Dropping Calls on Sprint Galaxy S3 - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S III

Just got my S3, and I'm dropping calls in areas where my SE4GT didn't. The calls are either dropping, or are 'breaking up', in the words of multiple people at different phone numbers I'm calling.
The common denominator is that the Calls start off strong, and then within seconds, start to break up then drop.
Maybe the device has to be held a certain way, as with the iPhone. Just throwing that out there, as I don't know.
I'm still trying to isolate the issue.
I've read that this is happening to others, and may be a radio problem.
I just don't want to exchange device if this is a wide spread device issue, which appears to be undetermined yet.
Update:
After calling the same number from my Sprint number, and having the calls (5) fade and drop off within seconds, I called the same number from my GV #, and the call was successful. The call lasted over 1 1/2 hrs. without issue.
Imo, the above rules out an S3 issue, and the issue is with Sprint and the Network, or the Network/Switch of the person I'm calling, in regards to how their Network is handling the Call from the Sprint number.

For what it's worth, I haven't had any such issues with my sprint s3, signal strength in much of my town is sketchy.

Maybe certain S3's had an issue, and I need to exchange mine.
I'm uncertain at this point, as I just got the S3 on Tues.
Please see the Update in the OP.

My gf and I have the same issue. Ive dropped more calls with this phone than the entire 6 years ive been with sprint. Its the samsung radios. Not sure about returning it and getting another unit since it happens in my gfs as well. Its frustrating, my phone also roams in my house which has always had close to a full signal on every other phone ive owned including the epic touch 4g.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

Dropping calls as well. My friend too. The radios suck on this phone, so if you're in a marginal coverage area, you'll be dropping more calls with the S3.

kronium said:
Dropping calls as well. My friend too. The radios suck on this phone, so if you're in a marginal coverage area, you'll be dropping more calls with the S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm dropping calls in areas I didn't have trouble with my SE4GT.
On a side more, I'm not too happy with the camera on my S3, compared to my SE4GT.
On the S3, indoor pics are not as sharp, and are grainy, and the flash washes out the pics.
I thought the dropping call issue may be either:
- Hardware related
- Sprint testing of towers preparing for LTE
- a lemon S3
Regarding the camera issues, I thought may be:
- hardware related, and issue is with all the S3's
- a lemon
Because of the uncertainty regarding the causes of the above, even after extensive searching, I've decided to exchange my S3 for another S3, since I'm within my 14 day return/exchange period.
If the above issue or issues are resolved, then I just had a 'bad' S3.
If the issues aren't resolved, then:
- I got another lemon, which would be doubtful
- or these issues are inherent to all S3's
Hopefully at least one of the issues will be resolved.
I'd rather not switch devices, as I've got my current S3 just right regarding apps, programming, etc.
But I had to try another S3.
If neither issue is resolved with the replacement S3, maybe a future update will resolve one of these issues.
I'll see how it goes with the replacement.
I'd hate to see that the S3 has issues which the SE4GT never had. That's a step backwards, and if true, I most likely made the wrong decision to exchange my S3, and should have just returned it, and reactivated my SE4GT.
Hopefully though, the exchange will make a difference.
I have:
Hardware version:
L710.14
Does anyone know what the current hardware version is, if it has been updated?

I had the same issue with mine, poor signal, but even with the signal reported as ridiculously low I can still place a call.
I exchanged my first phone and thought the new phone was better, the Sprint store has the cell tower in the parking lot so it's hard to tell.
The first thing the phone did when I got home was update software, so I don't know how it would have worked before but after that my signal has remained poor.
I have tried all the other modems and not seen a measurable difference from one to the next.
Also my indicated signal strength vary around wildly swinging from lows below -220 to highs of -90 at home.
Other times closer to a tower I am getting -75, but it falls of very quickly.

This dropping of calls is getting really anoying. It's happening everywhere I didn't have issues with the SE4GT. It's like I know when I make a call, that I'm gonna hear the other side say, "I can't hear you, you're fading out!"
I thought GV solved it, I thought maybe it's a fluke. But the bottomline is, I'm fading and then dropping calls.
I'm thinking it's an internal antenna issue, andd holding the phone a certain way matters ala the iPhone.
But I'm not sure what the issue is, except that it IS an issue.
Is it Sprint working on the Towers?
Is it the LTE Radio in the S3?
I'm hoping the replacement fixes this crap, But I'm not so sure.

i drop quite a few calls as well in areas that i did not previously before. I am also getting alot of failed call attempts and have to redial the number a 2nd or 3rd time to make the call go through... not sure whats up with that.

