I thought this phone wasnt meant to have the wifi death grip... - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Yeah, anyway that i hold the phone i lose 2 bars of wifi wheras i get three when im bot touching the phone....i was told this thing wasnt meant to get wifi death grips
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA

Objects between your phone and Wi-fi source is going to have an affect on wireless signals. This includes your hand which is largely composed of water. There's nothing you can do about it.

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signal issues/death grip???

no I love my sgs2 and so does every that holds it, ive a major issue that i thought was caused by switching from orange uk to o2 uk, but as it happens i have full signal when the phone is rested down... however when i pick it up it drops signal... more often than not the signal completely drops out as does the call and sometimes it just goes down to 1 bar... does anyone else have this problem? ive tried my o2 sim and my orange sim its the same for both... is it possible i have a defective handset ? weak radio ???
heres my quick vid to show you what i mean, apologies for the video quality... filmed on my bb9700
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VthdB4V3D8&feature=channel_video_title
well the GSM and 3G antenna looks to be located in the bottom, back part of the device. so this seems like the exact place your hand would be covering when holding the phone, so i can easily see some significant signal attentuation happening with this phone.
i dont know where the antenna was located on the original galaxy s. but all phones i own always have attentuation. not much you can do about it i'd guess.
Applies to all wireless devices - signal transmits worse through your hand than through empty air. Rules of the universe.
However, I can't seem to replicate what you're seeing. In order for bars to drop, I have to block the entire bottom of my device using both hands. Holding it in one hand doesn't seem to be causing a drop for me.
But again : air > hand for signal transmission.
RogerPodacter said:
well the GSM and 3G antenna looks to be located in the bottom, back part of the device. so this seems like the exact place your hand would be covering when holding the phone, so i can easily see some significant signal attentuation happening with this phone.
i dont know where the antenna was located on the original galaxy s. but all phones i own always have attentuation. not much you can do about it i'd guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right, quick start guide shows the location of the antenna. If you look at the back of the device, the antenna is in the lower left hand corner, opposite the speaker.
When holding the device in your right hand, it should rest in your palm.
Actually holding the device in my right hand doesn't seem to be affecting my signal though, for some reason. I might just be in an area with good signal though (3 bars of h+, stays at 3 bars when holding it in 1 hand, drops to 1 bar when covering the device completely with 2 hands, and then changes to edge with full bars).
I just tested with my S2 and I had no problems whatsoever.
See my youtube channel (../user/Poppefieke) Can't post links yet.
I have some other S2 video's there too
i think sampullen who has been posting quite a few vids on youtube is going to cover this now too, see i hold my sgs2 in my left had for holding when im surfing etc but also when im on calls...
its good to hear some of you cannot replicate this, maybe mines faulty might try to exchange for a new 1 just to be on the safe side
OMG!
can more people confirm if this is real?
is it as bad as the antenna-gate issue from apple or no where as bad
Hey (samjpullen) here
I have been doing the tests like Sticky and have been getting some rather conflicting results to say the least.
I am not in the best area for Orange so i get a weak signal most of the time, when i do the test infront of my iMac and extra screen with the TV, Sky (you know the drill) on it seems to drop down from H with 1 bar, then down to 3G then down to G and then it can jump onto the Edge network (rathe strange)
But when i do this same test in other rooms e.g bathroom, other bedroom, even downstairs with the tv etc on it is fine!
So my guess is that it might be my rooms location and maybe all the electrical equipment within a small space.
AllGamer said:
can more people confirm if this is real?
is it as bad as the antenna-gate issue from apple or no where as bad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im hoping no where near as bad and im hoping that i was the only affected, one chap has placed a video reply to mine showing he doesnt have the issue which is good news, lets hope more can confirm im rather a 1 off and that if i replace this unit all will be well...... fingers crossed
cheers sam,
btw ppl follow sam on twitter, guys good!!!

iphone-like antenna issue??

