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I have an unlocked Tmobile MDA using a Cingular SIM. I recently purchased an aluminum case (boxwave, PDair, I think they are all the same) to replace the free case. I love the aluminum case in every way except 1. The cell phone reception is MUCH worse with the phone in the case. I have read others get a 1 bar decrease, but in mildly weak areas (2 bars or less), the aluminum case kills the signal. I have actually missed calls. Even when the signal is OK, the case appears to degrade the sound quality over my Moto HS810 headset.
My question is, is their anything I can do about it (and keep the case)? Specifically, can I install an antenna that I can attach to the phone and have it glued to the outside of the case? Or, if I were to cut away part of the aluminum, where should I cut to maximize my reception while minimizing my modification? Has anyone else experienced this problem, and if they have what did they do to resolve it.
I love the case and would hate to part with it. I use it with my BT GPSr and the plexiglass allows me to see the screen without opening the case. My only problem is I forget to open the case sometimes and tap on the plexiglass .
Any help would be appreciated.
I don't have a wizard, but most phone will have an option for an external antenna. Look at the back of your phone, and see if there is a round rubber thing that is around 1cm in diameter. That's most probably a connector for an external antenna. I guess you have a connector out from there and take it out of your case or possibly use your case as an antenna. BUT, I'm not sure how dangerous will it be consider the radiation having direct contact with your body.
There are some threads here that mentioned external antenna, whom a user used to get reception for his room/office that is underground.
Are you sure?
I am using a similar case for my phone too, they are very useful and practical. But I did not face any problems of signal drop. Are you sure its not something else? Unfortunately this case does not have an opening for the external antena point of the phone. You might have to drill one.
I'm getting terrible reception in that case, too. The signal improves when I take the phone out of my pocket- so maybe it is the height or other obstructions?
Hmm. I might have to try a different case.
I too have the PDAir alu case. Definitely makes BT reception worse.
With my previous Himalaya I used to have a clearcase. No probs with that.
Would like that again for the Wizard, but afaik its not available.
Case Logic?
Hi there. I also have one of these aluminum cases. Your problems never occured to me. I've just fixed other problems thanks to this web site and the ROM developers.
For some reason reception for me on Cingular's network has never really been a problem before. I will keep my eyes open for this new development you all discovered.
Thanks for the heads up.
Case Logic?
Hi there. This is going to seem odd. My HTC Wizard worked great when I got it. I got an aluminum case for it and it seems that's around when my phone lockup problems seems to have started. Between that and installing the wrong version of Good. Long story short, I took the phone out of the aluminum case last night and as of now (about 12 hours) the phone hasn't frozen at all. I just completed installing latest Good on it and it's still working.
Is it really possible that all my phone freezing lockup problems are tied to the aluminum case? I've heard others complain about BT and dropped calls because of this case, but really. Anyone else heard of anything this bazaar?
Definately a problem with aluminum cases and the HTC G2 / Magic phone
OMG! I couldn't believe it but it is true, it appears that really is signal attenuation occurring with aluminum cases. I purchased this case: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350252703148&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
In case the link no longer works, it is the "HTC G2 Monaco Black Aluminum Case" from ba66s. It is similar to the high quality aluminum case that I purchased for my HTC Touch phone. While the HTC Touch phone did not suffer from signal loss, my HTC Dream (same as G2) definately suffers from signal loss. There is quite a noticable difference between in the case and out of the aluminum case. So far, I have noticed that it primarily means the difference between having a data connection and not having one. I am wondering if it is the 3G network is is mostly affected?
I should point out that the problem is less severe in an area of very strong signal coverage (3 - 4 bars). But the estimated 20% signal loss is significant where there is already a marginal signal (1 - 3 bars max).
Again, my HTC Touch did not seem affected by the aluminum case.... is it b/c of a different signal frequency, or the placement of the antenna that is causing an issue with the Android phone?
Can a section of the aluminum case be cut out?
I really like my aluminum case.... and before I ask for an RMA, I am wondering if the case can be modified by cutting a section out. Can anyone tell me where the antenna is located on the HTC Magic / G2?
Hello everyone,
I don't have an aluminium case, but I'll share the little I know with you, maybe we can help each other.
I think that your alum case is, sometimes, acting as a Faraday cage, shielding the device from outside signals, as BT, radio, etc. The eletronic signals arrive on the case and disperse themselves there.
