[VZW] Verizon is offering me out of my contract with no ETF due to lack of service

Let's remember that everyone is a valuable member of the forums regardless of post count, time as a member, or title.

I by no means am trying to start any trouble with my next statement as I am no expert. I have posted before and I thought people had agreed that the Gnex on 3G only would only read -120, -100, -93, -83 and -75 or something very rigid like this? So if this is the case then if the phone that was in the Verizon store that was reading -87 would indicate that it was reading a 4G signal...would it not? Just asking and maybe bringing up something that may not have been thought about.

Yesterday I went on trip to Big Bear Lake area in CA. This is pretty bad area signal wise with many hills, mountains at high altitude. I know all my friend's phones (iPhone, Fascinate, Dinc) had trouble holding cell signal, making calls here. So I was very curious how my Gnex would do here as phone. It was fluctuating between 1X, gray bars, 3G with 0~1 bars. But it never lost cell signal altogether (stuck to solid gray triangle). So I was actually impressed with ability of my nexus to hold onto weak cell signal. I could make a few calls/texts without problems. I couldn't compare with Moto phones like Razr here, but Gnex seems on par with others at least.

But living in such area might be different matter and maybe I will have some voice call issue like some of us are having if I live there. Where I live (north county of San Diego), only 4G reception indoor is somewhat unsatisfactory. But 3G and phone reception was never significant issue to me.

Sorry to see that Gnex didn't really work out for some of us. I understand and agree with swapping with Razr or other phone to get working phone where you live. IMO, this is QC issue from Samsung, so maybe even swapping phone couple of times doesn't make any improvement for some regions.

Gnex269 said:

I by no means am trying to start any trouble with my next statement as I am no expert. I have posted before and I thought people had agreed that the Gnex on 3G only would only read -120, -100, -93, -83 and -75 or something very rigid like this? So if this is the case then if the phone that was in the Verizon store that was reading -87 would indicate that it was reading a 4G signal...would it not? Just asking and maybe bringing up something that may not have been thought about.

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Hey,

Just to chime in. I had read so many complaints about the rf of the Galaxy Nexus that I wanted to test it for myself. I set all three to CDMA only for the test. Currently I am deciding which Verizon phone to buy later today. I am leaving T-Mobile because of poor signal in my house so the Galaxy Nexus is a risky proposition. My second complaint is about Android Battery life. This makes the RAZR MAXX the front runner in my decision. I am a father of two toddlers so camera is important to me as well. This is why the Rezound is appealing to me. I am leaning towards the MAXX more and more but I have two issues with it. It feels really boxy in my hands. And I don't know how good or bad the pictures look when uploaded to say Facebook. For those two reasons the Rezound is actually appealing to me. Anyone care to give me an opinion on those two?

ballroomdru said:

Hey,

Just to chime in. I had read so many complaints about the rf of the Galaxy Nexus that I wanted to test it for myself. I set all three to CDMA only for the test. Currently I am deciding which Verizon phone to buy later today. I am leaving T-Mobile because of poor signal in my house so the Galaxy Nexus is a risky proposition. My second complaint is about Android Battery life. This makes the RAZR MAXX the front runner in my decision. I am a father of two toddlers so camera is important to me as well. This is why the Rezound is appealing to me. I am leaning towards the MAXX more and more but I have two issues with it. It feels really boxy in my hands. And I don't know how good or bad the pictures look when uploaded to say Facebook. For those two reasons the Rezound is actually appealing to me. Anyone care to give me an opinion on those two?

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I haven't used the Rezound, personally, but I can tell you my decision making process that led me to the Razr Maxx. The only reason I chose the Maxx instead of the Rezound as my replacement device was seriously only because of the battery life issue. I read thread after thread after thread on these forums and compared three major areas between the Razr Maxx and the Rezound: signal strength, screen quality, and battery life.

From what I've read, and experienced in the past for the most part, Motorola and HTC are very comparable with the quality of their radios and my Droid Incredible could always hold a signal pretty good in most everywhere I took it. So, it was pretty much a tie on signal strength between the two.

Next, was screen quality. The Rezound is actually a better screen than the Galaxy Nexus, from what I've read and has a higher pixel density. It is 720p where the Razr Maxx is qHD. So, the Rezound won in the screen department. Plus, I will definitely admit that the screen on the GNex is better than the Razr Maxx. Infinitely better? No. Noticeably better? No. But looking up close at the screen and in certain cases, you can tell a difference. So, while the Rezound is definitely a better screen than the Razr Maxx, it was close to wash for me. Especially since owning the Maxx now and the screen is really great and I don't miss the screen on the Nexus anymore.

