[Q] Phones with high quality antennas - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey XDA!
first off let me say yet again how much appreciate this community and think so highly of everyone who supports, and contributes.
so heres my question/rant i have.
I am on the Rogers network, and in city areas, it works great no issues however i live in a small town, and signal is weak(er) in some spots.
However, let me rant a second here... I have a samsung captivate which is on the dev side of things... AMAZING, all the hard work those guys put into this device blows me away and i appreciate it everyday. What i dont appreciate is not being able to call my grandma and say merry christmas.
if i use my phone at my house, i get service if i stay perfectly still in one spot... but if i raise my leg, or look at the ceiling the call drops... (ok so my house is a dead spot?)
wrong... I got choked at my phone and put my sim in my old Blackberry 9000 and had HIGH QUALITY calls, no hitting or missing just clear awesome phone calls...
So... what android phones (because i <3 my droid) have high quality antennas in them like my BB or the BB's in general so i can get phone calls and when i phone rogers and layeth the smackdown, i know what i would like.
Once again much love everyone
Gorship.

bump bump bump it up

I live in rural Texas. For some reason here, samsung phones always have weaker signal. No problems with motorola, though.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App

The best phones I've ever had have had external antennas. Sadly, I don't think those are in style anymore
My old Palm Treo 700P can make calls in places where my new android candybar sure can't.
I wish I had some sort of antenna I could plug into my phone so that I could get a signal at my desk at work.

Related

Signal boost

Hello,
Does anyone know of any antennas or other physical devices that I can use to boost my cell phone's signal? In my apartment in Connecticut, I drop calls all the time while talking but it doesn't really happen anywhere else so I only need to improve the signal in my place. I remember I used to have an actual antenna for my old Nokia phone that would stick to the outside of my car. Also, I once had one of those signal boosting stickers that went on the back of the phone.
If anyone knows of any reliable way to boost the signal on my T-Mobile Touch Pro 2 in Connecticut that doesn't involve flashing a new radio, I'd appreciate it. Thank you!
tinpanalley said:
Hello,
Does anyone know of any antennas or other physical devices that I can use to boost my cell phone's signal? In my apartment in Connecticut, I drop calls all the time while talking but it doesn't really happen anywhere else so I only need to improve the signal in my place. I remember I used to have an actual antenna for my old Nokia phone that would stick to the outside of my car. Also, I once had one of those signal boosting stickers that went on the back of the phone.
If anyone knows of any reliable way to boost the signal on my T-Mobile Touch Pro 2 in Connecticut that doesn't involve flashing a new radio, I'd appreciate it. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you wait for the sticker to boot up?
Check these guys out
They seem to have solutions for all cellphone applications
Cellphone-Mate looks reasonable.
http://shop.wirelessguys.com/by-manufacturer/Cellphone-Mate
http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cell-phone/b8a0/
let me know how it works! haha
maybe try a different radio?
I know Best Buy sells signal boosters but i remember them being a bit expensive.
unfortunately our devices don't have an external antenna jack, i know the kaiser (original tilt)
Thanks guys.
As far as radios, do I just keep trying one by one until I see an improvement? Is there one that is known of that is stronger than others? The Fuze forum has a thread with people's results voting for which was best. Nothing like that here.
tinpanalley said:
Thanks guys.
As far as radios, do I just keep trying one by one until I see an improvement? Is there one that is known of that is stronger than others? The Fuze forum has a thread with people's results voting for which was best. Nothing like that here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, exactly...you'll need to try out the ones that are available for your model, and just see which one gives the best results in your situation/location. You can read votes and recommendations all day long, but they can have no relation to what results you will see
THIS thread has the complete list of radios available for the Rhodium
Unwiredsignal with a Desktop kit 801247
You can try a Wilson desktop cell phone signal booster. It might work for you. I have one in my home office... (basement) and it covers that area only (20x20) so I think it would be perfect for an apartment. I havent tried it in a larger area, but Unwiredsignal.com says it will cover a one to two room area. There is no physical connection to your phone.
Hope this helps...
Jacob
Both ATT and TMobile offer microcell. Trialing in various areas.
It uses your existing broadband connection to relay calls to your phone.
Looking at ATTs' website it appears to be $150.00 for the equipment.
Here is a link.
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/
Thanks a lot guys. I'd hate to have to pay 320 for the one on Unwiredsignal.com but I'll look into it.

