anyone seeing decreased 3g signal and better 4g after the ota update? Also is anyone getting a mobile ip registration error after turning 4g on? What causes that?
Sent from my MB855
TheShackSpecialist said:
anyone seeing decreased 3g signal and better 4g after the ota update? Also is anyone getting a mobile ip registration error after turning 4g on? What causes that?
Sent from my MB855
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed the change too. didn't want the 3g signal to decrease
Are you looking at the "bars" or are you looking at the actual signal strength which you will find in settings>about phone>phone status I have found that the number of "bars" has very little to do with the actual signal strength. At the point, I'm not even sure what the hell the "bars" mean.
I just installed it, but my signal in the office (always crap) isn't any worse or better as far as bars are concerned.
Did the OTA Possibly change your Mobile Network Settings? Change you from Automatic to Sprint only or something?
Haven't seen any noticeable difference
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk
Related
So this question maybe asked before, but does anyone know of any way or any app that can tell me the signal strength of the phone's LTE signal?
I think the signal bars show the strength for 1x. Plus RealSignal app only shows signal strength for 1x and 3G. All the other signal apps don't seem to show LTE signal strength, saying something like -120dbm.
what25 said:
So this question maybe asked before, but does anyone know of any way or any app that can tell me the signal strength of the phone's LTE signal?
I think the signal bars show the strength for 1x. Plus RealSignal app only shows signal strength for 1x and 3G. All the other signal apps don't seem to show LTE signal strength, saying something like -120dbm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dBm is what signal strength is measured in. The closer to 0, the better your signal.
Go to Settings > About Phone > Network and you can find it there.
I knew what dbm was, my question is it shows only one signal, and its the 1x signal strength. I want the LTE strength.
If it only shows 1x then you're not getting any 4g
Beastclaw said:
If it only shows 1x then you're not getting any 4g
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Click to collapse
? When on sense the signal reading in about phone is your 1x signal, regardless if you have 3 or 4G
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App
joshnichols189 said:
? When on sense the signal reading in about phone is your 1x signal, regardless if you have 3 or 4G
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
My point was that if he is showing 1x on his phone than he is clearly not receiving any LTE.
But you are right about the sense only showing the strength of the voice. If you switch to a AOSP ROM I believe that the bars show the strength for the 3g and 4g.
I say believe because I swear mine lies to me
If you use lte on/off you can ping your network and get your signal strength. Its also in the bamf toolkit in lte settings
Sent from my Thunderbolt using my f***King thumbs
Right sounds abit strange but basically at times I'll have no bars at all, but will still be able to make a call.
And other times it will show 3 bars but I won't be connected to the network.
The reception bars seem to have no relevance on whether I'm getting any network signal.
I'm using leomars rom, is it possibly a software issue.
Does anyone have anything similar?
I'd just like for the reception bars to be accurate, i.e if I have no reception then show no bars, and if I do then show bars
Thanks
edit I've attached a picture showing what I mean, it shows no bars but as you can see I've got a data connection so I must have signal.
hmm, i may have something similar...
when you say no bars, does that mean that they are greyed out as opposed to white bars... or no bars at all?
croftyboy8 said:
hmm, i may have something similar...
when you say no bars, does that mean that they are greyed out as opposed to white bars... or no bars at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry my fault, I didn't explain myself correctly.
Yes I mean greyed out, e.g no white bars. In the picture on my first post I've got no white bars so apparently no reception but I've got a 3g connection and can make calls.
And here is a picture showing that I have a few white bars (reception)
Yet I don't have any reception at all. No 3g, and can't make calls
It's so annoying, I've never had anything like this on any phone I've owned before.
When you have no signal at all, you'll get the circle icon thingy instead of bars. Bars all greyed out mean that you just about have a signal (an extremely weak one!) Go to Settings > About phone > Status and have a look at the signal strength details there
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Isadora said:
When you have no signal at all, you'll get the circle icon thingy instead of bars. Bars all greyed out mean that you just about have a signal (an extremely weak one!) Go to Settings > About phone > Status and have a look at the signal strength details there
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
Ah ok so that I can deal with.