As I've readed, some people seem to have good signal after getting the phone off the alum case, that can point to an evidence of this effect.
I'm basing this on guitar shielding. I've done it several times and de concept is the same: shield the eletronic cavity with metalic material so outside interference doesn't introduce any noises to the sound.
Honestly, I would recommend clear cases, or rubber cases. The only option I can see now is to drill a hole and put an external antenna, or to cut the back-upper part of the case, thats where the antenna is located.
Cheers
Last few days I been debating to Exacto off top two inches of my primes aluminum shell.
Right where the Wifi / GPS antenna are kept.
Of course doing so would VOID the warranty.. lol
But, it would test the theory of rather or not the aluminum back interferes
with anything.
The aluminum back is very thin. You could in theory take a ruler and scar
out a straight line. Go over the line many times with an exacto knife just
enough to break the aluminum shell. Then pull off top piece.
Hopefully it is just a shell and nothing is attached to it.
Anyone else brave enough to attempt such a venture?
My luck the wifi / gps / bluetooth results will be the same.
Good idea? Nuts? What do you guys think?
*** UPDATE ***
When I first got my prime its WIFI was very weak, and its GPS didn't work. I was very fustrated that I spent $500 on a tablet that didn't work! And it had Light bleed. I thought that when ASUS released its ICS update the problems would be fixed. They weren't. My return period had expired from where I purchased the prime originally so I tried to find as much info as I could on the prime's problems. Everything from aluminum backplate interference to pogo pin problems. I was fustrated so my original idea was just to Exacto off the top two inches of the prime. Well, after coming to my sense and realizing this idea was nuts. (sorry one too many beers). I just decided to try and open the unopenable! After seeing Anandtech teardown of the prime http://www.anandtech.com/show/5286/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-teardown I made some plastic tools and decided to open it up! To my surprise it was really easy to open!
Pics of opening the prime
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Thanks to XDA member Doktaphex for uploading these Youtube videos of him opening his own prime!
Pic of PCB (printed circuit board) Primary WIFI antenna having a flawed PCB design?
When I opened my prime I found that ASUS included two wifi antenna PCB towards the top of the prime to pickup Wifi / GPS signal.
The secondary wifi pcb was fine. However the primary wifi antenna's pcb had a design flaw. The pcb copper etching on the primary
wifi antenna was not connected! Asus used pogo pins that transfered the wifi / gps signal from one side of the tablet to the other.
These pogo pins would lay flat against the wifi pcb's copper pad. However on the the wifi pcb i pulled out of my tablet the signal
never made its way from these copper pads to the top wifi antenna because the copper etching in the pcb was gapped! I tested
and no conductivity was found!
Is this the reason why ASUS pulled shipments when the prime was launched?
Is this the reason why some peoples WIFI work and others dont?
You be the judge.
*** UPDATE ***
Ok here are the pics of my final mods. I removed both PCB Left and right Wifi/GPS antenna. I removed the pogo pins and drilled holes in the back of the aluminum backpanel. Holes where placed just below where pogo pins use to be. I then inserted some rubber gourmets around the drilled holes. Soldered on some wires to where pogo pins use to be and feed them through the rubber gourmets.
I have a MoKo Slim-Fit case so this mod works perfect for me. I can just tuck the wires behind the prime. And never even see the mod.
Awesome results. 32kbps/5kbps using speedtest for the wifi. Getting 20-30dBM in Wifi Analyzer. I can walk all around my house and get excellent wifi. I can walk out 50 feet in my yard and still pull all bars!
(Using Asus RT-N66U Dual-band Wireless-N900 Gigabit Router)
GPS works perfect. Using GPS Test it gets a signal within 5 seconds and 15+ birds, accuracy great!
Light bleed fixed for me. Just messing around with screws on display.
***Update***
I finally got my Tyco Antenna the other day and tried them out. Unfortunately they did not work out. I soldered them to where pogo pins use to be and tried placing them all over in the tablet. I couldn't get any good WIFI results. The only area I had OK results was where the original WIFI PCB where at. (50% of wifi I am now getting from just some external wire antenna.) I then positioned the Tyco Antenna to the back of the prime. The aluminum back of the prime is the problem. It just block/interferes with everything. Whenever you have something even close to the back of the prime it interferes with it. I got fustrated, but maybe someone will have better results.
***Update***
Ok, after all the mods in last week+ I found a little method that work best for external wire antenna. Its called the "Caprisun straw method." lol.