[Q] Call Reception

Long time Sprint user who has been anticipating the new Evo 3D. Well, I received it Wednesday evening via the Premier early release and love how smooth the interface is. WiFi is super fast. It is definitely a great experience utilizing the multimedia aspect of this phone. Spiderman was pretty cool, but haven't really played with 3D yet.
My first call the person on the other end said I sounded a tad hollow. Made a few other calls with no problem besides sounding hollow. I am in San Antonio and 95% of time have pretty good reception. Now in most areas when making calls, the reception goes in and out with the display on the phone corresponding by going dead then back on. Tech support had me perform a hard reset, update my profile with still no fix. They suggested to take to a Sprint repair center and I told them a new phone shouldn't be performing like this. I am pretty bummed as the other aspects of this phone are killer. Any ideas besides replacing with a new one?? Thanks everyone.
Hmm that's weird. I have no suggestions other than to take it to a sprint store. The first call i made, the person on the other end said i call quality was awesome.
Good luck
I'd almost say I'm seeing the same. I had the NS4G for 12 days, before today switching to the e3d. While the NS4g would have a low 1 bar, and terrible wifi, it would hold call quality. Today inside the house, the e3d all calls seem to fade in and out corresponding with bar, and dba. I'm hoping it is something that others are seeing and will be fixed.
Otherwise I guess I still have about 14 days to swap this one out.
No issues here. I talked to my 90 year old grandmother today beside the building generator(while it was running) with no issues. I could hear her fine and she could hear me fine.
lol apparently I roam in my house, according to sprint this area is completely covered, with 3g even.. and I get about 300kbps
about to be regretting paying my ETF
I'm having a similar issue. I used to get 5 bars in my home on my Evo 4G, I get 1 Bar on the 3D. I'm not sure why this is happening, my wife now has my 4G and is getting 5 bars sitting next to me. Maybe I got a bad radio or something.
vinterchaos said:
lol apparently I roam in my house, according to sprint this area is completely covered, with 3g even.. and I get about 300kbps
about to be regretting paying my ETF
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you switch back to your previous carrier your ETF would be credited back, if it's T-Mobile you should just get the Sensation 4G..
txdiceman said:
Long time Sprint user who has been anticipating the new Evo 3D. Well, I received it Wednesday evening via the Premier early release and love how smooth the interface is. WiFi is super fast. It is definitely a great experience utilizing the multimedia aspect of this phone. Spiderman was pretty cool, but haven't really played with 3D yet.
My first call the person on the other end said I sounded a tad hollow. Made a few other calls with no problem besides sounding hollow. I am in San Antonio and 95% of time have pretty good reception. Now in most areas when making calls, the reception goes in and out with the display on the phone corresponding by going dead then back on. Tech support had me perform a hard reset, update my profile with still no fix. They suggested to take to a Sprint repair center and I told them a new phone shouldn't be performing like this. I am pretty bummed as the other aspects of this phone are killer. Any ideas besides replacing with a new one?? Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever get the phone replaced? My girlfriend's 3d is getting bad or no reception in places where her Hero worked fine. I'm wondering if I need to get it replaced too.
I , too, have bad reception on my EVO3D. My hero used to have good quality. I think it's a bad radio as well.
I took the OTA update. Call quality & reception has been terrific and thats feedback from fellow Sprint pals in addition to AT&T and Verizon users. I am in Columbia, SC where 4G does not exist yet.
Also noticed that my speaker (not speaker phone) volume is much louder after the OTA...
xweaponx said:
I took the OTA update. Call quality & reception has been terrific and thats feedback from fellow Sprint pals in addition to AT&T and Verizon users. I am in Columbia, SC where 4G does not exist yet.
Also noticed that my speaker (not speaker phone) volume is much louder after the OTA...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also took the OTA. Louder speaker volume, no reception issues. I fluctuaute from 4-5 bars. Spouses is the same way.
The only issue that I have is the tunnel effect. People can hear me fine and I can hear them fine, it just sounds like they are far away. Loud, but far away
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Finally used the phone after owning it for 5 days. To me, it sounds fine. Of course, had 3 bars of 4G being in NYC.

