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Is the battery life good?
How is the 3g? Does it go in and out or stay connected
Don't do it. Unless you REAAAAAAAALLY want an Atrix for some reason.
OK so I'm guessing its bad?
I'm on da fence with this and the nexus s
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
who are you switching from? does it have to be at&t ? My atrix battery isnt bad, but i despise at&t
I sometimes go from H+ --> E --> no signal at odd times here in Raleigh, NC...
It depends on your location !!! some area's are good for AT$T and some are really BAD !
I'd pick up a Galaxy S II personally, I am fairly sure it's coming to T-mobile, Verizon, and AT&T so if you have T-mo or Verizon I'd recommend that.
It really out classes the Atrix from top to bottom, the only thing it lacks are docks (worthless anyway), qHD (But the sAMOLED screen more than makes up for it) and Tegra 2..although Tegra 2 is actually quite limited compared to the Galaxy II's chipset.
Why so many AT&T haters? I've been with them since it was Cingular years ago and I don't see any issues that people don't have with other providers. I think we are all looking for perfect world scenarios and we just aren't quite there yet. As for the Atrix, love mine!
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
I was with t-mobile till February 2011 and was sick of them because of the ****ty reception in San Diego in the area I live in. It was supposed to be "4G" but I was constantly on EDGE. I had friends on AT&T and they had great reception and on 3G faster or similar speeds as me on T-mobile with "4G". I switched and I am happy so far.
Try to find out if you have good reception in the area that you need it in (ask friends on AT&T etc.). T-mobile and AT&T can be quite spotty in coverage and reception.
wesglbrt said:
Why so many AT&T haters? I've been with them since it was Cingular years ago and I don't see any issues that people don't have with other providers. I think we are all looking for perfect world scenarios and we just aren't quite there yet. As for the Atrix, love mine!
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon = Faster network (Only carrier with substantial LTE rollout already), larger coverage map, and unlimited data plans.
AT&T = Slower network, no LTE for at least another year, 2 years for smaller markets, capped data plans.
The choice is simple.
dco717 said:
Is the battery life good?
How is the 3g? Does it go in and out or stay connected
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The battery life is amazing. But as always, it will also depend on your personal usage of the phone. If you are running speedtests all day then the battery life will be crap, for example.
the 3G will entirely depend on AT&T's network in your area. Look it up online and you should have a better gauge on how their network works in your area. Entirely subjective. In my area, it is amazing and I have no complains. It has been stable for me and the few times it "goes out" is when I am in the mountains or somewhere with weak cell signal anyways.
I just switched from Verizon to ATT about 3 weeks ago. The only thing that I miss is the amazing data speeds on my thunderbolt. I have had no issues with ATT and the service is not that much different in my area. If they are alright in your area I don't see a reason not to go for it.
The Atrix is a great phone, compared to my thunderbolt there is no comparison. The battery on the atrix lasts around 4 times longer then the thunderbolt and is built a lot better. Its a lot faster as well.
I have Verizon now but it cost 178 for two phones and if I switch to at&t it will be 131.98 or T-Mobile it would be 139
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Really want the giant screen of this phone, even though I really like my Epic Touch 4G; Obviously Sprint data speeds suck right now, but, not sure ATT would be that much better here in the SW 'burbs of Chicago..
Anyone out there that switched from the ET4G for this bad boy?
Are you glad you did, or not so glad?
Thanks so much for your input!
I came from a long line of devices on Sprint, my last being the E4GT. I'm extremely happy with the Note, no regrets in leaving Sprint at all.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
i'm hoping someone from the Chicago land area will chime in and tell me how ATT service is here now' a few years ago I tried ATT, and I couldn't even make or receive phone calls in my house in Willowbrook..
wase4711 said:
i'm hoping someone from the Chicago land area will chime in and tell me how ATT service is here now' a few years ago I tried ATT, and I couldn't even make or receive phone calls in my house in Willowbrook..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In not far from u (la grange) and att has improved ALOT in last few years. Still get dropped calls here and there but not like in the past. LTE is just wow and that's even with us in Chi town land not getting nowhere near the speeds other markets are. (10 mbs here and Dallas is at 40mbs) .
I've had VZW LTE on my galaxy tab and left them, was never on sprint but remember Nextel
As for the Note I don't think u will put it down much, battery is mehhh but given how much I use it I'm not complaining and there's always a charger near me. My mother lives in wiilowbrook and I have not had any issues in that area, Indian head park is weak in my experience.
Hope this helps.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
bbgt2 said:
In not far from u (la grange) and att has improved ALOT in last few years. Still get dropped calls here and there but not like in the past. LTE is just wow and that's even with us in Chi town land not getting nowhere near the speeds other markets are. (10 mbs here and Dallas is at 40mbs) .
