Develop Bugs

[Q] New aluminum case.. reception issues?

Hey guys... new member and user here. Just got my first smartphone, Samsung Focus, last thursday. I've got a few other questions but I'll get to the most important ones first.
I just received my new case.. a Monaco aluminum case. I did a lot of research and although there is very little info on this one, it definitely appears to be the most well designed. In the youtube review of it, they noted how the developer specifically cut ports in the case to allow for signal strength to be unaffected.
I just got the case and was thrilled with the fit and everything. but then for the first time since having the phone i'm having messages not sending. however it still says i have good signal reception. i then took the case off and had mixed results. put the case back on and had no issues for a bit.. now i'm having issues again. i have had random bursts of good and bad reception in my room where I am.
So is there possibly an app that tests exact reception strength or something? I'd really like a direct comparison with and without the case. By just looking at my bars up top, they don't seem to be affected with and without the case.

Anyone? Surely there must be a way to determine actual signal strength aside from just the bars up top, no?

If you have a metal case which more or less surrounds your aerial, then you basically have a Faraday Cage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage
...which will significantly reduce the signal received by the phone. Especially if you are holding it and are well grounded. If you're wearing thick rubber-soled boots, that's a bad ground. If you're barefoot, that's a good one.
Basically a metal case isn't a very good idea for a mobile phone.

Try this:
Dial ##634#
Tap call
You will now be in the diagnosis app
Now type *#32489#
Press the on-screen back button three (3) times
Tap 9 (it will say Antenna/ADC)
The Antenna signal strength number is displayed in -mD. lower numbers indicate better signal stregth (so -60 is a better signal than -100)
Hope this helps!
Sent from my {Samsung Focus} using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Oscardog777 said:
Try this:
Dial ##634#
Tap call
You will now be in the diagnosis app
Now type *#32489#
Press the on-screen back button three (3) times
Tap 9 (it will say Antenna/ADC)
The Antenna signal strength number is displayed in -mD. lower numbers indicate better signal stregth (so -60 is a better signal than -100)
Hope this helps!
Sent from my {Samsung Focus} using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hell yes! I knew this forum looked useful. How in God's name do you find that diagnostic menu? AT&T or windows function?
Anyway, I wish I had a second eye with me so I can take down all the numbers and run a hypothesis test on the sets of data.
However, just by observations over about 2 minute periods, I see no discernible difference between case and no case. Without the case, the db level seemed to average around 94-95 with a standard deviation of about 10.
If anything, the case seemed to improve reception, though I doubt there's any real truth to it. The reception seemed to average exactly the same as without the case, except I experienced less stray values jumping up in the 100's as I noticed without the case. Overall, I'd probably just list those values as outliers as I would probably just contribute them to the incoming signal itself.
I'll try testing again in another location.. however, as of right now, it appears the myth is busted that this case has any impact on signal strength.
Thanks so much for the help!

How in God's name do you find that diagnostic menu? AT&T or windows function?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what these bad-asses do around here. LOL

cgibsong002 said:
Hell yes! I knew this forum looked useful. How in God's name do you find that diagnostic menu? AT&T or windows function?
Anyway, I wish I had a second eye with me so I can take down all the numbers and run a hypothesis test on the sets of data.
However, just by observations over about 2 minute periods, I see no discernible difference between case and no case. Without the case, the db level seemed to average around 94-95 with a standard deviation of about 10.
If anything, the case seemed to improve reception, though I doubt there's any real truth to it. The reception seemed to average exactly the same as without the case, except I experienced less stray values jumping up in the 100's as I noticed without the case. Overall, I'd probably just list those values as outliers as I would probably just contribute them to the incoming signal itself.
I'll try testing again in another location.. however, as of right now, it appears the myth is busted that this case has any impact on signal strength.
Thanks so much for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome! Keep in mind that signal strength is affected by many variables such as location, how you hold the phone, time of day, how far away you are from the tower serving your phone, even the weather.

