Verizon GS3 signal reception thread

Bluewolf1983 · Jul 12, 2012

Coming from a HTC Thunderbolt, my anecdotal experience is that the signal strength is about the same. Having only gotten the phone last night, the following is exactly the same for my day-to-day use:

At home in my apartment, strong 4G.

On Boston green line subway, no data signal, occasional rare bursts of a single bar of voice. Still envious of Tmobile and AT&T users as those companies actually partnered with a 3rd party to install cell service down there while Verizon refuses to do so. ><

At my desk, strong 3G service only.

At the work bathroom, weak 4G service.

The only difference I personally notice is that the phone does seem more smooth when switching from no data/3G/4G than the Thunderbolt was.

you2 · Jul 12, 2012

Which stations did you test the G S3 ? I normally ride the green from copley to govt; and there I get 3g on the razr 1/2 the time (there is an area that has no signal but by park place the signal is normally back) (which I find impressive given that it is underground; in park place i normally get signal - which is good since the weekend wait for trains can be 10 or 15 minutes

Bluewolf1983 said:
Coming from a HTC Thunderbolt, my anecdotal experience is that the signal strength is about the same. Having only gotten the phone last night, the following is exactly the same for my day-to-day use:

At home in my apartment, strong 4G.

On Boston green line subway, no data signal, occasional rare bursts of a single bar of voice. Still envious of Tmobile and AT&T users as those companies actually partnered with a 3rd party to install cell service down there while Verizon refuses to do so. ><

At my desk, strong 3G service only.

At the work bathroom, weak 4G service.

The only difference I personally notice is that the phone does seem more smooth when switching from no data/3G/4G than the Thunderbolt was.

sorka · Jul 12, 2012

NpgGirl said:
I appreciate you taking time to respond. I am really disappointed in the signal strength. I am actually a bit shocked at how large or a drop it is from the iPhone 4S... ugh...

Both your posts emphasize "bars" but if you've read through this thread, you know that this cannot be used in any way to determine reception quality of one phone compared to another. I've had phones that have 4 or 5 bars that had lousy reception and dropped calls all the time. I've had phones that show 0 or 1 bars in the same locations but have a much better signal. Each manufacturer has their own scale of what a bar is and not only do those scales have different ranges but they are not linear.

RottnJP · Jul 12, 2012

you2 said:
... Very unhappy with the wifi crap verizon added to the GS3. ...

Can you clarify what you mean by this please?

Thanks!

Skeeter125 · Jul 12, 2012

rushmore said:
Ken7, that is because it IS dim! I think either everbody else had dim phones before, or are blinded by new device pixie dust. The display is dim, even at 100%. My concern is battery life, since below 100% is of course even dimmer.

Very surprised my fellow Razr users did not mention this. Also, the Razr can be used outside fairly well, not so with much sun and the G3.

My Incredible is brighter, so the amoled tech here has even less white, to the point of all shades of gray (hence it is dim).

Added:
Back on topic: Good to see the Gnex does not have a signal buddy in their review.

That's strange, its much easier for me to see my sgs3 screen than my razr maxx screen outdoors

Skeeter125 · Jul 12, 2012

RottnJP said:
Can you clarify what you mean by this please?

Thanks!

probably the wifi notification that is always in the pulldown.

DILands · Jul 12, 2012

EarlyMon said:
LoL

Not Qualcomm, but I have been the r&d director for one of the leading test providers in the semiconductor industry for some time. Hereabouts you'll also find my posts clarifying matters on TI and Samsung processors among other things. I have no vested interest of any sort in which product decisions that anyone here can make.

I believe that an informed consumer is an empowered one - that's my deal.

OK - I've been following this thread since Day 1 (seems like forever) LOL. Some stuff makes sense to me - some it probably beyond me. I'm hoping for a non-technical answer (If you can provide it).

First - my "observation" - reception-wise - things seem to be all over the place with this device. I'm trying to keep my prejudice against Samsung out of this. The wide variance in the feedback could be caused by: a) a global deficiency in the device, b) Quality differences between individual devices, c) "Network issues", and d) what I will call "operator error".

I think that "a" and "b" are fairly obvious, and are "on Samsung". "c", while being a "function" of VZW infrastructure, if another device or manufacturer gets different results (better, or worse) then this also becomes a factor. "D" is the difference in you (EarlyMon), or Rush reporting something here - and me, or someone like me reporting something here. I love me - I think I'm awesome - LOL - but - would give more credibility to what you guys report - vs what I would report. Based on this "theory", "D" would be the 1 factor to "discount" these ratings. If there's anything I missed - I think that would be a great topic for discussion - here - or in another thread.

Now - for my question - based on the SIII, and the rumored Droid Fighter running the S4 chip - based on Moto antenna design/placement and "RIL" (I THINK that's what it's called) is How much of a difference (optimistic/realistic - yeah - I know it's conjecture because the device hasn't even been announced) might we expect?

