I bought an s3 a week ago on ebay. That was my first mistake the signal strength is awful browsing the internet without wifi is really bad it can take up to 5 secs to load google. Now my wife has an S3 with tmobile uk and hers is fine. Mine was originally on vodaphone but I am on O2 I have put her sim in mine flashed to the same stock rom and my s3 has still a poor signal normally two bars. Just tested I get -105dbm and 4asu. I can only conclude that after trying every network rom combination my phone is faulty. I had no joy with the ebay seller I am not sure I could take it to vodaphone as I was not on the original contract. Any idea guys how a resale affects warranty, ideally I would like the handset replaced or repaired. Lessen learned not to try and get an ebay bargain
How much did you pay for the phone??
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I've just looked at the status of my phone and I'm getting 95dbm and my phones fine, where do you live?? I live in hampshire on vodafone and the signal here is variable, despite living within a cats throwing distance to the cell tower (5mins walk)
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Have you tried flashing a different modem. I flashed lf2 modem and my signal strength was back to normal it was bad with lfb
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uronfire said:
Have you tried flashing a different modem. I flashed lf2 modem and my signal strength was back to normal it was bad with lfb
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or their is that option.....+1 buddy
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As stated, try an alternative modem which has resolved my network issues previously.
If it is still not resolved, contact Samsung - don't mention eBay purchases - the serial number will show up fresh on their system (tested with known blocked handsets lol) they will organised a repair; and 9/10 times will not request a proof of purchase unless referring you to a local center; but this issue would be hardware related so they will request sending it in. Just ensure you go back to stock.
thanks for the info. I expect Samsung should repair anything as long as the iemi number is not reported as stolen.
tried the LF2 modem and its made no difference, however I have used an tmobile sim this morning, signal strength is the same but 3g/H data is working really fast, now I am wondering if my data on my o2 sim is poor as its cut down microsim. going to get a proper 02 microsim and test again
commodore65 said:
thanks for the info. I expect Samsung should repair anything as long as the iemi number is not reported as stolen.
tried the LF2 modem and its made no difference, however I have used an tmobile sim this morning, signal strength is the same but 3g/H data is working really fast, now I am wondering if my data on my o2 sim is poor as its cut down microsim. going to get a proper 02 microsim and test again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as the gold contacts on the bottom have not been damaged it will have no effect - plus it wouldn't effect data tbh as all the phone will do is read your networks information and they send/receive the data. But feel free to try; I personally have noticed that 3G/HSPA/+ is a lot slower on O2 compared to any other network tbh - but then again these data connections for O2 has only recently been added to my area, up until a few months ago the fastest we could get was Edge on O2, while the rest of the networks in my area has had 3G for at least 2 years lol.
OK so here's the deal. Has the UK s3 got 4G technology ready for orange starting this service? I'm reading in the sun newspaper that it has
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4532636/4G-phone-network-launched.html
And then I'm reading on forums that it has not.
Does anyone have the answer to this??
Cheers
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
No, it doesn't. An LTE version of the S3 will be released along with EE's new service.
However, I wouldn't worry about it (I'm certainly not). When 4G is released it will more likely than not be a premium service (rumours are suggesting it will be, and I'd be very surprised if it wasn't). The speeds that 4G will offer will be faster, but certainly nothing like we are seeing now (the tests we are all reading about are with empty networks, and are largely irrelevant). 3G is and will still be relevant for years yet.
Of course, get a 4G phone in a couple of years time when planned deployment is complete. But for now, stick with 3G and your i9300
P.S.: Don't read The Sun for anything, let alone tech news.
Also many reports from US users say it is a real battery killer, knocking 25-50% off battery time
I'm based in NE England and work in an office with 5 other S3 users all of which are on EE. 2 bought Sim free phones and use an originally Orange Sim, one has a branded Orange phone and one has a branded TMobile one. The other person has a Tmobile 4G phone. The only one that isn't stock is one of the Sim free phones (mine)
All but the 4G phone lose signal several times a day but show 3 bars. There is no data connection and the phones cannot make or receive calls. If they are reset or toggled between 3G & 2G then they work again for a while.
This behaviour happens at work and at home. No other phone user has this problem - there are a few iphone & non smartphone users who gloat constantly
Anyone else suffering as badly as us?