Call quality

Is anyone having trouble using the 3D as a phone? I'm finding that this phone drops calls WAY more often than my TouchPro2 did. Drops them in places where the TP2 sailed right through. And even when the call is well-connected, I find that I can't understand what people are saying to me over the phone, and they report the same thing about my conversation to them. I'm constantly saying "What? Could you repeat that, please?", and so are the people at the other end.
This is an amazing device for many things - Hotspot, Navigation, Music and Media, Games, etc. - but as a phone, it leaves a lot to be desired.
I haven't had any trouble with dropped calls, but I usually have good signal when I use it. I do think the sound quality sucks compare to the evo. I called XM radio on my 3D and I could barley understand what the guy was saying. Stupid offshore call center doesn't help of course but still call quality was better on my evo. My speaker almost sounds kinda blown but I put another 3D side by side mine it sounds exactly the same.
I have an old sanyo 7050 for my work phone, call quality on that runs circles around the evo.
Do a search and try some of the tweaks to get better reception. If that does not work exchange it.
I gave up on it and took it back to Sprint yesterday. It just kept dropping calls in weak signal areas, and even when calls were connected, intelligibility suffered in both directions. So I'm back to using my old Touch Pro 2, and everyone is telling me that the sound is much better. I'll miss all the cool features of the 3vo - it really is a great device in many ways - but at least now I can count on my phone to make phone calls.
Of course, I'm running Android on the TP2, so it's not as bad as it seems!
Now I just have to figure out what's the next great phone coming along on Sprint. Hopefully they'll come up with something new sometime later in the year.
I get the same amount if dropped calls as my EVO. Either your area has some signal issues or maybe you have a defective phone.
DarkManX4lf said:
I get the same amount if dropped calls as my EVO. Either your area has some signal issues or maybe you have a defective phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean maybe I "had" a defective phone. Could be. Yes, my area definitely has signal issues, always has. Sprint has the best coverage in the area, but it's not that good. Still, the difference between my TP2 and the Evo3D is dramatic. The TP2 gets through the weak spots without losing the call (in most cases). The Evo3D just drops them. I never owned the older Evo - maybe it would have had trouble here, too. But quite a few people have said that the new Evo is not as good as the old one in this area.
Maybe the next HTC will be better. I hope so. I'm sure that the 3D will be fine for those who spend most of their time in strong signal areas. But I don't recommend it for those who are farther out from the city and/or suburbs.
Definitely sounds like it was an issue with your phone. I went from a TP2 to the 3D and haven't seen any real difference with the signal I'm pulling or my call quality. My wife tells me I sound the same, maybe better than before.
Yeah I'm having issues also. My signal isn't great at my house, but my evo usually was fine, did drop calls though. The 3d is killing me, its impossible to be on the phone for any duration. Only have a few days left, wanted to throw it last night, sucks i really like this phone, but may go back.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
sleekgreek said:
Yeah I'm having issues also. My signal isn't great at my house, but my evo usually was fine, did drop calls though. The 3d is killing me, its impossible to be on the phone for any duration. Only have a few days left, wanted to throw it last night, sucks i really like this phone, but may go back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to close the loop on this discussion, after I returned the EVO3D, I waited for Sprint to come out with an Android phone that would have better call quality. On Saturday, I bought a new Motorola Photon 4G. It is an excellent Android phone, quite comparable to the 3D in most respects. Obviously, it doesn't have Sense (which some people seem to really like - personally, I'm indifferent to it). And it doesn't have the 3D gimmick (which I consider a blessing - the Photon has an 8mp camera instead!).
But most important, the call quality is excellent. It has a much better grasp of the signal than the 3D, it has yet to drop a call. And the voice quality is much better in both directions. This is what drew me to this phone - all the online reviews that I found were consistent in noting the very good call quality. Turns out they were right.
I'm sure most people here are delighted with the 3D, and I was as well - except for the call quality issues. If you live and work where there is a strong Sprint signal, you'll probably never have a bit of trouble. But for those who live farther out from the city, where the towers are farther apart, the new Photon4G is a very good choice. I'm really glad that I made the switch!
