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Help Signal Strength

This is probably just a coincidence but has anyone else's signal strength gone up dramatically since the network went back up this morning? I barely got 4G at work (Tampa) before and now at least for the past hour I've had a very strong signal.

Maybe not...
 

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I hope it is that simple.

So do we all have a crappy bad first batch of the Nexus? Should we go exchange ours? Unfortunately I'm in a part of PA visiting with no 4G so I can't say for sure if my speeds are "bad" or not.

Is there any way to identify which batch our phones were part of? Perhaps with the (partial) serial number? Do you have any other issues with this replacement device (screen banding or speaker popping, etc)?

Just trying to determine if there's a way we can tell by looking at the serial # or other "about phone" settings to determine if the one we are given in the store is a "good" one or not...

What a fiasco...I can't believe how bad the QC is on these phones if there are major signal/screen/speaker problems and you have to play nexus roulette when you go into the store and pray you get one without any of the defects. :rolleyes:
 
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I'd been following everyone's reviews/feedback here and strongly considering the Nexus. But, if this story from Computerworld is accurate, the phone is now out of my consideration. While I understand the differences as mentioned in the previously cited report, there does seem to be a problem with reception that is different than dBM or number of bars. The radio problems would be an issue for me.
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone is going to get a software update that will adjust the device's signal strength indicator, Verizon Wireless confirmed on Wednesday, less than a week after the new Android 4.0 phone began shipping.

[...]

In an email, Raney stressed that "there is no issue with the performance of the device." Some users have theorized that the signal issue could be related to above-normal battery drain.


Many new Galaxy Nexus customers and Computerworld blogger JR Raphael have reported problems related to inconsistent signal strength over Verizon's LTE network since the U.S. version began shipping on Dec. 15.


Raney said the Galaxy Nexus software update "will adjust the signal strength indicator to more closely match other Verizon Wireless devices." She said the Galaxy Nexus translates the wireless signal into bars differently than other smartphones.
 
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As I'm driving between my folks' house and my inlaws', I noticed my 3G signal showed zero bars. I'm in a 3G-only area. My wife's iPhone 4 had 4 out of 5 bars.

Is my nexus showing zero bars for 3G or 4G? data connection DID seem to die briefly. I'm guessing it's the 3G connection indicator or I'd have 0 bars constantly in my parents' house.

If accurate, the signal on this is pathetic. 4 bars on iPhone vs. 0 on the nexus :(
 
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I'd been following everyone's reviews/feedback here and strongly considering the Nexus. But, if this story from Computerworld is accurate, the phone is now out of my consideration. While I understand the differences as mentioned in the previously cited report, there does seem to be a problem with reception that is different than dBM or number of bars. The radio problems would be an issue for me.

all this tells me is that they are going to change the algorithm that translates signal to # of bars. i'm assuming the anandtech article has been floating around, but two phones with the same exact signal and radios are clearly showing a different number of bars.

even tho i'm not getting the best signal here at work, i will say that i'm getting page load times on par with my OG. granted, two different phones on two different levels, but i'm cooped up in a dungeon of a building, so phone signal is poor regardless. that said, it's not preventing me from sending/receiving data or completing tasks in a reasonable amount of time.

unless you're seeing completely erratic data disconnections, or obvious speed drops, i wouldn't call this a cause for concern. the phone has yet to be out for a week. for many people this is the first 4g phone (mine included).

the rezound's a great phone. but i wouldn't return the GNex for it.
 
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I'd been following everyone's reviews/feedback here and strongly considering the Nexus. But, if this story from Computerworld is accurate, the phone is now out of my consideration. While I understand the differences as mentioned in the previously cited report, there does seem to be a problem with reception that is different than dBM or number of bars. The radio problems would be an issue for me.

That sounds like BS as far as a fix. All they are saying is the bars will correlate with dBm better. This will not improve reception.

Seems they are trying to candy coat the issue, rather than admit there is an issue.

If they fix it cool, but have seen enough with sad fellow geeks who get 3g or 1X where I get 4G. There appears to be a reception issue with the Gnex and it is not just an interpretation issue of the signal.

Then again, maybe there is not a problem and the Nexus simply has weaker radio design than some other phones, so Samsung/Google are playing a semantics game.
 
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I noticed outside my in-laws' house I had 2 bars of 4G. Five feet inside the house (it IS an older house, but still) my signal drops to 2-3 bars of 3G. :(

What is the point of 4G if you can only use it outside?!?

I suggest you exchange yours with new one like OTD did. It's possible there was some bad units in the first batch.

I don't think radio hardware design is issue when many folks can get well over 30Mbps down speed.
 
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I noticed outside my in-laws' house I had 2 bars of 4G. Five feet inside the house (it IS an older house, but still) my signal drops to 2-3 bars of 3G. :(

What is the point of 4G if you can only use it outside?!?

How many times has your wife said "When are you going to get off your phone!"


Now, are you in a 4g zone, or extended 4g zone?

Extended 4G Zones are not Verizon Cell towers, they are roaming 4g zones.

Has everyone made sure that they have checked Roaming Data in the data section? It made a little difference for me.
 
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I suggest you exchange yours with new one like OTD did. It's possible there was some bad units in the first batch.

I don't think radio hardware design is issue when many folks can get well over 30Mbps down speed.

disagree. if there is a strong enough signal then speeds can be fine. I was pulling 31 mbps outside my office and inside like 4.5 with barely 1 bar.
 
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I suggest you exchange yours with new one like OTD did. It's possible there was some bad units in the first batch.

I don't think radio hardware design is issue when many folks can get well over 30Mbps down speed.


It is not an issue about speed. When in a good to great coverage area and not a building, the GNex does as good as 4G should, The issue is reception in areas that do not have great signal. It is not just 4G either. The radios for whatever reason are weaker than other current devices- even the Charge.

Wifi included.
 
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