Whenever you place anything close enough behind or back of prime. The aluminum backplate interferes with the signal. Even with external wires when I tucked them behind the prime the signal would degrade some. So what is the "Caprisun straw method." Well my kids drink alot of Caprisun's from COSTCO. While my 8yr old left an empty one out I had an idea with the straw. (see pic).
I decided to place my wires in the straw. As I pulled the straw up and down my WIFI Increased considerable! Why? because I was getting signal away from that darn aluminum backplate. You can use whatever straw or color you want. But the whole idea is now it is pretty quick and easy to adjust your WIFI range with the straw. When I am done playing with my tablet I simply tuck the straw back behind the tablet in case. GPS you can have a straw on as well and just push it up out of case. (GPS results are amazing with this little fake wifi antenna).
***Update***
Ok I finished my final mod. I made myself some mini wifi antenna and placed them in my case. The mini wifi antenna are composed of a thin straw surrounded by heat shrink tubing. Capped with a plastic hole plug. Wires that come out of my tablet are inserted in the straw. Heated with lighter and sealed.
The mini wifi antenna I can pull up or down out of my case to extend the WIFI range. I am pulling three bars at more than 50 feet away. Amazing!!
(Charter Ultra 100mbs connection, ASUS RT-N66U Router : 32kbps / 5.5kbps Speedtest @ 50 feet)
I had to laugh a little because my prime kinda looks like a little android with the antenna stickin out.
**Added 2-19-12 thanks to XDA member pileot and other Modders whom have found out that:**
IF YOU HAVE ANY ANTENNA / WIRE AFFIXED DIRECTLY NEXT TO / ALONG THE BACK CASE THE INTERFERENCE WILL BLOCK NEARLY ALL SIGNAL.
If you have any sort of wire / pigtail / antenna AWAY from the back of the case, you will get amazing reception.
***UPDATE***
lol I finally figured out what this switch was for. Located up above headphone
jack. Its the ON/OFF switch for mobo. So be sure to turn off your mobo power before you solder on any mods.
***UPDATE***
Ok, I just finished up another mod to my prime. My goal was to be able to mount the prime in a vehicle and use it on the road. So i needed the best WIFI and GPS I could get. And I did it!
Meet Optimus Prime!
I replaced the old mod with external SMA male connectors and was able to mount on some external WIFI antenna. Large ones atm. But I have some small 2.4ghz stubby antenna on order.
I still need to mod my leather case to be able to insert the SMA connectors in it. However, I noticed with just the SMA connectors sticking out and NO WIFI antenna attached I still get good WIFI
(Both Factory WIFI PCB removed with soldered connection to SMA's)
The WIFI range on this thing is AMAZING! Full bars every place in my house and even out in my yard! 50+ feet away from my router. I think its limited to the range of my router more than anything now.
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removed
10char
I'd say go for it bit first study those tear down pics very hard. Even better blow them up n print them out. I don't think there's a need to do the whole top. Just the area where antennas would be located. Even better find the FCC tear down of it for exact measurements so to lessen your chances of mistake or cutting too much. Good luck n keep up posted. You will be very popular in this section if you do this..lol
I think a more cleaner way is drill tiny holes the size of the speaker holes or slightly larger (just check the speaker holes and are too tiny). Just make sure you dont go too deep that you drill out the antennas. Maybe start of with 2 rows of 4 holes (depending how big the holes you want) on each side and center. I should patent this idea and sue anyone who copies!
I think, no. It doesn't need it. The window is already on the glass panel and just needs a solid connection.
Modded by MBOK
mrokeefe said:
I think, no. It doesn't need it. The window is already on the glass panel and just needs a solid connection.
Modded by MBOK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. If anything, take the back off and solder some wires on there and remove the pins they are using to make the connection.
mrokeefe said:
I think, no. It doesn't need it. The window is already on the glass panel and just needs a solid connection.
Modded by MBOK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I been looking at AnandTech teardown. The pogo pins connect to the
front glass. Now my question is on the front glass there is that where the
antenna for WPS / GPS are at? If so then the aluminum back would have
nothing to interfere with. Antenna is on front glass piece.
Soooo.. pressure point theory of pogo pins not making contact against
copper connectors on front make sense on why some wifi / gps not working
as well. And some have fixed by pressing harder on that region.
