Hello, all! This question is for those of you out there who are in cities where T-Mobile is implementing LTE. What effect (if any) have you seen so far on the battery life of your Note II while receiving the LTE signal, in comparison to 4G or 3G signals? Thanks!
Haven't seen any adverse effects at all
LTE draws more signal. Not as much as it did for me on Verizon but it does use more battery.
CARBON NIGHTLIES | KROZ THEMES | CABIN FEVER MAPLE WHISKY
Since it went live here in Minneapolis, my battery has been getting killed. I usually get a day and a half, almost two days of pretty heavy usage, but I'm lucky to get the full day now. I can live with it because it is smoking fast and most of my old phones barely got a day, so I'm still happy, I just have to be better about plugging it in while in the car now.
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Both phones set to CDMA EVDO only, no LTE radios active. Location is 3G EHRPD enabled, but does not have any 4G towers for miles. I held both phones the exact same way in the exact same location within 30 seconds of each other to record my results.
Signal Test:
Galaxy Nexus 3G Signal Strength: 0-1 bars, -120dbm 99 asu - -100dbm 1 asu
Thunderbolt 3G Signal Strength: 1-3 bars, -94dbm 2 asu - -85dbm 2 asu
Bandwidth Test:
Galaxy Nexus 3G Bandwidth: 0.86mbps down, 0.54mbps up
Thunderbolt 3G Bandwidth: 2.94mbps down, 0.56mbps up
Bandwidth test was the best of 3 runs using www.speakeasy.net/speedtest connecting to New York, NY. Current location is central NJ.
My Galaxy Nexus is running stock 4.0.4 with the newest radios and bootloader, along with Imo's kernel 2.4.1 exp2.
Honestly, after having my Thunderbolt for 8 months, coming to this supposed better phone and having these kind of radio problems is just appalling. The Thunderbolt was always railed for being the pioneer of LTE radios, and for getting weak signal. Well after these tests I am not sure what to believe besides the truth that is sitting in front of me. My brand spanking new Google phone has by far the worst radio I've ever seen in a Verizon smartphone.
I'm going to be hopeful in getting an update that may resolve these radio issues, but the realist in me tells me this is 100% hardware.
I'd like to get some results from other Verizon Galaxy Nexus users running 3G to see what kind of dbm and bar signal, as well as what kind of bandwidth you guys are getting. I am very disappointed and want to know if it's a hardware defect or if this phones radios' really are this bad
Meh. The Qualcomm radios in both of these phones are in fact ****. I think the build of the Galaxy Nexus (whether it be physical or software) has something to do with it. Maybe Samsung herp derped the position of the radios or Google took a **** on the blobs.
Regardless, its a great phone and still gets better data speeds than every other carrier and phone. -coughs- iPhone users -coughs-
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Except it doesn't get the best data speeds of any other phones, as my test results conclude.
Even on 4G I've nabbed 40mbps down 15mbps up bandwidth tests on that same exact Thunderbolt when I was in a good signal 4G area. How much have most GN users hit on 4G? 30mbps down?
This phone is a great micro-tablet, but as a phone it is heavily lacking.
DaRkL3AD3R said:
Except it doesn't get the best data speeds of any other phones, as my test results conclude.
Even on 4G I've nabbed 40mbps down 15mbps up bandwidth tests on that same exact Thunderbolt when I was in a good signal 4G area. How much have most GN users hit on 4G? 30mbps down?
This phone is a great micro-tablet, but as a phone it is heavily lacking.
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Really, cause I have seen people getting upwards of 50mb/s on the Nexus (seems like most of them live in NYC).
Not to mention I was talking about people on other carriers.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Other carriers is a given, but that really isn't what the point of this comparison is. The point is I'm holding two phones on the same carrier, at the same time, the same way, and one performs multitudes greater performance than the other. Has nothing to do with other carriers.
Fact is this phones radio is junk. You can have a quad core 1080p Super AMOLED Plus screen and 2GB of RAM, the best GPU on the market and 128GB of space, but if it can't hold a signal to save YOUR life, then what good is it at as a phone?
Samsung/Google needs to get on this right now and fix this phones radio. I'm just worried that it can't be fixed through a software OTA...
And I'd also like some speed comparisons, namely 3G, from other Verizon GN users if possible please.
On 3g i used to get about -75 at worst with thunderbolt at my house. Currently getting -93 at best with two different galaxy nexus. Usually worse. Used to have a stable 4g signal too. Now it drops after a few seconds
johnprevite said:
On 3g i used to get about -75 at worst with thunderbolt at my house. Currently getting -93 at best with two different galaxy nexus. Usually
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That sounds about right... very disappointed in these radios.
