Help Call quality very sub-par (not signal strength)

[Deleted User]

I've had my Incredible since the 29th (yes, I had to wait) and it is been fantastic except for one important thing - call quality.

I know everyone in here has been discussing signal strength and bars, but I've been experiencing very poor quality in calls. It only seems to be the audio I'm hearing (people on the other end say I sound fine) that is bad - with everything from little 1 second "scuffs" (sounds like someone blowing on the phone mic), to 1 second moments of silence while someone is talking, to what sounds like auto-tune on the person's voice. When there isn't distortion the person sounds kind of muffled. Many times even the audio of the ringing cuts out a couple times or sounds distorted when calling someone.

Anyone on here experiencing a similar issue? I stopped by my local VZW store to which the technician didn't feel there was a problem and refused to replace my phone (although they had no new phones anyways). I've done a hard reset to remove any apps that may be interfering with the calls and it's still the same. Also have tested at least 50 calls in several areas of Rochester, NY (30ish mile radius) over the past 4 days.

 

[jbdan]

Not an issue here...this is my 2nd HTC android phone and for me the call quality is phenomenal....far beyond my previous BB's.

Was the tech able to reproduce any of these issues you hear? If so I would think they would want to replace it.

 

[zemerick]

I've had my Incredible since the 29th (yes, I had to wait) and it is been fantastic except for one important thing - call quality.

I know everyone in here has been discussing signal strength and bars, but I've been experiencing very poor quality in calls. It only seems to be the audio I'm hearing (people on the other end say I sound fine) that is bad - with everything from little 1 second "scuffs" (sounds like someone blowing on the phone mic), to 1 second moments of silence while someone is talking, to what sounds like auto-tune on the person's voice. When there isn't distortion the person sounds kind of muffled. Many times even the audio of the ringing cuts out a couple times or sounds distorted when calling someone.

Anyone on here experiencing a similar issue? I stopped by my local VZW store to which the technician didn't feel there was a problem and refused to replace my phone (although they had no new phones anyways). I've done a hard reset to remove any apps that may be interfering with the calls and it's still the same. Also have tested at least 50 calls in several areas of Rochester, NY (30ish mile radius) over the past 4 days.

I've seen a couple posts where others had some weird sound quality issues. What is your actual signal strength? ( Settings->About Phone->Network ) Also, you are "In Service" and "Not Roaming" correct?

 

[5thElement]

Call quality is fantastic on my Incredible. Far better than flip phones I have owned before I switched to the Eris and now the Inc.

 

[migeeman]

I've had my Incredible since the 29th and the call quality stinks. Did everyone get the new update? I have not, maybe after the update it will help with the voice quality. Honestly I was on a call today and said excuse me 5 times because I could not hear the other person, it sounded all garbled. Anyway, I'll stop by a Verizon store tomorrow to see if they can fix it. Can anyone offer any ideas to correct the problem? Thanks

 

[zemerick]

I've had my Incredible since the 29th and the call quality stinks. Did everyone get the new update? I have not, maybe after the update it will help with the voice quality. Honestly I was on a call today and said excuse 5 times because I could not hear the other person, it sounded all garbled. Anyway, I'll stop by a Verizon store tomorrow to see if they can fix it. Can anyone offer any issues to correct the problem? Thanks

I don't think any normal users have gotten the update yet. I have not, and have perfectly good call quality. I can't really think of anything to try and fix the problem, just to attempt to find the cause. Taking it in to the store is probably a good start.

 

[eleazar]

I've had my Incredible since the 29th and the call quality stinks. Did everyone get the new update? I have not, maybe after the update it will help with the voice quality. Honestly I was on a call today and said excuse me 5 times because I could not hear the other person, it sounded all garbled. Anyway, I'll stop by a Verizon store tomorrow to see if they can fix it. Can anyone offer any ideas to correct the problem? Thanks

I am having this exact same problem. I constantly have to ask people to repeat themselves because they go in and out. It is absolutely ridiculous! I did not expect to be downgrading my service by switching from AT&T to VZW.

 

[photographx]

I am having this exact same problem. I constantly have to ask people to repeat themselves because they go in and out.

Me too.

 

[jmacca]

I am also experiencing call quality issues in the Rochester, New York area. Seems better when I am at home, south of Rochester. I don't believe it is a signal strength issue, as the signal is actually stronger on this phone than it was on my HTC 6800 in my tests. Hope it's not something they can't solve soon...

 

[dc006]

I am having the same issues (I live in Kansas). Further, the speaker ear piece seems to "vibrate" and create a rattling/buzzing noise when I call someone and it rings and even when they speak. It's really annoying. I have already swapped the phone once, and the second one was a little better, but still bad. I guess I will have to swap again.

 

[SamMax]

It's obvious the Incredible has some issues that need addressed. It's amazing how some members take it personal when real world issues are brought to light, and they refuse to admit as awesome as it truly is it still has some issues.

If we could be patient enough for the patches to come, I'm sure this phone will be worth the wait, but with folks who are scared to admit that there are issues (maybe ouit of fear of teasing from iphone buddies) we could get these issues addressed a lot quicker by acknowledging them when there are evident.

If you have no issues-awesome for you, but don't try to act as if no one else has issues either please don't treat everyone like they are incompetent and are not worthy of a smartphone.

 

[SGRacer]

Maybe the problem is the persons phone that you are talking to. My call quality is .... incredible.
But coming from a BB what wouldnt be.

 

[photographx]

It's obvious the Incredible has some issues that need addressed. It's amazing how some members take it personal when real world issues are brought to light, and they refuse to admit as awesome as it truly is it still has some issues.

