G8343 in the US - Horrible signal strength with T-Mobile - Sony Xperia XZ1 Questions & Answers

So I purchased a XZ1 G8343 which is meant for Canadian carriers, but also works in the US with T-Mobile. I have years of experience with my HTC M8, 10, and U11 with customs ROMs and they all work amazing with my SIM card.
What I have done is unlock the bootloader on the XZ1 and installed the latest CE1 firmware for the XZ1 and added the oem_X-FLASH-CUST-C93B file from the G8441 firmware to retain VoLTE and Wifi-Calling. This works to enable those features. T-Mobile considers this IMEI not compatible because of this, but flashing that G8441 files fixes it. The IMEI is clean.
My issue is this. The mobile data and sim network signals are extremely polarizing. When I'm in my apartment, it's completely weak and no networks are there. When I go outside on my balcony, great signal strength. I work as a delivery driver and gave this phone a test run . . . and it was BAD. I'd be losing signal almost everywhere and it reconnects randomly in other areas very close by. I don't see what would interfere with it so much, since this doesn't happen with any of my other devices. It seems way too sensitive.
This is weird because none of my HTC devices have these issues. I looked further into the specs and noticed the G8343 model is missing a few signal bands the G8341 model currently has. But it also supports more bands than my HTC U11 (unlocked) which gets network connection everywhere I need it.
Am I looking at a possible radio antenna hardware issue?

I have the G8343 also.
I live near Chicago and mostly have no issues with signal (LTE).
But, when I travel, many places I only get H+, or similar low signal connection.
Any ideas how to make this work better?
I have been looking at flashing other ROMs, but I cannot find any (particularly stock, like one for G8341) that say they improve the connection.
The CE1 is Central Europe, and I am not sure that would make the signal better.
I have not looked too much at the other ROMs, because I'd like to keep all the Google security stuff in place and not have to tinker with something like Magisk, which I had problems with on my previous phone.
Any help greatly appreciated!

Related

Mobile network signal issue

So almost after 3 weeks of getting the TS I decided to put in my AT&T SIM. I was reluctant to use that tiny bastard screw driver but I did it anyways. I have noticed that the network signal strength of my watch is almost non-existant. It will get cellphone signal at only certain place. With the same sim card on my phone (Nexus 5), I get good cell reception.
How are others doing in this department? How's the cellphone signal? Is there anything I can do to improve the mobile network signal. Currently I am on stock with Loki's security patch.
I am not sure if this is a hardware issue or software issue. I remember someone opening the TS and checking the antenna. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated.
Some information on my TS -
North American 1/8
Stock ROM with Loki's patch.
Ok here is my observation:
I could not get signal inside my office, home and costco
I did get signal once I get out of my office - full signal bars with H+. I made a short trip from office to costco and home and back to office. It was able to get signals when I was driving but in some areas where I used to get 2-3 bars in my phone, TS did not pick at any signal at all. So mobile network signal is working but it is pretty weak compared to my phone.
May be it needs some tune up 
i have the same problem,the signal is low and TS really has a hard time to find one,if its lost
can we do something about this ?
I opened mine just to have a look and found one of the connectors lose, took a bit of fiddling to get it back on but my network signal seems as good as my note3.
I don't know why, but after installing this app.https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.misonicon.signalbooster3g4g
The signal works perfectly, I didn't believe in this apps but now I don't know what to say
At least it works
Mobile frequency fluctuates on my end too, made sure APN settings are listed exactly like they say here on the forums, maybe I should change to another GSM 3G SIM card?

4 LTE in u.s.?

I believe this phone is capable of using LTE in the US. It has all the right frequencies so I would believe the hardware should be there. I've tried several different APN settings and called customer service to confirm my IMEI with AT&T customer service but I cannot get LTE speeds. Anyone else in the u.s. experiencing the same problems?
barely works in Europe, from the product page i bought it from on Aliexpress they said the 4g wouldn't work in the States .
here majority of the time it drops to 3g and when it does the internet doesn't work at all.
lost count how many times I've had to search again for my network just to refresh the signal.
the antenna in this phone was poorly placed. putting sim in slot 1/2 doesn't matter.
I've gone back to my nexus 5 with zero problems on 4g.
thats really disheartening. I knew there would be a catch to this phone somewhere. And it would appear that the phone does not support 4G LTE bands in the US. .
3.5G umtcs however it does, which is close to 4G speeds. But I do not know how many towers in the US run those frequencies, I will post my findings if I can get HSPA+ or above on a regular basis.
I have noticed my signal fluctuate a lot, Sad that the most basic feature is the most troublesome, this phone comes so close. I wonder if this is something development can resolve or if its just a poor radio.
It will but with network B bands. I think in July.
Check their blog
Really? A coming update in July? I will look on their blog
I live in the UK, but just holidayed in the US this summer...My 9000 wouldn't work for calls, although I read they're bringing out a US version soon. Used it for satnav in 3 states though with no problems.