I just noticed that when I put my hand around the bottom of the phone my signal drops by 2-3 bars and as soon as i remove it, it goes back up. I can do it over and over again. Just out of curiosity I tried this with my evo 4g and the signal doesn't change. I've seen a bunch of people reporting that their reception isn't as good as other phones with the 3d. could it be the antenna placement just like the iphone 4?
chase7545 said:
I just noticed that when I put my hand around the bottom of the phone my signal drops by 2-3 bars and as soon as i remove it, it goes back up. I can do it over and over again. Just out of curiosity I tried this with my evo 4g and the signal doesn't change. I've seen a bunch of people reporting that their reception isn't as good as other phones with the 3d. could it be the antenna placement just like the iphone 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't recreate it here. Wrapped both hands around my phone like I was strangling it, didn't do it.
Also tried as the post above...notta.
chase7545 said:
I just noticed that when I put my hand around the bottom of the phone my signal drops by 2-3 bars and as soon as i remove it, it goes back up. I can do it over and over again. Just out of curiosity I tried this with my evo 4g and the signal doesn't change. I've seen a bunch of people reporting that their reception isn't as good as other phones with the 3d. could it be the antenna placement just like the iphone 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend getting a bumper...
No, for real though, the iphone had the issue because the antenna was built into the actual outside of the phone, when your skin touched it, it would change the attenuation which caused the issue of poor reception. Our antenna is totally internal so this would not happen.
I think your holding it wrong. Seriously though I just did the same and was unable to recreate the issue. Might be defective.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
chase7545 said:
I just noticed that when I put my hand around the bottom of the phone my signal drops by 2-3 bars and as soon as i remove it, it goes back up. I can do it over and over again. Just out of curiosity I tried this with my evo 4g and the signal doesn't change. I've seen a bunch of people reporting that their reception isn't as good as other phones with the 3d. could it be the antenna placement just like the iphone 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone also does this I thought I was the only one that had.this problem.
chase7545 said:
I just noticed that when I put my hand around the bottom of the phone my signal drops by 2-3 bars and as soon as i remove it, it goes back up. I can do it over and over again. Just out of curiosity I tried this with my evo 4g and the signal doesn't change. I've seen a bunch of people reporting that their reception isn't as good as other phones with the 3d. could it be the antenna placement just like the iphone 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this problem too... Anybody claiming they don't have this problem are in a good coverage area. If you download the app open signal maps you can see the drop in dbm once you hold the device, it's very irritating
Mine does it to, very annoying.
I saw somewhere in another thread that the radio antenna is indeed on the bottom of the 3d. Dont know if thats confirmed or not. But it would explain the drop when covered by hands.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
THEGAMEPLAY94 said:
I have this problem too... Anybody claiming they don't have this problem are in a good coverage area. If you download the app open signal maps you can see the drop in dbm once you hold the device, it's very irritating
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
61% with nothing touching my phone.
70% with my hand covering the bottom.
56% with both hands around the phone.
I fail to see how this is like apple because EVERY PHONE loses signal when being touched. The problem with Apple's was that it dropped the calls.
Sent from my Shooter.
Yes, without anything it's at 80% and once I grab it it drops to 30%. The antenna does seem to be at the bottom unlike the 4G which was on the top.
And calls drop all the time.
DoctorComrade said:
61% with nothing touching my phone.
70% with my hand covering the bottom.
56% with both hands around the phone.
I fail to see how this is like apple because EVERY PHONE loses signal when being touched. The problem with Apple's was that it dropped the calls.
Sent from my Shooter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My problem is that if I cover the upper part but well I almost never do that.
This needs to be recognized as a known issue since it has been brought up many times
I noticed the same thing but wierd thing is sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't.
I could recreate it for 15 tries in a row but then I closed the internet browser and moved the phone a couple inches and the problem stopped.
I will keep monitoring the signal while I grab the phone and see what happens. But yes it did happen when I grabbed the bottom.
Mine does it too...this is the only problem I have
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
THEGAMEPLAY94 said:
This needs to be recognized as a known issue since it has been brought up many times
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not a "known issue". It just so happens that this is a cell phone. Which has antennas. Which, when covered, loose reception. No way around that. Its the nature of cell phones.
Comparatively its like complaining that when in a lead lined room, you have poor reception.
Bamba1260 said:
Its not a "known issue". It just so happens that this is a cell phone. Which has antennas. Which, when covered, loose reception. No way around that. Its the nature of cell phones.
Comparatively its like complaining that when in a lead lined room, you have poor reception.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
plus 1000
Sent from my Shooter.
The iphone issue was caused by them leaving the antenna exposed on the outside of the phone. Whenever you would touch it in a certain spot it would short it out and you would lose the signal.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
THEGAMEPLAY94 said:
I have this problem too... Anybody claiming they don't have this problem are in a good coverage area. If you download the app open signal maps you can see the drop in dbm once you hold the device, it's very irritating
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i used that app and covered the phone up and nothing changed the only problem i have ever had is one of the cases i have blocks a little bit of my 4g signal but nothing else
xHausx said:
The iphone issue was caused by them leaving the antenna exposed on the outside of the phone. Whenever you would touch it in a certain spot it would short it out and you would lose the signal.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While it may not be exactly like the iphone, could it be similar in the fact the antenna placement isn't optimal? I think that most people hold their phones toward the bottom where the antenna is where as on other phones like the evo 4g they wouldn't be covering the antenna by doing this. I just know I've seen quite a few complaints regarding reception so this could be a feasible reason why.