All fine here. Sim free phone under TM contract.
Under carrier it says either TM/Orange never EE for some strange reason.
Exynos SIII; CM10.1
why not post in the help section?
Try different modems and make sure ril/modem match
Here's your answer: EE sucks!!
Lots of people reported signal loss on many different devices, I'll blame EE not S3s.... I've got one of my phones on Orange and since EE showed up, I'm experiencing signal problems as well. Many times people trying to call me, my phone shows full reception but is unavailable and voice mail kicks in!!!! It's annoying but this behaviour is a Network fault. Nothing to do with phone imho.
The only thing you can check is Baseband version (modem) of all phones and compare to the one which works fine. Maybe all except one have wrong modems installed. Unlikely but can happen
Next time use Q&A section to post your problems or questions..
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Hahaha it appears that u're right mate. Working for EE Cust service and nothing but calls abt network issues when EE arrived. )
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Same here in Yorkshire. Was already crap, now even worse.
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Has everyone changed their APN to 'everywhere'? No signal problems here in the south - getting four bars, H+ and 12Mbps data speed.
I'm in the south also, no problems here, in fact excellent!
I get bandwidth issues and signal drops. Been on orange & tmobile for years and it only became an issue with the arrival of EE.
Most of the time the signal/speed is great tho.
I'm north west UK
Worth trying one check correct network settings and two try different modems .
jje
Anyone here who switched from a Verizon S3? I work in an office with people who have the Verizon RAZR and Verizon iphone with no problems but my Verizon S3 says no signal and dies by 3PM. I've switched it out and it still sucks for reception but I like most other things about it.
I typically use 2000-3000 minutes a month so reception for voice is EXTREMELY important to me.
I either will move to the HTC DNA or One if the S4 has the same reception issues I had with my Samsung Galaxy and S3 on Verizon. If your S3 never gave you any reception problems that is wonderful for you but PLEASE feel free to start another thread saying how great your reception is or for you to tell me I must have gotten 4 defective phones and SIMs. This thread is aimed at helping me decide which phone to get.
To be clear, this isn't a thread about iphone or DNA or RAZR, Sprint S3, Tmobile S3 or ATT S3 reception or how you never had reception issues on your S3. This survey is specifically targeted to find out if people who had reception issues with the S3 got any relief with the S4.
Please do not check "yes this is a question" as all Qs get moved to Q&A. If you post a poll put POLL in the title instead.
Edited
FNM
From what I have read, the CDMA S3 had a poor CDMA chip/radio so that's why lot of them have issues on Verizon/sprint. If the Sprint S4 is any thing like the verizon one voice/CDMA wise then it should be way better than the S3 and even better than the ONE.
I know you said this wasn't about the RAZR, but I have had two of them and both of them had very bad signal issues holding 4G. The first one even had a hard time holding 3G or any thing for that matter. I got a S3 from Verizon for free in the end due to the issues just getting worse and worse along with Flash player not working on update 4.0.4 even though Flash player should work just fine on ICS.
4ktvs said:
From what I have read, the CDMA S3 had a poor CDMA chip/radio so that's why lot of them have issues on Verizon/sprint. If the Sprint S4 is any thing like the verizon one voice/CDMA wise then it should be way better than the S3 and even better than the ONE.
I know you said this wasn't about the RAZR, but I have had two of them and both of them had very bad signal issues holding 4G. The first one even had a hard time holding 3G or any thing for that matter. I got a S3 from Verizon for free in the end due to the issues just getting worse and worse along with Flash player not working on update 4.0.4 even though Flash player should work just fine on ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm much much much more concerned about call reception than 4G. I work with someone who has the Verizon razr and they never have reception issues at the office. I can't make or receive calls on my Verizon S3 at the office.
boe said:
Anyone here who switched from a Verizon S3? I work in an office with people who have the Verizon RAZR and Verizon iphone with no problems but my Verizon S3 says no signal and dies by 3PM. I've switched it out and it still sucks for reception but I like most other things about it.
I typically use 2000-3000 minutes a month so reception for voice is EXTREMELY important to me.