Either way, enjoy!
Mine dropped a bunch of calls too. I am now back to using a nexus s.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Could just be a defective network and not the phone. Just saying.. LOL....
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
I have not.dropped a call in years until.the 3vo. Just last week It dropped maybe 4 calls - thus the swap back to the Nexus.
I have excellent call quality with my evo3d.
I'm located in Hawaii, no dropped calls but call quality isn't that great compared to Evo4G. Hopefully it's something that's fixable!!!
Alchem!st said:
Could just be a defective network and not the phone. Just saying.. LOL....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps so. But the new phone is on the same network, and it's not dropping any calls. For that matter, neither did my old TP2. I guess that's really my point - the 3D doesn't do nearly as well as other phones with lower signal levels. As long as you've got good signal, it works fine. Sprint coverage is better in some places than others, so YMMV. In any event, I'm not knocking the 3D - it's a great device. It just didn't work very well as a phone in my geography.
Gilliland said:
Perhaps so. But the new phone is on the same network, and it's not dropping any calls. For that matter, neither did my old TP2. I guess that's really my point - the 3D doesn't do nearly as well as other phones with lower signal levels. As long as you've got good signal, it works fine. Sprint coverage is better in some places than others, so YMMV. In any event, I'm not knocking the 3D - it's a great device. It just didn't work very well as a phone in my geography.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm my 3D gets better coverage in my house than my Hero or Evo did, and about the same as my epic4G did.
ill be honest. this thing blows when it comes to signal. maaybe a different radio may fix it. But I used to have sprin and the OG evo(switched for tmobile and came back for the 3d)..and the coverage was so so inside my apartment. the 3d doesnt work at all. People keep telling me they are calling me and **** and my phone doesnt ring. My brothers OG Evo works fine. I want to exchange it, but I dont think a new one is going to change anything. Call quality is also terrible even in good signal areas.
Im getting my phone replaced since my camera went bad, but my biggest concern on this phone would have to be call quality. I could barely understand the sprint rep when talking to me. If they don't fix the call quality on this phone, I will have to replace it. This is ridiculous, and my HTC Hero was amazing in call quality. HTC Hero and HTC EVO 3D ran on the same network, so it must be a phone issue.
I haven't had any issues with quality, but I guess u live in an area with strong service
Gilliland said:
Just to close the loop on this discussion, after I returned the EVO3D, I waited for Sprint to come out with an Android phone that would have better call quality. On Saturday, I bought a new Motorola Photon 4G. It is an excellent Android phone, quite comparable to the 3D in most respects. Obviously, it doesn't have Sense (which some people seem to really like - personally, I'm indifferent to it). And it doesn't have the 3D gimmick (which I consider a blessing - the Photon has an 8mp camera instead!).
But most important, the call quality is excellent. It has a much better grasp of the signal than the 3D, it has yet to drop a call. And the voice quality is much better in both directions. This is what drew me to this phone - all the online reviews that I found were consistent in noting the very good call quality. Turns out they were right.
I'm sure most people here are delighted with the 3D, and I was as well - except for the call quality issues. If you live and work where there is a strong Sprint signal, you'll probably never have a bit of trouble. But for those who live farther out from the city, where the towers are farther apart, the new Photon4G is a very good choice. I'm really glad that I made the switch!
Either way, enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same thing, except my evo 3d had a major screen-freakout I couldn't fix. I also had sprint buy-back my otterbox and that money went towards the car-dock for the photon (which is freaking awesome btw). The Photon is actually a wonderful piece of hardware too. It's much lighter, so it "feels" cheap, but in all actuality it's comparable build quality. The Moto UI they have in it is a lot closer to vanilla android than HTC sense IMHO, but I'm flexible as far as that goes.
There are some features I'll miss about my 3vo, but frankly the 3d imaging made me nauseous, I didn't care for Sense, and the photon does seem to have better signal/call quality.
I'd put both devices in the same tier. Dual-core powerhouses that will provide plenty of use for a long time... but I'm kinda favoring the photon, which surprises me more than anything.

