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

[Rippin508]

So, what happens if you're a new customer waiting on that replacement phone that is back ordered, and you decide after you receive the replacement that it just isn't working out for you. If you got the phone on April 29th, you're over the 30 day trial period. Are you locked in to the contract at that point, even though you had to wait weeks for the replacement to become available?

In most cases you can call Verizon Customer Care and they might be able to accept your return without penalty.

In my case, I was told, and it was noted into my account, that if I decide not to wait for a new replacement Incredible I would not be locked into a contract. Also, my upgrade date would go back to the original date. I am currently out of contract with Verizon and eligible for NE2.

 

[paulpot]

Thank you HTC for acknowledging I exist. I can finally sleep at night knowing I'm at the mercy of corporate America/Taiwan? Anyway, I appreciate it.

 

[Ryobi]

Now I can't figure out what to do. Sold my Eris, bought the Inc. I'd like to return the Inc because I can tell you this much. If you're waiting for a replacement device to cure the problem, forget it. My replacement device was just as bad.

My signal is poor, usually -95 dBm or worse. Voice quality seems to be ok, but not great. My location is well saturated with coverage. Is it the network or is it the device?

Love the phone, hate the reception. I can't wait another 2-3 weeks for another replacement that probably will be just as bad.

Is the Moto Droid in my future?

 

[wase4711]

my signal strength is fine; the phone call sound quality is horrible..
signal is -70 usually

 

[washerebefore]

..I notice when making a Cell to Cell call it

 

[gag10]

This is my third post, and I've decided to return my Incredible. I loved everything about it except the voice quality (which was exhausting and caused me to dread phone calls!), and the fact that Verizon and htc don't support tethering to a mac and I was told they would when I purchased it. (I currently tether an LG Dare, but the data plan is expensive - $50 - and I cannot afford the smart phone data plan - $30 - on top of that.) My intent is to wait for android 2.2 to become available and try again, hoping by then the voice problem is solved by and the tethering function is not disabled by Verizon. I did successfully use Pdanet tethering for a while, but I started to have problems accessing secure sites, which caused me to worry about the security of that provider. I do like the support I get from Verizon. Good luck everyone. I will continue to monitor this problem.

 

[Haelous]

I did successfully use Pdanet tethering for a while, but I started to have problems accessing secure sites, which caused me to worry about the security of that provider.

The free version of PDANet blocks secure web sites after the 14-day trial expires. You need to purchase the full version to have SSL support.

 

[wase4711]

This is my third post, and I've decided to return my Incredible. I loved everything about it except the voice quality (which was exhausting and caused me to dread phone calls!), and the fact that Verizon and htc don't support tethering to a mac and I was told they would when I purchased it. (I currently tether an LG Dare, but the data plan is expensive - $50 - and I cannot afford the smart phone data plan - $30 - on top of that.) My intent is to wait for android 2.2 to become available and try again, hoping by then the voice problem is solved by and the tethering function is not disabled by Verizon. I did successfully use Pdanet tethering for a while, but I started to have problems accessing secure sites, which caused me to worry about the security of that provider. I do like the support I get from Verizon. Good luck everyone. I will continue to monitor this problem.

I feel the same way; voice quality is horrible..
is it htc devices, or just this one?
Other htc owners, can you chime in on this?

Also, starting random reboots and 2 screen freezes today...bummed out about this..

 

[bsdbytes]

I feel the same way; voice quality is horrible..
is it htc devices, or just this one?
Other htc owners, can you chime in on this?

Also, starting random reboots and 2 screen freezes today...bummed out about this..

I had the Nexus One and voice quality rivaled that of land line phones. Prior to that I had the Hero and voice quality was good. This is my first HTC phone that sounded horrible. I had the phone exchanged and the new one has identical voice quality and dropped call problems. I ended up emailing HTC and they said an update will be out to address the dropped call issue but didn't mention voice quality (hopefully they are related).

 

[curtisdr]

It looks like the folks over at the HTC forums are having the same issues. There's talk about it being a bad batch of phones. I'm really not sure if I buy that explanation.

On the first link, jump to page 6 for the good stuff...
Poor Signal/Reception - Major Issue - DROID INCREDIBLE by HTC (Verizon) - Android Forums - HTC Community

HTC Incredible poor voice call quality, ROM version and serial number list? - DROID INCREDIBLE by HTC (Verizon) - Android Forums - HTC Community

 

[INTREPID-NY]

Emailed HTC Support with serial number S/N (under battery):
They are collecting data, so please file a report.

HTC Mobile Phones - Customer Service - E-mail Support

 

[gag10]

The free version of PDANet blocks secure web sites after the 14-day trial expires. You need to purchase the full version to have SSL support.

Thanks, I didn't know this. It explains my experience perfectly; that will be helpful in the future when I get another android device. My Incredible is all boxed up and ready to return. Using my old LG 8300 for voice calls is like putting on a pair of comfortable, old slippers! The sound is wonderful, after suffering for two weeks with the Incredible.

