, and my girlfriend with her iphone 5 has full 3G bars at my house). I've flashed every radio under the sun but they seem to make no noticeable difference.
Any ideas/suggestions? I'm not opposed to switching back to a TW rom...but I'd rather stay on AOSP. It seems to me that I have no choice though.

sevenpioverthree said:
Well I've been on AOSP ROMs for a couple of months now, and I love everything about them. The only thing I HATE is the service problems that come with them. So I switched back to the stock TW rom and updated my PRL and profile, my PRL went from 25012 to 25014 and my service at home (with an airave, mind you) was 3G and full bars. Thinking I had it all settled, I went back to AOSP and I'm still getting the service issues I had before: either I'm getting 1x + full bars, or 3G and 1-3 fluctuating bars, usually steady at 2 (again, this is on an airave, and my girlfriend with her iphone 5 has full 3G bars at my house). I've flashed every radio under the sun but they seem to make no noticeable difference.
Any ideas/suggestions? I'm not opposed to switching back to a TW rom...but I'd rather stay on AOSP. It seems to me that I have no choice though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you certain about the strength of your signal on TW? I know that the original stock TW does a little trick in making you think that you have higher signal than you actually do (showing 3G when you really only have 1x... showing 4 bars when you really don't have a strong signal). It's best to compare the actual signal strength in dB (under System Settings - About Phone - Status). I know some custom TW Roms fixed this so that it's consistent with AOSP, but I don't know which ones have and which haven't (and if it's not listed in their features, it's hard to tell without diving into some code). I'm not sure if the iPhone does the same trick as stock TW does, but I know my wife's iPhone 4S typically gets worse reception than my GS3, so anecdotally, it doesn't.
On the other hand, if you're experiencing considerably slower speeds on AOSP compared to TW, it might be cause to stick with TW. Now-a-days, TW is creeping closer to getting the features of AOSP, so it might be time to switch back.

topherk said:
Are you certain about the strength of your signal on TW? I know that the original stock TW does a little trick in making you think that you have higher signal than you actually do (showing 3G when you really only have 1x... showing 4 bars when you really don't have a strong signal). It's best to compare the actual signal strength in dB (under System Settings - About Phone - Status). I know some custom TW Roms fixed this so that it's consistent with AOSP, but I don't know which ones have and which haven't (and if it's not listed in their features, it's hard to tell without diving into some code). I'm not sure if the iPhone does the same trick as stock TW does, but I know my wife's iPhone 4S typically gets worse reception than my GS3, so anecdotally, it doesn't.
On the other hand, if you're experiencing considerably slower speeds on AOSP compared to TW, it might be cause to stick with TW. Now-a-days, TW is creeping closer to getting the features of AOSP, so it might be time to switch back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should've added that I did compare signals under status and my signal reading was true. But I suppose you're right, time to learn all about TW roms.
Sent from my SPH-L710

sevenpioverthree said:
I should've added that I did compare signals under status and my signal reading was true. But I suppose you're right, time to learn all about TW roms.
Sent from my SPH-L710
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is one thing you can try (obviously Nandroid up before trying it). There's a thread that talks about poor 3G speed and the things you can do to fix it (not limited to AOSP or TW Roms, if I recall correctly). Here's the thread. I personally wouldn't flash the zip in the thread without look through it (I think it replaces your build.prop), but I would follow the steps in the linked thread to see if those tweaks will work.

So should I try the tweaks first and then resort to the zip?
Sent from my SPH-L710

sevenpioverthree said:
So should I try the tweaks first and then resort to the zip?
Sent from my SPH-L710
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm wary of the zip because I'm not sure if it's for TW or AOSP roms (doesn't say in the thread). If I recall correctly, the zip is just a modified build.prop sysctl.conf which includes the tweaks from his linked thread. He just made the flashable zip so people won't have to mess around inside system files. But since I don't know if it's specifically for AOSP, I'd personally be a little wary of it.
Edit: Since it's not a build.prop and is instead a sysctl.conf file, it might be safe to flash. I haven't looked too much into this recently, but I'd less wary since it's not a build.prop file you're flashing.

topherk said:
I'm wary of the zip because I'm not sure if it's for TW or AOSP roms (doesn't say in the thread). If I recall correctly, the zip is just a modified build.prop which includes the tweaks from his linked thread. He just made the flashable zip so people won't have to mess around inside system files. But since I don't know if it's specifically for AOSP, I'd personally be a little wary of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, well thanks a bunch topherk I'll do my research and see how it goes
Sent from my SPH-L710

Hey OP... I don't know how phone savy you are lol, but........ here ya go.
Scroll half way down and do those tweaks.
---------- Post added at 02:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ----------
topherk said:
On the other hand, if you're experiencing considerably slower speeds on AOSP compared to TW, it might be cause to stick with TW. Now-a-days, TW is creeping closer to getting the features of AOSP, so it might be time to switch back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like which features?! I've yet to see that lol.