how is the photon as a phone?

Newbee to this section and photon in general. My son has an epic touch 4g and is very much unhappy with dropped calls, texts that arrive hours later, things that pertain to the phones ability to make calls etc. I have heard that the photon is very good as a phone, maybe it has a stronger antenna or something? I myself have an evo 3d and it's not the greatest as far as phone calls either. To me all of these devices are pretty close spec wise (dual core, good graphics,etc) so i was thinking about trying to trade one of the phones for a photon. Do you think i would notice an improvement in call quality? If i do trade should i look for a phone that has not been updated past a certain point (for rooting purposes)? thank you for your time.
woody296 said:
Newbee to this section and photon in general. My son has an epic touch 4g and is very much unhappy with dropped calls, texts that arrive hours later, things that pertain to the phones ability to make calls etc. I have heard that the photon is very good as a phone, maybe it has a stronger antenna or something? I myself have an evo 3d and it's not the greatest as far as phone calls either. To me all of these devices are pretty close spec wise (dual core, good graphics,etc) so i was thinking about trying to trade one of the phones for a photon. Do you think i would notice an improvement in call quality? If i do trade should i look for a phone that has not been updated past a certain point (for rooting purposes)? thank you for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
would definitely notice a difference, p photon been a great phone best I've ever owned....yeah try to get on thats on 2.3.4.... if your planning on unlocking, I think root can be done either way but if you want to unlock the bootloader need the older version, granted I have no idea if the newest photons on the shelves have been updated though so might be worrying for nothing, but best to play it safe ya know
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
my father in law just upgraded to the photon and loves it. It came with 2.3.4 from Best Buy and I had no problems rooting and unlocking out last night.
The photon has been the best phone I've had also. Compared to my wife's Epic and some friends Evos it gets signal and doesn't drop calls like there's do.
Sent from my CM9 beast
Coming from a plethora of samsung devices I am blown away by the signal quality and strength of this phone.
Sent from my Photon 4G via Tapatalk 2
xopher.hunter said:
Coming from a plethora of samsung devices I am blown away by the signal quality and strength of this phone.
Sent from my Photon 4G via Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1....Compared to E4G and ogEVO the Photon is miles above them for signal strength and overall "phone function" usage.
The photon definitely has a better radio than other phone I've seen. I have friends on sprint who will barely hold 1-2 bars of signal while my photon has a solid 4. I've never had a single dropped call and only had late texts one time, and a simple reboot fixed it.
Sent from my MB855 using XDA
i agree to all. High quality radios in the Photon that will provide you with great communications. For smartdevices, its up there but not 1st. for a phone where communication is key, it is untouchable. you will be impressed by the call quality if you buy one.
woody296 said:
Newbee to this section and photon in general. My son has an epic touch 4g and is very much unhappy with dropped calls, texts that arrive hours later, things that pertain to the phones ability to make calls etc. I have heard that the photon is very good as a phone, maybe it has a stronger antenna or something? I myself have an evo 3d and it's not the greatest as far as phone calls either. To me all of these devices are pretty close spec wise (dual core, good graphics,etc) so i was thinking about trying to trade one of the phones for a photon. Do you think i would notice an improvement in call quality? If i do trade should i look for a phone that has not been updated past a certain point (for rooting purposes)? thank you for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone is Great if you roam on Verizon!!!"
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
As a phone, it gets some weird popping sounds sometimes, like a short in the speaker. Makes me think the other person hung up.
There was an audio routing issue at launch that has since been fixed and not the MoPho is superior in many ways. CDMA is reliable so far as retaining calls, dropped calls are typically a network issue, that said the issues you've seen with other phones dropping calls are probably device specific and should be regarded as such. Unless you're talking about a device sounding "tinny" or garbled or echoes ect. call quality is usually network related.
Photon owns. Best phone I've ever had. Out of box, Modded, whatever. MoPho.
As a phone the Motorola Photon 4G is the best phone on Sprint. Motorola is known to make great wireless radios. You will get better signal with the Photon than any other phone on Sprint.
So if you're a person that actually counts on getting all your calls, text, and voicemails on time, currently the Photon is your best option on Sprint. I use to have the Epic Touch, great device in all aspects except for being a phone.
Sprint is the worst major carrier in the U.S. in my opinion. I've been with all 4 majors. The only thing good about Sprint is unlimited plans. Their prices aren't too far off other carries. You may save a few bucks but it's not major. Just good plans. I changed to Verizon. You pay more but I get signal everywhere and I'm a person that relies on phone calls.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA

Considering switching to verizon, and the razr maxx

Hey all,
Im a sprint evo 4g owner, and am considering the razr maxx from verizon. Where I live here in maine, verizon has the best signal, and network reliability of all service providers.. or so I hear anyway...
On sprint, I roam prolly half the time, and anyone that has had sprint knows roaming speeds blow goat nads When I'm roaming and have full signal, I max out at 128kbps... Verizon guys I know out here get 1mbps +/- with 1-2 bars, add in the multiple dropped calls for seemingly no reason, and... I'm about done..
The evo has been a great phone, had it almost 2 years now, I rooted a lil over a year ago, and have pretty much got the full use out of it, considering its limitations from the network its on..
Guess what I wanna know from you guys is...
How is the network? Drop calls often for no reason? Data speeds pretty consistent?
How is verizons customer service? I've heard pretty horrible things about it, but never had any use myslef... I've found Sprint customer service to be great...
How is this phone in general? It has a huge battery so thats another plus... Even with my rooted evo running custom kernels/roms etc, the battery life leaves much desire... I see on verizons page that the maxx has up to 21.5 hrs talk time.. Thats about 3x what the evo was advertised for... Does it improve even more with custom roms/kernels?
Wifi hotspot and tethering.. I assume once I root, this will be easy enough, just like the evo?
Hdmi... does it work? Sprint shipped the evo with a useless hdmi out port... lol
Google voice... I will not be paying for text messaging, as I use gv for most texting now, does it play nice with the maxx? Also, how about sip calling? I have no signal at all at my house, so I use the wifi for gv, and sipgate, and just forward my calls to the gv #
I guess thats about it guys... I'm sure I'll think of more later, but I pretty much have my mind made up, unless some one points out that some of the thing I asked about simply wont work,,,
Thanks in advance
I actually just moved to a razr from Sprint last month. The speed difference is night and day. Customer service/support so far has been good. No complaints.
The network? 4g rocks. voice calls, never seem to drop. I have coverage in many places where I didn't before. Sound quality is about the same as sprint.
I have the razr, not maxx, so I can't speak to the size on it. I love the razr so far. HDMI out does work on the razr, so I'm assuming it does on the maxx as well. And yes, easy to root and do what you want to it
Motorola phones have the best signal strength of any phones, in addition to Verizon's network which is quite good.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW
Thanks for the replies!
4g wont matter much for me, as there is no lte in maine yet... Sprint does have wimax in select few spots here, and last year when I first tries it out, I was getting speed test result of 13mbps down, and 8mbps up, In those same places I now get get results of 1mbps op/down (I assume there is more use now), pretty weak considering thats what a good 3g speed should be... and dont even get me started on 3g speeds, or consistency... I notice huge changes while im sitting in the same place...
I never had good luck with motorola phones in the past (tho its been about 7-8 years since I've owned 1) But I hear they have come a long way, and they do hold signal better, or at least show your actual signal better...
I guess... really, I already know the network is gonna be better... cant b any worse, thats for sure... I just wanna make sure I'll be able to use the phone for the things I really need it for... ie:
Google voice - Heard mixed reviews of it with this device, some say it works fine for texting, some say not at all... are the "not at all" ppl just stupid? lol
Same with sip calling - does verizon prohibit it on their network, or block me from downloading the needed apps from the market? I know there are ways around that, but I like the idea of simplicity, which is why we own smart phones in the st place
Rooting; from what ive read, is not terribly difficult, although maybe a bit more involved than rooting my evo, so not too worried about that...
WiFi hotspot - I have no intentions of paying the $30/mo verizon wants for this service, as I hardly use it, but I need it to work when I do use it, and hell... If I'm paying for 10gb/mo of data, I'll use it however the hell I want ... This just as simple as the evo? (usually this feature is cooked into rooted roms on the evo)
Also the battery life - The only reason I'm even considering this device is the 21.5 hrs talk time, and huge 3300mah battery... So is it that great?
I guess those are the major things, the rest is prolly gonna be mostly based on opinion.
I am using the groove IP app. It is in the market. Yah Google brought it back. It let's you use voip with your Google voice. Call quality isn't too bad.
Yes the battery life is amazing. I can get 8 hours with crazy insane use and 4g on or be a tad more conservative by sticking to 3g and get 10-12 hours heavy usage. With texting over 3g with an app and browsing with juice defender I made it to 30% in 17 hours.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
trekie4ever said:
I am using the groove IP app. It is in the market. Yah Google brought it back. It let's you use voip with your Google voice. Call quality isn't too bad.