I get the same -120dbm, 99asu with my Nexus at home, where I would get around 95dbm on my old Tbolt. I think the antenna/radio gives up signal quicker at the fringe distances faster on the Nexus - if I go into a city I get the signal strength I am supposed to get. I have a theory that part of the problem may lie with Verizon's use of old Alltel towers (I'm on the VA/NC border) - The signal in my area is consistently weak, but I've gone to other rural areas & gotten good strength. Perhaps Samsung/VZW will give us a software update on the phones...and perhaps when they upgrade our towers around here for LTE it might straighten up the tower's overall firmware...But we probably wont get LTE here until 2020.
strongergravity said:
I get the same -120dbm, 99asu with my Nexus at home, where I would get around 95dbm on my old Tbolt. I think the antenna/radio gives up signal quicker at the fringe distances faster on the Nexus - if I go into a city I get the signal strength I am supposed to get. I have a theory that part of the problem may lie with Verizon's use of old Alltel towers (I'm on the VA/NC border) - The signal in my area is consistently weak, but I've gone to other rural areas & gotten good strength. Perhaps Samsung/VZW will give us a software update on the phones...and perhaps when they upgrade our towers around here for LTE it might straighten up the tower's overall firmware...But we probably wont get LTE here until 2020.
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LTE will cover Verizon's current 3G footprint by the end of 2013, FYI.
Here's hoping!
Sent from my A500 using xda premium
That's right I am on Sprint with no LTE, and I have a Photon. I plan on picking up a GSIII Sunday in a Sprint store. This may sound crazy to some of you, but for me it makes perfect sense. I don't get Wimax inside my home, but can get it outside sometimes here in the Bronx, NYC. I tried and liked the weight feel, and fluidity of the EVO 4G LTE. After researching it seems like the SGIII may be the phone to get based on over all performance and software enhancements. I have also experienced 1.5 mbs up and down on 3G in this area, and feel we will have LTE soon.
After using the EVO LTE "I am compelled to ditch" my trusty Photon for a GSIII. I do this for the software fluidity, and multimedia enhancements as well. I use my phone mostly for calling and rarely use Wimax unless I am out in the city any way. When NYC is lit up with LTE I will have unlimited data, and a great phone until this happens. If I want a better phone at the years end I will sell this for only a Galaxy Nexus and add to a second line! My last Premier upgrade is July 1, 2012.
When I factor in the fact that S4GRU reports that NYC will be lit up by October, and my upgrade is due now I decided not to wait and push my 2014 upgrade back until October. Also the fact that Sprint's service suffices enough for me to stay for the unlimited data, and LTE at an affordable rate. a win win scenario "for me"! I know that Sprint has already broadcast that they will light up the LTE in the 4-5 1st round major markets July 15th 2012.
I had phone phone (evo lte and GS3) Evo lte even tho is only a month old got a lot development going for it already, GS3 none really but no one almost has it yet, on performance I see both phones as fast, but the multitasking is so much better on GS3, is more like the galaxy nexus, it keeps apps in background for the longest and the screen is better on the evo lte, speaker is louder on gs3 but for some reason clarity goes to the evo lte, on network part I do not have any idea because I switch carriers because slow speeds my GS3 is on tmobile and even tho I like the phone now, I always wanted my Evo lte on tmobile cause it is a great phone... Anyways both phones are amazing but I would get the GS3 just to make sure you future proof with hose 2gb of ram
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
jgalan14 said:
I had phone phone (evo lte and GS3) Evo lte even tho is only a month old got a lot development going for it already, GS3 none really but no one almost has it yet, on performance I see both phones as fast, but the multitasking is so much better on GS3, is more like the galaxy nexus, it keeps apps in background for the longest and the screen is better on the evo lte, speaker is louder on gs3 but for some reason clarity goes to the evo lte, on network part I do not have any idea because I switch carriers because slow speeds my GS3 is on tmobile and even tho I like the phone now, I always wanted my Evo lte on tmobile cause it is a great phone... Anyways both phones are amazing but I would get the GS3 just to make sure you future proof with hose 2gb of ram
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
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Glad to hear this....thanks man
I went to the Sprint store 10:00 am Sunday morning to get my unit. The antenna on this phone is pretty darn good. It isn't too far removed from the Photo that I have. I compare signal -dbm strength and they are literally within -2 dbms and most times the very same -dbm and signal strength in poor reception areas.
After it discharged the 1st hour because of app down loads and updates from my SD card it went 10.5 hours under mild use 15% talk 35% screen time, listening to music. The phone looks way better in person and feels nice to hold. It is a bit slippery though.