Joe0113 said:
Hey OP... I don't know how phone savy you are lol, but........ here ya go.
Scroll half way down and do those tweaks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing I use the "signal tweaks"?

sevenpioverthree said:
I'm guessing I use the "signal tweaks"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do this at your own risk and follow EVERY SINGLE STEP.. Read, read and read some more. And when you think you're done reading, just do it one more time! And yes, signal tweaks and you can even do NetSpeed Tweaks as well to increase data speeds.

You could use a tw ROM with morphology. I have that and the aosp launcher.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

WindroidApps said:
You could use a tw ROM with morphology. I have that and the aosp launcher.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might do that, and I did confirm that my TW rom isn't playing a trick on me, the readings are true. On AOSP I'm usually at 80-100 dbm and 2 asu, whereas on TW I was at 75 dbm and 8/16 asu. This makes me sad ): I tried every tweak mentioned in this thread but to no avail. Oh well, TW isn't so bad, I just really like AOSP.

sevenpioverthree said:
I might do that, and I did confirm that my TW rom isn't playing a trick on me, the readings are true. On AOSP I'm usually at 80-100 dbm and 2 asu, whereas on TW I was at 75 dbm and 8/16 asu. This makes me sad ): I tried every tweak mentioned in this thread but to no avail. Oh well, TW isn't so bad, I just really like AOSP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TW always tells you your 1X signal strength even under status in about phone. AOSP is telling you your 3G or LTE strength so that's why it seems different. Download SignalCheck from the Play store & it should tell you your actual signal strengths.

[Q] LTE on all AOSP ROMS

One reason that's kept me from flashing an AOSP rom and keeping it is the latest strength issue. I live in the middle of no where basically but some how I have lte which averages 10+mbps on two but drops to under 2mbps on every aspect romantic I've tried. I there a reason for this and any fixes available?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

I'm curious to see what others say about this. Others have said that AOSP ROMs simply display your true signal strength and that's why people think they have weaker signal but you are actually experiencing much weaker signal.
Just for more clarification, if you use an AOSP rom and have weak signal, can you just flash a tw rom and instantly have normal signal?

hewey_mx5 said:
I'm curious to see what others say about this. Others have said that AOSP ROMs simply display your true signal strength and that's why people think they have weaker signal but you are actually experiencing much weaker signal.
Just for more clarification, if you use an AOSP rom and have weak signal, can you just flash a tw rom and instantly have normal signal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once I go back to tw my bars average 3-4 and speed tests are in the10+mbps range
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

AOSP roms display your true voice/evdo signal, that's different from LTE/data.
The reason users tend to get less mobile data performance on AOSP is because, essentially, AOSP is ported to our device and to any device that is not a Nexus. That's why we have issues, because people like CM and preludedrew (evervolv) have to work with the files provided to us by the OEM, files which are not compiled for AOSP, but for whatever proprietary UI came with the phone (Sense, Touchwiz, Motoblur, LG UI, etc etc).
However, now with the leak from the S4 Google Edition, we should see all around improvements to the US SGS3 CM10.1 and other 4 2.2 AOSP roms.
See my post here for the reason behind that: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43084900

CNexus said:
AOSP roms display your true voice/evdo signal, that's different from LTE/data.
The reason users tend to get less mobile data performance on AOSP is because, essentially, AOSP is ported to our device and to any device that is not a Nexus. That's why we have issues, because people like CM and preludedrew (evervolv) have to work with the files provided to us by the OEM, files which are not compiled for AOSP, but for whatever proprietary UI came with the phone (Sense, Touchwiz, Motoblur, LG UI, etc etc).
However, now with the leak from the S4 Google Edition, we should see all around improvements to the US SGS3 CM10.1 and other 4 2.2 AOSP roms.
See my post here for the reason behind that: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43084900
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow you guys work hella fast I might even flash some nightlies now
Edit: If one wanted to could they simply place these files in any AOSP rom they wanted or would it be best to just wait for the dev to do so?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Having more bars on tw is apparently normal. Something about the way it displays the signal is different than the way AOSP roms do it. I don't know all the technical aspects of it. IIRC the bars aren't an indication of how strong your data is though. I've been in places where I had "full bars" but no data at all.
Have you tried liquidsmooth? It's my daily and haven't had problems with LTE. My house is out in a hilly area and don't get LTE there but I do at my friends house and the speed hasn't been any slower there as far as I can tell. 22mb down usually there.
Edit: CNex to the rescue lol

islanda73 said:
Wow you guys work hella fast I might even flash some nightlies now
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All thanks go to SamMobile for providing that leak lol.
Someone in the CM thread commented that after flashing the nightly with the S4GE blobs, their 3G went from around 500kbps to 1500kbps...but of course ymmv (your mileage may vary).

