Related
I have had the G1 then the Mytouch 4G and now I have the Galaxy S II.
I am noticing in spots that I am having issues with internet connecting and then the bars are always lower than what they were with my HTC phones.
Is samsung known for bad reception with their phones?
or has anyone else noticed that this phone doesnt get as good signal as other phones?
I am in a 3G area .. but always have been and never had an issue with the HTC phones ...
Did u get a new sim with your phone??
sent from my real Gs move in silence like lasagna
Everything that I've read shows that the SGS2 has a stronger signal than the HTC Sensation or HTC Amaze. This has been covered by a large number of reviews. It is possible that your individual phone is bad.
I've had just about every android phone T-Mobile has and the sg2 definitely has the best reception. On my g2x I would only get 1 maybe 2 bars. I now have constant 3 sometimes 4.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA Premium App
I kind of agree.... Im always running on 2 bar in my house ... My wife has the mytouch 4g she constantly has 5 bar... I didn't use the sim card that came with the phone... Would that make a difference?, my sim card is less than 8 months old.
I have noticed this too....i have 2 Samsung Android phones. 1 GS2 from T-Mobile (with in-box SIM card installed) and second Samsung Galaxy S5830 bought outside US. At work, i have both the phones side by side and both on T-Mobile, i see that GS2 has 1-2 bars whereas my other Samsung shows full reception. So for me the radio on GS2 is definitely weak.
I've been having the same problems. I will have a 4g signal with no bars sometimes. The phone will be slow even on my wifi at home. The 4g signal almost never changes no matter where I am. Even if I have no signal. I have checked my settings to make sure its on auto for data. I live in Minneapolis, which has the 42mbps coverage. I am using the SIM from my Mytouch 4g. Maybe I need to get a new one. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
HTC phones have more bars because they scale them to be more optimistic. -103dBm on a Samsung phone shows 1 bar. On my Sensation 4G it was up to -107dBm(2 bars to 1 bar, the lowest for 2 bars being -105dBm). -105dBm is 1 bar on the Galaxy S II.
GSM reception blows any HTC phone out of the water.
---------- Post added at 07:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 PM ----------
laafiera said:
I kind of agree.... Im always running on 2 bar in my house ... My wife has the mytouch 4g she constantly has 5 bar... I didn't use the sim card that came with the phone... Would that make a difference?, my sim card is less than 8 months old.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The myTouch 4G doesn't have 5 bars, it only has 4
The Galaxy S II could be picking up a weaker cell signal, have you checked to see if they are on the same cell tower?
heygrl said:
HTC phones have more bars because they scale them to be more optimistic. -103dBm on a Samsung phone shows 1 bar. On my Sensation 4G it was up to -107dBm(2 bars to 1 bar, the lowest for 2 bars being -105dBm). -105dBm is 1 bar on the Galaxy S II.
GSM reception blows any HTC phone out of the water.
---------- Post added at 07:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 PM ----------
The myTouch 4G doesn't have 5 bars, it only has 4
The Galaxy S II could be picking up a weaker cell signal, have you checked to see if they are on the same cell tower?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My galaxy also has only 4 which on 2 are always highlighted, yes they are connected at the same tower but my getting 6497 kbps download speed... So im ok.
Ya.. I am using a newer uicc card.. But the new one that came with it a guy activated it to my home phone. Waiting on the sim swap now to go thru.
So i see some people have better signal and some have worse... Thats interesting.
A lot of it is static and cutting out for me.. Also sometimes it will show signal but the Internet wont connect... Which is most annoying?.
How do you check to see if they are on the same tower like someone said?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
I get better reception than i did with my g2x
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
Hey guys I have a sgs2 i bought it about 2 weeks ago and i'm using it on the simple mobile network. I have a friend of mine that has a htc sensation with the same provider and i tested my phones data next to his and his was 4 times out 5 faster than mine . I rebooted the phone and tried it again and the same thing his was faster than mine do you guys think thats a signal issue on the gsg2. So what do you guys think?
Are you running the tests at the same time? In a non-DC area you will be sharing bandwidth so, run them after each other.
Yes I did run the test at the same time and I don't know what is non DC area.
heygrl said:
Are you running the tests at the same time? In a non-DC area you will be sharing bandwidth so, run them after each other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strapt said:
Ya.. I am using a newer uicc card.. But the new one that came with it a guy activated it to my home phone. Waiting on the sim swap now to go thru.