if you are refering to making a call and it conects for a second then ends the call.
this is a known issue with sprints network and the samsung galaxy and the nexus lte line of phones
IE the S2, Nexus, LTE, and S3.
Sprint knows about this and is supposedly working on it.
(i have seen this problem with INTL GSM phones but i cant speak to there issue as its a total different radio and software)
IMPO it is an issue with the phones radios and software trying to talk to sprints network and getting booted or disconnecting.
IE its the Little seceret your not suposed to know about
(it affects Making 911 calls to)

My SE4GT hardly had any dropped calls.
My current S3 drops them like crazy.
Multiple times daily from different areas.
I can call from the same location in my room and have multiple fading of the call, then it drops.
I then call again, and it's fine.
This is usually how it goes:
- a call is made
- after a minute or so, the called party says I'm fading.
- I move around, I hold the phone differently, and the called party says ok, I can hear you.
- a few seconds later the called party says hello multiple times, and then says I can't hear you.
- the called party just hangs up the call in disgust, or the call drops
*The interesting thing is that before the call is dropped, and the called party says I'm fading, I can still hear them fine.
Maybe this is a clue to what the issue may be.
Hopefully it's a defective device, and my replacement will fair better. I'll see in a few days.
I say this because my SE4GT worked perfectly, while others dropped calls, from what I've read.

S3 Coverage, Phone / Network Problems - NYC Area
Im in the NYC area and dropping calls all over the place including on the Hutchinson River Pkwy, Henry Hudson Pkwy, Merritt Pkwy, etc.
I'm now testing my replacement and so far it looks like the radio in this phone is garbage on Sprint's network compared to every other Sprint phone I've had going back 5 years. I'll be back in NYC on Monday so I'll try the replacement then but within my home my coverage has evaporated with this phone however another Sprint model is working 100% here (both phones showing 1 bar).
My guess is that this phone is going to fade away on Sprint pretty quickly with the exception of users staying within local metro areas where hand-offs are going to be more limited as they won't be able to support the troubles with it.

I received my replacement S3, and still have the same issues, as I thought I probably would.
I installed the LG8 modem, as it had the LG2 modem as the last one did, so I'll see how that goes,
Looks like a stronger signal, but I'll know for sure shortly.

Biker1 said:
I received my replacement S3, and still have the same issues, as I thought I probably would.
I installed the LG8 modem, as it had the LG2 modem as the last one did, so I'll see how that goes,
Looks like a stronger signal, but I'll know for sure shortly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me know if you find a fix. I'd rather stay with Sprint if possible.

trehouse said:
Let me know if you find a fix. I'd rather stay with Sprint if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely will

I just found this app:
Network Signal Info
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.android.telnet&hl=en
It won't make your signal stronger, but it'll give you some important signal info, in addition to other device info, with a quick look. Includes a really nice widget.

kronium said:
Dropping calls as well. My friend too. The radios suck on this phone, so if you're in a marginal coverage area, you'll be dropping more calls with the S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If my phone continues to drop calls I'll be dropping Sprint. Ive got almost a week left on my 14 day trial. I love the phone but it just won't be with this carrier.

I'm still on LG8, and will know if it resolved the dropping call issues by early next week, and if the cause was LG2.
I don't know why the cause of the dropping of calls has not been addressed by Sprint or Samsung yet.
It appears to be an issue that was not an issue with the Samsung Epic 4G Touch.
What's going on?
I hope it is a Modem issue.
We'll see.
I'm not seeing a whole lot about this issue on the web, or on xda, unless I missed the discussions.

Confirmed Fix:
As mentioned previously, I flashed the LG8 Modem from LG2. This has resolved my dropped call issue in at least one area where I was consistently dropping calls since I received my S3. This is Fantastic news for me!
I'm in the -70's into the -60's dB range in the area I am now getting great reception in.
I didn't check the signal dB previously, but was dropping calls All the time in this location.
I have not made many calls from other areas I was dropping calls in as of yet. I'll update when I see how other previous trouble areas are.
LG8 has worked very nicely for me.
Obviously ymmv, depending on your location.
Battery efficiency is the same as before, which has been very good.
Update:
Still dropping calls all over the place, except in the area stated above.
I have never had such horrendous dropped call issues in the 14+ years of cell phone usage. At least none that come to mind as wiht e S3.
I already have a trouble ticket filed, but it is to check a tower in one area. I drop calls all over the place.
My 2nd S3, new contract, etc.
This bites Big Time!