I was leary of Samsung's phone after othe r issues kept flaring up in the GNEX, and SGII CDMA phones in the US. The GPS seems to lock on effortlessly, and the antenna signal is excellent for me so far. In my home signal from sprint is weak down stairs on the lower level and it received the same -dbm and bar strength as my Photon.
Phone calls are clear, and most importantly my Blue tooth's/Blue Ant T1/Q2 doesn't keep seem to disconnect sporadically as it did before.
Don't be afraid to get this phone.....This or the EVO LTE are both great phones and it's user choice in my opinion. So far I am happy that I bought this product!
I was also able to achieve 1.92 mbs down, and 1096 kbps upload on 3G here in the Bronx NYC near the Throggsneck Bridge! Network vision is a coming LTE I am waiting ok! I feel confident I will be basking in LTE signal very soon. S4RGU reports NYC market should be live by October.
If I can get 1.92mbs down all the time until then I'd be a happy camper for now!
QWIKSTRIKE said:
I went to the Sprint store 10:00 am Sunday morning to get my unit. The antenna on this phone is pretty darn good. It isn't too far removed from the Photo that I have. I compare signal -dbm strength and they are literally within -2 dbms and most times the very same -dbm and signal strength in poor reception areas.
After it discharged the 1st hour because of app down loads and updates from my SD card it went 10.5 hours under mild use 15% talk 35% screen time, listening to music. The phone looks way better in person and feels nice to hold. It is a bit slippery though.
I was leary of Samsung's phone after othe r issues kept flaring up in the GNEX, and SGII CDMA phones in the US. The GPS seems to lock on effortlessly, and the antenna signal is excellent for me so far. In my home signal from sprint is weak down stairs on the lower level and it received the same -dbm and bar strength as my Photon.
Phone calls are clear, and most importantly my Blue tooth's/Blue Ant T1/Q2 doesn't keep seem to disconnect sporadically as it did before.
Don't be afraid to get this phone.....This or the EVO LTE are both great phones and it's user choice in my opinion. So far I am happy that I bought this product!
I was also able to achieve 1.92 mbs down, and 1096 kbps upload on 3G here in the Bronx NYC near the Throggsneck Bridge! Network vision is a coming LTE I am waiting ok! I feel confident I will be basking in LTE signal very soon. S4RGU reports NYC market should be live by October.
If I can get 1.92mbs down all the time until then I'd be a happy camper for now!
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Glad to hear this, I'm also in the Bronx but I get horrible speeds in my house using the EVO lte, not too bad outside. I'm waiting on the store to open so I can make the switch to the GS3
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Iphony89 said:
Glad to hear this, I'm also in the Bronx but I get horrible speeds in my house using the EVO lte, not too bad outside. I'm waiting on the store to open so I can make the switch to the GS3
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
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You must switch from Tmobile Avatar to Sprint.lol I posted this information for people like your self in NYC, and also for people that want to know about antenna signal. I am very pleased about antenna RF reception, and GPS signal. I am only wishing that I could have got it for 149.00 from radio shack. They didn't know when they would get it, and I figured with Apple trying to ban every thing I better get one before supplies die out!
I'm on CyanogenMod 10.1 nighlies on my nexus and the signal I get is terrible and my city has good lte coverage. Like I turn data off usually except when I need it so it doesn't drain my battery but sometimes when I push the data toggle to on it doesn't even turn on data. It shows the bars but i can't use 3g/4g. Anybody else have this problem and does anyone know how to fix it? I came to the nexus from an s3 cause it stopped working so I had to find a cheap phone off eBay to use until I get the galaxy s4 in august and I have to say the signal on the s3 was soooo much better than the nexus.
The signal bars on the gnex are calculated currently from other phones, so it will often appear that you have a worse signal than other devices. That's not to day that the gnex's radios are on par with the s3 - they're not quite as good, but they're not horrible.
I currently have the Note 2, with some reception and call sound quality issues. I was wondering if anyone has made a jump from the 2 to 4, and if they found that the above issues were improved.
I don't want to waste the time testing the device out, not to mention the hassle with dealing with Sprint support in trying to get a refund and renew my upgrade option.
As a short example of my current issues. My reception varies greatly, but in general I see a lot of 3G. Especially in any indoor areas, reception is pretty weak. Usually at the 2mb/s and under range. Call audio is also a huge issue since day one, and people often can't hear me, and they usually sound garbled, etc.
Any thoughts are much appreciated.
Hey! I jumped from the s3 a couple weeks ago and yeah I have seen a serious improvement! The new LTE spark for sprint is actually really good. I mean speed wise it's average like normal LTE but reception wise its alot better. I get it even in my basement. I would suggest making the jump. Totally worth it. (PS 3g speeds are also a lot more consistent for me, it could be tower improvements or something but the new phone has helped a lot) and if you have spark in your local area I would highly recommend the leap!