I've had VZW LTE on my galaxy tab and left them, was never on sprint but remember Nextel
As for the Note I don't think u will put it down much, battery is mehhh but given how much I use it I'm not complaining and there's always a charger near me. My mother lives in wiilowbrook and I have not had any issues in that area, Indian head park is weak in my experience.
Hope this helps.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does the 4glte work inside your house?
Even though I am really close to Sprint wimax towers, i really get no 4g signal inside my house...
Do you drop calls inside your house, or out on the road?
I work from a home office, and using the phone part of the "package" is very important to me...
Thanks again!
I live in Burr Ridge. Last month I sold my Epic Touch 4g on Sprint for the Note.
Back in the day I'd had the iPhone 3g on AT&T and the service sucked, and I'd swore I'd never come back to AT&T, but I really wanted the Note. I've had no problems on the Note on AT&T...no dropped calls yet, and love the 4g speeds. The 3g speeds I get on AT&T are faster than any of the 4g Wimax speeds I used to get on Sprint.
Fyi here is a speediest from my house and I'm not on lte (it always says 4g in the statusbar, when you're in LTE you'll see a little "lte" in there as well)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Came from sprint, California. It's more expensive but the service is awesome. Unlimited data was a cruel joke unless I was in 4g area, staying still with a door or window open
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
stevieraveon said:
I live in Burr Ridge. Last month I sold my Epic Touch 4g on Sprint for the Note.
Back in the day I'd had the iPhone 3g on AT&T and the service sucked, and I'd swore I'd never come back to AT&T, but I really wanted the Note. I've had no problems on the Note on AT&T...no dropped calls yet, and love the 4g speeds. The 3g speeds I get on AT&T are faster than any of the 4g Wimax speeds I used to get on Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats great to hear!
when I used to have ATT a few years ago, I dropped calls ALWAYS in certain areas; rt 83 and 63rd street, 55 and 355 overpass, it was pretty pathetic to tell people on a call that you had to hang up, because you were going to lose the call..Plus, when I lived in Darien, I had to go out side to make or receive calls, and that was just stupid, especially in the winter!!
Glad to hear they have upgraded the network in the SW burbs...being an older guy, I actually use the phone for phone calls first and foremost..
and, as far as pricing, it appears that with 3 lines and the family plan, I will be paying about 30 dollars a month LESS with ATt than with sprint..hard to believe, but I confirmed the pricing yesterday...Sprints 10 dollar "premium" to own a smartphone now is just bull****..
stevieraveon said:
I live in Burr Ridge. Last month I sold my Epic Touch 4g on Sprint for the Note.
Back in the day I'd had the iPhone 3g on AT&T and the service sucked, and I'd swore I'd never come back to AT&T, but I really wanted the Note. I've had no problems on the Note on AT&T...no dropped calls yet, and love the 4g speeds. The 3g speeds I get on AT&T are faster than any of the 4g Wimax speeds I used to get on Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume its just as easy to root this guy as it was the ET4g?
I checked the Dev section, and it doesn't seem there are as many custom Roms for this guy yet; it is a lot newer, but I wonder if things like CM9 will ever make their way to this phone...
wase4711 said:
Really want the giant screen of this phone, even though I really like my Epic Touch 4G; Obviously Sprint data speeds suck right now, but, not sure ATT would be that much better here in the SW 'burbs of Chicago..
Anyone out there that switched from the ET4G for this bad boy?
Are you glad you did, or not so glad?
Thanks so much for your input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you like your epic touch 4G...then you'll Love the Note. No doubt.
-Once you go NOTE, you'd say 4 inches a Joke
SKyRocKeting727 said:
-Once you go NOTE, you'd say 4 inches a Joke
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/Thats what she said...
wase4711 said:
I assume its just as easy to root this guy as it was the ET4g?
I checked the Dev section, and it doesn't seem there are as many custom Roms for this guy yet; it is a lot newer, but I wonder if things like CM9 will ever make their way to this phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, rooting was just as easy. Also, there aren't may custom Roms, but Quality > Quantity.
DAGr8's Saurom rom is the only ROM I've flashed so far (gingerbread ROM) and I've had no complaints. There also has already been an ICS leak and various ROM's that I haven't tried yet and we know a real release will be coming.