I either will move to the HTC DNA or One if the S4 has the same reception issues I had with my Samsung Galaxy and S3 on Verizon. If your S3 never gave you any reception problems that is wonderful for you but PLEASE feel free to start another thread saying how great your reception is or for you to tell me I must have gotten 4 defective phones and SIMs. This thread is aimed at helping me decide which phone to get.
To be clear, this isn't a thread about iphone or DNA or RAZR, Sprint S3, Tmobile S3 or ATT S3 reception or how you never had reception issues on your S3. This survey is specifically targeted to find out if people who had reception issues with the S3 got any relief with the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had terrible S3 reception. The DNA has a solid Radio.
I'm hoping the S4 has a really good one too, or else, i'm sending mine back, the only thing that sucks with the dna is theres no root, and theres no way of s-offing it currently.
I am curious as well as samsung has a history with bad radios and hoping they finalyl figured it out, otherwise I will have to pass.
4ktvs said:
From what I have read, the CDMA S3 had a poor CDMA chip/radio so that's why lot of them have issues on Verizon/sprint. If the Sprint S4 is any thing like the verizon one voice/CDMA wise then it should be way better than the S3 and even better than the ONE.
I know you said this wasn't about the RAZR, but I have had two of them and both of them had very bad signal issues holding 4G. The first one even had a hard time holding 3G or any thing for that matter. I got a S3 from Verizon for free in the end due to the issues just getting worse and worse along with Flash player not working on update 4.0.4 even though Flash player should work just fine on ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, the S3 has bad 2g/3g but real good 4g. Weird.
ericerk said:
I had terrible S3 reception. The DNA has a solid Radio.
I'm hoping the S4 has a really good one too, or else, i'm sending mine back, the only thing that sucks with the dna is theres no root, and theres no way of s-offing it currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The DNA is a sweet phone. I came VERY close to buying one, but the lack of SD card slot (and only 16G) and non-removable turned me off. Other than that a very sweet phone!
elucid said:
The DNA is a sweet phone. I came VERY close to buying one, but the lack of SD card slot (and only 16G) and non-removable turned me off. Other than that a very sweet phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was close to getting the DNA as well but Sense seems a little sluggish on it compared to wiz and the battery was a bit underpowered for my needs. I can be on the phone with a client or tech support for hours at a time. There are rumors the One will have a larger screen on Verizon which should cover my issues.
If anyone has the Verizon S3 and the Verizon S4 it might be helpful if you showed network db side by side in an area with no reception or bad reception on the S3.
I just received my S4 today, hoping like hell that the reception was better than my S3. I travel A LOT and know every area in my 200+mile drive, that I have reception issues in. I haven't been able to use my S3 in my house, since I moved here 2 months ago; I believe its a combination of the metal roof and ****y phone, so I upgraded one of my lines to the S4.
I am finally able to walk thru every part of my house and talk without any.issues. I used to have no service in my kitchen, now I have 2 bars with crystal clear reception. I'll know tomorrow if its fixed the issues in the other areas I have issues in, but for now I'm excited.
I did active my old droidX a week ago to see if I could use it in the areas I always have problms, and I could, which means its the ****ty S3.
One other thing to note is the battery life. I've read that its horrible etc: I charged my phone to 100% before activation and I'm still running with 51%, 6 hours later and I've uploaded everything and been playing with the new features the whole night. I did have a 43 minutes call in there as well, so the battery life seems extremely compatible with my S3. I also ordered 2 spares with a charger from Amazon and I'll see how they stack up with the factory battery over the next few days. I'm a phone abuser for work; 5000+ text, 3000+ minutes and probably 10,000+ emails a month, so it will be put thru the paces for certain. I'll update my overall impression with the reception tomorrow night.
Sorry, I know this was long but I wanted to tell how I'll be comparing and already have been, to show a major improvement so far.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
GS4 has been noticeably better then my GS3
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app
jlangleyrn said:
I just received my S4 today, hoping like hell that the reception was better than my S3. I travel A LOT and know every area in my 200+mile drive, that I have reception issues in. I haven't been able to use my S3 in my house, since I moved here 2 months ago; I believe its a combination of the metal roof and ****y phone, so I upgraded one of my lines to the S4.