If we could be patient enough for the patches to come, I'm sure this phone will be worth the wait, but with folks who are scared to admit that there are issues (maybe ouit of fear of teasing from iphone buddies) we could get these issues addressed a lot quicker by acknowledging them when there are evident.

If you have no issues-awesome for you, but don't try to act as if no one else has issues either please don't treat everyone like they are incompetent and are not worthy of a smartphone.

Let me guess, you've read 5thElement's threads too?

 

[photographx]

Maybe the problem is the persons phone that you are talking to. My call quality is .... incredible.
But coming from a BB what wouldnt be.

Yes, It must be my wife's Eris', my friend's iPhone, my sister's Razr and every one else's phone that sounded fine before.

 

[eleazar]

I know that the crappy call quality on my Incredible happens regardless of where I am, the strength of the signal or the network of the person on the other end. It has happened when I have 100% full bars (yes, I know it's not entirely indicative of true signal quality), with 1 bar, with someone on VZW, and with someone on AT&T.

Yes, It must be my wife's Eris', my friend's iPhone, my sister's Razr and every one else's phone that sounded fine before.

lol

 

[Martin2579]

Hey all,

I am new to the forums. I am not having the above mentioned call quality issues but I am having a different kind. When on calls or making them it periodically has almost like an echo sound or like talking in a tin can...Really wierd. It is really intermitent thoug...Anyone have this problem?

 

[SamMax]

Let me guess, you've read 5thElement's threads too?

Yes I did ...lol They are all the same.

 

[dc006]

Hey all,

I am new to the forums. I am not having the above mentioned call quality issues but I am having a different kind. When on calls or making them it periodically has almost like an echo sound or like talking in a tin can...Really wierd. It is really intermitent thoug...Anyone have this problem?

I had the exact same issue with my first Incredible. It was really bad. They gave me a new one and that issue is not as bad, but still there. I cannot seem to reproduce it on two of my friend's incredibles or the store demo phone. So, I guess I just have to swap out again.

 

[eleazar]

Well, it sounds like I'll be heading to Best Buy tomorrow to exchange my incredible. Here's to hoping it will not have this issue!

 

[Deleted User]

Interesting to see others are having the same problem. Don't know if that's good or bad.

zemerick: I've been watching my signal strength everywhere I've gone since Thursday, using the ##DEBUG field test. The dbm's have been as low as 60s downtown but most of the time are in the 80s and 90s. Rx Ec/Io is normally 6 - 10 db. Signal seems to be pretty consistent no matter where I am in about a 30-40 mile radius around Rochester, NY.

migeeman: Can you explain further what garbled sounds like? For me, I have a mix of things including "scratchy" sounds, points where the sound cuts out completely for less than a second, or the words the person is saying will get cut off early.

SGRacer: At first I felt maybe this was the case, but I've made sure to test almost every carrier and landline. It does it consistently across Verizon, ATT, Sprint, and landlines both locally and across state.

eleazar: Does your call quality sound what I've described what mine sounds like?

 

[eleazar]

Interesting to see others are having the same problem. Don't know if that's good or bad.

eleazar: Does your call quality sound what I've described what mine sounds like?

I'm not experiencing the scratching or 'auto-tune' sounds, but every single call is muffled on my end, and the other person cuts out very frequently. Sometimes I can't even tell if they are still on the line. I'll ask a question and they will apparently have said "yes" or "no" but I didn't hear a thing.

It is extremely frustrating!

 

[esn]

I am not having any call quality issues at all. This phone is living up to It's name ! I think it must be a network issue not the phone. I am sure there are a few defective device out there but that is the law of averages. I have owned almost every blackberry and by far the Droid incredible is the best! The camera and internet are awesome! The phone runs smooth no lag or hassles what so ever.

 

[quest4JC]

I have also had "quality" issues in regards to the way the voice sounds on the mic and not the voice going in and out. It always sounds just a little muffled but I can always tell what the other person is saying. Its not a crisp sound that I experienced with my blackberry curve which was very loud and sharp and can hear over the roar of my engine. With the inc I have to turn it up full blast and doesnt get close to 70% of the clarity and voume I had before. Im not sure if I should return the phone or if others are having this same experience.

 

[TheSultan]

looks like we're in the same town, I just received your PM. I spent as little time as possible on the phone. I get stuck for probably 100 minutes a month but that's about all I can stand to be on the phone.

With that being said, I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask. I live and work in Webster, and have had one dropped call EVER (Webster park, under the bridge by the lake, BB Curve 8330).

With this phone, the first few days I had only a couple bars, but no problems with reception. I now regularly have a strong signal, on average, 4 bars, and have never once had a calling issue.




Then again, I've also got a GREAT battery life, quicker 3G connections than any other phone (I use Speed Test in the app market), and for what I use it for, the call quality is fine. So, maybe I got a D.Inc on steroids!

 

[Deleted User]

looks like we're in the same town, I just received your PM. I spent as little time as possible on the phone. I get stuck for probably 100 minutes a month but that's about all I can stand to be on the phone.

With that being said, I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask. I live and work in Webster, and have had one dropped call EVER (Webster park, under the bridge by the lake, BB Curve 8330).

With this phone, the first few days I had only a couple bars, but no problems with reception. I now regularly have a strong signal, on average, 4 bars, and have never once had a calling issue.

Then again, I've also got a GREAT battery life, quicker 3G connections than any other phone (I use Speed Test in the app market), and for what I use it for, the call quality is fine. So, maybe I got a D.Inc on steroids!

Cool, well at least you are in the area and have not had any quality issues.