But what about when it shows a few white bars but then says I'm not connected to the network, so no data connection and unable to calls?
Signal shows -113 dBm 0asu (not sure if that's good or bad)
JGS2 said:
But what about when it shows a few white bars but then says I'm not connected to the network, so no data connection and unable to calls?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could it be a problem with your carrier? Congestion at your local mast could easily cause this.
Signal shows -113 dBm 0asu (not sure if that's good or bad)
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Click to collapse
That's bad! Good signal is a small -dBm figure (so for example -99.dBm would be much better) and high asu.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Isadora said:
Could it be a problem with your carrier? Congestion at your local mast could easily cause this.
That's bad! Good signal is a small -dBm figure (so for example -99.dBm would be much better) and high asu.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the explanation regarding how the signal figures work.
Going back to what you mention about having white bars and not being able to make calls being congestion. Is there no possibility that it could be a software issue and I actually have no signal but it still shows bars.
Or is it a case where if it shows bars I definitely have signal but likely to be congestion.
Sorry for all the questions
Not sure to be honest. What I have first hand experience of is that when I was with Vodafone, there were big congestion issues in some parts of London and although the phone was getting a full signal, it was unusable (data wouldn't connect and calls would drop) the only solution to at least being able to make and receive calls was to manually switch the phone to 2g only and forget about 3g during the "busy" hours...
Edit: their forum was also full of people complaining about the same problem in other parts of the UK too...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
On a slightly relevant note i highly recommend this app.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.smartandroidapps.missedcallpro
I've got another question regarding the modems, in another thread someone mentioned that if you are having signal issues it's likely down to the incorrect modem being used.
Now generally all I do is pick a custom rom, flash it and then use the phone as normal.
But should I be picking a rom and using a specific modem version?
Thanks again
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
lufc said:
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies.
I should have known, it's pretty obvious but I'm a bit stupid at times...
My town just got 4g and I've noticed that my phone will choose more bars of 3g over less bars of 4g. But id rather have 2 bars of 4g than 4 bars of 3g if you know what I mean. Is there any way to help this? Any apps I can download?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
It doesn't really work that way. 3g and 4g are independent connections that are maintained simultaneously. You're still connected to 3g even when 4g is connected. If you aren't getting 4g, then it simply isn't connecting to it and there really isn't much you can do about it.
gabezermeno said:
My town just got 4g and I've noticed that my phone will choose more bars of 3g over less bars of 4g. But id rather have 2 bars of 4g than 4 bars of 3g if you know what I mean. Is there any way to help this? Any apps I can download?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since I am on the latest ICS global firmware and a custom ROM, I not sure if if this location is still accurate, but go to settings-call-preferred network. When you get to this you should see a number of options. One is LTE only (4G setting) if that is what you want to do. However, if you do this, then you may not get a data connection if 4G is not available. Also, if you have a weak 4G signal, if will eat up your battery time.
You might try downloading a 4G Toggle program from Play Store. It will take you directly to phone settings. Even though I live in a 4G area, I actually leave my phone in 3G CDMA only mode unless I really need the 4G speed to download something. I get much better battery life.
You could try getting into the hidden phone settings and changing your prefered connection to CDMA, LTE which should disable 3g if i understand it right. That option should also save you a bit of battery life as well if it works.
You should be able to choose lte only from the hidden menu
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Does anyone else notice that the LTE signal on this phone always seems on the weak end? For example, with the T-Mobile cell site about 10 yards away, my LTE reception is -90-95dbm. When sitting that close with my AT&T iPhone 5 (work phone) the signal is about -75-80dbm. What gives? I also notice that the phone does hold onto weak LTE signals, but I am seeing weak LTE signal more often than not. I have seen a -115dbm-120dbm LTE signal. Yes, data still works, my only concern though is that the battery life is getting sucked out of my phone?
Running stock, T-Mobile also likes to show 5 bars for a -109dbm LTE signal. That couldn't be more of an exaggeration could it? Also in my tests, I have noticed if you set the phone to WCDMA only, the signal is a lot stronger.
Anyone care to comment on this?