So i see some people have better signal and some have worse... Thats interesting.
A lot of it is static and cutting out for me.. Also sometimes it will show signal but the Internet wont connect... Which is most annoying?.
How do you check to see if they are on the same tower like someone said?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a Free App for that!
craul said:
Yes I did run the test at the same time and I don't know what is non DC area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, don't run them at the same time.. all of the tower bandwidth(speed) is shared between you and whoever else is on the tower, like WiFi and a broadband connection.
DC = Dual Carrier HSPA 3G/4G = 42Mbps capability, non 42Mbps areas will generally have the same speeds as other 4G phones with some higher bursts on the Galaxy S II depending on congestion.
I got down to -53 dBm today at the Orlando airport. I'd say that's pretty good signal strength!
Strapt said:
Ya.. I am using a newer uicc card.. But the new one that came with it a guy activated it to my home phone. Waiting on the sim swap now to go thru.
So i see some people have better signal and some have worse... Thats interesting.
A lot of it is static and cutting out for me.. Also sometimes it will show signal but the Internet wont connect... Which is most annoying?.
How do you check to see if they are on the same tower like someone said?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'll suggest this one better https://market.android.com/details?id=com.staircase3.opensignal
very detailed
+ it has a widget
i use it on my phone all the time
Do you guys thing that theres a big speed difference between simple mobile data plan and T-Mobiles plan the thing that I have notice is that during the morning or night the internet is much faster it doesnt get stuck like during afternoon so what do you guys think. Thank you again.
AllGamer said:
i'll suggest this one better https://market.android.com/details?id=com.staircase3.opensignal
very detailed
+ it has a widget
i use it on my phone all the time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah thanks... I'll try this out
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Hello
Located in NYC
I was at the T-Mobile Retail store to test the Galaxy S2's speedtest.net.
The speed I got from it was in between 9 Mbps - 15 Mbps.
However, I tried my own S2 and I am only getting 3-4Mbps
??? Hmmmmm how did that happen???
I called 611 to troubleshoot the issue, however the rep told me that it could be their network.
I asked if my old SIM has anything to do with it, she said the SIM does not matter.
Sigh... just wondering what you guys in NYC is getting
Thanks
In RI i get 14-18.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
You need to use the sim that comes with the phone. Its an updated sim for this phone
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
clninja said:
You need to use the sim that comes with the phone. Its an updated sim for this phone
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply. I will try to call 611 asking for a free SIM. That stupid rep did not allowed me to get a free SIM.
Some stores have 3G cell sites built into them, which will give the phones in the store faster speeds than just outside the store.
I tested the phone with old sim card in NYC back in Dec. In chinatown it avg. 18-21mbps in Brooklyn was much slower, 5-8mbps. I got it used so no updated sim card that came with it. Now back in Puerto Rico where im now, its 8-10mbps. Im guess some part in NYC takes advantages of new HSDPA+ and some parts not.
Time of day, network traffic, signal strength, apps running on your phone, the cell site itself...these are all variables that can cause variance in data speeds.
personally, i think the Speedtest.net app itself is buggy. I can be in the same spot, run 3 tests, and get 3 different results. I've also run tests with the same type of phones sitting next to each other, and get completely different results.
Not all sites are pushing out the same speeds. Some may be pushing 42mb/s, while others may still be doing 21mb/s, and there are probably even some 7.2mb/s sites in "4G" cities. You can probably drive down the street and get a drastically different result.
Although the SIM that came in the box is new, you shouldn't see drastic changes in your old SIM vs the new one unless your old SIM was more than 2 years old. T-Mobile updated their SIM cards a few years back to better connect with the 3G/4G network. The SIM that came in the box (GBA SIM) is required for the Wi-Fi Calling, but that's it.
I live in Brooklyn, and my new white SG2 should be coming via UPS tomorrow (hopefully early in the day!). Will post results after I get the phone. Question - if the phone comes with its own new SIM, how do I get my info/acct transferred to the new SIM? Can I do this over the phone or do I need to go into a TMO store? In the meantime I can just pop in my old SIM and use it right away, correct?