Biker1 said:
Confirmed Fix:
As mentioned previously, I flashed the LG8 Modem from LG2. This has resolved my dropped call issue in at least one area where I was consistently dropping calls since I received my S3. This is Fantastic news for me!
I'm in the -70's into the -60's dB range in the area I am now getting great reception in.
I didn't check the signal dB previously, but was dropping calls All the time in this location.
I have not made many calls from other areas I was dropping calls in as of yet. I'll update when I see how other previous trouble areas are.
LG8 has worked very nicely for me.
Obviously ymmv, depending on your location.
Battery efficiency is the same as before, which has been very good.
Update:
Still dropping calls all over the place, except in the area stated above.
I have never had such horrendous dropped call issues in the 14+ years of cell phone usage. At least none that come to mind as wiht e S3.
I already have a trouble ticket filed, but it is to check a tower in one area. I drop calls all over the place.
My 2nd S3, new contract, etc.
This bites Big Time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Resurrecting this thread... totally frustrated with my S3 in Indianapolis. They are rolling out 4G which is great, but if I receive a call, it almost always goes silent after about 15-20 seconds then drops 5-10 seconds later. If I call the person back it seems fine and I usually don't drop the call. I feel like it's been worse since Jellybean. Another Sprint/S3 person in my office has the same issue, but a 3rd person says not that much trouble.
Already filed two complaints with Sprint--but I'm to the point of not answering calls and returning voicemails because of the issue. Sprint says "oh yea, we're working on the towers and it should be fixed". Can't wait for them to call me back and the call drops.
The S3 is great and much better than the S2--but if you can't answer your calls on your phone... I have a problem with that.
I hope anyone else with similar issues has called sprint to tell them to fix the problem. I may try Google Voice for calling to see if that helps, but the constant DTMF tones in the background of GV drive me batty.

Related

Is anyone else's Verizon GNex constantly losing service?

So yesterday I noticed I was constantly losing 4g connection on my Nexus. No problem, 4g has been horrible here for the past week on my Thunderbolt too...probably just a Verizon issue.
Since last night I have noticed that the signal dropping is not just 4g...I'm losing service in general. Dropped calls, failed SMS messages, everything. It happens about every half hour. I'm being told that a lot of calls to me are going straight to VM. I love this phone's features but this morning I'm ready to throw it against a wall. Is anyone else experiencing this? Time to return it to the store for a replacement?
I haven't been losing signal outright, but I am reverting to 3G more often. My Bionic would do this in roughly the same areas, but the more recent radio updates had kept me steady on 4G. Hopefully future updates to the Nexus will do the same!
I think this may have something to do with the radios used on Samsung phones. An update should fix it. Because I just switched from the rezound and I had excellent signal in my house and then I switched to this and there is about a fifteen dbm difference
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
i have reverted to 3G several times randomly.
also i noticed that coming off of wifi, it takes quite a bit of time for 4G to restore itself.
My TB has been doing so in my office for the past couple weeks at least. Noticeable 5-7db loss on CM7. Data loss and weak signal on GNex too. I just deal with it anymore. Ide go back to a damn flip phone if I could
My SGN has a very poor signal strength compared to my T-bolt. The phone was unusable - no data & no bars (-120dbm). When I had data (rarely) it was 1x. After an hour in the store & on the phone with Verizon tech support they have a ticket out on it. We tried different SIM cards & a different phone even. It might be a network thing on their end - for a while at least my phone wasn't showing up as activated & the Baseband I had was not what she showed in the system.
I will let you know what I learn. I want to keep my GSN but not as a paperweight...
same issue
I called verizon and said this is not common. So whenever a phone call is ended and it tries to reconnect to 4G, the phone loses all radio signal. This is completely frustrating.....i have reset to factory(no help). I have replaced the sim card(no help)....this sucks.
