Samsung devices don't have the best history with Radio quality. I am debating an upgrade and trying to decide between a DNA and N2 on Verizon. I know the S3 and a few other recent Samsung devices have had problems with dropped calls, weak signals in fringe areas, etc. The DNA uses a Qualcom radio so it's pretty stable. It looks like the GN2 is still using their own in house radio design?
My wife's iPhone5 and my N2 seem to get the same signal strength everywhere we go.
Sent From My Gargantuan Note 2
After coming from the galaxy nexus anything would be an improvement. But, actually the radio has been great for me
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
The radio pales to the quality in the DNA (which is likely more due to antenna), but is miles ahead of the galaxy nexus.
Personally working in a 4G fringe area, I had better handoff on my thunderbolt than the N2. Both devices forced into 3G I think the thunderbolt performed better on 3g, while the N2 does better on 4G.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Rsmin said:
After coming from the galaxy nexus anything would be an improvement. But, actually the radio has been great for me
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just want to repeat this. On the galaxy nexus I had to keep my phone in 3G just so I wouldn't constantly drop data. This phone however has been great! My wife has the S3 and she also has great reception and data reliability so they must have fixed something.
It's the first Samsung phone that gets reception similar to my old Thunderbolt. My Droid Charge, Galaxy Nexus, and Galaxy S3 all got poorer reception than my GN2 and TBolt (the Droid Charge and the GNex were tied for worst).
Thanks for all the feedback here. How would you say 3G connectivity compares to an old Motorola Droid X (Current Phone)
Buddy Revell said:
(the Droid Charge and the GNex were tied for worst).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, no kidding (I have had both devices)
Personally, I think the GNEX was the biggest POS ever made.
I actually loved my Droid Charge (i still have it somewhere) and after a TON of mods and radio swaps etc it was way way better than I could ever get the GNEX to work.
That being said, the N2 radio is hands down better than either one although it is not as good as the Rezound I still use occasionally and about equal to or maybe slightly better than my Wife's Galaxy S3.
the N2 radio is hands down better than either one although it is not as good as the Rezound
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny, I've only had the Note 2 a few days and haven't been in any good 4G areas yet, but I find so far that it's much better than my Rezound. Where I live I only have 3G, with 4G being across the lake.. my Rezound would pick up 4g for 30 seconds at a time very rarely (like once a week), and never transmit data, but the Note 2 gets 4g from there off and on pretty regularly, at least in my house. It's 3G signal also seems more consistent, at least going by signal bars and how it "feels" to use (haven't actually compared dBm). The Rezound would routinely drop it's data, sign out of Google Talk, take forever to re-establish it's connection, etc. I HAD to use it on WiFi or it was basically unusable. The Note 2 so far has been great.
While I have Zero issues its the radio, if your coming from a Motorola Device, it's not as good. Motorola just has killer radios. That being said, I have had no problems with the Note 2
I'm in an LTE market in Maryland and my signal is horrible. I can be only a couple feet away from any building entrance and my signal goes out. No 4G, no 3G... just straight up no signal. And the thing that kills me is that the icon will say it's on LTE. I have to be literally standing OUTSIDE to get a good internet connection. And tethering?.. forget it! My connection is intermittent at best. Frequently drops out to the point where I can't even download from XDA via the phone's browser. Love the Note II, been onboard since the first Note but... this is making me think either I have a bad radio or my choice to switch to Verizon from ATT wasn't a smart one. I need PRL's people. NOW!
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
my choice to switch to Verizon from ATT wasn't a smart one. I need PRL's people. NOW!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say this is the problem
Incredible signal in Chicago.... No dropped 4g and call quality is far better than my Galaxy nexus.
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Goldchamp said:
I'd say this is the problem
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Click to collapse
Agreed!