Also, FWIW, on my MT4G I always get consistently faster speeds in Manhattan vs. Brooklyn. In my apartment I usually float around 3-5 mbps. I'm hoping I'll pick up a little extra with the SG2 but who knows...not a big issue though since when at home I usually hook up to the wifi.
You definitely need the new Sim. And that broad on the customer line lied. The Sim DOES matter.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
cs378 said:
Hello
Located in NYC
I was at the T-Mobile Retail store to test the Galaxy S2's speedtest.net.
The speed I got from it was in between 9 Mbps - 15 Mbps.
However, I tried my own S2 and I am only getting 3-4Mbps
??? Hmmmmm how did that happen???
I called 611 to troubleshoot the issue, however the rep told me that it could be their network.
I asked if my old SIM has anything to do with it, she said the SIM does not matter.
Sigh... just wondering what you guys in NYC is getting
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get 9-15 in nyc all day long. Must be your location or your sim.
clninja said:
You need to use the sim that comes with the phone. Its an updated sim for this phone
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not true at all. I am on the $30 prepaid plan and used the sim that came with some cheap phone and I can easily hit 12-15mbps however Wi-Fi calling doesn't work. Please don't spread false facts. Yes, there's an updated sim but rarely ever will it make a difference except where I mentioned.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Here is proof of that.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
@Sunsean, if you are coming from a mt4g, you probably don't have any info on your sim card. Just in case, you cab throw the old Sim in your galaxy, go to contacts > menu > import/export > import from Sim card. Then call customer care (or go into a store) to have your new Sim that came with the phone activated.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Just called Tmobile customer service and the guy got me a free new Sim card. I still have not gotten the Sim yet, but will update on the result. this new customer service guy did mention that the new Sim should improve the 4g service.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
cs378 said:
Hello
Located in NYC
I was at the T-Mobile Retail store to test the Galaxy S2's speedtest.net.
The speed I got from it was in between 9 Mbps - 15 Mbps.
However, I tried my own S2 and I am only getting 3-4Mbps
??? Hmmmmm how did that happen???
I called 611 to troubleshoot the issue, however the rep told me that it could be their network.
I asked if my old SIM has anything to do with it, she said the SIM does not matter.
Sigh... just wondering what you guys in NYC is getting
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tge same problem..used to get around 12 to 14 now less than 1 mbps....nd i havent even hit half if my data limit yet!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
I get surprisingly good speeds around 68th & 2nd, usually 12+mbps. From what I understand, the upload speeds for 4G seem to be capped at 1.7mbps? Can somebody please confirm for me? Thanks in advance.
I also live in New York city. HSPA+ is superb here. In the Bronx I get an average of 9 to 14 mbps down. And I'm on an older sim card, so be exact, the one that came with my mytouch 3g. Now that's an old sim.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
abrown0809 said:
I also live in New York city. HSPA+ is superb here. In the Bronx I get an average of 9 to 14 mbps down. And I'm on an older sim card, so be exact, the one that came with my mytouch 3g. Now that's an old sim.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using the sim card from my Sidekick LX now THAT'S an old sim.
abrown0809 said:
I also live in New York city. HSPA+ is superb here. In the Bronx I get an average of 9 to 14 mbps down. And I'm on an older sim card, so be exact, the one that came with my mytouch 3g. Now that's an old sim.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Midtown Manhattan. Hit 13mbps on a umts network here. All my hspa+ speeds were 12ish mbps. Using the sim that came with the phone.
Sent from my Hercules using XDA App
7-14 in the eastcoast for me and 12-22 in the west coast
I did speed test on both and I get 5-7.5 mbps on G2x and 2-2.5 mbps on Nexus with 1500ms ping....
Is this fixed in ROMs ?
I had a g2x too and I'm getting same speeds on my gnex in my area.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
alteredmass said:
I had a g2x too and I'm getting same speeds on my gnex in my area.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will switch SIM cards from one to another and will test again now....
I am getting the same speeds as the G2x as well.
Yep, looks like its the SIM card / account problem
kolyan said:
Yep, looks like its the SIM card / account problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it new service on T-mobile? If so, you might need to wait a few days. Some people report slow speeds for a few days for some reason and then it goes to normal.
I would say flash a north American radio if you haven't already my speed increased by like 3 mbps
Sent from my LG-P509 using Tapatalk 2
I moved from the G2x and my speeds are exactly the same.