UPDATE:: 12/22/2011 went back to the store and swaped out to a new nexus galaxy. All problems are gone, and this phone is working great!!! seems to even have better battery life now. probably because it is not constatly dropping the signal.
No signal here.
Set to 3G only.... no dice. No 4G here, but still no dice with the dual setting.
Had made two calls yesterday after getting home.... both were lacking in call quality, but the calls were completed. I was connected to the extender on the first call, but not on the second (thought it might have injected the noise on the line). The second call wasn't perfect, but a considerable less amount of noise. I do live in a poor signal area and that is why the need for the extender.... I figured the noise on the second call was due to poor signal.
This morning..... no SMS, no voice, no nothing!
I have played with the extender on and off.... and later came to notice lots of posts on this not being a usable combo.
So.... my conclusion. GNex has a horrible radio and if you require an extender, forget it! My DX held a much better signal.
In the end... no matter how cool the SW and HW is, if you can't make a phone call, why have a phone!
This handset is a major FAIL! The fact that VZW screwed the pooch on it and turned a Nexus device into a carrier device sucks balls as well!
EDIT: and oh yeah.... vzw support was worthless on this.
Same exact issues. My wife and I both have the GNex. We can be right next to each other and when I call her it will go straight to VM. If I pick up her phone and call, mine will ring. Afterwards I will be able to call her and it will not go to vm. VERY frustrating! I've had to text her to ask if her phone was ringing and it wasn't, so she would call me.
^ I heard from many Verizon people that its common when phone does not ring and goes straight to voice mail on other devices. Is this really an issue ? If fact it was SO frustrating that they had to switch to Sprint.
Wasnt an issue with my OG Droid or Incredible.
I own a Rezound and side-by-side speed tests show the GN's ping times and speeds are horrible! My GN looses connection often and reconnects are slow, not as bad as the Bionic, but definitely noticeable. Hopefully the radio is software correctable.. Time will tell, hopefully this will happen within my 45 day return period..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
I find my nexus to be going from 4g/3g every once in a while probably some verizon down time
if it doesn't get fixed, I will be going back to the rezound. I love this phone, but not having a good signal in my own house? killer...
I have heard this is a usual problem with samsung phones, but I can always hope it isn't the case as i love this phone.
nosympathy said:
if it doesn't get fixed, I will be going back to the rezound. I love this phone, but not having a good signal in my own house? killer...
I have heard this is a usual problem with samsung phones, but I can always hope it isn't the case as i love this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea Samsung has been known for poor signal strength I ran speed testing my Inc vs my fascinate and then the rezound vs the nexus and every time the HTC phones blew the Samsung phones away
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
I played with the GN at the VZW store today for less than 10 mintres, and it lost its connection while I was handling it. I tried to figure out the cause, as I had a full bar 4G signal on my TB.
I hope this is a quick and simple radio fix, as I really like this phone.
I am waiting a few more weeks to see how this is handled and to check on batt life before I jump over. Never been a Sammy fan, so i am a little cautious.
i have poor signal as well
double post
I turned in my rezound for the Gnex and I am having horrible service at my house as well. With the rezound I had 2-3 bars and with the nexus I go into extended service or no service. I really love this phone as well but if I cant get a signal at my house back to the rezound I go.
Data drops are significantly less on the GN versus the Droid Razr... I would lose data service for 30 minutes at a time on the phone.
In my bedroom, I have two bars of 3G coverage. My thunderbolt had 1 bar, and the Razr I returned had two bars. In general, for me, it has a similar signal to the Razr. HTC phones always have a terrible signal strength for me...
I don't have (or need) 4G coverage where I live. When I go to Austin or SA, I notice that the 4G coverage is less on the GN vs either the Razr or Thunderbolt. However, as I live in an area that won't get 4G anytime soon, this is fine for me...