Sadly the issue still remains the same
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Same carrier, two different phones, difference reception

I have my Galaxy S3 and my coworker has an HTC Evo. Both of us have Sprint and yet his phone gets 3 bars of reception whereas mine only gets 1, 2 if I'm very, very lucky.
AFAIK, he's running stock, unrooted and I'm running rooted with latest LiquidSmooth 2.9 with the MD4 modem. No idea what modem he has.
What could be the reason why he's getting better reception? Better antenna build in the Evo?

Volknochi said:
I have my Galaxy S3 and my coworker has an HTC Evo. Both of us have Sprint and yet his phone gets 3 bars of reception whereas mine only gets 1, 2 if I'm very, very lucky.
AFAIK, he's running stock, unrooted and I'm running rooted with latest LiquidSmooth 2.9 with the MD4 modem. No idea what modem he has.
What could be the reason why he's getting better reception? Better antenna build in the Evo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of it has to do with the rom. Some aosp roms show a more accurate bar reading...which is why your's is fewer. I wouldn't really get to worked up over it. They both probably get similar reception and data speeds on 3g

lvpre said:
Some of it has to do with the rom. Some aosp roms show a more accurate bar reading...which is why your's is fewer. I wouldn't really get to worked up over it. They both probably get similar reception and data speeds on 3g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, my data is absolute sh!te and it's a pain to load nearly anything. I get data transfer speeds in the very low kbps.

lvpre said:
Some of it has to do with the rom. Some aosp roms show a more accurate bar reading...which is why your's is fewer. I wouldn't really get to worked up over it. They both probably get similar reception and data speeds on 3g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to agree Ivpre. I would not get worked up over it. Unless of course it is necessary for you to have more Bars showing then him :silly: . You do most likely get the same Data Speeds.
Volknochi said:
Actually, my data is absolute sh!te and it's a pain to load nearly anything. I get data transfer speeds in the very low kbps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest Updating PRL / Profile. Maybe even trying a different Modem. Not everyone gets great reception on MD4. You may have to experiment to see which works better for you.

If you want to properly know if your device is getting less of a signal you need to flash a TW rom, preferably one which is close to stock update prl and profile. Then check your signal and data speeds compared to your friends. AOSP roms remember are built from leaks, and ported from other devices. There is no true aosp source for the Sprint S3. So there's lots of patches and coding which goes into getting the cdma radios working.
Sent from the future via Tapatalk 4

prboy1969 said:
I'm going to agree Ivpre. I would not get worked up over it. Unless of course it is necessary for you to have more Bars showing then him :silly: . You do most likely get the same Data Speeds.
I would suggest Updating PRL / Profile. Maybe even trying a different Modem. Not everyone gets great reception on MD4. You may have to experiment to see which works better for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We've actually done a Speedtest together and his had a higher data rate than mine. I've had different modem with the earlier builds of Liquid Smooth as well, but still low reception. I've also updated my PRL/Profile in the past in hopes that it'll help but sadly no.
I'll look into having a TouchWiz ROM versus this one. I just love how LiquidSmooth is, so hoping I can find a TW ROM that's just as fun.
EDIT: I don't even know how to find a TouchWiz ROM. I figured it would say "TW" along the subject line, the same way AOSP does, but alas I cannot find that. I have heard of Goodness, is that a TW ROM?

Volknochi said:
I have my Galaxy S3 and my coworker has an HTC Evo. Both of us have Sprint and yet his phone gets 3 bars of reception whereas mine only gets 1, 2 if I'm very, very lucky.
AFAIK, he's running stock, unrooted and I'm running rooted with latest LiquidSmooth 2.9 with the MD4 modem. No idea what modem he has.
What could be the reason why he's getting better reception? Better antenna build in the Evo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some devices just get better reception than others. Better internal antennae.
My mom's old photon always got better reception than my 3d & s3
Sent from my SPH-I710 using xda premium

Volknochi said:
I'll look into having a TouchWiz ROM versus this one. I just love how LiquidSmooth is, so hoping I can find a TW ROM that's just as fun.
EDIT: I don't even know how to find a TouchWiz ROM. I figured it would say "TW" along the subject line, the same way AOSP does, but alas I cannot find that. I have heard of Goodness, is that a TW ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely cause all the roms which do not say AOSP or CM or AOKP or something like that are TW roms. I would recommend MOAR or TPR The People's Rom.
Sent from the future via Tapatalk 4

OP,
Unless you're being very careful with your comparisons and using quantitative, and not qualitative, data like db, seeing more "signal bars" means nothing.
Sent from my buttered S3

You must also keep in mind, that even after you switch to a TW Rom. There is no guarantee that you will see better reception. IE more bars. There are quite a few variables involved. What you should concentrate on is making your device the best it can be for you. As CNexus stated. When comparing you have to compare Apples to Apples, and Oranges to Oranges.
TEAM MiK
MikROMs Since 3/13/11

Bananas to bananas
Sent from the future via Tapatalk 4