Oscardog777 said:
Welcome! Keep in mind that signal strength is affected by many variables such as location, how you hold the phone, time of day, how far away you are from the tower serving your phone, even the weather.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.. of course. But my goal was to figure out whether or not my awesome new case was hindering signal strength. I tested it with and without the case while in the exact same resting position, as well as the same position with my holding the phone. I also did it multiple times to try to factor in periodic surges in signal strength.
Definitely makes no difference... possibly even better with the case.
And, by the way, does anyone else have this case? I'd have to say it's definitely the top case out there for the Samsung Focus. It offers much better protection than any others (open screen cases that is), while providing great access to all side buttons, and not looking nearly as ugly as most of them (Case Mate!).
Only two grips.
1. Why hinged? Why not just snap on like all the others? The hinge and clip barely add any bulk, but still they are not necessary.
2. Could use just a bit more screen room on the sides and top of the screen. maybe a few mm on the sides and a centimeter or so up top. But I'll gladly take that for the protection this thing provides.

Be Aware of Aleminum back covers! Do Not use

Just orderd 2 kinds of alu covers for my Note.. and they are much cool looking + much better to hold the phone with..
But since i did use them i notesed a Bad decrece of both wifi and call signal ...
SO i did some testing with both my new alu covers (Slim alu covers).. and my oem samsung back cover.. and guess what that damn alu cover Kills my connection Really bad..
This is one of the alu covers i bought
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110829426900?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I had about 101-107 dbm with the alu covers.. and about 5 asu..
and with original samsung backcover i have 87 - 95 dbm 9-13 asu ..
So my advise, be carefull to not use any covers you find out there..
Excuse my speeling

I ordered 2 covers and i came to know that i cannot use those its worst i love that look of cover
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

I confirm the OP state

That's what I thought may occur, so I stayed clear
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

well. I cannot replicate what you are saying. can you please provide more info on how you measured ?
I have the same signal in the same spot using original back and the aluminum one....

They also kill bluetooth.

antonioeram said:
well. I cannot replicate what you are saying. can you please provide more info on how you measured ?
I have the same signal in the same spot using original back and the aluminum one....
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Hmm!
I tested it with 2 Galaxy Notes.. One Stock unrooted ICS..and One Rooted ICS.
Several Locations at home..
Tested both 3G Signal and Wifi..didnt test bluetooth...
And without any dought it was affecting both wifi and 3g network in a bad way!
Both wifi and 3g signal was affected.. did several wifi tests.. but since i have a strong router with 3 antennas it didnt affect the wifi as much as it did 3g!
Its a pitty cause i really loved this alu cover

thanks for the heads up. i'm looking for a replacement cover myself.

I did a 3 3g speed tests with the aluminium cover and my speed was almost the same once, the other 2 times it was faster 4250kbs.... go figure wifi test with aluminium 8963 kbs, with plastic 4189, but each speedtest varied and was never really the same

billboo said:
I did a 3 3g speed tests with the aluminium cover and my speed was almost the same once, the other 2 times it was faster 4250kbs.... go figure wifi test with aluminium 8963 kbs, with plastic 4189, but each speedtest varied and was never really the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to go further from your router..
At a "regular" home distance, it dosent affect wifi much! but if you do go further from the router you will see the diffrnce.. (Not That Big) in wifi..but still less signal and speed..
But in the 3G Section (Im talking about Streanght) in DBA is Much worse.... i didnt try 3g speed for downloading and etc.. i did a speed measre with Wifi only.. and a signal measure with 3g net only..

I have a cover on my Note with plastic sides and aluminum back and it doesn't affect signal strenght. Just saying if someone was considering buying one these. A full aluminum phone cover would probably eat up the signal though.

Meh, i was planning on getting one of these
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Yeah, I heard too that Aleminum cases are very bad. Even for your health. I have heard good things about Aluminium ones tho..

Where to find that Alemenium cover? I wish to have one too.... Lol
>//GT-N7000/XDA

nshahril said:
Where to find that Alemenium cover? I wish to have one too.... Lol
>//GT-N7000/XDA
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Click to collapse
Yeah, just stay away from Alemenium too. I heard it's even worse than Aleminum covers! LOL

koniakki said:
Yeah, just stay away from Alemenium too. I heard it's even worse than Aleminum covers! LOL
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I should stick to plastic from now on
Sent from my Nokia 3210. The best!

