How is the 4g connection in fringe area's

[bluemsw]

I recently tried upgrading to the razr maxx hd and noticed when comparing the signal strength to that of my wife's Rezound that the maxx was pretty disappointing. This signal strength issue only happened in the fringe areas, but even with that said I would almost have 4g full bars on the Rezound and with the Maxx right next to it i would have half bars with only 3g connection. This issue wasn't just on my maxx, I tested others(including the S3) in my area at verizon stores and they all seemed to have the same weaker reception in comparison to the Rezound. Returning the phone ended up costing me $65, so i am a little hesitant on trying another upgrade, but I really like the DNA. Has anyone out there seen any kind of signal issue with the dropping of the 4g connection? Thanks in advance.

 

[Dreamliner]

Really surprised to hear the Rezound did better than the MAXX. I've always been under the impression Motorola phones had the best signal. Not surprised about the S3 though, I've experienced how terrible they can be.

I want a DNA but my biggest concerns are Battery Life, Storage & Signal.

 

[AntimonyER]

So my cube at work is the epitome of a fringe area, and being my first time at work since i bought it, this morning was the first test. I must say, it has passed with nearly flying colors. In two hours so far this morning, I have been on 4G for all but 5 minutes. It switched over to 3G once, but all I had to do is hold it up where I know it gets signal, and it switched back to 4G within 10 seconds, and held it when I put it back on my desk ever since. It is holding a -113 to -115 dB signal, but my GNex wouldn't hold it 80% of the time. The only thing I haven't tested was with it plugged in. On my GNex, plugging it in made it lose 4G every time if it had it. But I am testing battery life too this morning, so it may be a while before I figure that out.

 

[PsychDoc]

So my cube at work is the epitome of a fringe area, and being my first time at work since i bought it, this morning was the first test. I must say, it has passed with nearly flying colors. In two hours so far this morning, I have been on 4G for all but 5 minutes. It switched over to 3G once, but all I had to do is hold it up where I know it gets signal, and it switched back to 4G within 10 seconds, and held it when I put it back on my desk ever since. It is holding a -113 to -115 dB signal, but my GNex wouldn't hold it 80% of the time. The only thing I haven't tested was with it plugged in. On my GNex, plugging it in made it lose 4G every time if it had it. But I am testing battery life too this morning, so it may be a while before I figure that out.

I agree, my Gnex was horrible transitioning from wifi to 3/4g and I often had to go into the settings to toggle between CDMA/4g to get it to maintain any kind of data signal after I had been connected through wifi. The DNA, by sontrast, transitions seamlessly and seems to hold onto 4g forever. All this is very welcome news for the battery as the whole picking up 3/4g connection is maybe the biggest battery killer. I attribute the Gnex's horrible battery life to this issue almost entirely. Compared to the Gnex, I'd say the DNA's battery life is at least twice as good and I'm not engaging in hyperbole here. My only fear is that, over time, the battery will lose some of it's recharging capacity. I guess time will tell. Worst case scenario I'm thinking that if this were to occur HTC would have to stand behind its phones and replace the battery. However, in all candor, knowing me, I doubt I'll keep this phone longer than a year or a year and a half as I know I'm a fickle technology whore and some other pretty thing will catch my eye in a year or so. Don't get me wrong. The DNA is simply superb...I just know myself too well.

 

[AntimonyER]

I agree, my Gnex was horrible transitioning from wifi to 3/4g and I often had to go into the settings to toggle between CDMA/4g to get it to maintain any kind of data signal after I had been connected through wifi. The DNA, by sontrast, transitions seamlessly and seems to hold onto 4g forever. All this is very welcome news for the battery as the whole picking up 3/4g connection is maybe the biggest battery killer. I attribute the Gnex's horrible battery life to this issue almost entirely. Compared to the Gnex, I'd say the DNA's battery life is at least twice as good and I'm not engaging in hyperbole here. My only fear is that, over time, the battery will lose some of it's recharging capacity. I guess time will tell. Worst case scenario I'm thinking that if this were to occur HTC would have to stand behind its phones and replace the battery. However, in all candor, knowing me, I doubt I'll keep this phone longer than a year or a year and a half as I know I'm a fickle technology whore and some other pretty thing will catch my eye in a year or so. Don't get me wrong. The DNA is simply superb...I just know myself too well.

It sounds like you are describing me here But ditto on the doubling of battery life compared to GNex. I am seeing close to the same so far this morning.

 

[mush10]

Just to add, reception is not an issue with this phone. It may be the best I have used on Verizon.

 

[Bearcats]

Just to add, reception is not an issue with this phone. It may be the best I have used on Verizon.

This is one of the main reasons I had to walk away from the SG3. The whole point of a phone is communication. If you cant get "out" (whether it be by voice or data) whats the point!

Glad to see some good reviews from real world users on radio connectivity.

 

[mush10]

I had to stop using the S3 at work because it could not hold a signal. The Nexus was even worse. I had decent luck with an iPhone 5 and RAZR MAXX HD, but honestly the DNA beats both. Even this morning at the bagel store I go to where I usually lose LTE coverage, I was able to use the device without a problem. I really like this phone.

 

[jkmasi]

It's amazing how varied experience is with the signal on the SG3. Mine holds a signal better than any phone I've ever had, and I've had a lot. iPhone 4S, Inc 2, Razr Maxx, etc. Haven't tried the Razr HD or the iPhone 5, but I am very intrigued by this DNA, however not sure if it's worth full price when my SG3 works great.

Most important for me is the cell radios. I use my phone a lot on the extended 1x network on weekends in WV, have 4g at home, and weak 3G/1x at work. The SG3 keeps a signal in all three places, and doesn't burn through a ton of battery doing so. Of course, I do use wifi most of the time in all three spots.

Second most important is the camera. I know that in general the SG3 has a decent camera, but it's no where near as good as my iPhone 4S. Crappy
camera is what keeps me from trying the Moto HD line.

Third is battery life.

So, trying to decide if this phone will be my next, or if I should wait for Moto (best radios?) makes a phone with a decent camera.

Anyone tried the DNA on the extended network?

 

[mush10]

Battery life is definitely compatible if not slightly better than S3. Obviously the Maxx is a beast there. I carry around an extended battery pack anyway so I don't have to worry about that too much. The storage still bugs me a little but the screen and usability make up for that. I run Nova Launcher over Sense and will hopefully be able to root the device at some point.

I sold my S3 for 400 on Craigslist, to offset the cost which you can probably do too. I had a 32 GB.

 

[madcat]

Definitely the best reception of any phone for me so far. This is after owning and using 2 different GS3, iP5, RAZR Maxx, and 4S. The second GS3 was close with the latest leaked build but I would say the DNA is getting consistently better reception. (This is LTE btw)

 

[Randino]

What is a fringe area cause I haven't found one with the DNA. Lol Seriously, with the Gnex, everywhere that was fringe area is solid 4G now.

 

[TrueMetalGeek]

I'll find out tomorrow when I go back to work.
I am at the outskirts of town and work in a few buildings, the main ones are both brick and the one a medical building with lots of stuff that wrecks havoc.

My Rezound seemed to be a bump up from the Thunderbolt as far as maintaining connection goes (are some nasty spots that lose all connection) but it would often drop to 3G anytime I am in certain areas.

I'll find out with the DNA tomorrow or the next depending on which areas I wind up working in. (HVAC guy for some facilities. I go all over and random)