No issues for me. Even in the factory that i work at i am getting 4G LTE over people with ATT and its quite strong. LTE Tower is a good distance away.
Have you rooted or flashed anything? If its 100 percent pure stock, ask for a replacement. Or even re-flash the latest update to see if that helps.
The only issue i have and others have is where the outgoing data arrow constantly lights up but no data is coming in. I think its a T-Mobile programming bug in 4.4.2 as the issue didn't exist in 4.3 on my S4.
elesbb said:
No issues for me. Even in the factory that i work at i am getting 4G LTE over people with ATT and its quite strong. LTE Tower is a good distance away.
Have you rooted or flashed anything? If its 100 percent pure stock, ask for a replacement. Or even re-flash the latest update to see if that helps.
The only issue i have and others have is where the outgoing data arrow constantly lights up but no data is coming in. I think its a T-Mobile programming bug in 4.4.2 as the issue didn't exist in 4.3 on my S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but on average what is your dbm? Not going by bars.
T-Mobile also does not have a dense cell grid in my area which could be why. Already past the 14 day return window. Absolutely no device modification has even done.
I'm at full 5 bars on LTE 4G signal strength @ - 97 dBm
Biker1 said:
I'm at full 5 bars on LTE 4G signal strength @ - 97 dBm
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Click to collapse
Appreciate the response. Been doing some research lately, and I think its because t-mobile doesn't have many sites in my area. I don't think their frequencies travel far either. Maybe I am wrong, but wouldn't this cause very low LTE signal?
BlockEight88 said:
Appreciate the response. Been doing some research lately, and I think its because t-mobile doesn't have many sites in my area. I don't think their frequencies travel far either. Maybe I am wrong, but wouldn't this cause very low LTE signal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the towers are far from you, I would think that would cause a weak signal.
You can try this app.
It may help to see where the issue may be regarding towers, etc
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.android.telnet
Biker1 said:
If the towers are far from you, I would think that would cause a weak signal.
You can try this app.
It may help to see where the issue may be regarding towers, etc
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.android.telnet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That app just shows the -dBm as a widget. Anyone else notice a -109 or less signal showing 5 bars?
BlockEight88 said:
That app just shows the -dBm as a widget. Anyone else notice a -109 or less signal showing 5 bars?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does give you a more accurate signal bar strength indicator consisting of 14 bars and not 5 bars, as the stock indicator does. I'm at 11 bars.
BlockEight88 said:
Yes, but on average what is your dbm? Not going by bars.
T-Mobile also does not have a dense cell grid in my area which could be why. Already past the 14 day return window. Absolutely no device modification has even done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh. I will have to check the dbm. I don't get full signal but i get like 2 bars. Sometimes four depending where i sit. Then outside, i get full bars. I'll double check the dbm outside with full bars. It should be in and around the -90s.
Hi,
I recently bought a black z5c from handtec and I'm currently using it on US T-Mobile.
I think I have the apn settings set correctly but I'm only getting one bar for LTE here in LA, even outside with no buildings.
HSPA, however, has strong signal. Any recommendations?
Tuan
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
I get very good signal with mine. Even with one bar I get good speeds (tested via speedtest).
You can just use the download internet settings under networks/more if you are worry about using the wrong apn settings.
I'm also using T-Mobile.
Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk
Reception issue or perceived reception
I am having the same issue, but on AT&T. My model is the E5823, black. I have been swapping my sim card back and forth between the z5c and my Nexus 5 and have noticed that the nexus will have full bars of LTE while the z5c will have maybe one bar. More importantly, though--the db reading from the phones are almost exactly the same and the download speeds are very similar as well. So I think this may not be a reception issue in my case, but an issue with how the z5c displays reception vs how the nexus 5 does. The nexus 5 with full bars should having blazing LTE speed. Sadly, both of these phones are giving me barely 3 mb download speeds. I think AT&T may be having an issue in my area but I can't get a customer service rep to acknowledge it.
