How is the radio reception?

[rushmore]

On VZW the S4 is barely average and the N3 is better (until a recent update borked it).

I am reading some posts the N4 dBm is lower than the N3, but no word on the VZW version and only a few posts on the other versions. Not enough to even guess yet.

Oh,

Anybody afflicted with new device pixie dust, please be cautious

 

[mak916]

What is the dBm supposed to be?

 

[rushmore]

The phone signal number. Bars are really only relative to a device.

 

[mak916]

I'm on Sprint. Mine earlier was -94. Right now it reads -111.

 

[Risley]

I'm on Sprint. Mine earlier was -94. Right now it reads -111.

Lower number is a stronger signal.

The Note 4 I just got basically seems about the same as the Note 3 and the iPhone 5S

 

[bonerp]

-92/93 stronger and more consistent than my OnePlus one. I get consistent H+ sat at my desk whereas 1+ was often 3g/H

 

[AnonGuy]

The VZW N3 battery life is fab. Stop spreading the FUD, please.

7+ hours screen on time per charge. N3 on Verizon with the latest update.

There's absolutely nothing bad about that, and it's certainly better than it was with the initial 4.3 OS revision.

 

[DevinNJ]

I really hope it's better. I've been places with my Note 3 that I've had to use my girlfriend's Note 2 to make calls because I didn't have a signal. Not cool. I'm leaning towards Moto as my next phone. Just sayin...

 

[mdnd19]

Lower number is a stronger signal.

The Note 4 I just got basically seems about the same as the Note 3 and the iPhone 5S

Lower number being -111, or do you mean that -94 would be stronger? I'm asking to clarify and because my S3 is at -111 and I can't even make a call hahaha. I hope to God the Note 4 isn't this bad!

 

[jaj324]

-111 is pretty weak. I've seen - 55 on my G2 and the same on my Z Ultra. Of course I can see an att blowtorch about a 1/4 mile away too. I usually stay around - 85 in my office. .

 

[Risley]

Lower number being -111, or do you mean that -94 would be stronger? I'm asking to clarify and because my S3 is at -111 and I can't even make a call hahaha. I hope to God the Note 4 isn't this bad!

-94 is better stronger signal

 

[hoghunter1]

My note3 reception sucked...my note 4 picks up with 2-3 bars where I had none on the n3 ..I is pleased!

 

[rivera02]

I played with the note 4 before handing it off to my brother today. In my house where my note 3 would usually have no signal and my s3 would only get weak 3g, the note 4 had 2 bars of 4g. Radio performance in my limited time with it was on par with my g3, which has been amazing in this department.

 

[rushmore]

So far seems as good or better than the S4. Not saying it is the same, but appears not to be worse. Tomorrow at work is the test, since a lot of weak areas that the S4 is weak or no signal.

 

[rmcf]

At my job yesterday, i was getting -89/-90 on my s3. Today, i'm getting -99/-100 at the same location on the note 4.

 

[rushmore]

The data reception on my VZW N4 seems the same as the S4, so not good and not bad either (average-ish). Same power sucking ways as the S4 as far as data radio. I have been at 105 dBm (same as S4) at work and even though charging from USB on my docking station, I am at 67% while loading all of my apps (started at 100% on usb). It has been downloading fairly steady since 8:20 am. I have about 40GB of apps (some games are huge), but "only" going to download about 16GB worth. Only one huge game (Asphalt 8) for now.

I know charging from USB is a fraction of using the wall charger, but did not expect such vampire draining and is on par with the S4. I expected a much slower net negative drain while charging with USB, given two years worth of radio chip tech improvements.

Added: I really like the device, but was hoping for power drain improvements with the data radio.

Added 2: My S3 was the same as the S4, so looks like consistently average radios so far.

 

[grumpy]

My note 3 dropped calls 3-4 times on my 47 mile ride to work. Today I did the same drive and did not drop my call. I had my friend on the phone the entire ride so I could figure out the drop spots.

 

[rushmore]

My note 3 dropped calls 3-4 times on my 47 mile ride to work. Today I did the same drive and did not drop my call. I had my friend on the phone the entire ride so I could figure out the drop spots.

Yeah, Samsung really borked the N3 with those last two updates.

 

[Spearfisher3]

Any updates on radio reception?

Progressed from the N2 to the N3 and really want the N4. But, my only complaint with the N3 has been the radio (esp. after the last update or two). At home, I typically have to use our S4 to make calls (we get slightly better reception on that consistently). Frequently drop calls all over town as well.

Hoping some of you guys/gals that have had the phone now for a few days can chime in regarding this subject! (Grumpy and Rushmore, read your comments above. Thanks for the input and info!)

Thanks!

 

[rushmore]

Reception seems the same as the S3 and S4.

 

[kunzy]

I'm due for an upgrade and I love the Samsung phones just not to happy with my reception the two places I use it the most. I'm using a note 2 now and am interested in the note 4 but I'm kind of fed up with the radios. My wife just got an LG G3 a couple days ago to see if the signal strength is any better so my question would be who makes the best radios? Motorola, LG, Samsung or HTC. Mind you my note 2 was great until it's first update and it seems others are experiencing the same with note 4

 

[LaTuFu]

It's been a long time since I was willing to put up with a Motorola. But back when the StarTac and Razr were state of the art, those phones could pick up a signal in a hardened submarine bunker. /s

In the world of Smartphones, my experience has been limited to a Motorola Electrify outside of the Samsung realm. The radio was about the same as the Samsung. I haven't had anything to do with HTC since a very short, painful stint with an old HTC WinMo Touch that was horrible in every way.

 

[Podivin]

From my experience, and the experience of the guy at Verizon store where I go, Motorola phones can get cell reception in places where a Samsung is weak or will drop a call.

In my house there are two rooms where HTC and Samsung phones I've had will drop a call, and anywhere inside the house the signal is weak. However the Motorola Droid Razr that I had a better signal throughout the house, and wouldn't drop a call anywhere in the house.

That said, I prefer Samsung devices to what Motorola currently has out, so I just don't go in those rooms when I'm on a call.
(which is not to say anything bad about Motorola, just their current lineup doesn't do it for me)

The Note 4 seems to be on par with the S4 that I had previously.