Right now, I'm sitting on an upgrade - and - am nit the most patient person - especially waiting for a new toy (err - I mean phone). My plan is to wait for the Fighter - the problem is - every time I pass a VZW store - the car wants to turn in to the parking lot. LOL

Thanks all - hopefully I have contributed something positive to the discussion!!

Skeeter125 · Jul 12, 2012

DILands said:
OK - I've been following this thread since Day 1 (seems like forever) LOL. Some stuff makes sense to me - some it probably beyond me. I'm hoping for a non-technical answer (If you can provide it).

First - my "observation" - reception-wise - things seem to be all over the place with this device. I'm trying to keep my prejudice against Samsung out of this. The wide variance in the feedback could be caused by: a) a global deficiency in the device, b) Quality differences between individual devices, c) "Network issues", and d) what I will call "operator error".

I think that "a" and "b" are fairly obvious, and are "on Samsung". "c", while being a "function" of VZW infrastructure, if another device or manufacturer gets different results (better, or worse) then this also becomes a factor. "D" is the difference in you (EarlyMon), or Rush reporting something here - and me, or someone like me reporting something here. I love me - I think I'm awesome - LOL - but - would give more credibility to what you guys report - vs what I would report. Based on this "theory", "D" would be the 1 factor to "discount" these ratings. If there's anything I missed - I think that would be a great topic for discussion - here - or in another thread.

Now - for my question - based on the SIII, and the rumored Droid Fighter running the S4 chip - based on Moto antenna design/placement and "RIL" (I THINK that's what it's called) is How much of a difference (optimistic/realistic - yeah - I know it's conjecture because the device hasn't even been announced) might we expect?

Right now, I'm sitting on an upgrade - and - am nit the most patient person - especially waiting for a new toy (err - I mean phone). My plan is to wait for the Fighter - the problem is - every time I pass a VZW store - the car wants to turn in to the parking lot. LOL

Thanks all - hopefully I have contributed something positive to the discussion!!

You should always put more faith in what you report or are seeing because afterall you are the one using it so even if someone else gets great signal somewhere else but you do not, it's not going to magically make your phone get better signal.

Ches111 · Jul 12, 2012

I can see the SGS3 much better than my Droid X outdoors. I did a bike ride with My Tracks on last night and at the end showed my buddies the results. They loved the screen and could not believe how well we could see it in direct sunlight. Although in fairness it was about 7:30 pm but the sun was out and not overcast at all. The same buddy has the EVO 3D and it can barely be seen.

Oh and my signal strength has been just fine and very comparable to my DX with the exception that the SGS3 is getting 4G

thenew3 · Jul 12, 2012

Renegade360 said:
Just Tested my Galaxy Nexus vs S3 signal. When on the same tower according to OpenSignal, my S3 had a -85db signal on 4g and my Nexus had a -93db signal. On the network status signal strength in the settings menu at the same time my S3 had a -108db and Nexus had a -116db. So the S3 def had a better signal. The funny thing is that the S3 will go to a 3g signal alot faster when 4g is weak, while the nexus will stay on the 4g. So I have more 4G signal time on the Nexus vs the S3 even though the s3 gets a stronger signal. This has got to be software related with the Nexus on AOKP 40 and the S3 Stock.

I'm seeing the same between my Nexus and S3, BUT on my nexus while it holds on to 4G longer, it seems it cannot/does not transmit/receive data on 4G when it is in that condition. So data stalls. But on the S3, it quickly transitions to 3G and data continues (at a much slower pace)

I have yet to get the S3 to stall on data, regardless of 3g or 4g.

Also, the speeds of the S3 on 4G seems to be significantly faster than the Nexus or the Samsung mifi I have.

At my home office, my nexus gets 10 to 12 mbps down and 5 up, average. the S3 gets 35 down 6up on average. the mifi is about the same as the nexus.
I've only gotten around 30mbps on the nexus in two spots, while with the S3, most places I go, I get around 30mbps.

dmaxfan · Jul 12, 2012

rushmore said:
Lux actually increases brightness? Display Adjust does not work.

I feel dirty hijacking a thread I created, and discussing display stuff and apparently have zero discipline.

I look forward to hopefully testing reception today

It doesn't make it brighter than 100% it just brightens normal situations. I just meant I guess I'm use to it. My wife has my old razr. I'll check them out side by side.

Bluewolf1983 · Jul 12, 2012

you2 said:
Which stations did you test the G S3 ? I normally ride the green from copley to govt; and there I get 3g on the razr 1/2 the time (there is an area that has no signal but by park place the signal is normally back) (which I find impressive given that it is underground; in park place i normally get signal - which is good since the weekend wait for trains can be 10 or 15 minutes

Kenmore to Copley only currently. Didn't get any signal in Copley (surprised you do).