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Coming from the rezound and a inc4g for a week, this phone is just as good as those radios. I can get a 4g signal inside my work where the S3 can't. The exynos set is absolutely badass on this phone and the reason I didn't buy a S3.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Goldchamp said:
While I have Zero issues its the radio, if your coming from a Motorola Device, it's not as good. Motorola just has killer radios. That being said, I have had no problems with the Note 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beg to differ. I had the Razr Maxx before my Note 2 (and Droid X before that) and so far I'm getting exactly the same amount of signal everywhere I go. Best radio on a Samsung phone yet. Very happy with it.
biggboii said:
I'm in an LTE market in Maryland and my signal is horrible. I can be only a couple feet away from any building entrance and my signal goes out. No 4G, no 3G... just straight up no signal. And the thing that kills me is that the icon will say it's on LTE. I have to be literally standing OUTSIDE to get a good internet connection. And tethering?.. forget it! My connection is intermittent at best. Frequently drops out to the point where I can't even download from XDA via the phone's browser. Love the Note II, been onboard since the first Note but... this is making me think either I have a bad radio or my choice to switch to Verizon from ATT wasn't a smart one. I need PRL's people. NOW!
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PRL only effects the 3g side of the radio from what I've read. I would try to get a replacement device
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
The radio here is southern orange county has been very good.. better then my Gnex.
I personally came from the Galaxy S3 and the difference in service quality is astounding. Before I got the GS3 I had a RAZR and had excellent service, with the GS3 I couldnt even send texts without hitting resend 5 to 10 times. I had to get something different so I went with the Note 2 and this phone has as good if not better service that all the Moto phones I have compared it with and has way better servixe that the GS3.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Premium HD app
Related
My first 2 androids were the htc hero and evo. I then switched over to the Epic touch 4g GS2. When i first got that phone, i had extremely weak signal strength and would encounter numerous dropped calls, as well as a complete loss in signal. Eventually, after dozens of modems that i flashed, the signal got better.
I now have the gs3 and am experiencing the same issues that i had when i first got my gs2. Will Samsung ever be able to make a modem that is worth a damn? Also, is this only a Sprint thing, or do other carriers have the same issues?
I've had an airave during in my closet because it refuses to work and just had a continuous blinking yellow light, so that's not a solution.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
I meant "terrible signal" not "trouble signal" damn Swype.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
I wouldn't know about the sprint gs3, but I heard the 3G isn't that great. I'm getting pretty great signal on hspa+ and lte on att
Sent from AT&T GALAXY SIII
Yeah, I've owned a Thunderbolt, Droid Charge, Galaxy Nexus, and Galaxy S3 all on Verizon and have noticed that none of the Samsung phones have as strong an LTE signal as the Thunderbolt. I heard Moto's phones get better reception than any of the ones I've owned. On the bright side, the GS3 is noticeably better than the other Samsung ones I've owned.
I get great service on my Sprint S3. I typically have at least 4 bars of coverage wherever I'm at, besides a few places.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
I get a decent signal everywhere but my apt. I'm in between 2 buildings, which may be blocking the signal. Even so, i usually have 0 bars or no signal. I didn't have this issue with my htc phones. I guess I'll call Sprint and try to get my source airave working.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
That's what I'd do, because I have friends with the att Galaxy S3 and I get better service than they do.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Has anyone who owns the Droid DNA with Verizon tried out the Galaxy SIII at all? I currently have the GSIII, but may switch to the DNA because i'm having problems with the signal strength at my house and a couple other areas. I've heard this is an issue with the GSIII, and have also heard the DNA has much better signal strength on the Verizon network.
I can't say anything in comparison to the S3, however I get excellent signal, especially compared to my Galaxy Nexus.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2
Yea I can't say I never owned a s3 but I will say my DNA has excellent signal
sent from my beastly powered viperDNA using Tapatalk 2
Mine seems to have two more bars in areas where my other phone would have a weak or no signal
HtC DNA
XDA App
I got my dna because my s3 had bad signal.
Overall I get signal everywhere and that's one of the reasons that I haven't gotten rid of the DNA yet.
I love this phone!!
Sent from my HTC DROID DNA.
I have the DNA and my girlfriend has the s3. I can tell you that the DNA is the better of the two radio wise.
I have the S3 and DNA and hands down DNA has the better signal quality (tested using network info app free from the market). In areas where I get 4 bars on my DNA, I will get 2 bars on my S3.
irl5fan said:
Has anyone who owns the Droid DNA with Verizon tried out the Galaxy SIII at all? I currently have the GSIII, but may switch to the DNA because i'm having problems with the signal strength at my house and a couple other areas. I've heard this is an issue with the GSIII, and have also heard the DNA has much better signal strength on the Verizon network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Coming from the GSIII, Hands down DNA has better signal strength.