CDMA GNex Signal Issues

I just got my VZW Galaxy Nexus this last week and I've been experiencing signal issues. Often when check my phone, it will have no signal at all which can take some time to come on, and then its sometimes even longer before I get a data connection of any kind. I am in Lincoln, NE so I have 4G here which works great when it works. Is this a common problem with these phones? I rooted and installed CM9 that day I got it so I want to determine if I have bad hardware that needs to be exchanged or bad software that can be fixed. I found the 4.03 leaked radio on the boards here and flashed it, which has seemed to help some but I still have issues. What is everyone's experience with VZW and the GNex?
Common problem seems to be the complaint of a longer "connect to network" time, both on startup of the phone and if data is lost or switched down from 4G to 3G
The consensus seems to be that its a s/w issue that can be corrected.
Oddly enough, I was standing in the middle of our local shopping mall with no bars, yet did a Google search for "Verizon Wireless" (go figure, right?) and it came right up....no it wasnt cached. Just shows that our bar readings may be inaccurate, so who knows what else might be inaccurate. I also had my phone right next to a demo GNex at the Verizon store, and the demo was showing 2 or 3 bars of 3G, while mine had 1 bar of 4G......so which is better, 1 bar of 4G or 3 bars of 3G? Judging from app download speeds, Id rather have 1 bar of 4G anyday.
I have seen some comments about the bars in the status being in accurate, however when mine has no bars it seems to be that way. I am unable to use the internet, text or call which is an issue for me.
I also should note that I use JuiceDefender to control my data connection. While this should have no bearing on my phone/text connection, I am wondering if it may have some affect on the 4G connection even after I have the screen on for a bit.
I have 4g disabled and haven't had any issues. I'd try disabling it, restart and see if it happens again. Make sure its still disabled after restart.
I've been having big time issues with mine. Lots of time I go to pick up my phone and it has service, decent service, but won't connect to data. Once I'm connected it is not an issue but if I'm on wifi at home, and turn it off, it just doesn't want to connect unless I reboot.
Rooted and tried a new radio. A little better but still has been doing some weird things.
shoman24v said:
I've been having big time issues with mine. Lots of time I go to pick up my phone and it has service, decent service, but won't connect to data. Once I'm connected it is not an issue but if I'm on wifi at home, and turn it off, it just doesn't want to connect unless I reboot.
Rooted and tried a new radio. A little better but still has been doing some weird things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How long have you had yours? My biggest question that I'm trying to answer right now is if I have subpar hardware. Since the phone is only a week old I know I could return it to stock and easily get VZW to give me a new one. This may not be the case two months from now however.
jst07 said:
How long have you had yours? My biggest question that I'm trying to answer right now is if I have subpar hardware. Since the phone is only a week old I know I could return it to stock and easily get VZW to give me a new one. This may not be the case two months from now however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had it since it's been released. The newer leaked radio is better, but it also does weird things too. I don't know if this is because I'm in a 4G town or what.
I don't get 4G where I live, but my buddies with a Bionic and Rezound do here at my house, albeit it's very sketchy for them.
Thing is, I'll have good 3G signal if I'm driving, but for some reason (at least with the original radio) it wouldn't connect. Still testing.
So far the newer radio has been better, but hasn't fixed my issue.
at my house it sucks a few blocks down or anywhere else its rock solid so i just wifi at home better for battery anyway
I hit dead zones where i really shouldnt be. Downgraded from 4.03 to 4.02 and the jury is still out. Might be overall software issue like OP said.
shoman24v said:
I've had it since it's been released. The newer leaked radio is better, but it also does weird things too. I don't know if this is because I'm in a 4G town or what.
I don't get 4G where I live, but my buddies with a Bionic and Rezound do here at my house, albeit it's very sketchy for them.
Thing is, I'll have good 3G signal if I'm driving, but for some reason (at least with the original radio) it wouldn't connect. Still testing.
So far the newer radio has been better, but hasn't fixed my issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear you're having the same problem, but I am glad to hear this sounds like a correctable software issue and not isolated bad hardware. Hopefully VZW will make some improvements to their LTE network and get some radio updates for us soon. I'm in the same boat as you, the 4.03 leaked update was a definite improvement, but a far cry from being a total fix.
As for when my data connection is working...holy hell is LTE fast. I'm clocking it in at 12-16Mb/s, which is killing even my home cable connection. I was confused as to why something seemed slower when I was at home using wifi. I disabled my wifi altogether since I'm lucky enough to have an unlimited data plan still.
Big issue
I have replaced three verizon Galaxy nexus's....all of which, each day i switched...i was either on the phone with a tech dude or (2 of them) one on one at the verizon corporate store.
All of them confirmed that there is a reception issue.
I reside on long island...specifically in the nassau area...4 towers around me..its HEAVILY 4g and 3g...3g is lower than 1mb...i actually never reached 1mb.
ever rep said its 'odd' and 'seems wrong'
now i love this phone...the one i have now..no different then the others..and unfortunately im waiting for the one i mailed to reach them ..to switch yet again.
the problem is..idk if i can handle this issue (4g drops to 3g and has to manually move back which takes forever..and very very slow pick up on any of them)
i want to believe this can be solved by a radio update..but judging by the insane amount of tries i have (every type on every version 4.0.1, 4.0.2 and 4.0.3 with kk6..there is no improvement,
im praying its a software..im waiting..and i have a feeling come january 15th...when everyone who has the phone is officially locked in it and loses the worry free exchange..is when verizon or samsung will actually admit whatever problem this is.
what kills me is i left tmobile for this (7+years) all nexus's ,,all unreal connections with free tethering and $65 a month (tax included)...my wife took my plan...and i took hers (she is grandfathered into unlimited data)
Now she has a sgs2...clocking in at 12mbs at home..ON AVERAGE...with fasstt radio switching...mine is unbelievably unstable sometimes can hit that but averages at 6-8. and in this house my wife got amazing connections on her previous 4g phone. very odd stuff, hers to the 4th one being the lucky one!
go figure!
I really wish this phone was more reliable with its signal, and hopefully VZW will get it taken care of. I'm debating about calling in to talk to a tech, but I'm not sure if I even want to because I don't expect anything to be done, and I don't want to swap phones for another one with the same issue. At the same time, I think I'd rather have this phone with some issues over the Rezound or Razr (once you go ICS, you can never go back)