Will it work on AT&T

Hi
I wanted to buy this from gearbest.
Will it work on AT&T with all the LTE bands?
borisb said:
Hi
I wanted to buy this from gearbest.
Will it work on AT&T with all the LTE bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep... Using it on Cricket right now state side.
http://willmyphonework.net
borisb said:
Hi
I wanted to buy this from gearbest.
Will it work on AT&T with all the LTE bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to say "yes", but have found out the hard way that it depends on exactly which part of AT&T's network you intend to use it on.
I created a thread which I haven't yet updated, which outlines some issues I had. Turns out that my X820 as well as a different LeEco X82X (can't remember - same model ) do NOT work with AT&T in my area at all, and I live very close to the antennae. However, when I travel out of town, the phones work great. AT&T can't seem to figure out why this part of their network is different, but something certainly is. YMMV.
At the moment, there doesn't seem to be a large enough sample size in the US to compare notes and find possible network issues with this phone.
I have it, and it works for me in North Florida in AT&T
Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk
I have more info on my issue with this phone on AT&T, and it's an odd one. LTE works great, but if I am directly under the antennae, or within line of site of them, 3G shows full bars, but it does not work and I cannot place or receive a call. If I walk a block away, and have a building between the phone and the antennae, 3G works perfectly. If I initiate a call where it works, I can move back to LOS, and call does not drop. No other phone seems to have this issue, so there is something very different in the 3G implementation in these phones which is responsible for this.
I wish someone out there had an idea as to what is causing this. One of AT&T's network engineers, who witnessed this first-hand, is stumped and I'm short on ideas to remedy it.
RandyT2 said:
I have more info on my issue with this phone on AT&T, and it's an odd one. LTE works great, but if I am directly under the antennae, or within line of site of them, 3G shows full bars, but it does not work and I cannot place or receive a call. If I walk a block away, and have a building between the phone and the antennae, 3G works perfectly. If I initiate a call where it works, I can move back to LOS, and call does not drop. No other phone seems to have this issue, so there is something very different in the 3G implementation in these phones which is responsible for this.
I wish someone out there had an idea as to what is causing this. One of AT&T's network engineers, who witnessed this first-hand, is stumped and I'm short on ideas to remedy it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got an x829 yesterday (live in the US) and plan on using it with Straight Talk/AT&T (getting the nano sim now). Have you flashed yours to a newer/custom ROM and it still works with AT&T? If so which ROM?
Wagmans said:
I got an x829 yesterday (live in the US) and plan on using it with Straight Talk/AT&T (getting the nano sim now). Have you flashed yours to a newer/custom ROM and it still works with AT&T? If so which ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have two of these phones, and both have the issue I described above. If I were to guess, it probably has something to do with initial 3G handshake timing.
One of the phones is running Madsurfer's 21s. It may have been a dirty flash over stock China ROM, but I seem to recall that one being a clean flash (wife's phone, so I don't mess with it much.) The other is Small EUI by aurel V7, dirty flashed over Rom V6-X820 of Bshuy2003.
I have observed no real differences with regard to the 3G connectivity issue between either phone, with any firmware. I'm thinking it is something at a lower level which is causing this odd issue.
I haven't received my max2 yet but I have read through allot of these posts and I remember reading about using the #*#* code to force LTE and it helped mobile connections. Also I saw that 19s CN or 17s India eui has VoLTE support. Lastly I noticed that the posted 23s beta cooked eui that Steve Mars posted has new modem files. You may try that as well. Hope that helps!
Shlickwilly said:
I haven't received my max2 yet but I have read through allot of these posts and I remember reading about using the #*#* code to force LTE and it helped mobile connections. Also I saw that 19s CN or 17s India eui has VoLTE support. Lastly I noticed that the posted 23s beta cooked eui that Steve Mars posted has new modem files. You may try that as well. Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, but I think the issue runs pretty deep inside these phones. If I knew more about the hierarchy of the software/firmware, where network negotiations are concerned, I'd have a better idea where to look for a solution. But I can say that I have tried virtually every ROM and modem file available, and this odd behavior persists. It's possible that it's specific to my home site, but according to the engineer, AT&T's sites are pretty standardized. The fact that other phones don't exhibit it, tends to point to something deep inside the Max2 as being the culprit. It's an insidious problem, as one might not realize that there was an issue, unless one happens to be close to a tower, trying to unsuccessfully make or receive a call, with full bars showing.
IIRC, the iPhone also had some strange issues on the AT&T network in the early days, and it took some concerted effort between AT&T and Apple to get it sorted out. The chances of of something like that happening to solve issues with these phones is probably next to nil.
Randy do you have LTE on your account? Could it be the eNode trying to promote you onto a better link and the baseband failing that negotiation?
Scratchling said:
Randy do you have LTE on your account? Could it be the eNode trying to promote you onto a better link and the baseband failing that negotiation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have LTE on my account. The phone is connected, by default, to LTE, and falls back to WCDMA when making a call as it should. I have monitored signal strengths throughout the process, and they are very high, due to to my proximity to the tower. Locking the phone to WCDMA makes no difference.
When the phone doesn't have line-of-sight to the tower, and/or that LOS is significantly obscured, the UMTS signal goes below -60dba and the phone works perfectly. Thinking the signal strength was the key, the output of the tower was artificially reduced to below that level, as a troubleshooting test. It still did not allow the phones to work on WCDMA to make calls, even though it still showed a 3G connection with full bars. I'm not a telcom engineer, but it really seems like a timing problem, where the reflected signals work, but signals received directly from the transmitter do not. Again, the problem exists only at the point where the 3G link is initiated, either by the handset or the tower. Once a call is established, that session works fine, no matter the proximity to the tower thereafter. But once moved into the areas of LOS to the tower with an active call session and I end the call, the phone can no longer make or receive calls in those areas.
Short answer: sorta
borisb said:
Hi
I wanted to buy this from gearbest.
Will it work on AT&T with all the LTE bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright so I have been using this phone for about 6 months and it kinda sorta does. I am using the x820 one btw. I get about 80% up time with this phone. I can't really make or receive calls without the phone dropping them within the 1st minute. Let me explain further. So firstly, when I am on LTE (if not on 4G (I'll explain later)), and try and make a call, I will usually get switched over to 4G and then as the call is attempting it will completely lose service and say I can't complete the call. Then after that attempt, I will usually get my service back. And it will keep doing that unless I get lucky then if I actually can make a call then I will be lucky if I get a full minute or 2 before the call drops because of loss of service. Now for the later explanation. So basically I have noticed just because I am supposed to get LTE doesn't mean you will get the service. Also you will drop service a bunch and it gets very aggravating! I have verified my results in FL, GA, and TN.