Thanks for the heads up. I was just about to order one of these...

Wasn't that the issue with the first Asus transformer prime.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Fazziebear said:
Wasn't that the issue with the first Asus transformer prime.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If my memory is right, Yes that was the problem! .. GPS problems :s

3kgt said:
If my memory is right, Yes that was the problem! .. GPS problems :s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. They had to stop advertising GPS capability pretty soon, then offered an additional external GPS dongle,
and - thankfully, because I bought one - reworked the design for subsequent Infinity (rear not fully metal design, plastic margin for
antennae

[Review] Hunterf iPhone like case

Well i just received my Hunterf iphone like case for my galaxy s3. took some picture before i put it on. sadly i dont have photos of it currently on but it looks awesome. here are the photos that i have as of now. photos of what the case looks like on the phone can be found in the link below.
It is a full aluminum case that removes the stock back plate and is replaced with the one below keeping it thin still. It fits perfectly around the speaker, led flash, and camera lense. It also, on the bumper part of the case, replaces the buttons with nice aluminum buttons. It does add some weight but i don't think it is much to complain about. Wifi seems to be fine but i haven't really tested network signal and wifi much.
I bought the case from this link. I bought it in silver but the colors are red, black, silver, and blue.
It comes with a case, screen protector, little gel like fish toy(?), mini stylus, screwdriver to assemble, screws and plugs for headphone jack and charger.
It came to a total of $51 USD with shipping. it took about 2 weeks to arrive but that is because i ordered right before new years so they were on vacation. which means it might come to you faster!
If there are any questions feel free to ask and ill try to respond asap.

THANK YOU!! so many people promised to do reviews but youre the only one who followed up
But please tell us how your reception ans gps is
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

No back padding for scratch protection on the phone?
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi

Thanks a lot for this. I'll add to this when mine arrives!

Hey can you first test out the gps. cause last time i got a metal bumper it messed with my gps. I would like to see how it affects yours wifi and signal.

1slow4G said:
No back padding for scratch protection on the phone?
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it switches the back plate. not sure what u mean by scratch protection?

You need insulation along the side, the amount provided does prevent some scratches, but it's best to add more.
No, you don't need any on the back.
BTW, the fish thingy is a headphone cable tie.

rossida said:
it switches the back plate. not sure what u mean by scratch protection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so the s3 back cover is removed. Got it
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi

awesomeness.
I'm looing forward to mine by the 2nd week of February

My review!
Thought I would upload some picts as well!
My sky blue finally came in today!
Reception is affected but not dropping completely just one bar off of what i usually get, At home i would range around 3-4 bars with LTE now i would be at 2-3 with LTE speeds are barely affected. At work i go from a solid 3-4 to 3 bars with LTE.
All in all very nice case, but scratches easily.

reNeglect said:
Thought I would upload some picts as well!
My sky blue finally came in today!
Reception is affected but not dropping completely just one bar off of what i usually get, At home i would range around 3-4 bars with LTE now i would be at 2-3 with LTE speeds are barely affected. At work i go from a solid 3-4 to 3 bars with LTE.
All in all very nice case, but scratches easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about getting a blue aluminum button to match that case.
I have the red button, and hoping that a red version wil be release for the note 2.
but it's only available in silver or black.

reNeglect said:
Thought I would upload some picts as well!
My sky blue finally came in today!
Reception is affected but not dropping completely just one bar off of what i usually get, At home i would range around 3-4 bars with LTE now i would be at 2-3 with LTE speeds are barely affected. At work i go from a solid 3-4 to 3 bars with LTE.
All in all very nice case, but scratches easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice pictures. i would take them of mine but i just dont have anything but my phone to take pictures lol.