Thanks for the response.
I really don't want to renew with Sprint if it's going to be the "same ol' experience, different device". They keep telling me I have multiple towers in the immediate area of my home that are fully upgraded, yet I've seen no improvement in service.
I had the Galaxy S III and got the Note 4 - not the comparison you were looking for but I'll share my experience. I live in Seattle, where Sprint is expanding LTE coverage. But my S III reception was never great. Driving around today, I was in one area where my Speedtest result was 48Mbps download, almost twice what I see on my home Comcast network. Measurements in the 10-20Mbps were more the usual case. But compared to my S III, both reception and download speeds are significantly improved - this alone made the upgrade worth it to me. I couldn't be happier with this device at the moment.
I have a Sprint Note 4. In many locations I can pickup 4g LTE/Spark but my speeds are not very high. I currently moved and now can barely pickup LTE and get very slow 3g speeds which which both keeps getting disconnected and losing signal. Whenever I do pickup LTE I gets speeds under 2mbps but like I said, it will lose connection. Now I know people are thinking it's just my new location.... I just recently upgraded my wife's line to the Sprint Note 5. Her Note 5 in the same location picks up LTE/Spark and never drops while getting speeds around 21-27mbps.
Is anyone else having same issues? Are there any ROMS out there with radio updates that will give me good stable connections?
I believe mine has had radio issues for awhile no matter what I do. I just received a Nexus 6p and the difference with the radio seems to be night and day. I'll be doing more testing for the next 2 weeks.
imoua said:
I have a Sprint Note 4. In many locations I can pickup 4g LTE/Spark but my speeds are not very high. I currently moved and now can barely pickup LTE and get very slow 3g speeds which which both keeps getting disconnected and losing signal. Whenever I do pickup LTE I gets speeds under 2mbps but like I said, it will lose connection. Now I know people are thinking it's just my new location.... I just recently upgraded my wife's line to the Sprint Note 5. Her Note 5 in the same location picks up LTE/Spark and never drops while getting speeds around 21-27mbps.
Is anyone else having same issues? Are there any ROMS out there with radio updates that will give me good stable connections?
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Honestly, I think it is Sprint service as hard as that is for me to say as I love Sprint. I lived in Newark NJ for years, Sprint Spark is VERY strong there (Newark was one of the pilot areas for Spark). Almost every day I seemed to have different results, one day its blazing, the next not so good. Now i live in Bloomingdale NJ where there is ONLY CDMA, here is the weird part, its extremely strong, no issues, sometimes stronger than when I was in Newark with Sprint Spark (LTE). This happens on either STOCK Note 4 Touchwiz OR CM/CMRemix (AOSP). So to me it feels like it is the network and areas I am in.
Now you could say its just the Note 4 and not the Sprint service, EXCEPT the EXACT same behavior happened on my Note 2, in CDMA or LTE WITH SPARK - Touchwiz or AOSP.
GROOVYJOSHCLARK said:
Honestly, I think it is Sprint service as hard as that is for me to say as I love Sprint. I lived in Newark NJ for years, Sprint Spark is VERY strong there (Newark was one of the pilot areas for Spark). Almost every day I seemed to have different results, one day its blazing, the next not so good. Now i live in Bloomingdale NJ where there is ONLY CDMA, here is the weird part, its extremely strong, no issues, sometimes stronger than when I was in Newark with Sprint Spark (LTE). This happens on either STOCK Note 4 Touchwiz OR CM/CMRemix (AOSP). So to me it feels like it is the network and areas I am in.
Now you could say its just the Note 4 and not the Sprint service, EXCEPT the EXACT same behavior happened on my Note 2, in CDMA or LTE WITH SPARK - Touchwiz or AOSP.
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For some reason, I'm starting to be able to pickup more LTE service now. Half the day will be on 3G while other half of LTE. My wifes Note 5 has dropped in speeds to anywhere between 3mbps-10mbps but still always connected to LTE all day. -_- Starting to hate Sprint.
imoua said:
For some reason, I'm starting to be able to pickup more LTE service now. Half the day will be on 3G while other half of LTE. My wifes Note 5 has dropped in speeds to anywhere between 3mbps-10mbps but still always connected to LTE all day. -_- Starting to hate Sprint.
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Yeah it boggles me too sometimes it works and sometimes not
You have to remember network capacity and interference. These are huge factors. The best time to speed test is during off-peak hours. After 23.1 GB on unlimited plans there is a softcap during peak times. Also, take into account upgrades to the network due to Sprints Network Vision which cost billions of dollars to upgrade towers. This doesnt happen overnight. Patience ladies and gents.