Also, Cm9 is supposedly coming:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1568698
I have a split level house so I'm more in the lower level and I do have spots where I get weak call signal but still able to make receive calls. I too work out of my house (transfer office to cell when I leave) so I rely on my cell for work mainly. LTE reception is very good for me at home but I do use my wifi mainly when home. I have been with att since it was Ameritech and have had every iPhone since the first one but can safely say iPhones cell reception is crap compared to the note. My wife and daughter have iPhones and they still drop calls way way more then me. I never had the phone ur coming from so I can't attest to compare as I have been a sammy guy since the galaxy s and cannot see myself going to another brand.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
For anyone wondering. .yea this device is 3 times the speed of sprint ..I came from sprint after 3 years of bottom of the barrel 3g so called..3g I signed up with atat and Right of the bat atat was twice as fast good signal and YES CAN FINALLY STREAM MEDIA WITHOUT LAG.It may not be lte but hspa is suitable
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
wase4711 said:
/Thats what she said...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After she met me....
-Once you go NOTE, you'd say 4 inches a Joke
lojak29 said:
For anyone wondering. .yea this device is 3 times the speed of sprint ..I came from sprint after 3 years of bottom of the barrel 3g so called..3g I signed up with atat and Right of the bat atat was twice as fast good signal and YES CAN FINALLY STREAM MEDIA WITHOUT LAG.It may not be lte but hspa is suitable
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just hoping the service in my area of Chicago land has improved over what it was 3 years ago, when ATT was the absolute worst in my area..
I never drop calls with sprint when I am out of my house, and inside of it, I have been using an Air Rave device that they provided, so that isn't an issue at home.
Their 3G data is horrible, and, they claim its because they are currently upgrading their network; I gotta tell ya, it was just as bad when they weren't upgrading their network. Typical 3g speeds are 100-400kb, so the thought of getting 5-10 megs from ATT is very exciting...
wase4711 said:
I'm just hoping the service in my area of Chicago land has improved over what it was 3 years ago, when ATT was the absolute worst in my area..
I never drop calls with sprint when I am out of my house, and inside of it, I have been using an Air Rave device that they provided, so that isn't an issue at home.
Their 3G data is horrible, and, they claim its because they are currently upgrading their network; I gotta tell ya, it was just as bad when they weren't upgrading their network. Typical 3g speeds are 100-400kb, so the thought of getting 5-10 megs from ATT is very exciting...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I were you, I would test the Note in and around your house for a few days to make sure the reception works well overall.
At times, the data jumps back-and-forth between HSPA and LTE depending on your whereabouts. But...I don't believe it really drains that much battery.
And I agree how Sprint's 3G is an absolute joke....I thought VZW 3G was horrid...but when I saw it on Sprint, it was unbelievably slow.
They continue to advertise that they're the only 1 of the big 4 providers who still offer "truly unlimited data"....but what's the point of having that if you're basically already throttled with dial-up speeds.
Only thing i hate about note is qualcom processor, thats only aspect I miss of s2
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Aerials said:
If I were you, I would test the Note in and around your house for a few days to make sure the reception works well overall.
At times, the data jumps back-and-forth between HSPA and LTE depending on your whereabouts. But...I don't believe it really drains that much battery.
And I agree how Sprint's 3G is an absolute joke....I thought VZW 3G was horrid...but when I saw it on Sprint, it was unbelievably slow.
They continue to advertise that they're the only 1 of the big 4 providers who still offer "truly unlimited data"....but what's the point of having that if you're basically already throttled with dial-up speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, I plan on testing it immediately, but, the problem is of course, that once I port the number over, of their service sucks, its a pain to cancel with them and go back to Sprint; I love the Sammy E4GT, but, I am really switching carriers to get the Note, not Att...I just hope all the improvements in my area that I have heard/read about our true.
I mean, this is the Chicago land market, and I am certain ATT wants to come off as a good provider here..
But I really wanted this phone first and foremost..
I hope this phone is immune to the frequent Verizon LTE disconnects. On my HTC Thunderbolt it's so bad that LTE is useless and I have to force slower EVDOrevA to get stable data.
Every once in a while LTE acts up on my gnex.
Thunderbolts are known for problems may maintaining a signal was one of them?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
Have no LTE problems on my Driod Razr Maxx or on my Galaxy S 3.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Had soo many problems on my thunderbolt and gnex but my gs3 has been absolutely solid. Wouldn't expect anything different from the note2
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
ROB281 said:
Thunderbolts are known for problems may maintaining a signal was one of them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm suspecting it's a Diameter authentication issue since both LTE and eHRPD suffer from disconnects whereas EVDOrevA uses a different authentication method and is stable.