Thanks all! I think i'm going to be switching to the DNA this morning!
Hands down HTC radios are far superior to Samsung.
What are your opinions on the non-removable battery in the DNA? Any issues? How long does it last on a moderate to high use day?
The signal is great the battery for my is on par with my other phones I came from the optimus g on att which battery wasn't consistent and this one has got me through the whole day depending if I download a Rom and flash it but so far its good for me
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda premium
irl5fan said:
What are your opinions on the non-removable battery in the DNA? Any issues? How long does it last on a moderate to high use day?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About the same as I get with my S3. On a full charge about 12-14 hours with about 4 hours of on screen time.
I dropped the gs3 for the DNA over signal issues. In fact.. after calling tech support a few times they sent me a DNA as a replacement.
Batter is as good or better, screen is amazing. Wireless Charing is awesome
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2
tgerbracht said:
Hands down HTC radios are far superior to Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Coming from a Galaxy Nexus I totally agree
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk HD
The signal strength has been far above what my Thunderbolt was. I get 3 bars (of 3g) where I had no 3g in the past.
Battery life has just been "meh" for me, I have to keep some form of charger handy.
I also came from gs3 due to horible signal issues. I do miss the sd slot but have since moved my music to the cloud so that had been resolved for me at least. As for non removable battery I don't mind at all since I get the same battery life as I did on my s3
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda premium
If you judge by number of bars the DNA looks way better. If you judge by actual signal strength the DNA is only slightly edging out the Galaxy S3. However this phone hasn't locked me out from receiving and sending texts yet. So I'll say it is better in that regard.
The call quality and signal strength on my DNA are WAAAAY better than my last phone, the EVO 3D, but I am coming from Sprint so I guess that's to be expected. Battery life for me is not an issue since I am not a heavy user but it is better than my EVO 3D, if that means anything. I went to Verizon for the 4G because Sprint doesn't have it in my area and the 4G is screaming fast. Not sure if it's the phone or the Verizon service.
Signal on this device is sick! I wouldn't trade it for anything. I went from my Dinc2 to this, had barely 3g at the house to having 4 bar 4g
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
I currently have the S3 on Verizon and had the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon - both suck for reception even though the RAZR and DNA get great reception. Anyone know if Samsung is finally going to address the issue in the S4? I saw a lot of specs about the screen and the battery but not really sure if the specs are out for that detail on the Verizon S4.
I'm hoping they are going to finally fix the issue as I'd actually like my S3 if the phone wasn't so worthless. I make about 3000 minutes worth of calls each month so reception is extremely important to me as I'm far more likely to notice it than someone who mostly texts from their phone.
It's be nice to see strong radios in the GS4. On the GS3 and GNex no one get's LTE signal in the office. Every other phone get a decent signal. Razr HD gets a great signal.
itznfb said:
It's be nice to see strong radios in the GS4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you saw somewhere they were going to improve the radios and or antenna's on the S4?
I can say that without a doubt that my GS3 gets better and more consistent reception (phone and data) than my Thunderbolt or Rezound ever did in spots that I frequent. Maybe I got lucky with my GS3?
Well, this is the reason I got the rezound over the galaxy nexus.
This will be a deal breaker for me once again if they haven't fixed it.
Sent from my aokp_tenderloin using Tapatalk 2
Piaband said:
Well, this is the reason I got the rezound over the galaxy nexus.
This will be a deal breaker for me once again if they haven't fixed it.