Last, battery life. Now this was the primary reason that the Maxx won, for me. I read a lot of threads about the Rezound and how the battery life wasn't that good. I shopped for extended batteries and all of the batteries that compared to the Razr Maxx made both the Rezound and the Galaxy Nexus super thick and awkward looking. The Razr Maxx doesn't seem any more thick than the GNex, to me. It is, by a little bit, but it's not noticeable in-hand.

I followed, on this forum, the Galaxy Nexus when it was the Nexus Prime. I was in here following every leak and rumor like all of us were. I couldn't wait to get it. When I did, the signal strength for me personally, was noticeably poor. The ability to hold onto signal was equally disappointing. I waited and kept hoping that the next OTA would fix or make the signal strength better at least. Once it leaked and I installed it, it didn't fix my signal issues. It possibly made them slightly worse. So, it was then that I decided it was time to move on for me.

Obviously everyone has different stories and different experiences. I had two Galaxy Nexus' and both had the same issues for me. New software has helped for some, and for some it hasn't. Choose for yourself. Decide what works best for you and what your needs are in a device, then make a move accordingly. Best of luck with your big decision.

I don't understand how some areas are such that people's service is so night and day worse than their previous 3G phones.

Out of curiosity, I did some testing to compare my Nexus with my wife's iPhone 4 and my old HTC Incredible. Results are here:

http://androidforums.com/samsung-ga...dma-dbm-comparison-nexus-dinc-iphone-4-a.html

hmm...

red66charger said:

I told the CSR that wouldn't work for me and to send another Nexus that I know will have the same issues as my previous two. I swear I'll do it every month until I get a phone that works. He said he would have a manager call me tomorrow. I'm not holding my breath.

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I threatened to do this and they are sending me a Rezound.
I don't want another locked Motorola device.... but they tried to push a Razr onto me.

I will be leaving the Verizon Nexus club fellas.... I need a phone that works.

LoyalServant said:

I threatened to do this and they are sending me a Rezound.
I don't want another locked Motorola device.... but they tried to push a Razr onto me.

I will be leaving the Verizon Nexus club fellas.... I need a phone that works.

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So do yo think I ever got a call back? Nope. They actually sent TWO refurbed GNex's. Also, after playing with one at my house I determined there was no signal strength difference (surprise, surprise). I wonder if I can request new in the box instead of refurb.

This whole thing has been difficult. But I think I'm stuck. Guess I have no choice but to hope Razr HD comes out soon and buy it unsubsidized. Thanks for the customer support Verizon.

I just don't understand why those of you who have poor signal can't get a good GNex. I mean they can't ALL be bad right? Unless VZW is purposely sending out knowingly bad refurbs, until the customers ask to switch to a different device, so as to take the GNex out of service as quickly as possible...but that is just the cynical conspiracy theorist in me talking.

AntimonyER said:

I just don't understand why those of you who have poor signal can't get a good GNex. I mean they can't ALL be bad right? Unless VZW is purposely sending out knowingly bad refurbs, until the customers ask to switch to a different device, so as to take the GNex out of service as quickly as possible...but that is just the cynical conspiracy theorist in me talking.

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My theory is...there is no "good" or "bad" Galaxy Nexus. I think when it comes to the radios and reception, these devices are functioning as they are able to function. Not "bad" as in broken, but bad as in consistently under performing. Where you use your device is the deciding factor of the user experience. That is the difference between joy and misery when using the device.

This is why I don't want to do the whole exchange devices song and dance. It will NEVER make a difference for me. The hardware/software within these devices and my geographic location does not make for a good user experience.

I think the other part of it might be that VZW's coverage map/claims may be skewed and misleading when troubleshooting reception issues. Perhaps the greatest 4G network just ain't that great.

But I keep coming back to this...how is it I had NO trouble with my Thunderbolt as far as reception?

I just think those of you with no reception issues are fortunate to live in an area so saturated with signal that it masks the inadequacy of the device's radio. The kicker is, I'm supposed to be in a strong 4G market.

I need to quit caring and accept this is what I have. As many of you have said, it really does no good complaining. It's just a shame how close to awesome using this phone could have been (for me).

But my GNex is just as good as my thunderbolt was 3G wise, same crappy data speeds at my desk, so it's not like they had a great signal to go off of. 4G is only slightly worse, and it was essentially the same, since the Thunderbolt would cycle incessantly, it was unusable.

red66charger said:

My theory is...there is no "good" or "bad" Galaxy Nexus. I think when it comes to the radios and reception, these devices are functioning as they are able to function. Not "bad" as in broken, but bad as in consistently under performing. Where you use your device is the deciding factor of the user experience. That is the difference between joy and misery when using the device.

This is why I don't want to do the whole exchange devices song and dance. It will NEVER make a difference for me. The hardware/software within these devices and my geographic location does not make for a good user experience.

I think the other part of it might be that VZW's coverage map/claims may be skewed and misleading when troubleshooting reception issues. Perhaps the greatest 4G network just ain't that great.