poor signal reception?

Had my x1 for a couple of days now and lots to like about it however I have noticed that it seems to have a very weak phone signal reception.
I am on three in the UK and in the normal areas I travel I have never noticed an issue on my other phones with it struggling to hold on to signal bars.
Anyone else have this?
Signal bars mean absolutely nothing. Many oem even show full bars even when there is actually no signal.
Better install cellmapper app that will exactly show and record the signal where you travel.
Also, do you have 3uk volte working?(calls over 4g network)
Well all I can say is that I live less than a mile from the nearest mast and would nearly always have full signal bars on other phones yet on this phone it drops on and off 1 bar.
I will download the app you mentioned and see what that shows
I've had this problem with numerous Sony phones over the years, always poor signal compared to Sammy's, Pixel's and iPhones that I've had. Same issue with the X1 I have now, always on WiFi calling and no signal, my Pixel 3 XL would be happily sitting on 4G.
andybg40 said:
I've had this problem with numerous Sony phones over the years, always poor signal compared to Sammy's, Pixel's and iPhones that I've had. Same issue with the X1 I have now, always on WiFi calling and no signal, my Pixel 3 XL would be happily sitting on 4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it's not just me then.
I do remember having this issue on a previous Sony phone also but can remember the model now. It's been a long time since I had a Sony but thought this one was going to tick every box which it almost does apart from having reliable signal reception which is really should be a must!
Is there anyway they can improve this with software of are we stuck with it due to hardware issues?
I'm in my 14 days returns periods at the moment and like everything about this phone apart from what it should do first and foremost
I am having the same problem, I'm on EE and my LTE keeps dropping from 4 bar's to 1 bar then nothing which causes me to lose data connection. It then jumps to 4 bar's again and then repeats this over and over. This is happening at home where I always have full reception. I have tested my sim in 5 different phones all have full reception and don't lose connection only my Xperia 1 does! Any help would be appreciated.
Same problem for me. I switched my SIM from Galaxy S8 to X1. S8 has 4 to 5 bars while X1 struggles with getting one bar at home.
Ffs... The bars mean nothing. Sony phones take into consideration RSRQ(signal quality) and SINR(s noise) values of the signal. Other oem don't. The actual signal power RSRP (do not confuse it with bars) is same or better on Sony.
Xperia 1 has most advanced modem and antenna setup of any 4g phone. 4x4 mimo even on low bands (first to have it).
3uk and ee are special in the sense that they need phone to support volte to get access to their low band spectrum(band 20).
So make sure you have volte aka 4g calling enabled and check with apps like Netmonster or Cellmapper the band and RSRP of the signal. Then compare it with other phones at the same place.
VeixES said:
Ffs... The bars mean nothing. Sony phones take into consideration RSRQ(signal quality) and SINR(s noise) values of the signal. Other oem don't. The actual signal power RSRP (do not confuse it with bars) is same or better on Sony.
Xperia 1 has most advanced modem and antenna setup of any 4g phone. 4x4 mimo even on low bands (first to have it).
3uk and ee are special in the sense that they need phone to support volte to get access to their low band spectrum(band 20).
So make sure you have volte aka 4g calling enabled and check with apps like Netmonster or Cellmapper the band and RSRP of the signal. Then compare it with other phones at the same place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's as simple as that why is it not enabled on this phone already?
I think what you seem to be over looking is the fact that I and others here have said that yes the bars are lower than other phones and flutter slot but also to the point where they drop completely and give no reception at all. A situation not faced on other phones.
Can you explain how we enable this missing band so that the phone can provide a more reliable/stable reception