GPS Report

Forget all the hype on GPS issues... I've been traveling between PA and NY without any other means of navigation help for the past 3 days...relying solely on my GS2 to get me to and fro many destinations and is yet to fail me... I know, pretty risky and I myself even doubted it's reliability considering we've all been stuck on "searching for satellite " at one point or another, but I'm pleased to say that this device performed well above expectation.... Running Unnamed 1.3.1.... share your thoughts on whether or not you'd put road trip on the hands of this beast.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
I would definitely rely on my gs2 for navigation. I already have used it a bunch and its been completely flawless. Its so smooth and fast and pretty accurate. My only complaint would be that if you get in an area where theres no data, you might be in trouble. Other than that, it works really well and I would trust it without question.
I can say from my captivate that thing was not reliable however my gs2 has never let me down once!
Hth,
Charlie
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
I have replaced my GPS with my GS2.
The Infuse had almost replaced it but it was semi-"meh", but the GS2 is rock solid.
My only worry is the data dependency - but I've got a Wilson amp in my car and the end result is incredible. I get 3-4 bars of 3G in rural areas I used to barely get 1 bar of EDGE in.
I wouldn't hesitate to use it for travel. It's rock solid compared to the Captivate it replaced. The GS2 locks fasts and stays locked.
If I trusted my 3gs for years I can definitely trust this one which I have ever since I got it.
I am actually in love with the navigation on this device.
My GPS has worked great. When I'm not using navigation, I use it as a speedometer
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
i wrote a speedo app that shows my speed in the notification bar while i'm navigating. Any interest in that? I'm thinking about publishing it on the market.
Bob
The only thing I don't like is that it clearly has static navigation enabled, which makes it suck for geocaching.
Gonna have to figure out where I put my Oregon 300...
Entropy512 said:
but I've got a Wilson amp in my car and the end result is incredible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which amp? Using an external antenna?
I'm kind of rural myself, and with all the hills around me, there are quite a few RF nulls. My only problem is that I'm not sure I could attach another antenna to my car without interfering with each other. Perhaps their "low profile" antenna (that seems to stay inside the car) would work.
Gary
Entropy, now you've got my mind going on a signal booster... any specific type you recommend??? Don't mean to go off topic here, but this is a game changer in my books..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Good GPS
SGS2 GPS has been pretty good for me except in a couple of places where ATT signal has been bad.
Same here. Running unnamed and drove from DC to NYC. The GPS worked grrrrrrreat!
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011GI94Q is the amp I use.
I have the outer antenna near the rear of the roof of my Subaru, with the inner antenna velcroed to my dash. I have my Samsung car dock set up so the phone is RIGHT above the inner antenna.
People with sunroofs may have issues with the inner and outer antenna coupling to each other.
It really works best when the phone is within a foot or so of the antenna (esp. within a few inches)- any farther and the gains are not nearly as great. Putting in a higher-gain amp would ease this limitation - but in many vehicles would be even more likely to start oscillating due to feedback.
I'll try to take some pictures and post them this weekend - if I don't freeze while taking them.
It's pretty good so far.
Still evaluating the advantages/disadvantages and comparing with other portable GPS devices.
I've replace my GPS and my camera with my sgs2. This thing never seizes to amaze me.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
GPS - yes.
Camera - no... No way it'll ever replace my K-5. Every time I've used the camera I've been sorely disappointed. It's better than any other mobile phone camera I've used before - but that's not saying much.
My GPS has saved me many many times. GS2 GPS for the win!
My phone has stock 2.3.6 with root. Other than that, it is totally stock. I use my phone in my job to provide GPS coordinates for natural gas tie-ins. Quite often when I open GPS test or GPS Status to get the coordinates, the GPS will locate 7 to 10 sats but will not lock on and give me my location. Re-booting the phone will solve the problem. Google Maps also does the same thing. I believe the phone was doing this before the update.
I don't know if it happens to you guys or not but me, yes, as soon as I reported "GPS works great so far", it let me down right away.
On my way home in the evening, turn H+ on, turn GPS on. While talking on the phone, I opened Maps and navigate home. Sitting in the car for 5', no sat. locked. Started driving until half way home, still not locked. Stopped in the parking lot, wait for signal again, 10' later, still not locked. Very frustrated! Grrrr