Verizon does have cell service at Park Street and Government Center - just mostly useless as I'd want to watch a streaming movie for more than a station or two. Haven't tried the other stations between Copley and Park Street yet. You can see an underground coverage map at: Underground cell service expected to reach all of T this year, but carriers still limited - Allston Brighton - Your Town - Boston.com (diagrams at the bottom of the article).

dmaxfan · Jul 12, 2012

RottnJP said:
Can you clarify what you mean by this please?

Thanks!

I'm guessing he means even when you turn off WiFi it still asks if you want to connect sometimes when you open something. It is annoying as hell. I just don't get why Verizon is touting their 4g network when they don't even want you to use the damn thing.

Sorry for being off topic.

bennybbc · Jul 12, 2012

JustSomeDude said:
Sorry to hear you're having such problems -- I really appreciate your thorough description of your experience (although it is making me sad). So, are you going to try and swap out both the phones at a Verizon store as defective, in the hopes that maybe you got two from a bad batch, or are you already ready to move on? (I know, I'm grasping at straws here...)

I went to the Verizon Corp. store yesterday and talked to a guy there. He actually seemed to know what he was talking about. I explained to him that my daughter and I both have the same phone and both have the exact same reception issues. It seems unlikely that the phones are from the same batch but I guess it's possible. Her phone shipped from Memphis and my phone shipped from California. I didn't ask about swapping out my phone since I don't believe that it's just coincidence that both phones just happen to be identically defective. He was sympathetic but what could he do? He offered to let me return the phone for a refund (Minus $30, of course) but I'm not ready to do that.

I do get reasonable reception for both voice and data when driving around my town. But that's never been a problem with any of my/our phones. It's our house that has the "Fringe coverage". But none of us have ever had reception this bad with any of our phones at home. It's easy to get good reception in a medium to strong signal area. It's the weak areas that separate the good from the bad.

I can't explain why some people are getting good reception with their SGS3 and we aren't. But it's a fact that we can't talk on our phones at home at all and that has NEVER been a problem with any phone we've ever had. In fact, I don't recall anyone who's ever visited our house having this problem with their phones. I think it's safe to say that our two S3's get the worst reception of any phones that have ever been in our house. We've lived here for about 20 years and we have a lot of company.

At this point I don't know what I'm going to do. I really don't want to give up this phone. I have a lot of money and time invested in it. It's very unlikely that I'll return the phone for a refund. Getting screwed by Samsung/Verizon with a crappy phone AND losing $30? I don't think so. But I have considered selling it on Ebay. I haven't looked into what they're selling for (Lightly used) but I'd think I could probably get $500 for it, maybe more. I don't know. But then what? Go back to my Droid X and wait for something that is comparable in features but actually gets good reception? Maybe. That Razr HD that's rumored to be coming out sounds promising since Motorola is the king of reception in my experience. But I'll have to pay full retail and how much is that going to cost? When will it hit the market? What are my other options that won't be a step down in features and cost me an arm and a leg? Enquiring minds want to know.

My 16 year old daughter is finally coming out of denial about her phone. A couple of days ago it was: "How's your new phone?" "Great! I love it!" "Have you checked the data and voice reception?" "No, I'm using wifi and I haven't made or received any calls." She usually texts or uses our land line since her old Incredible got a slightly garbled signal (But It didn't drop the calls!). I had already tested her phone myself the same day I got my phone and knew it had the same unusable reception mine has. She was in the shower so she didn't know I'd done that and I didn't want to burst her bubble by telling her that her new phone sucks. Last night I called her phone from our LL and of course it dropped it within seconds. She called me back and it took two tries because the first call got dropped while it was ringing. The second call got dropped within two seconds. I think that took some of the shiny sparkle off of her new baby but I don't think she wants to get rid of the phone. Just like my phone, with her phone she gets excellent call quality all over town as well as 3G data. Again, so does any other Verizon phone.

My neighborhood is slightly elevated above the surrounding areas but my street has always received weak reception from any service that sends a signal. DSL is slower here than even a block or two away. Clear Wire isn't even available on our block but it is within a block or two away. The reception of any of the other cell providers is also weak in the same area as Verizon. But Verizon is usually the strongest, at least compared to ATT and Sprint.

The only suggestion the guy at the Verizon store had was to buy one of those whole house wireless extenders. I've never looked into those (Never needed it) and he said they are about $250. Ouch! Add that money to what I could hopefully sell my SGS3 for and I can buy a phone that doesn't NEED a wireless extender.

Benny

you2 · Jul 12, 2012

The razr does have signal in copley until the train is midway to the next station.

Bluewolf1983 said:
Kenmore to Copley only currently. Didn't get any signal in Copley (surprised you do).