fcbarca17 said:
THANK YOU!! so many people promised to do reviews but youre the only one who followed up
But please tell us how your reception ans gps is
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only one who followed up? Total Baloney , You even posted under my review where I posted tons of information on the original thread. including signal drop, and screenshots and photos of it on and off the phone.
Use the search button>>> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=36891100&postcount=157
And for what its worth, GPS worked fine, no lock on issues but 4G LTE struggled to stay connected because the ASU was too low to maintain the connection in 4G zones.
The higher the ASU the better, its kinda like GPS, the higher the satellites the better the signal
reNeglect said:
Thought I would upload some picts as well!
My sky blue finally came in today!
Reception is affected but not dropping completely just one bar off of what i usually get, At home i would range around 3-4 bars with LTE now i would be at 2-3 with LTE speeds are barely affected. At work i go from a solid 3-4 to 3 bars with LTE.
All in all very nice case, but scratches easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The blue looks gorgeous, I have to say though, Its a gorgeous case but its not very good for a heavy user that needs a stable connection for data 24/7
I bought a Draco S3 Metal Bumper to see how it affects signal after reading the reviews online of other users, I found that the signal drop was only 5db, gps and nfc are not affected and the bumper is absolutely gorgeous, especially the Thunder Black
I'll still use my HunterF case from time to time, Its kinda like a woman with the perfect purse, gotta have a new one every so often to match the urge of use lol
The seller is offering XDA users 30% off but I got mine even cheaper on eBay from an authorized dealer for $58 with shipping, I can post a review of that as well if you guys want.
http://www.dracodesignusa.com/draco-s3-aluminum-bumper-for-samsung-galaxy-s3-thunder-black/

Just wondering how dust proof the case is? Looks like a lot of dust can get to the phone through the ports, especially with the removed back plate for the s3?

It looks very delicate, i think the paint will get scratch just by touching it

willywill said:
It looks very delicate, i think the paint will get scratch just by touching it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not paint.

NCX Designs said:
Only one who followed up? Total Baloney , You even posted under my review where I posted tons of information on the original thread. including signal drop, and screenshots and photos of it on and off the phone.
Use the search button>>> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=36891100&postcount=157
And for what its worth, GPS worked fine, no lock on issues but 4G LTE struggled to stay connected because the ASU was too low to maintain the connection in 4G zones.
The higher the ASU the better, its kinda like GPS, the higher the satellites the better the signal
The blue looks gorgeous, I have to say though, Its a gorgeous case but its not very good for a heavy user that needs a stable connection for data 24/7
I bought a Draco S3 Metal Bumper to see how it affects signal after reading the reviews online of other users, I found that the signal drop was only 5db, gps and nfc are not affected and the bumper is absolutely gorgeous, especially the Thunder Black
I'll still use my HunterF case from time to time, Its kinda like a woman with the perfect purse, gotta have a new one every so often to match the urge of use lol
The seller is offering XDA users 30% off but I got mine even cheaper on eBay from an authorized dealer for $58 with shipping, I can post a review of that as well if you guys want.
http://www.dracodesignusa.com/draco-s3-aluminum-bumper-for-samsung-galaxy-s3-thunder-black/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough, but there is a difference between verizons lte and tmo 4g. And as you stated in your original post about the case you only tested gps, which thanks to you I know there is not too much interference. Plus you also said that you took the data speed screenshot too early and the results were actually higher with the metal case, so forgive me for asking the dozens of others who ordered ro chime in. BUT your thread and posts have been constintanly updated and are a great resource, I learned a lot from your posts thanks
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

if only i had waited sigh
ordered mine a few weeks ago from tychoice.com ended up having to post a paypal claim against them cos something dodge was going werent replying to emails or anything and it was $75!!!
re-ordered thru this link now fingers crossed i have better luck this time
ps. anyone in australia ordered this yet?

UNDR8D83 said:
if only i had waited sigh
ordered mine a few weeks ago from tychoice.com ended up having to post a paypal claim against them cos something dodge was going werent replying to emails or anything and it was $75!!!
re-ordered thru this link now fingers crossed i have better luck this time
ps. anyone in australia ordered this yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least it's cheaper now.:victory:

Looks nice!