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Reception and Call quality

Hi,
I am looking to buy Samsung Galaxy Nexus and upgrade my Verizon contract. I didn't see good reviews for this phone. I heard lot of complaints about poor signal reception, call quality and battery life (reviews like PCMAG and others). I am not too worried about the camera but if the signal and call dropping is real problem, then I don't think it's worth considering this phone.
Anyone experienced any issues? If so, is there a fix?
Please help me making a decision.
Thanks,
Kala
i havent had any issues with call dropping or anything like that
signal in my area is very very strong (full LTE coverage, full bars) so i cant comment on that part
I get full bars of 4G where I live, and 30mb/s, but then again I live in Manhattan.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Not sure where you're looking at reviews, but Verizon, Amazon, Best Buy, and WireFly all average ratings of 4+ out of 5.
FWIW, I live in OKC and came from an LG Revolution that always had full strength. My Gnex seams to normally have 2/3 out of 4 bars, but I've never lost signal and get the same speeds I did on the Revo.
I've never had a dropped call on this phone. I live in Tucson and I get 2-3 bars of 4g usually at around 20mb/s.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
The thing that messes measurements up for people, and has unjustly lead to a poor reputation, is:
1) Non-4.0 phones never report LTE signal strength. They will always show CDMA signal strength. Since the LTE network is a lot patchier than it should be given the low frequency it operates on, people assume the 10db difference is due to phones. It is not (google AnandTech Galaxy Nexus if you want to see an exhaustive test). Switching the phone to CDMA-only will put it on-par with other devices.
2) The phone uses considerable hysteresis (averaging the signal over a period of time) when calculating its signal strength. You literally have to two phones next to each other and wait for 10 seconds for the GN to accrue enough data to give you an accurate reading. Most phones will give you the last reported strength, so you'll see the dbm reading change every half second based on slight changes in angle and atmospheric conditions.
The Nexus is at least as good as the OG Motorola Droid (the only phone I've compared it to side-by-side), with a variance of +/-3 dbm, which is probably within the margin of error for these things. And at least in my experience, it will NOT drop a call. I've held calls in areas that had almost no signal (zero bars, -120dbm reading), and while the call got choppy when I ducked under some steel structures, it didn't disconnect. Having used AT&T, T-Mobile and US Cellular recently, I don't know if it's phone or network, but it's impressive.
Just make sure you close apps with ads on them through multi-tasking button (swipe them away), turn GPS off, turn 4G off and battery will last you an entire day with texts, calls, web serving and playing apps. No dropped call or signal issues, camera doesnt focus that well even after touching the auto focus. I would buy this phone again in a heartbeat.
I had two of these. The first wouldn't charge. It also kept loosing the 4G signal. This meant dropped calls and messages not being sent. I picked up a "New" replacement and the phone charged fine. The dropped signal issue persisted with the new device. BTW, I'm in Albuquerque NM.
I tried several radios, but to no avail. The call quality isnt very good either. I really wanted to keep the phone, but have no use for a device that will only work flawlessly on 3G. I was even willing to sacrifice call quality because I don't talk very much on my phone.
Google the Nexus and connection issues. You'll get a grip of links to read about signal loss. The problem seems to be area specific. You may have no problems. I now have the Galaxy Note. Works well, but ATT is slower than VZW in my area (No LTE). The call quality is the best I've ever experienced. Now waiting for ICS.
Steve
A far as call quality goes, on the Verizon GNex, it's really awful. I often find myself asking people to repeat themselves a lot more than I should. My old Samsung Solstice (feature phone) had much better call quality but then again that was on AT&T. Also until it's fixed you have to deal with people on the other end of the conversation occasionally not being able to hear you, its happened to me twice now.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
You are insenuating it is the network that affects your call quality.
It is not. I don't think anyone will argue that a feature phone is better as a phone, than a smartphone is, as a phone. Call quality is not the reason you buy a smartphone.
I have had nothing but problems w the lte gnex. In side by side comparison between the gnex, Droid 4 and the stratosphere the gnex will say -120 dbm while the others will b in the -75 to -85 range. On top of that the othe to phones hold on to 4g much better. In places where the nexus has -120 dbm 3g signal pulling 500kbs the other 2 phones have nearly full 4g bars pulling 25mbs. On top of that the nexus can take up to 10mins to switch from 4g to 3g and vice versa while the others take 30 secs max. The gnex is the best phone I've had but after 2 replacements and trying every radio combo available I just cant deal with this BS any more
I have similar experience. While I can receive a signal about 80% of the time with the 4G network, while I am on that network, my call voice quality is horrible. What I hear is fine, what other people hear from my voice is unacceptable. I have been on Verizon tech support, many days and hours trying to get this resolved.
From what I have read above, I have to agree with everyone that is trying to say that this is not a network issue. I agree. it is the phone, plain and simple. I used the Galaxy S II, and that is possibly the best phone I have ever owned. That was on the Sprint network. I had to switch to Verizon because where I moved, I had no Sprint signal. When I switched to Verizon, that phone was not available. I chose the Nexus. I should have waited for the S3.
I don't know what to do at this point. 4 months of phone replacement, SIM card replacement, PRL updates, Phone OS updates, etc. Verizon is calling me back again tomorrow in the continuing saga of call quality diagnostics...
I will try to keep everyone up to date, if you are interested.
No problems here. After the 4.0.4 update the random reboots stopped. Calls have always been clear, and even clearer after the update. Recently upgraded my wife's phone to a GNex and same deal - no problems. Were in and out of 4g in the Puget Sound area and switching is not an issue. Happens fast and for the most part flawless. Only on a few rare occasions does the phone seem confused and stop getting a data connection for a few minutes.
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium
bad radio?
I have had issues with outbound call quality. The person on the other end says I sound like Charlie Brown's teacher, Wawahwa wa wawwa. First time it happened I went to Verizon and they swapped out the SIM. Good to go for a couple weeks then it started again. Back to VZW and they sent a replacement phone which i transferred the second SIM to. Great for a few weeks and back to VZW for a THIRD SIM. This morning I got the OTA 4.2.2 and Im back in class with Charlie. Im wondering if its the radio at this point...ideas?
the issue is the radio.
I 100% hated this phone.
I had it for almost 2 years and I've been threw 3 of them, all had the worst call quality Ive ever seen in a phone. to the point it couldnt even make a phone call. random screeching sounds, dropped calls, I would hear the person but they wouldnt hear me. I had to take it back for the USB plug on it breaking, had a REAL bad screen once where it would burn in after being on for not even 10 secs. Nothing but problems
I have real strong signal strength in my area so having on these issues is un called for and NOT looking good on verizon.
I hated this phone so much I ended up buying a GS3 on ebay and never looked back
I do NOT recommend this phone to anybody.