Evo_Pimpin said:
I agree. If anything, take the back off and solder some wires on there and remove the pins they are using to make the connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd fully do it if I knew how to open it properly. The fix is so simple its stupid.
Ifixit.com should do a step by step
Modded by MBOK
Erusman said:
Last few days I been debating to Exacto off top two inches of my primes aluminum shell.
Right where the Wifi / GPS antenna are kept.
Of course doing so would VOID the warranty.. lol
But, it would test the theory of rather or not the aluminum back interferes
with anything.
The aluminum back is very thin. You could in theory take a ruler and scar
out a straight line. Go over the line many times with an exacto knife just
enough to break the aluminum shell. Then pull off top piece.
Hopefully it is just a shell and nothing is attached to it.
Anyone else brave enough to attempt such a venture?
My luck the wifi / gps / bluetooth results will be the same.
Good idea? Nuts? What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really like this idea and think it just might work the key will be to make sure you located the exact right spot. If you do this let us know ASAP how turn by turn GPS navigation works and also if the range of your Wi-Fi increases
How about just taking the back off?
Do a before and after test of signal strength and speed.
(especially at some distance away where the signal seems to fade.)
Ride525 said:
How about just taking the back off?
Do a before and after test of signal strength and speed.
(especially at some distance away where the signal seems to fade.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
easier said then done and very risky exactoing one spot is a bit safer imo
Lol, I'd heat-gun the back and remove it long before taking an exacto knife to it!
I'll watch the thread, excuse me if I drop in laughing hysterically when you go right through some wires or straight into the antenna's you're attempting to help.
This is just my opinion, but if you're willing to void warranty and physically mod then you should be willing to go a tiny step further and fully disassemble for safer modding. Again, just the opinion of someone who's been waiting very impatiently to do exactly as he advises ^.^
mrokeefe said:
I'd fully do it if I knew how to open it properly. The fix is so simple its stupid.
Ifixit.com should do a step by step
Modded by MBOK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone should submit all the various threads n tear down pix to them. As this is kinda of a big issue. If ifixit got on it, it would generate alot of tech press. Would be good for both of us.
To the op, thinkn about it, might be better to take back plate off, solder connections then run some afterwards test. Then if you want you could still cut out an RF window on backplate n see how much better than just soldering connections that would bring.
I think sending all this info to ifixit would be a great idea.
PrimeTimeBro said:
easier said then done and very risky exactoing one spot is a bit safer imo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Teardown shows the prime is separated in two halfs. Front is bezel
containing ips display. Back is where all the guts are at. Connected by
pogo pins. Looks like the bezel lifts out from the shell. The back is
solid. Just appears as if you could just pry around the fine line edge.
too scary for me! I'd think the speaker hole drilling would be less evasive.
Lol... Why dont you just remove the backing, if wifi improves there is your proof. Then drill a few small holes, solder on wired antenae extensions and lead then out of the holes your drilled. Now attach the wire to the back or around the edge of the outer casing. Sounds better to me then slicing apart your backing.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
cutting the back isn't a smart move. Remove the back would make more sense and test, then if you are going to cut, at least the back is off and you wont slice the wrong thing or part.
I don't think you guys realize how hard it is to take the Prime apart.... why do you think exactly 0 people did it when the Prime first came out and the GPS issue was going crazy at the time and as far as I know no one on these boards has been able to take the Prime apart or has been willing to risk it we have only seen breakdowns from a handful of magazines/online sites.
Just drill a hole and hook up one of these =)
http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/259131067/2_4GHz_Wireless_WIFI_Antenna.jpg
The most ridiculous idea that I have ever heard. I realize that already people have pointed out that most of the Prime's gut's are actually attached to the back panel, but regardless.... just plain dumb!
I honestly don't mean to be rude. What the heck have you been smoking dude.
hey guys like the thread title states I'm looking for a bumper. I recently got an Aluminum one I found here on xda and I'm incredibly happy I can finally have some sort of a case on with my extended battery but it impacts the gps on my phone enough where I'd like to find a replacement. Upon further reading have found a couple threads about bumpers with some that I really like but they all seem to have the cutout to fit an antenna in the corner which I hear apparently the chinese version of the s2 has. The aluminum bumper I have now does not have such a cut out. I'd like to basically find a bumper exactly like this one (http://www.spigen.com/cell-phone/sa...sung-galaxy-s2-case-neo-hybrid-ex-series.html) but without the hole in the corner. I'll probably just end up ordering that bumper anyways but any help would be much appreciated. =D
Which case do you have now? I got a ikuba bumber case and my gps is fine.