WiFi antennae location

Hi, I got a quick question. Anyone know where is the resound antennae is located. Ever since I flashed to the latest ice Rom, I noticed that WiFi signal is weaker when in portraits mode. However if I switch to the landscape mode with the capacitive button on the right side the WiFi signal is stronger. Anyone notice this as well
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
All antennas are in the back cover of the phone... No idea where the wifi antenna in particular is though.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
I think it is on the left side. So if looking at the screen, on the left. I've noticed when I'm holding the phone if my fingers are grasping on the left side the signal is cut pretty bad.

[Q] Signal loss - Death Grip

Alright, I read the review on this phone and, after having the GalaxyS 1, I thought trying an HTC would be a great idea as my GS1 had extreme screen burn in; which led me to opt for an HTC instead of GS2 - the cheaper alternative of course.
I was pretty happy with this phone. Somewhat smaller than what I expected, though it runs fairly well with ICS and HTC Sense loaded.
Now the ridiculous issue. This phone has a severe case of 'death grip'. I've had quite a couple of frustrating weeks trying to figure out what on earth was causing the signal to drop completely from 2 or 3 bars to dead, when picking the phone up to text.
Before I considered googling 'hand signal absorb htc', or similar keywords to that effect, I tested my theory by holding the phone at the top two edges and then in my palm again; in the same position both times. The result? 5 bars to two bars, or even in some cases one bar. The signal where I live isn't excellent, however it's not terrible either. With my GS1 having no issue with signal drops. Just holding the Desire X in the palm of my hand, under the table results in complete signal loss.
This is an absolute joke. I've missed really important phone calls and the majority of sms's arrive late due the lovely signal loss regain repetition, essentially causing the phone do not receive calls, even though, provided it does have 3 or so bars.
So, am I the only one here who has this issue, or for that matter; a faulty phone? Really Really disappointed.
I do have a signal drop problem as I already wrote on another post and nobody answer:
"I have a lot of signal drops on GSM/EDGE and also 3G/HDSPA? The signal is full but, the phone is in stand by, the signal drops and I loose calls. Does anyone have this problem?
Also I noticed when the phone switches from 3G to GSM/EDGE first I have a no signal period (couple of seconds)."
I also had this problem with an LG Optimus 2x when updated to Android 4.0.4.
Dal2000 said:
Alright, I read the review on this phone and, after having the GalaxyS 1, I thought trying an HTC would be a great idea as my GS1 had extreme screen burn in; which led me to opt for an HTC instead of GS2 - the cheaper alternative of course.
I was pretty happy with this phone. Somewhat smaller than what I expected, though it runs fairly well with ICS and HTC Sense loaded.
Now the ridiculous issue. This phone has a severe case of 'death grip'. I've had quite a couple of frustrating weeks trying to figure out what on earth was causing the signal to drop completely from 2 or 3 bars to dead, when picking the phone up to text.
Before I considered googling 'hand signal absorb htc', or similar keywords to that effect, I tested my theory by holding the phone at the top two edges and then in my palm again; in the same position both times. The result? 5 bars to two bars, or even in some cases one bar. The signal where I live isn't excellent, however it's not terrible either. With my GS1 having no issue with signal drops. Just holding the Desire X in the palm of my hand, under the table results in complete signal loss.
This is an absolute joke. I've missed really important phone calls and the majority of sms's arrive late due the lovely signal loss regain repetition, essentially causing the phone do not receive calls, even though, provided it does have 3 or so bars.
So, am I the only one here who has this issue, or for that matter; a faulty phone? Really Really disappointed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a faulty antenna. Either that or you have lead hands.
It should be a cheap fix at any local repair shop or free if you take it back to the shop for a replacement.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app
vogonpoetlaureate said:
Sounds like a faulty antenna. Either that or you have lead hands.
It should be a cheap fix at any local repair shop or free if you take it back to the shop for a replacement.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I don't understand is, when i'm on an actual phone call, there's no issue with quality or signal loss. Sounds like the phone rom is preserving the antennas power in idle mode?

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