 

[dack70]

You can add me to the list of people having call quality problems. I get the "less than a second voice drop outs" and the static probems. Rebooting the phone will sometimes help. Doesn't matter what my signal strength is. The rest of the functionality of the phone is OUTSTANDING! I hate talking on the phone, so I will probably keep it. However, it would be nice to know if this is a software problem that can be fixed with a patch, or if this is a permanent hardware problem that will never be fixed. Has there been any indication from HTC that this problem is a known issue and that they are working on fixing it?

 

[curtisdr]

Has there been any indication from HTC that this problem is a known issue and that they are working on fixing it?

Read my post above and check out the threads in the HTC forum. It sounds like HTC is aware of some kind of similar issue, but I'm not sure if it's exactly what we are describing or not.

 

[dack70]

Read my post above and check out the threads in the HTC forum. It sounds like HTC is aware of some kind of similar issue, but I'm not sure if it's exactly what we are describing or not.

Thanks. Just went and read the HTC forum. Sounds like they are aware of the problem and are working on a ROM fix. Great news, because otherwise, I LOVE this phone!

 

[INTREPID-NY]

My response received from HTC as posted by others:

Hi, I’m Caylen, and I’ll be happy to assist you today. We are currently aware of this issue and working to address this is in the next MR (ROM update). Like all ROM updates, we cannot provide the exact date for an expected release, as there may be delays that are out of HTC’s control. For now, try the below troubleshooting steps in attempts to resolve this issue. When holding the device, you should hold it with your fingertips for optimum strength in signal. Dial: *228 option 1-phone update *228 option 2- prl update After you have completed these steps, soft reset the device. You can soft reset by powering off the phone, removing the back cover and battery, replace the back cover and battery, and power the phone back on. Thank you for contacting HTC America Technical Support. Please feel free to contact us again if you have any future questions. Also, I would like to invite you to participate in a customer satisfaction survey located at HTC Online Survey.

 

[Lancedroid]

Have those of you who have had the issue tried changing the same call to your back speaker? My call improves greatly when coming out of the back speaker vs the ear-piece. This leads me to believe this is a hardware issue.

Btw, I like another poster find that the earpiece is tolerable if the caller is calling under next to perfect circumstances (land line, caller speaking loudly, ect) but if the call falls from perfect I get the half-second dropsies.

 

[DroidPower]

emailed htc support with serial number s/n (under battery):
They are collecting data, so please file a report.

htc mobile phones - customer service - e-mail support

done...

 

[BetterMost]

I don't really blame the handset I think its Verizon. I was also having issues of sound quality on my BB Storm2. They may have the best coverage but they don't have the best call quality by any means.

 

[DavidinGA]

Check out my thread for a real solution that has fixed the problems of poor voice quality AND reception issues. http://androidforums.com/htc-incredible/81417-do-you-have-poor-muffled-underwater-sounding-call-quality-solution-inside.html

 

[Deleted User]

I think its more of a network issue with the handset than a sole handset issue.
Same goes for the rebooting. You know its a network issue when Verizon says they are having a re booting issue in the Carolinas and not anywhere else. It sounds to me like the Verizon network and the Inc are just not always playing nice together.

In my case, this was not the situation. It was the hardware. I experienced terrible call quality everywhere I went, from Rochester to Boston. Got a replacement in the mail, it's 99% better. Entirely different quality and sound.

 

[Doc_Stew]

I emailed customer support at HTC about the weak signal and poor reception during calls. This was their response:

"Hi, I

 

[colnago]

Check out my thread for a real solution that has fixed the problems of poor voice quality AND reception issues. http://androidforums.com/htc-incred...er-sounding-call-quality-solution-inside.html

This does not work in everyone's case. Adding an additional "low level codec" is not going to resolve a "poor reception" (dropped calls, dropped audio) issue.

 

[dack70]

I emailed customer support at HTC about the weak signal and poor reception during calls. This was their response:

"Hi, I’m Katie, and I’ll be glad to assist you today. The reason for this is because of an issue with the antenna. The antenna does not pick up reception as well as it should. Therefore, the device is constantly searching for a stronger signal and draining the battery. The on screen display is not showing your accurate signal. We are currently aware of this issue and working to address this is in the next MR (ROM update). Like all ROM updates, we cannot provide the exact date for an expected release, as there may be delays that are out of HTC’s control. Thank you for contacting HTC America Technical Support. Please feel free to contact us again if you have any future questions."

I just received the same response. Can a ROM update fix the antenna? I hope so, but it would seem like a hardware problem to me. Also, I hope this fixes both the signal(bars) problem AND the bad call quality problem. (whether they are related or not)

 

[Lancedroid]

I'm going to repeat my request that those of you who are experiencing call quality problems switch back and forth in the same call between Earpiece and Back Speaker to see if remains the same. It's a simple test.

This should help tell us all whether its hardware or software so that we can focus on the correct solution of hoping for a ROM fix in the case of software, or exchange it for another phone if its hardware.