I am using the bumper shown in this post (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1417661) If you look there are pictures in that thread ,some posted by me, which show that it lacks the antenna hole the plastic/silicone case I linked in my OP has. I can't seem to get a good lock on my gps after putting it on. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't but either way it takes too long to make it worth it. I don't think it blocks the gps waves only impairs or bounces them a bit, I think this because before putting it on when I opened the google maps app it would say "accurate up to ten meters" or "accurate up to 5 meters" now it usually says "accurate up to 30 meters" sometimes even "accurate up to 50 meters". This wouldn't bother me but when I switch it to gps mode so it actually gives me directions as I drive it just says "lookiung for gps" on the bottom for a full minute sometimes more sometimes not moving from this screen at all. Maybe the case is not really made of alluminum because it's cheaper to manufacture other metals in china. (the case I'm using was shipped from and presumably made in china) I'm guessing from the lack of response that I'm probably going to have to deal with the antenna hole, I was really hoping for a US manufacturer maybe that doesn't cater to Chinese phone models.
The one I'm using now signal for indoor is around 40feets and out door its around 30 feet.
so much trouble just to get the back of the phone white...
eortizr said:
so much trouble just to get the back of the phone white...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who's trying to get the back of their phone white?
Sent from my graphing calculator using sheer force of will
I just ordered one off eBay. Aluminum alloy bumper with tripod hole. Plan to do a review once I reach my 10 posts. can't even provide a linky yet, but it's sold by rpas5404. It's for the i9100, but I'm quite sure it'll fit. I have the i777.
This bumper does have the corner cut out, I just realized. But that doesn't bother me.
http://www.casefanatic.com/samsung-2/galaxy-note-3/galaxy-note-3-love-mei-metal-bumper/
This looks great and its thin at .7mm.
I remember on the Note 2, I bought the hunterF iphone case and signal quality was horrible because of the back plate.
Do aluminum bumpers degrade signal quality? This was the best case I could find for maintaining the handfeel of the phone. I really enjoy the back texture and general slimness so I dont even want to use anything like a TPU case.
I had problems with this type of bumper on an iphone 4, but they had the antenna along the side so for the n3 this likely won't be a problem. One thing I noticed, at least in the renders, this case doesn't have a hole on the lower right side for (what many people say is) the temperature / humidity sensor.
seoulbrova said:
http://www.casefanatic.com/samsung-2/galaxy-note-3/galaxy-note-3-love-mei-metal-bumper/
This looks great and its thin at .7mm.
I remember on the Note 2, I bought the hunterF iphone case and signal quality was horrible because of the back plate.
Do aluminum bumpers degrade signal quality? This was the best case I could find for maintaining the handfeel of the phone. I really enjoy the back texture and general slimness so I dont even want to use anything like a TPU case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not ure, but I can tell you this, I received my note III aluminum back cover replacement today (ebay), and it absolutely destroys signal, data is slow, dropped calls, remove it and immediately signal is back.
This is the one I bought
Samzebian said:
Not ure, but I can tell you this, I received my note III aluminum back cover replacement today (ebay), and it absolutely destroys signal, data is slow, dropped calls, remove it ..
is the one I bought
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Curious to know how the fitment is for your back cover. . Could you post pictures?
Aluminium bumper is a waste
There is a scientific reason how metal can block or boost signal.
In our case, aluminium bumper is blocking network antena in the phone.
On my iphone, it was not a problem, payne because the antena was not affected.
But now in my Note 4, it clearly blocks the network antena(as I saw the antena position on the note 4) and my signal gets lost.
I dont think that u'll have a problem, as the note 3 has the antenna on the back!
Wrong dude. It will block ur signal for sure. I bought 1 and checked. You will lost around 1-2 bars on ur signal.
Same as the metal back cover.
Actually i want to convert my note 3 to metal, so i bought 1 metal frame, 1 metal back cover. They make my signal weaker, 2-4 bars depend on ur location.
In my experience, dont waste ur money. I pay 30 bucks for both of them.
Ps: also block wifi signal too.