Yes the battery life is amazing. I can get 8 hours with crazy insane use and 4g on or be a tad more conservative by sticking to 3g and get 10-12 hours heavy usage. With texting over 3g with an app and browsing with juice defender I made it to 30% in 17 hours.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow!! that is unreal!! Even with my evo rooted, and me limiting and monitoring apps, etc... I'm lucky to get 4-5 hrs of heavy usage!!
As for the voip... I am using voice+ from play store now... Used to use gv callfree, but that was removed a while ago... call quality isnt too bad, but there is at least a 1sec delay... this could just be not enough cpu or ram causing that tho...
IMHO... wait to switch. This phone has been top of the tier list so long, it's run is bound to end soon. I advise waiting for something better, it should only be a month tops. even if if the GSIII isn't your cup of tea.
A quick look at coverage charts shows just how INSANELY more coverage you could get with verizon over sprint.
Like you, in my area Verizon has the best coverage and even amongst the verizon phones I've had (including a V3m Razr, EnVtouch and my current Razr Maxx) the Maxx is HANDS DOWN the best at reception night and day over the touch (which was one of the better reception wise), my envtouch wouldn't work till the very top of one hill on my drive to/from work and my Maxx works at the bottom of that hill in the valley several hundred feet lower (300-500 approx) and is intermittent in the valley itself, but NONE of the phones I've seen have had ANY service in that valley, and we don't even have 4G here yet.
I literally am amazed with all the places were this phone works, even at work where we have a small desktop cell repeater (single room style) my maxx works from atleast 50% further away from the repeater then my envtouch did.
It's a bit batter hungery but this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/...ndroid&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd is great for VOIP using your google voice number.
Wifi Tether is great for rooted phones to share the connection and works right out of the box without having to configure ANYTHING.
And if you download matt's DroidRAZRutility rooting is a BREEZE, literally hook up phone set it into USB debugging mode and click the choice for rooting, phone will reboot twice (IIRC) and about 5 minutes from when you started it, its done.
[TSON] said:
IMHO... wait to switch. This phone has been top of the tier list so long, it's run is bound to end soon. I advise waiting for something better, it should only be a month tops. even if if the GSIII isn't your cup of tea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya... no samsung products for me... I had the moment from sprint... WOW... what a p.o.s. lol Then they moved me to the Cant remember what it was called, but it wasnt much better.
The other thing is... I really dont wanna wait... I dont see naything all that much better coming fro a while.. Maybe a droid whatever 1.5ghz dual core, but I dont see that being a whole lot better than a 1.2...
Idk... Anyone else think I should wait?
Dont see any great things coming from sprint any time soon, they got their heads stuck up their arses with the i-crap...
daniel644 said:
A quick look at coverage charts shows just how INSANELY more coverage you could get with verizon over sprint.
Like you, in my area Verizon has the best coverage and even amongst the verizon phones I've had (including a V3m Razr, EnVtouch and my current Razr Maxx) the Maxx is HANDS DOWN the best at reception night and day over the touch (which was one of the better reception wise), my envtouch wouldn't work till the very top of one hill on my drive to/from work and my Maxx works at the bottom of that hill in the valley several hundred feet lower (300-500 approx) and is intermittent in the valley itself, but NONE of the phones I've seen have had ANY service in that valley, and we don't even have 4G here yet.
I literally am amazed with all the places were this phone works, even at work where we have a small desktop cell repeater (single room style) my maxx works from atleast 50% further away from the repeater then my envtouch did.
It's a bit batter hungery but this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/...ndroid&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd is great for VOIP using your google voice number.
Wifi Tether is great for rooted phones to share the connection and works right out of the box without having to configure ANYTHING.
And if you download matt's DroidRAZRutility rooting is a BREEZE, literally hook up phone set it into USB debugging mode and click the choice for rooting, phone will reboot twice (IIRC) and about 5 minutes from when you started it, its done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I was hoping to hear! I dont need the next best thing... I just want something that works where/when I need it to, and having 3g everywhere I only have 1x now, is gonna be huge for me... It opens a whole new sales region for me....
I won't go to any other carrier until they offer unlimited data or at least reasonably priced tiered plans. I love paying $110 a month for unlimited for my wife and myself. It would be over $180 on Verizon.