I hope I'm right--I'm loving this phone despite the terrible (possibly perceived) reception. I have downloaded an app called real signal and it shows a more accurate reading of actual reception and it is confirming my suspicion.
fortheoceans said:
I am having the same issue, but on AT&T. My model is the E5823, black. I have been swapping my sim card back and forth between the z5c and my Nexus 5 and have noticed that the nexus will have full bars of LTE while the z5c will have maybe one bar. More importantly, though--the db reading from the phones are almost exactly the same and the download speeds are very similar as well. So I think this may not be a reception issue in my case, but an issue with how the z5c displays reception vs how the nexus 5 does. The nexus 5 with full bars should having blazing LTE speed. Sadly, both of these phones are giving me barely 3 mb download speeds. I think AT&T may be having an issue in my area but I can't get a customer service rep to acknowledge it.
I hope I'm right--I'm loving this phone despite the terrible (possibly perceived) reception. I have downloaded an app called real signal and it shows a more accurate reading of actual reception and it is confirming my suspicion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly my experience. Not as many bars as my other phone, but actual signal strength is almost identical. I think it's just a difference in how they are showing bars. I think signal strength is actually good.
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
phositadc said:
This is exactly my experience. Not as many bars as my other phone, but actual signal strength is almost identical. I think it's just a difference in how they are showing bars. I think signal strength is actually good.
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad to hear that. This was driving me nuts thinking I'd have to return a phone that I imported and eat a 15% restocking fee. It's also really the only small phone I had my eye on once I saw that the Nexus 5X would be just as big as the regular sized Xperia Z5.
I'm experiencing something similar. I think I have 1 less bar of 4G signal in every place compared to my previous phone. But the phone still works great and seems to not drain more battery regarding this.
But the "time without signal %" is considerably lower than before. (Still. This could be just because of the bad 2G/3G signal at home, which is terrible and is improved now).
Also. Im now getting 4G+ signal (I think it's based on CAT 6). But maybe the strength is just the same as with 4G.
One more thing:
I bought my phone in Italy but I'm using it in Spain. Could that be an issue? I dont think so...because in Europe the LTE bands are almost the same everywhere.
Also. What would happen if we disable all other LTE bands from other countries? Could that help?
Sent from my E5823
I'm now having -107 dBm 33 asu. How bad is that?
thesebastian said:
I'm experiencing something similar. I think I have 1 less bar of 4G signal in every place compared to my previous phone. But the phone still works great and seems to not drain more battery regarding this.
But the "time without signal %" is considerably lower than before. (Still. This could be just because of the bad 2G/3G signal at home, which is terrible and is improved now).
Also. Im now getting 4G+ signal (I think it's based on CAT 6). But maybe the strength is just the same as with 4G.
One more thing:
I bought my phone in Italy but I'm using it in Spain. Could that be an issue? I dont think so...because in Europe the LTE bands are almost the same everywhere.
Also. What would happen if we disable all other LTE bands from other countries? Could that help?
Sent from my E5823
I'm now having -107 dBm 33 asu. How bad is that? [emoji14]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
107 is pretty weak but without having another phone to compare it to it's impossible to say if it's the phone's fault or if you are just somewhere with a bad signal!
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
Hi,
I think my signal is poor compared with my previous phone
I have 105 dbm
Enviado desde mi E5823 mediante Tapatalk
Hi,
Did you try entering Service Phone info and check settings from there ?
for that dial in :
*#*#service#*#*
then service settings and select the right network mode
chrisftlse said:
Hi,
Did you try entering Service Phone info and check settings from there ?
for that dial in :
*#*#service#*#*
then service settings and select the right network mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone has this option selected "LTE_GSM_WCDMA" and I think that it's the right choice.
Sent from my E5823
I had same issue with att. Then I realized I forgot to call them and give them my imei number to put into their system. Did you do that?
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
The imei will not impact reception. GSM is purely sim based. I'm curious about this issue as well. I had exact same issue with my z3c on tmous. Lower signal readings both visually and dbm but it operated fine
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
I got a Z5 compact and I'm definitely getting poorer reception than my previous phone (2013 Moto X) on AT&T. Not just the display, but I find more calls going to voicemail from my apartment than before.
I think it's just the way sony is translating actual signal strength to bars displayed. On WCDMA it looks correct, but on LTE bars are always low even though reception and signal is fine.