Call Dropping

Hi All,
Loving this phone so far, but one that that really bothered me is the call drops and the signal reception on this phone. Coming from a S4, I had no problem making calls in the house, but after I switched to ONE, I get drop calls all the time. Anyone else running into this issue with call dropping and low reception? Thanks!
I can chime in on this a little with some different insight. I fly small planes (172's etc) and I have a Bose bluetooth headset that allows me to take calls. With my rezound it was amazing where I could get coverage. Sometimes 5000 feet above the ground.
Yesterday I flew a normal flight path and was without data for most of the flight and without cell at times too. I was only 1500 feet above the ground. Verizon's bubbles are much larger than sprints. I can tell you that my phone with sprint was useless in the air at all. That was the number one reason I ended up on vzw.
I am hoping a radio update fixes some of these issues. For now, they are definitely flaky at best.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
There are a few threads already about reception issues. It seems... Sporadic. Some people have issues, some don't. Me personally, my One has just as good of reception as any other phone I have had. No issues at all here.
Sent from my HTC One.
Call Dropping Issue on unlocked AT&T Samsung S3(SGH I747)
Hi There,
I am using This unlocked mobile in India. This has the problem of Call dropping issues most of the time. If every one wants to reach me, it just give the message of not reachable.
I put a app called USSD/MMi code fix from App store. But , it only shows the network provider and the signal level. But yet this issue was not solved.
Give some more fixes for this issue.

Poor signal ?