Sent from my aokp_tenderloin using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I certainly understand. I'm hoping someone is foolish enough to trade their DNA for my S3.
the reception was fixed on the note 2.
droidstyle said:
the reception was fixed on the note 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may be true - I don't have one or know anyone who has one so I can't verify but I can say for sure LOTS of people claimed firmware updates fixed the Verizon S3 radio and that is definitely not the case.
boe said:
That may be true - I don't have one or know anyone who has one so I can't verify but I can say for sure LOTS of people claimed firmware updates fixed the Verizon S3 radio and that is definitely not the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd love to find this out as well. I'm perfectly willing to buy an S4 at full cost if it means I can actually get reception, the S3 has been an absolute disappointment in this regard.
boe said:
That may be true - I don't have one or know anyone who has one so I can't verify but I can say for sure LOTS of people claimed firmware updates fixed the Verizon S3 radio and that is definitely not the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is no may about it...the signal on the note 2 is as good if not better than any moto device. I have owned 3 galaxy devices so I have a clue
mine will be delivered tomorrow and i get poor reception at my house so i will let y'all know
droidstyle said:
there is no may about it...the signal on the note 2 is as good if not better than any moto device. I have owned 3 galaxy devices so I have a clue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you're on VZW? Is GPS better on the Note 2 as well?
iTechWNC said:
mine will be delivered tomorrow and i get poor reception at my house so i will let y'all know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look forward to it!
rampantandroid said:
I assume you're on VZW? Is GPS better on the Note 2 as well?
Look forward to it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
read my sig yes signal, call quality, and gps are leaps and bounds better on the note 2 opposed to the s3.
droidstyle said:
there is no may about it...the signal on the note 2 is as good if not better than any moto device. I have owned 3 galaxy devices so I have a clue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if the Note 2 would fix all my reception woes, I do hope they have that same level of reception in the S4.
rampantandroid said:
I assume you're on VZW? Is GPS better on the Note 2 as well?
Look forward to it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just receved it and it gets better reception than my iphone 5 did.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
iTechWNC said:
Just receved it and it gets better reception than my iphone 5 did.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try installing network signal info and seeing what that says. Screenshot would be fantastic.
i didnt get a before and after test using my galaxy nexus and my S4 but I can tell you for sure my S4 has way better reception. inside my office at work i barely got 3G but when i would step outside with the nexus the 4G would kick in. Now, now matter where i am in the building the 4G gets through. No big change at home as i had full 4G to begin with but I will be driving around tonight so different places and i remember my old reception so ill compare it but i am definitely expecting better things
dansan382 said:
i didnt get a before and after test using my galaxy nexus and my S4 but I can tell you for sure my S4 has way better reception. inside my office at work i barely got 3G but when i would step outside with the nexus the 4G would kick in. Now, now matter where i am in the building the 4G gets through. No big change at home as i had full 4G to begin with but I will be driving around tonight so different places and i remember my old reception so ill compare it but i am definitely expecting better things
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If anyone actually had an office or home where you couldn't make a call before on their Verizon S3 but can with their S4 I would be very very interested. I work in a few places where I get no signal on my S3 and can't make or receive calls but others with Verizon iphones (4 and 4s) and Razr and HTC DNA can make and receive calls.
Fu5ion said:
Try installing network signal info and seeing what that says. Screenshot would be fantastic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not shure what any of that means but hear it is
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
iTechWNC said:
Not shure what any of that means but hear it is
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, what type of reception did your iphone get? That looks pretty bad...
I had always read that Samsung phones had signal issues on cdma networks. This is my first Samsung device after several HTC. My wife and I are both dropping calls daily in front of our house. I cannot hold a call in my front entry way. Our previous rezound and thunderbolts did not have this problem and neither do our kids droid DNAs.
I called Verizon about getting a network extender because other than signal issues, we love the notes. They want 300 for it. I refused. They sent out techs to check signal in our location and say we have 3 towers blanketing our area so it's the phone. Still won't give us a free network extender. They agree it's a device problem. They say they have no phone comparable to the note to switch to and said there was nothing they could do. I told them to send another note to try. I guess I will keep going through notes until they other me the new Motorola's in a couple of months. They did offer me an upgrade, but I'm not giving up unlimited data.
I might hold out and try to get the next HTC phone that drops, either DNA 2 or one.
It really sucks because otherwise this phone is the best but dropping calls daily really sucks...
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
You could get one from eBay
http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_k...RELESS+CDMA/EVDO+NETWORK+EXTENDER+FOR+VERIZON
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Just hang in there, after you get a few replacements from VZ they will offer you a different model.