I have never purchased anything from Ebay before, so I was hoping to get the opinion of those who are more experienced about case purchases from their. I was searching for a nice high quality bumper case, and I found quite a few on Ebay but one of them stood out the most, just seemed a lot more premium than the others (from the pictures) and way more thought out, has all the mic holes unlike some of the others where the one on the bottom corner is covered, even the rubber padding on the inside is engraved with the manufacturer logo (G.LIDER), and comes with a nice little screw cap screwdriver key chain. Hope to get your thoughts on it.
I included some images and here's the link/links:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Anmboo-Meta...Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&var=&hash=item19e3f95a0c
Edit: after i posted i noticed they put the corner mic cutout on the wrong side lol
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Alumi...t=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&hash=item4acb6c3fe1
Mars196 said:
I have never purchased anything from Ebay before, so I was hoping to get the opinion of those who are more experienced about case purchases from their. I was searching for a nice high quality bumper case, and I found quite a few on Ebay but one of them stood out the most, just seemed a lot more premium than the others (from the pictures) and way more thought out, has all the mic holes unlike some of the others where the one on the bottom corner is covered, even the rubber padding on the inside is engraved with the manufacturer logo (G.LIDER), and comes with a nice little screw cap screwdriver key chain. Hope to get your thoughts on it.
I included some images and here's the link/links:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Anmboo-Meta...Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&var=&hash=item19e3f95a0c
Edit: after i posted i noticed they put the corner mic cutout on the wrong side lol
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Alumi...t=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&hash=item4acb6c3fe1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even I thought about buying one of these, but most likely your signal will get destroyed. I would try to find someone who bought one and get a review on it.
Pikezer1337 said:
Even I thought about buying one of these, but most likely your signal will get destroyed. I would try to find someone who bought one and get a review on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea that was one of my main concerns about it but cant find a review on one of these or similar, there's quite a few reviews on those full body aluminum cases which I hear drop signal tremendously.
Pikezer1337 said:
Even I thought about buying one of these, but most likely your signal will get destroyed. I would try to find someone who bought one and get a review on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found a review on the Galaxy Note 2 forum where someone reviews 2 aluminum bumpers, he seems to lose a bar with the bumper on. Might greatly effect my data signal since i only get like 1-2 bars from Verizon at any given place in the Tampa Bay area but not my wifi.
Link to post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2019435
I had a similar metal bumper on my Note 2. The signal definitely decreased and my GPS kept having issues with attaining a lock/maintaining the lock
So actually, I just got mine, not sure if it's the same one, but I see no decrease in signal.
I tried speedtest.net app, but didn't see decrease in speed (at least significant enough).
I mean there was a slight decrease in speed, but that was like around 1~2 Mbps, and I'm still getting around 23 Mbps.
I learned a valuable lesson using metal bumper case, it scratch the trim and cause the paint to peel off. Also, many reported signal drop a bar or two.
I had an aluminum bumper on my iPhone 5 and had horrible signal. I personally would not recommend and aluminum bumper even though they look really nice on the phones
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
As far as I know the Note 3 doesn't have the phone antenna located in any corner, it is located from the top to the bottom, so there will be no issue in phone signal
Different thing is GPS antenna...
chhappy7 said:
So actually, I just got mine, not sure if it's the same one, but I see no decrease in signal.
I tried speedtest.net app, but didn't see decrease in speed (at least significant enough).
I mean there was a slight decrease in speed, but that was like around 1~2 Mbps, and I'm still getting around 23 Mbps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you post some pics of it? Yea i don't think its a huge loss in signal, im usually on wifi so it doesn't matter much since i get full bars in all my classes, home and work, might be a problem on 4g since I only get like 1 bar. Does it in any way scratch the device, especially that chrome painted rim around the phone?
Mars196 said:
Can you post some pics of it? Yea i don't think its a huge loss in signal, im usually on wifi so it doesn't matter much since i get full bars in all my classes, home and work, might be a problem on 4g since I only get like 1 bar. Does it in any way scratch the device, especially that chrome painted rim around the phone?
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It's quite a significant loss in signal. A bar or two. I only had mine on for about a day and I sold it for my N2. In areas where I'd normally get a slightly lower signal, the phone would drop reception altogether. Unusable.
ultwill said:
It's quite a significant loss in signal. A bar or two. I only had mine on for about a day and I sold it for my N2. In areas where I'd normally get a slightly lower signal, the phone would drop reception altogether. Unusable.