Not just to join the chorus, but my speeds are the same as my G2x, and I find that I maintain connection in low signal areas better than the G2x on the V21e software build (it didn't get the OTA before I bought the Nexus and switched my sim card).
I'm actually getting much better service on my gnex than my G2X. I'm getting 4G now at my house where I was getting edge on my G2X.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
bozzykid said:
Is it new service on T-mobile? If so, you might need to wait a few days. Some people report slow speeds for a few days for some reason and then it goes to normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Account is old, but sim card is new. Called T-Mobile they said there is nothing they can do a side from replacing sim card. I tested many times and other sim card is at least 50% faster
DroidDavi said:
I would say flash a north American radio if you haven't already my speed increased by like 3 mbps
Sent from my LG-P509 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have xxla2 now. But I know its not the radio cause I tested 2 different sims
Which radios are u using on T-Mobile?
xxla02
kolyan said:
Account is old, but sim card is new. Called T-Mobile they said there is nothing they can do a side from replacing sim card. I tested many times and other sim card is at least 50% faster
/QUOTE]
Wait a few days and it will probably be at full speed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bozzykid said:
Wait a few days and it will probably be at full speed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will do. but this is day 4 on this SIM already
Edit: tested again. getting anywhere from 2 to 4 mbps with around 1500ms ping. the other SIM gets anywhere from 5 to 8 mbps. Tmobile said 2-4 is acceptable for 4G network and they have no idea why another SIM cars is up to 50% faster....and i am obviously not capped yet
Waited and I still get 2-3 times slower speeds on Nexus with my SIM card. Will try to exchange SIM tomorrow
kolyan said:
Waited and I still get 2-3 times slower speeds on Nexus with my SIM card. Will try to exchange SIM tomorrow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever resolve the issue?
Blown 89 said:
Did you ever resolve the issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haven't checked lately
So months later I decided to check again....and its the same ****. Old G2X hits anywhere between 6-7mbps and Nexus max is 4.4mbps.
When I switch SIMs its the other way around, and I already replaced my SIM card and called Tmobile about this issue. No one seems to know whats going on and Tmobile is not able to assist me. Sometimes Nexus drops to 3mbps and yet G2X is ALWAYS around 6
How is this possible ?
maybe your sim card problem
or the network or something
I've got a photon that I can fall back on but I hugely prefer my JB-powered gnex... just trying to understand if it is compatible with the networks in India (Mumbai specifically).
Thanks!
Jeff
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2
HiBoost said:
I've got a photon that I can fall back on but I hugely prefer my JB-powered gnex... just trying to understand if it is compatible with the networks in India (Mumbai specifically).
Thanks!
Jeff
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you going to be using a GSM network and have a GSM galaxy nexus? if so, yes it should work.
Sprint no, its CDMA.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I've read that there is cdma service in India, but is it some other frequency or something that makes it incompatible?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Just to finalize this thread, the Sprint Galaxy Nexus DOES work here in Mumbai. No problems or special settings needed. CDMA signal is significantly stronger than it is back in the states which is quite pathetic (on Sprint's behalf).
Wow I learned something new, I had no idea India had CDMA.
HiBoost said:
Just to finalize this thread, the Sprint Galaxy Nexus DOES work here in Mumbai. No problems or special settings needed. CDMA signal is significantly stronger than it is back in the states which is quite pathetic (on Sprint's behalf).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What network are you using it on? I am going to India later this year and it would be awesome if I would be able to use my GNEX (Verizon) there. I would be in Gujarat for the most part.
super_dk said:
What network are you using it on? I am going to India later this year and it would be awesome if I would be able to use my GNEX (Verizon) there. I would be in Gujarat for the most part.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not even sure what the network is because this isn't anything I had to buy a SIM card for... I just turned the phone on and it popped up "Mumbai" on the screen, showed full strength (with the "R" by the bars for roaming), and sent me a text message saying voice was $2.49/min, incoming text is $0.05 and outgoing is $0.50 and data is $0.008/kb. I just used 3G watchdog to turn off mobile data completely. The guys here tell me that CDMA and GSM are both built up everywhere. It's pretty crazy to be driving in a cab through an area where people aren't even wearing shoes and there's stray dogs running through the street and I have 5 bars of signal. Yet back in the US I have 1-2 half the time... dammit Sprint really sucks.