But I keep coming back to this...how is it I had NO trouble with my Thunderbolt as far as reception?

I just think those of you with no reception issues are fortunate to live in an area so saturated with signal that it masks the inadequacy of the device's radio. The kicker is, I'm supposed to be in a strong 4G market.

I need to quit caring and accept this is what I have. As many of you have said, it really does no good complaining. It's just a shame how close to awesome using this phone could have been (for me).

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I think you hit the nail on the head, my friend! Couldn't have said it better myself. The radio, in weak areas, just doesn't perform as well as other manufacturers radios. This doesn't effect you if you live in a better area of coverage and it may vary from mile to mile. Both of my Nexus' performed exactly alike and the leaked update did nothing to help the problem.

I try to stay out of most G Nex threads now. Not too much input I can have since I no longer have it.

Some of these post mirror my thoughts exactly. I think its just a case of...it is what it is. Especially compared to other phones. If you have no other phone to compare to....some of the issues with reception, screens, etc just wont be noticed. Or in the case of reception, the network will get the blame or most of the blame.

Its not so much that phone A sucks for reception....it may be that phone B is above average, better for reception. Thats all. Like all HDTV's arent created equal....same goes for phones, tablets, cpu's etc.

Whatever issues you run into with these phones....ask yourself can you live with it, is it big or small to you. That should make whatever you decide to do easier.

Meh I'm on an Oil Rig in the middle of nowhere and my nexus is outperforming all the other phones I've seen out here other than a Droid3 as far as voice is concerned (no one has data). Battery is the suck, but that's to be expected in a place as desolate as this. I really think it must be regional for some weird reason.

Well I am not fairing well with them at all.
I have asked to be let off just to be told to pound sand.

I got my replacement device alright.. without a battery, cover, memory card, charger, etc.
However, they want all of these accessories back from my nexus and the Rezound has a funky micro usb jack on it to boot.

To make this all that much better.... they are going to CHARGE ME for the battery, charger, usb cable, sd card, headphones and all!

This was their idea, not mine.
This rezound that I cannot use because I have no battery or other bits has gone right back in the box to go back to Verizon.

Oh, and now they are only going to send me replacement nexus devices whether they work or not.
I just filed complaints with everyone that I can file one with.... seems Verizon has decided that I am keeping a Nexus whether it works or not.

My only out may be to pay an ETF or sue them.
Paying the ETF is obviously cheaper.... gotta love these people.

LoyalServant said:

Well I am not fairing well with them at all.
I have asked to be let off just to be told to pound sand.

I got my replacement device alright.. without a battery, cover, memory card, charger, etc.
However, they want all of these accessories back from my nexus and the Rezound has a funky micro usb jack on it to boot.

To make this all that much better.... they are going to CHARGE ME for the battery, charger, usb cable, sd card, headphones and all!

This was their idea, not mine.
This rezound that I cannot use because I have no battery or other bits has gone right back in the box to go back to Verizon.

Oh, and now they are only going to send me replacement nexus devices whether they work or not.
I just filed complaints with everyone that I can file one with.... seems Verizon has decided that I am keeping a Nexus whether it works or not.

My only out may be to pay an ETF or sue them.
Paying the ETF is obviously cheaper.... gotta love these people.

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I'm getting the same treatment. It is upsetting that VZW is punishing customers for Samsung's faulty device. Also, I've seen several people on here who have received Razr Maxx's in exchange for their GNex. They wouldn't do it for me.

red66charger said:

I'm getting the same treatment. It is upsetting that VZW is punishing customers for Samsung's faulty device. Also, I've seen several people on here who have received Razr Maxx's in exchange for their GNex. They wouldn't do it for me.

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Keep after them.
I filed complaints with the FCC and such and now all of a sudden they want to help.
I supposedly have all of the accessories for a rezound on the way.

In the meantime my nexus suffered a stroke and it won't see the network at all, just sits there with no service.
Radio appears to have died in it so they are sending me overnight a battery for it and in the meantime I am using my wife's old droid 2.

This phone is a tank, as are most Motorola devices.

I also got a Nexus from the play store to stick my prepaid sim into because after this fiasco I will probably unload the Rezound and pay the ETF to get out of this.

I am done with contracts... they have all of the cards and you have none.

trophynuts said:

Guys/Gals i'm going to request that a Mod close this thread now. I feel like the situation for me at least is settled for the most part. If you guys want to continue some of this convo there are already multiple Signal Reception type threads to do that in. Thanks everyone for their feedback.

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Glad your all fixed up.
I hope I will get some closure as well.

Glad to hear VZW stepped up to do the right thing by you.

Closed per OP's request.

Congrats on the Razr! Feel free to PM me if any questions about it.