Verizon does have cell service at Park Street and Government Center - just mostly useless as I'd want to watch a streaming movie for more than a station or two. Haven't tried the other stations between Copley and Park Street yet. You can see an underground coverage map at: Underground cell service expected to reach all of T this year, but carriers still limited - Allston Brighton - Your Town - Boston.com (diagrams at the bottom of the article).

VegaLA · Jul 12, 2012

Well, this is my second full day of owning the GSIII and gotta say i've yet to see the 4G logo on my reception bar ! Running Dbm test states -97Dbm and Speetest reveals the following:

DL 0.5Mbps
Up 0.00 Mbps
Ping 293 !

The missus has a GSIII from TMob and she is getting 4G constantly. I'm guessing Vzw have yet to push LTE in my area of Santa Clarita, CA, but TMob have this area covered. Really disapointed as I kept stating how good Vzw service was with my Droid X on 3G.
I hope this is just a covereage issue and not the phone itself.

UPDATE to say, just rean speedtest on the Missus' GS3 on TMob and I just got caned severly!
I hope Vzw sort this out....humiliating!

Sandroidfan · Jul 12, 2012

Ken7 said:
Hmm, who was it that said this? Oh yeah, that Rushmore guy. Hey, they liked the phone but look at the 'cons'.

What I like is that they referenced the GNex and said they saw none of the connectivity issues they saw with that phone.

Samsung Galaxy S III (Verizon Wireless) Review & Rating | PCMag.com

DL's mini review of Verizon GS3. They also seem to find signal reception is much improved from Gnex if not better than Razr.

As for the dim display, I will see it myself today side by side with Gnex, Razr with auto adjust off.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Review [Verizon] – Droid Life

nooaah · Jul 12, 2012

-73dBm on LTE in my house. About the same in the Philly burbs, too.

dmanindfw · Jul 12, 2012

VegaLA said:
Well, this is my second full day of owning the GSIII and gotta say i've yet to see the 4G logo on my reception bar ! Running Dbm test states -97Dbm and Speetest reveals the following:

DL 0.5Mbps
Up 0.00 Mbps
Ping 293 !

The missus has a GSIII from TMob and she is getting 4G constantly. I'm guessing Vzw have yet to push LTE in my area of Santa Clarita, CA, but TMob have this area covered. Really disapointed as I kept stating how good Vzw service was with my Droid X on 3G.
I hope this is just a covereage issue and not the phone itself.

UPDATE to say, just rean speedtest on the Missus' GS3 on TMob and I just got caned severly!
I hope Vzw sort this out....humiliating!

Tried the Verizon 4G coverage map for Santa Clarita, and they show NO 4G coverage, not even extended for that area.

Look here and search: www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/support/coverage-locator

dmaxfan · Jul 12, 2012

I think a lot of it was everyone was seeing 4 full bars on gingerbread before going to the sgs3. Ics has changed the signal layout, as mentioned prior, add that to everyone being gunshy of Samsung radios (rightfully so) they don't think it's that good now. I know I compared the signal to my wife's razr this passed weekend and this week and they are close. Too close to call.

In edit: I have no new device love pixie dust. I was upset when I first noticed signal, but after comparing to the razr, there is no reason not to keep it. Trust me, I spent $700 after taxes and hidden fees and I would be getting that back. A few might truly be bad devices.

nooaah · Jul 12, 2012

IS there any way to display dBm in the status bar? I prefer this to the signal bars.

_Aardvark · Jul 12, 2012

VegaLA said:
Vzw have yet to push LTE in my area of Santa Clarita, CA,!

One thing about living in Santa Clarita I never could stomach, all the damn vampires, oh and lack of LTE coverage.

Sandroidfan · Jul 12, 2012

nooaah said:
IS there any way to display dBm in the status bar? I prefer this to the signal bars.

Not sure if there is app that puts it on top bar. But widgetsoid 2.x has mobile data icon that displays dbm on screen.

dracozny · Jul 12, 2012

well I got my phone yesterday but couldnt remember my billing password so I didnt get it active till this morning, I was totally prepared to jot down some crappy numbers from a 3g signal, only to discover upon activation that 4g is available in my area. was 3 bars in the bedroom, I haven't checked to see what the dbm was, and I haven't had an excuse to make a phone call yet but the data is very fast.

JustinHEMI · Jul 12, 2012

So I'm standing here in a verizon store abot to drop 600 on an s3. I'm comparing my resound signal to the demo s3.

Rezound is at -69 to -72 db.
S3 is at -83 to -86 db.

Is this a real concern?

The nexus right next to it is -104 db.

Thanks

Justin

Verizon GS3 signal reception thread

data issues related to dbm #'s?

high dbm, data works fine

high dbm, data does not work

other: explain in comments

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