Hey guys,
I have had a couple people complain that when I was talking with them with my Note 4, I was breaking up several times. I think I was home every time someone complained that I was breaking up.
This is my first phone ever with Verizon and so far the data signal has been flawless, always super fast. I am worried though that my radio signal on the phone isn't good, possibly a defective phone?
When I got into work this morning I left myself a 2 minute voicemail on my work phone and played it back to see if it was breaking up. I played it back and it was perfect.
Could my house just be a "bad spot" in the area? I'm in West Bend, about 30 minutes north of Milwaukee. My signal at home was about -101dbm and its about the same at work. If my signal/service is going to suck at home thats going to be pretty annoying.
Is there a number that I can call to update the towers? I know this helped on occasion when I still was with US Cellular.
PS. My wife got the exact same phone, I'll have to check to see what her signal strength is.
Thoughts?
thegipper said:
Hey guys,
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, I've moved your thread to Q&A as it's pretty clearly a question.
Thanks.
Do you have a case of any kind on your phone? If so, which one.
No case on my phone. So my wife just called me from home who also has a white note 4 and sure enough, the call dropped twice from her. When she is in the living room, it appears to be fine (I called from my work land line phone) but if she moves into our kitchen, the call starts breaking up.
My brother said my voice was breaking up too when I called him yesterday, also from my kitchen.
This makes it sound like its not the phone, but the signal in my area. This is troubling to me because we are in a town of 30k+ just 20 miles north of Milwaukee. We have never had a single call issue with US cellular or straight talk.
What should I do at this point?
thegipper said:
No case on my phone. So my wife just called me from home who also has a white note 4 and sure enough, the call dropped twice from her. When she is in the living room, it appears to be fine (I called from my work land line phone) but if she moves into our kitchen, the call starts breaking up.
My brother said my voice was breaking up too when I called him yesterday, also from my kitchen.
This makes it sound like its not the phone, but the signal in my area. This is troubling to me because we are in a town of 30k+ just 20 miles north of Milwaukee. We have never had a single call issue with US cellular or straight talk.
What should I do at this point?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I first joined with Verizon, I was having a lot of issue with poor signal and dropped calls. I called them to complain, and they told me that I could either get out of my contract, or they'd give me a network extender. Because at home was the only place where I was having issues with the service, I opted for the network extender. The one that they gave me was refurbished, but it has worked fine for over two years.
Your mileage may vary, but calling them to complain is definitely worth a try.
usmaak said:
When I first joined with Verizon, I was having a lot of issue with poor signal and dropped calls. I called them to complain, and they told me that I could either get out of my contract, or they'd give me a network extender. Because at home was the only place where I was having issues with the service, I opted for the network extender. The one that they gave me was refurbished, but it has worked fine for over two years.
Your mileage may vary, but calling them to complain is definitely worth a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I did. I told them that my 14 days is almost up and I want them to make a note on my account that if my signal doesn't improve at home, then I can cancel my service.
She did bring up a network extender but I said there is no way I'm paying for that. If they would be willing to give me one to use at home I would be ok with that.
So far I'm not happy with Verizon's coverage, which is funny, because that is what they are known for.
We have never had a single call reception issue when we had US cellular and Straight talk.
grr...
thegipper said:
That's exactly what I did. I told them that my 14 days is almost up and I want them to make a note on my account that if my signal doesn't improve at home, then I can cancel my service.
She did bring up a network extender but I said there is no way I'm paying for that. If they would be willing to give me one to use at home I would be ok with that.
So far I'm not happy with Verizon's coverage, which is funny, because that is what they are known for.
We have never had a single call reception issue when we had US cellular and Straight talk.
grr...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So they didn't give you the extender? They were very accommodating a couple of years ago when I called. They acted like they actually wanted to keep me. They were going to let me cancel AND keep the two S3s that I had just gotten. Before that, I had Sprint, and I'd have gone to two tin cans and string before I'd have spent another day with Sprint.
I used to live in Illinois, and aside from the area right near my house, the signal was pretty good. I'm in Colorado now, and Verizon out here is an entirely different story. LTE is a joke where I live. I get a decent signal, but download speeds are sometimes worse than 3g. There are only four communities out here with XLTE. I was considering going to TMob or ATT, so I asked some of my neighbors. They all said to stick with Verizon, so here I am.
They are going to have technical support first check the towers or something to that extent. She started a ticket for my complaint and are going to get back to me within 24-48 hours. If it doesn't improve, then we are going to talk about an extender. So far the only reception issues that I appear to be having is in my house.
Whats weird is the signal strength is the same at home as it is at work. I called my land line from my cell phone at work and left a 3 minute message of me babbling and not once did it ever break up. If the strength is the same, why is it cutting in and out and dropping calls at home?
Hopefully they can resolve this. They are going to give me an extender for free or I'm dropping them.
Sounds like a problem tower, or a tower that's too far away. Or a tower that's overly congested.
Well I hope they can fix it. Kind of ridiculous that I can't get a reliable signal in my own house in a town of 30k people.
Signal on mine is a little better than the S4. Call and text range is great.
I am happy with the signal overall.
I have noticed that people tend to not hear me at all when I have a call open to them
Alot of the times as I'm talking the opposite side keeps talking back words like "Hello, hello.. are you still there?" and all the while I can hear them perfectly. I swapped my Note 4 for a new one at the store and for a while I was good until today the samw thing happened again. Im beginning to worry that the antenna reception on this phone is not as good my old Galaxy S4.
Really hope it is just a software problem that can be corrected. I live in Finland and I have a non branded and non sim-locked Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

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