Does your phone have 3uk volte(4g calling) enabled? Phone should stay in 4g during call. If not then you are out of luck.
ee users can install EE firmware to get Volte working if it's not already . newflasher on xda helps to change firmware.
And please compare signals with abovementioned apps.
hpsauce37 said:
Glad it's not just me then.
I do remember having this issue on a previous Sony phone also but can remember the model now. It's been a long time since I had a Sony but thought this one was going to tick every box which it almost does apart from having reliable signal reception which is really should be a must!
Is there anyway they can improve this with software of are we stuck with it due to hardware issues?
I'm in my 14 days returns periods at the moment and like everything about this phone apart from what it should do first and foremost
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're having signal drops / dropped phone calls etc... I get it. But Sony is historically notorious for showing lower signals than others on those bars. However, as stated, the bars are pretty meaningless. I've owned many Sony's, and while the bars are lower (sometimes all empty), I still have signal in all the places I should. YMMV.
VeixES said:
Does your phone have 3uk volte(4g calling) enabled? Phone should stay in 4g during call. If not then you are out of luck.
ee users can install EE firmware to get Volte working if it's not already . newflasher on xda helps to change firmware.
And please compare signals with abovementioned apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't honestly know. My phone was purchased sim free from carphone warehouse and I use it on 3 network. The phone just set itself up. How would I check this? Is it something listed under network settings?
It's so frustrating as I'm really loving a lot about this phone but just want it to be comparable at least with my other phones I've used with call reception
those who are having signal problem, are you using EE network?
I saw lots of people with EE reporting this issue on official sony forum.
Got mine yesterday from Vodafone and signal is perfect !
XSIIS said:
those who are having signal problem, are you using EE network?
I saw lots of people with EE reporting this issue on official sony forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
I also have only 1 bar... Orange.
If you are EE UK user, then you need EE firmware on your Xperia 1 to get best network compatibility(Volte and low band support because of it).
3UK users probably need also 3UK firmware but that does not seem to exist yet.
This weirdness of low band access is specific to two UK operators. Everywhere else the device is fully capable of best 4g experience.
Wait Next update
Enviado desde mi G8141 mediante Tapatalk
So for those of us on three network but purchased the phone sim free are stuck with the problem as three do not sell this handset themselves so unlikely to release any firmware for it.
That does not look good for me so I think I will need to return within my 14 days.
Shame.
There's definitely a network connectivity issue with the XP1 right now though. This seems to affect only XP1's on the EE network, which were *not* bought from EE direct, i.e. ones with stock firmware. (e.g. mine!)
The symptoms are that periodically, first the 4G symbol disappears, then the signal goes to zero and you've lost the internet. Then it reconnects back onto 4G again. Sometimes this repeats 3 or 4 times in succession. The whole thing takes from 5 seconds to maybe 30 seconds depending on how many re-tries.
You can go for maybe an our or so without a problem, or sometimes it happens like every 10 minutes.
And here's the key part: this happens wherever you are, even on a full strength signal. As far as I can make out, this affects ALL XP1s with stock firmware on EE. EE say it's a Sony problem. Sony say it's a network issue. So we are all stuck.
Does anyone know of a suitable network logging app, which will log 4G disconnects and signal loss, so we can provide evidence to EE and Sony?
More info here:
https://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-1/Issue-with-network-dropping/td-p/1376332/highlight/false
(My phone is fine with a Vodafone sim. There's something specific to the phone firmware/config - timers, buffer sizes, packet sizes - whatever - and the EE network. But right now, on EE, it's unusable.)