I think I'm going to hold out. It might take awhile. I'll only take a phone with 32gb of storage and a big battery unless it comes with sd card slot
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
eBoody said:
You could get one from eBay
http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_k...RELESS+CDMA/EVDO+NETWORK+EXTENDER+FOR+VERIZON
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link, but I shouldn't have to buy extra equipment because Samsung can't make good cdma radios.
Curious if anyone else has wifi drops regularly. Both my phone and tablet drop and reconnect wifi pretty often. You see a message that briefly pops up.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
nrfitchett4 said:
Thanks for the link, but I shouldn't have to buy extra equipment because Samsung can't make good cdma radios.
Curious if anyone else has wifi drops regularly. Both my phone and tablet drop and reconnect wifi pretty often. You see a message that briefly pops up.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My note does not have any issues with wifi. Check that its the phone and not the router.... really really sounds like its not the phone.
As for signal issues, My note did have issues with verizon. i switched to AT&T with the same phone and its 10x better. Probably more to do with my area than actual reception problems though.
Interesting my note gets far better signal strength than my 2 previous HTC devices I had. The only thing I don't think it matches up to is Motorola who I believe build the best radios period.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Milimbar said:
My note does not have any issues with wifi. Check that its the phone and not the router.... really really sounds like its not the phone.
As for signal issues, My note did have issues with verizon. i switched to AT&T with the same phone and its 10x better. Probably more to do with my area than actual reception problems though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think it's the router because it happens on both my note 2 and note 10.1
at home and at work. Sometimes it will kill downloads, sometimes it's fast enough not to matter.
miketoasty said:
Interesting my note gets far better signal strength than my 2 previous HTC devices I had. The only thing I don't think it matches up to is Motorola who I believe build the best radios period.
The signal strengths match in setting between Samsung and HTC, but HTC phones seem to hold lower signal better where Samsung just gives up and you lose the call. Also, Samsung is quicker to jump over to 3g while HTC holds onto that one bar of lte better.
This has been reproducible for me on multiple Samsung and HTC devices (2 notes, 2 thunderbolts, rezound, 2 DNAs)
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
i've always had better signal strength with my Samsung devices vs HTC, with absolute best signal from Motorola devices.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium 2 beta
nrfitchett4 said:
Don't think it's the router because it happens on both my note 2 and note 10.1
at home and at work. Sometimes it will kill downloads, sometimes it's fast enough not to matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious - are you running stock or have you unlocked and rooted?
try flashing a different modem
kimdoocheol said:
try flashing a different modem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might try that, but pretty sure I've already flashed all of them at some point.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
ILMF said:
Just curious - are you running stock or have you unlocked and rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm rooted running custom and wife is stock
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Just to follow up, took kids to dentist yesterday which is in a small town, outside of San Antonio. My phone had 1x, kids dnas had a couple of bars of 3g.
Swapped mine for a new note 2 (refurb) and is still dropping calls. Think I might just have to buy the extender...
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4
Hey guys, torn between these 2 phones. Triband maybe the determinh factor but considering how slow sprints 4g rollout is taking, it might be a non factor for the time being. How is the signal strength on the G2? My galaxy s3 signal is poor and my buddies nexus 4 has poor reception. How is the reception for you guys?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Between the S3 and the G2. I seem to have better signal and better transitions. VZW
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 2
I think Samsung is notorious for weak antennas. My GNex struggled at my desk in my office but the G2 fairs well. A co-worker with the Note 2 has poor signal while the woman next to him with an iPhone is fine.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 4
G2 has better reception than my S3, Note 2 and S4 had. G2 doesn't have the lag and stutter that those phones had. G2 is the winner. :thumbup:
Sent from my LG-D800 using xda premium
kyler13 said:
I think Samsung is notorious for weak antennas. My GNex struggled at my desk in my office but the G2 fairs well. A co-worker with the Note 2 has poor signal while the woman next to him with an iPhone is fine.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this one, Im on Verizon and Ive had so many OTA updates on Samsung devices and every time its at least a radio update. They have gotten better about this over the years but thats not saying much. I still see them hop in and out of coverage and that really takes a toll on battery. The G2 stays on 4G all the time when im not using wifi and it has no problems, its always picking up 4G especially indoors the signal stays strong.
Im sure triband is an attributing factor here too as well