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We don't have too many options in good looking bumper cases otherwise i would just buy a plastic one, its either this or the Spigen Neo Hybrid and that flimsy plastic bumper isn't too assuring, a lot of people have gotten it damaged right out of the box and others who have used it previously on their galaxy S4 had it damaged within a couple months, I need something sturdy that will show off the squarish design of the Note 3
Would of been awesome if Belkin made a view case for any other device excluding the iPhone
I want something like this : http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-View-C...96559&sr=1-2&keywords=griffin+iphone+5+bumper
for the Note 3, been searching for a while and cant really find anything similar except for those aluminum bumpers, the closest I have found is the Luvvitt Clearview but its still rounded instead of square and the bumper part is made of TPU.
http://www.amazon.com/LUVVITT®-CLEA...3897349&sr=1-2&keywords=galaxy+note+3+luvvitt
Mars196 said:
I have never purchased anything from Ebay before, so I was hoping to get the opinion of those who are more experienced about case purchases from their. I was searching for a nice high quality bumper case, and I found quite a few on Ebay but one of them stood out the most, just seemed a lot more premium than the others (from the pictures) and way more thought out, has all the mic holes unlike some of the others where the one on the bottom corner is covered, even the rubber padding on the inside is engraved with the manufacturer logo (G.LIDER), and comes with a nice little screw cap screwdriver key chain. Hope to get your thoughts on it.
I included some images and here's the link/links:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Anmboo-Meta...Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&var=&hash=item19e3f95a0c
Edit: after i posted i noticed they put the corner mic cutout on the wrong side lol
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Alumi...t=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&hash=item4acb6c3fe1
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I started a thread about the Love Mei aluminum bumper. There were members that said they had signal drops, but in my case, I cannot confirm this for my usage.
But the Love Mei is missing the hole on the lower right side of the phone, too. At least they just forgot instead of putting it in the wrong side :silly:
Mikegrmn said:
I started a thread about the Love Mei aluminum bumper. There were members that said they had signal drops, but in my case, I cannot confirm this for my usage.
But the Love Mei is missing the hole on the lower right side of the phone, too. At least they just forgot instead of putting it in the wrong side :silly:
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Yea I checked that one out too, it was my first option before I came across this one.
Mars196 said:
Edit: after i posted i noticed they put the corner mic cutout on the wrong side lol
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That's actually the temperature/humidity/etc. sensor. you can blow hot air into it and watch the temp rise with any sensor app. If you never use that stuff, I wouldn't think it'd be a big deal. But the reception loss could be a big bummer.
babyshanks said:
That's actually the temperature/humidity/etc. sensor. you can blow hot air into it and watch the temp rise with any sensor app. If you never use that stuff, I wouldn't think it'd be a big deal. But the reception loss could be a big bummer.
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Actually, I drilled a hole in my bumper just this morning. The outcome is unfortunately not so pretty as my newly drilled hole was offset at first, but I think I can live with that.
babyshanks said:
That's actually the temperature/humidity/etc. sensor. you can blow hot air into it and watch the temp rise with any sensor app. If you never use that stuff, I wouldn't think it'd be a big deal. But the reception loss could be a big bummer.
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Weird that they would include a cutout for the barometer but not the mic lol, i would think the mic is a bit more important (phone calls, video calls, videos in general)
Mars196 said:
Weird that they would include a cutout for the barometer but not the mic lol, i would think the mic is a bit more important (phone calls, video calls, videos in general)
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Sorry maybe I wasn't too clear on my explanation, I meant the corner mic is actually not a corner mic hehe, thats a hole for the sensors.
babyshanks said:
Sorry maybe I wasn't too clear on my explanation, I meant the corner mic is actually not a corner mic hehe, thats a hole for the sensors.
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Oh ok lol, not all that important to me, I don't need my phone to tell me if its hot or cold when I step outside, im sure I can feel it.
Mars196 said:
Can you post some pics of it? Yea i don't think its a huge loss in signal, im usually on wifi so it doesn't matter much since i get full bars in all my classes, home and work, might be a problem on 4g since I only get like 1 bar. Does it in any way scratch the device, especially that chrome painted rim around the phone?
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Check out my post in this thread.
Someone asked me almost the same question.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48113076#post48113076
But basically, for me, I saw no signal loss, 4G or 3G or cell signal, or even GPS.
I do use Verizon, which tends to be very good where I live.
Also, it does have black sticker-like things inside so that sides are not scratched.