HiBoost said:
I'm not even sure what the network is because this isn't anything I had to buy a SIM card for... I just turned the phone on and it popped up "Mumbai" on the screen, showed full strength (with the "R" by the bars for roaming), and sent me a text message saying voice was $2.49/min, incoming text is $0.05 and outgoing is $0.50 and data is $0.008/kb. I just used 3G watchdog to turn off mobile data completely. The guys here tell me that CDMA and GSM are both built up everywhere. It's pretty crazy to be driving in a cab through an area where people aren't even wearing shoes and there's stray dogs running through the street and I have 5 bars of signal. Yet back in the US I have 1-2 half the time... dammit Sprint really sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I thought you changed the sim card to use it on one of the Indian networks. They do have good coverage in Urban areas both CDMA and GSM. I noticed that last year when I went there and my OG droid came up with a signal and an R just like yours. I did not use it however because of the high rates.
Hey guys so this is what is going on. I'm currently on an AT&T family plan with separate data plans. My sister just upgraded to the GS3 with a new sim card and everything but she doesn't really like it so she's going back to her 4S and offered to sell the phone to me. I'm currently using an iPhone 4S with the 15$/200mb data plan. My question is can I use my current sim card and data plan with the GS3 or do I have to upgrade it the 4G LTE plan and get a new sim card as well?
You should just be able to pop your card in and enjoy the S3 goodness. However, you may want to get att to switch your plan from in iphone plan to the general smart phone plan, because some weird things can happen with your voice mail if you don't. Happened to me when I switched from iphone to android.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium
Thanks for the quick reply . I was wondering because I was told that AT&T forces you to use a 4G LTE plan for this phone. I'm usually around a wifi connection so I'm looking for the cheapest data plan that is available at the moment
The problem you're probably going to run into is the S3 uses a micro SIM....so you may, at the very least, have to cut your SIM down. Just fyi.
I came from a galaxy S2, and had to get a new SIM.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
The 4S already has a micro SIM, though, doesn't it? I had to get the micro SIM since I switched from the captivate, and I still have my $15/200MB plan and get LTE on it when I'm not using Wi-Fi.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Yes the 4S has the micro sim also. I was able to use call features and text with it in the SG3 but no network access except for wifi. Ended up calling AT&T and turns out I'll have to upgrade to the 20$/300mb 4G LTE data plan.
Most likely you need a new SIM that's 4G LTE capable, since I just remembered the 4S isn't. I'm getting 4G LTE on the $15 plan - it's not the plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
napkun said:
Yes the 4S has the micro sim also. I was able to use call features and text with it in the SG3 but no network access except for wifi. Ended up calling AT&T and turns out I'll have to upgrade to the 20$/300mb 4G LTE data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's interesting. I recently moved from an iPhone 3GS (it was a free hand-me-down, don't give me that look) to a One X which I returned (battery life) and got a SGS3 within 30 days. I still have a $15/200MB data plan and both phones worked fine on 4G LTE data. You may wish to confront them about this, because it sounds like they're gonna get you for $120 on that new plan otherwise.
EDIT:
MeVirtually said:
Most likely you need a new SIM that's 4G LTE capable, since I just remembered the 4S isn't. I'm getting 4G LTE on the $15 plan - it's not the plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should note that I got a new SIM with the One X (and then it migrated to my SGS3) as the 3GS had some fat old huge SIM card. I have no idea if there's 4G LTE incompatible SIMs or not, but I thought I'd add that after seeing MeVirtually's post.
deathdread said:
That's interesting. I recently moved from an iPhone 3GS (it was a free hand-me-down, don't give me that look) to a One X which I returned (battery life) and got a SGS3 within 30 days. I still have a $15/200MB data plan and both phones worked fine on 4G LTE data. You may wish to confront them about this, because it sounds like they're gonna get you for $120 on that new plan otherwise.
EDIT:
I should note that I got a new SIM with the One X (and then it migrated to my SGS3) as the 3GS had some fat old huge SIM card. I have no idea if there's 4G LTE incompatible SIMs or not, but I thought I'd add that after seeing MeVirtually's post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still waiting for my sister to come home so we can make the switch with AT&T over the phone, I'll ask them about preserving my 15$/200mb plan