I am finally able to walk thru every part of my house and talk without any.issues. I used to have no service in my kitchen, now I have 2 bars with crystal clear reception. I'll know tomorrow if its fixed the issues in the other areas I have issues in, but for now I'm excited.
I did active my old droidX a week ago to see if I could use it in the areas I always have problms, and I could, which means its the ****ty S3.
One other thing to note is the battery life. I've read that its horrible etc: I charged my phone to 100% before activation and I'm still running with 51%, 6 hours later and I've uploaded everything and been playing with the new features the whole night. I did have a 43 minutes call in there as well, so the battery life seems extremely compatible with my S3. I also ordered 2 spares with a charger from Amazon and I'll see how they stack up with the factory battery over the next few days. I'm a phone abuser for work; 5000+ text, 3000+ minutes and probably 10,000+ emails a month, so it will be put thru the paces for certain. I'll update my overall impression with the reception tomorrow night.
Sorry, I know this was long but I wanted to tell how I'll be comparing and already have been, to show a major improvement so far.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THanks! This is exactly the sort of info that is helpful. Someone who has an S3 that can't work in some areas and then using an S4 in those same spots.
jlangleyrn said:
I just received my S4 today, hoping like hell that the reception was better than my S3. I travel A LOT and know every area in my 200+mile drive, that I have reception issues in. I haven't been able to use my S3 in my house, since I moved here 2 months ago; I believe its a combination of the metal roof and ****y phone, so I upgraded one of my lines to the S4.
I am finally able to walk thru every part of my house and talk without any.issues. I used to have no service in my kitchen, now I have 2 bars with crystal clear reception. I'll know tomorrow if its fixed the issues in the other areas I have issues in, but for now I'm excited.
I did active my old droidX a week ago to see if I could use it in the areas I always have problms, and I could, which means its the ****ty S3.
One other thing to note is the battery life. I've read that its horrible etc: I charged my phone to 100% before activation and I'm still running with 51%, 6 hours later and I've uploaded everything and been playing with the new features the whole night. I did have a 43 minutes call in there as well, so the battery life seems extremely compatible with my S3. I also ordered 2 spares with a charger from Amazon and I'll see how they stack up with the factory battery over the next few days. I'm a phone abuser for work; 5000+ text, 3000+ minutes and probably 10,000+ emails a month, so it will be put thru the paces for certain. I'll update my overall impression with the reception tomorrow night.
Sorry, I know this was long but I wanted to tell how I'll be comparing and already have been, to show a major improvement so far.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You Sir, Have Given Me hope.
You guys have all given me hope. When I read the op, I seriously thought I wrote it or my wife did. I too have problems using my s3 at work after switching from a Droid Razr to the s3. Everyone at work has an iPhone and have no issues with making calls.
Based on everyone's input, I'm almost willing to try an s4 out before I'm forced to switch to an iPhone 5 (those are the only options for work this time around).
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
boe said:
If anyone has the Verizon S3 and the Verizon S4 it might be helpful if you showed network db side by side in an area with no reception or bad reception on the S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i get my s4 later today, ill get some screens of the network db side by side and post to see what my results are. Ill have 2 s3s and a s4 so I can see them all side by side. I have a few places on my way to my house the s3 wont pick up so we will see how the s4 does
boe said:
Anyone here who switched from a Verizon S3? I work in an office with people who have the Verizon RAZR and Verizon iphone with no problems but my Verizon S3 says no signal and dies by 3PM. I've switched it out and it still sucks for reception but I like most other things about it.
I typically use 2000-3000 minutes a month so reception for voice is EXTREMELY important to me.
I either will move to the HTC DNA or One if the S4 has the same reception issues I had with my Samsung Galaxy and S3 on Verizon. If your S3 never gave you any reception problems that is wonderful for you but PLEASE feel free to start another thread saying how great your reception is or for you to tell me I must have gotten 4 defective phones and SIMs. This thread is aimed at helping me decide which phone to get.