Metal bumber for GS3

I bought a metal bumper off ebay for my Galaxy S3, it consists of a front and a back that screw together, I really like this because it lets the phone breath while still protecting the edges from drops and being metal it's not going to wear out, another nice feature is with these tiny allen keys a thief wont be able to get into your phone quickly and remove the battery/sim/sd card so you might just get a little longer to find your phone :good:

Pictures?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Luxury-Th...lePhonesCasesPouches&var=&hash=item2a30c3a174
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Does the case affect signal quality?

jammychap said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Luxury-Th...lePhonesCasesPouches&var=&hash=item2a30c3a174
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
They are nice cases, but I got rid of mine because I had issues with reception when using the case. If you have a strong signal, the case did not seem to affect the reception. However, in my house (my kitchen, specifically) I do not have a very strong signal at all. As a result, I was getting very crappy reception with the phone, especially if I was talking and walked into the kitchen. When I removed the case, the issue went away.
I only had this issue in my house. Just about everywhere else locally, the Verizon signal is pretty good, so no apparent effect of the case.
I wish I had a stronger signal in my house, as I really like the aluminum bumper case...

myth1001 said:
Does the case affect signal quality?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't tell at the mo, there is a little bug on my rom, i'ts not showing my signal strength at all, even when on High speed internet.

Modem fixed now, signal seems to be fine despite the metal bumper :good:

Leather back and cell signal reception loss

Has anyone noticed that the leather back seems to attenuate cell phone signal strength?
I was able to use signal test pro and found with the leather back on I would hover around -110 db and with the back plate off, I'd hover around -100 to -95 db. This is with no case in the exact same location. Alternating between the leather back and no back plate routinely altered signal strength by 10db on a Sprint LG G4 on LTE band 25 and band 41
Anyone else notice this or can replicate this? Does the plastic back also display this characteristic?

I have leather black with spigen cover and my signal is -93db at home! But i have LGH815.. Italy on Vodafone!
Sent from my LG-H815 using XDA Free mobile app

Yes i also have the leather back, i removed it and now have a clear case by Blason and i get between 5 and 10 db difference.
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

puch0021 said:
Has anyone noticed that the leather back seems to attenuate cell phone signal strength?
I was able to use signal test pro and found with the leather back on I would hover around -110 db and with the back plate off, I'd hover around -100 to -95 db. This is with no case in the exact same location. Alternating between the leather back and no back plate routinely altered signal strength by 10db on a Sprint LG G4 on LTE band 25 and band 41
Anyone else notice this or can replicate this? Does the plastic back also display this characteristic?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at the beginning I had a bit ignored the post .. but now I made a speedtest in HSDPA .. 13mb/s with the cover! .. 17 mb/s with no cover!!! OMG

I haven't tested speeds specifically I have looked at signal strength.
Does anyone have a plastic back and leather back that can compare both on the basis of RF strength? I'd be willing to swap a leather back for better signal strength to be honest.

puch0021 said:
I haven't tested speeds specifically I have looked at signal strength.
Does anyone have a plastic back and leather back that can compare both on the basis of RF strength? I'd be willing to swap a leather back for better signal strength to be honest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have also the plastick back... with leather back 101db.. with plastic 89!!
Speedtest with plastic: 18.50 mb/s!
Thanks for the post! I keep the plastic cover on!

Hmm maybe there is a difference in the NFC sticker between the two different backs, resulting in an effect? Such as, maybe the leather back uses a bigger NFC sticker or something to accommodate the thicker leather, and so that blocks the signal more?

Just tried this out on my H815, and it does make a difference removing the leather back.
Mine jumped from 4.9mb to 11.3 Down, .5 to 1.2mb Up on 4g network.
But!!
Here's the strange thing.?? Once I had done the test, with and without the leather back on, the results of the speed increase stuck with the faster speeds even with the leather back, back on??!!
So I tried again about an hour later in the same position in my house, and guess what?
The same happened again.
So maybe removing the cover allows the local transmitter to recognise that the phone will allow a faster data speed? And sticks at that speed for a while?
Maybe someone here who knows more about network transmitters, and how they work, may have an answer?