Is the OPX 4G reception poor?

I changed telco recently, to SFR (in France) and am getting very poor 4G reception at home. I haven't used the data connection at home before (because I have WiFi) so I didn't know what to expect.
The mast is only 2.8km away and LTE800, so the OPX should like it. The SIM card works well in my partner's Xiaomi, and in my old cheap and cheerful Alcatel POP4, and both get a strong and stable 4G signal. So why is my OPX struggling? I've been on to the support at SFR and they are going to monitor the line but said everything looks ok (APN details good, no local outages, etc) so it should work.
The only strange thing that might help in problem diagnosis is that I had to create the APN myself. The correct one was not displayed on the OPX - several other telco APNs were displayed (around 15 in total) but not the one I wanted, which I find weird. In the other 2 phones (Xiaomi & POP4), the correct 2 APNs are the only ones displayed.
Do you think there's something wrong with my OPX? Is it simply 'weaker' than the other 2 phones I have? Might it have a problem with that particular mast? (I get good 4G elsewhere) This one baffles me.
Nobody any thoughts on this?
It was suggested to me that perhaps the OPX designers compromised 4G reception (due to limited physical space) and upper band LTE is advantaged over LTE800. because the majority of 4G provision is in that upper band.
I have noticed this too!
Consider I live in a little country where 4G signal is low.
The same happens in Rome where 4G signal is high!
In fact, with Mi A2 lite I have no problems.
Probably the hardware is not very well designed, like you said above.
I don't like to resort to unhelpful, nontechnical language so consider this as venting - 4G reception sucks on the OnePlusX!
I'm seriously considering getting another phone (and I otherwise like my OPX) because its 4G reception is so weak. Sure, it works on occasions but I know other phones do better. Still, I guess it is now 'old' technology!
It looks allright with my OPX in France too, with Prixtel (Orange).
I have my main Sim card with Red SFR in my main phone, but with the OPX, the 4G DL and UP speed are good.
With Prixtell, I get this right now:
Hello,
I have a same problem with Bouygues, I have a better connection with sosh/orange...
the Bouygues/SFR antenna is at 3km
orange/Free is at 1Km
and traveling by car the reception is less cut with orange / sosh
I've come to the conclusion that it's the OPX hardware and/or design. Nothing we can do about it... other than get a different phone!
Fortunately for me, it's not a real problem - i's just a limitation, a bit frustrating and somewhat baffling. As I said, my cheap and ordinary Alacatel phone has a better 4G reception!
Are you by any chance using dual sim cards? I've noticed that my 4G reception is also worse ever since I started using 2 cards.
Also, reception appeared to be better on stock Oxygen OS than it is on LOS15.1 that I'm using right now.

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