I made the switch from the evo 3D to the RAZR and I'm one happy guy! Service here in northern Virginia is excellent compared to sprint,as well as 4g data speeds that top out at 20 something Mbs!!! No dropped calls,nothing so far! Call quality is crisp and clear. Now onto the phone....this is actually my first Motorola phone after the original RAZR ha! Build and quality wise its real good and durable,the only downside is (coming from a line of HTC phones) boot loaders are a complete ***** lol. Other than that,everything is A1 for me. I pay around $80 per month,I have the 420 or something min plan+6gb data plan + my men's wear house discount lol. Anything else you need to know,feel free to ask! This RAZR forum is one of the few that doesn't have as much trolls,haters,*****yness and empowering individual false personalities like the other forums had In short.....make the switch,you will not regret it!
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
ali87va said:
I made the switch from the evo 3D to the RAZR and I'm one happy guy! Service here in northern Virginia is excellent compared to sprint,as well as 4g data speeds that top out at 20 something Mbs!!! No dropped calls,nothing so far! Call quality is crisp and clear. Now onto the phone....this is actually my first Motorola phone after the original RAZR ha! Build and quality wise its real good and durable,the only downside is (coming from a line of HTC phones) boot loaders are a complete ***** lol. Other than that,everything is A1 for me. I pay around $80 per month,I have the 420 or something min plan+6gb data plan + my men's wear house discount lol. Anything else you need to know,feel free to ask! This RAZR forum is one of the few that doesn't have as much trolls,haters,*****yness and empowering individual false personalities like the other forums had In short.....make the switch,you will not regret it!
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that reminds me, If you've ever served in the military, bring your military ID to you local verizon and you can get something like 10-20% discount (can't remember exactly) off your monthly bill, something we just learned about when we were getting are Razr Maxx's activated.
If data and minutes bang for your buck is a major point I should also mention Straight Talk has an option now where you can take any cell that works on AT&T and put there sim card in it and have unlimted everything for 45 bucks a month, you might want to think about that if AT&T service is good enough in your area.
my wife and I both have the razr maxx and we regularly get 2 days out of the battery w/ moderate usage.. lots of texting, web use (4G for me at work).. streaming Slacker radio for 8 - 10 hrs while at work (to be fair, I cache the music to my sd card on wifi at home so I don't eat up my 4gigs)...
The battery life on the maxx is sick.
Been a long time sprint user and ROM flasher. Company moved to Verizon and I got the maxx until sgs3 drops. Great battery, development doesn't seem as active as the sprint devices were.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA
nothing to worry about it,razer has fine signal every where in global
Sent from my xt912 using miui v4 XDA(中国cn)
it's hard to say sucks about the barttery cause it depends on how you use your phone
Sent from my xt912 using miui v4 XDA(中国cn)
Just wanted to update on this...
I made the switch! And tho its only been less than 24hrs... I can already say I wont be looking back. The drive home from the verizon store was enough in itself to sell me on verizon, and this device! I get full signal 3g now, in places I either had no signal before, or a crappy roaming signal that was no reliable. I was actually able to stream pandora in my garage for a full 3 hrs!! My sprint evo wouldnt have even made thru one song... Aside from the unreal battery life (took off charger at 5pm yesterday, and still at 80%) the device dosent really seem any better than my evo was, but the difference in the network is night and day!
Anyway... thanks a lot guys! And once I get used to this phone, I will be in here looking to root it, and get rid of all this verizon bloat...
Scionero said:
I won't go to any other carrier until they offer unlimited data or at least reasonably priced tiered plans. I love paying $110 a month for unlimited for my wife and myself. It would be over $180 on Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was my big concern... I only get 5gb/mo... But... I never used more than 4 w sprint (mostly cuz their network is slow slow its almost impossible). so I will be keeping an eye on the data usage. From what the customer service rep said... verizon is changing their data rate plans, and tho no one really knows what they are changing, its pretty safe to say, they will be offering more data for the $... (I hope), and I will just change my data plan next month...
I have a Motorola photon from sprint which is almost the same as the razor. I'll say this about Motorola.... awesome phones right out of the box. Change the launcher to go launcher of launcher pro and the speed difference of the phone is night and day. Motorola does not want you unlocking the boot loader and running custom roms and to be honest there isn't any need to.
Root the phone through adb method and apply the water drop mod and download nebtop so you can use web top without a dock. I bought a $30 Bluetooth keyboard off amazon... its pretty nice when travel sling on the bike or just surfing the web in bed on the flat screen.
PS Google just bought Motorola so hopefully the development side of Motorola phones picks up soon.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

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