To be clear, this isn't a thread about iphone or DNA or RAZR, Sprint S3, Tmobile S3 or ATT S3 reception or how you never had reception issues on your S3. This survey is specifically targeted to find out if people who had reception issues with the S3 got any relief with the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you 110% Boe. For those of us who have bad reception issues with the S3 it can be a tough road getting people who are happy with their S3, to understand exactly how irritating it is to have a phone that does a lot very well, but can NEVER be trusted as a telephone. I am really looking forward to seeing the responses in this thread. I'm on Verizon.
dweezle said:
I'm with you 110% Boe. For those of us who have bad reception issues with the S3 it can be a tough road getting people who are happy with their S3, to understand exactly how irritating it is to have a phone that does a lot very well, but can NEVER be trusted as a telephone. I am really looking forward to seeing the responses in this thread. I'm on Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah for some reason they insist on posting things like I never have problems with my S3 (perhaps they never use it as a phone) or you must have gotten a defective one (all 4 times I replaced my phones and sims at difference Verizon stores throughout the country - amazingly bad luck).
i have a galaxy nexus and can say without a doubt that the s4 radios are better by far. way better. i keep a 4g signal everywhere my galaxy nexus would drop to 3g or 1x, matter of fact i have yet to lose 4g anywhere but in an elevator.
gps locks are also way faster.
very impressive.
BzBz said:
i have a galaxy nexus and can say without a doubt that the s4 radios are better by far. way better. i keep a 4g signal everywhere my galaxy nexus would drop to 3g or 1x, matter of fact i have yet to lose 4g anywhere but in an elevator.
gps locks are also way faster.
very impressive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I picked up the s4 this morning. Reception so far OK. I'm in the office where I frequently get no signal. For whatever reason today my S3 and S4 are getting signal. However, both are reading about 100db on average - no real difference between the two so i'm as yet, unconvinced this is an improvement over the S3. I'll be going to yet another place I frequently can't make calls on my S3 later today and we'll see how the S4 does. Clouds, lack of clouds etc can all impact reception so I'll need more testing to know anything regarding this phone's reception.'
Foxfi doesn't seem to work on the S4 but does on my S3 so I'll have to find another sharing program if I decide to keep this phone.
Imagine spending $460.00 On the Samsung Galaxy Mega only to find out that it drops your data consistantly day after day after day and no one has the answer.
Tried many roms, settings, modems, radios, and signal boosting apps.
No success.
Seems like once you root this phone, your done.
Many posts on the problem, yet no answers.
Frustrating as Hell.
I'm guessing everyone is either ignoring/living with the problem or not using data on this phone.
I'm thinking its kernel related but will probably not get fixed until Samsung releases source code and a "kernel developer" fixes it. Or perhaps maybe enough people complain and Samsung techs fix it.
Butt, it is a problem.
Sent from my GT-I9205 using Tapatalk 2
zcink said:
Imagine spending $460.00 On the Samsung Galaxy Mega only to find out that it drops your data consistantly day after day after day and no one has the answer.
Tried many roms, settings, modems, radios, and signal boosting apps.
No success.
Seems like once you root this phone, your done.
Many posts on the problem, yet no answers.
Frustrating as Hell.
I'm guessing everyone is either ignoring/living with the problem or not using data on this phone.
I'm thinking its kernel related but will probably not get fixed until Samsung releases source code and a "kernel developer" fixes it. Or perhaps maybe enough people complain and Samsung techs fix it.
Butt, it is a problem.
Sent from my GT-I9205 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know exactly what you mean buddy, I love this phone and I live in a refarmed area. Sucks that I cant get lte with the i9205 but hspa+ is fast enough. The only problem is that it's very inconsistent and I keep getting edge. I keep my settings in wcdma only to avoid getting edge and it stays on 3g and H+ most of the time but I do get no signal once it a while which is kind of annoying. If anybody has a solution for this that would be great.
I'm guessing that if everyone had the problem we'd be hearing about it loudly. I don't have a problem with losing my data connection as long as I'm in range of a transmitter. The mega has been easily as good as my htc and a zte mobile router that I've used. Maybe it's a hardware problem, have you checked with your supplier or tried another one?
Same, exactly the same as my S3, so it can't be the phone.
On three network inside is a bit poor but outside or in london stable as on 3g speeds upto 26 meg. Rooted as well.
Sent from my GT-I9205 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I think the problem we are having is that we have the i9205 which if I'm not mistaken is the european version. I live in the states and I know this phone doesnt use the same bands just some of them. I'm guessing thats why service is so spotty.
That might explain it cakegetter.