The reasons why the phones act up is because they have weaker radio antennas. The GNEX was know for having a weak LTE radio. Motorola phones are praised for having superior radios in them.
nnnnr14 said:
The reasons why the phones act up is because they have weaker radio antennas. The GNEX was know for having a weak LTE radio. Motorola phones are praised for having superior radios in them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see complaints about LTE disconnects from Motorola Rzr owners too on Verizon forum. Also, if it was a signal issue 3G EVDOrevA would be affected too but it isn't because it uses a different authentication method than 3G eHRPD's Diameter.
Anyone who's worked with Cisco ACS will understand.
So, I finally upgraded to Galaxy Note II and LTE is still randomly dropping especially tonight at a rate of about six to a dozen times a minute. So, it's Verizon's network afterall as I suspected.
lte solid here....have not had a data drop since owning the device.
I believe data drops are network related. Where I am, I get roughly 2-3 drops per day and one of them is roughly the same time every day. LTE will vanish for 30 seconds to a few minutes and then re-appear. This drop rate is so minor that I don't even really care.
I've had far improved signal from gnex. One signal hiccup in a week that lasted for a few minutes of disconnect/reconnect. Didn't have another device handy to compare at the time. I can actually get 3g at home in fringe area, never could get anything on previous devices.
Didn't have many issues with my thunderbolt back in the day, my gnex was pretty good and my note is awesome. I'm also in a strong lte market so that may be why. I'm in Houston
Florida panhandle ...have gotten a few lte drops but picks up 3g instantly ... My bolt dropped data all the time.
I haven't had a data drop since I got it even tho it hasn't been a week yet.
Samsung moment>evo4g>nexus s>galaxy nexus>evolte>DROID razr>s3>**Note II**
droidstyle said:
lte solid here....have not had a data drop since owning the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Unlike the old Droid Charge, I have had solid data since then with the Bionic/Razr(Maxx)/GNote2
mi7chy said:
So, I finally upgraded to Galaxy Note II and LTE is still randomly dropping especially tonight at a rate of about six to a dozen times a minute. So, it's Verizon's network afterall as I suspected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or your area sucks for LTE.
I've noticed in the past week my Rezound has been dropping data like crazy. Never used to do that like my Tbolt did.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
What's the best way to monitor data drops?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Be a nerd and constantly have your phone in your hand.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
Chadastrophic said:
Be a nerd and constantly have your phone in your hand.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the thunderbolt I knew it was the phone, with the gn2 I know it's the network.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
So I've been using the Galaxy S4 for a little over 3 weeks. I'm coming from a Thunderbolt which was rooted and updated with its radios.
I travel a lot for work and go to the same locations (different days) every now and then. I've noticed that I lose my 4G connection and go to 3G when I USED TO have a 4G connection at the same site with my Thunderbolt. Has anyone noticed this occuring with their S4?
I feel like I'm not getting the signals I'm supposed to be getting.
I had a Razr HD before the s4 that i have now and the HD was known for its very good radios. To my surprise, the S4's radios are on par or even better than the Hd
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itsdubai said:
I had a Razr HD before the s4 that i have now and the HD was known for its very good radios. To my surprise, the S4's radios are on par or even better than the Hd
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I came from Mot Razr Maxx...worrying most about radio performance in buying the S4. The S4 does better in every regard......contrary to my old samsung phone experience (very old). I live in a fringe area with 1 bar or so.....on both phones. The S4 holds on to calls very well too.
zilla. said:
So I've been using the Galaxy S4 for a little over 3 weeks. I'm coming from a Thunderbolt which was rooted and updated with its radios.
I travel a lot for work and go to the same locations (different days) every now and then. I've noticed that I lose my 4G connection and go to 3G when I USED TO have a 4G connection at the same site with my Thunderbolt. Has anyone noticed this occuring with their S4?
I feel like I'm not getting the signals I'm supposed to be getting.
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yes!!!! i came from a gnexus and then an iphone 5, and ive noticed that the radios arent as good. I was also able to customize the radios on the nexus the way i wanted to for 3g and 4g... but it seems to be worse on the galaxy s4
i dont know if radios came out for the GS3, but im hoping that with time, some will come out for this thing... and not the fm radios that i keep seeing
short rrespear
jt25741 said:
I came from Mot Razr Maxx...worrying most about radio performance in buying the S4. The S4 does better in every regard......contrary to my old samsung phone experience (very old). I live in a fringe area with 1 bar or so.....on both phones. The S4 holds on to calls very well too.
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It could be carrier specific.....for VZW this has been my experience.
jt25741 said:
It could be carrier specific.....for VZW this has been my experience.
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ehh, ive been on verizon for over 15 years.... and at my specific work for 7 years. I'd say i got the best cell signal with the iphone 5 (dont shoot me), but the gnexus is a close second.
i work in the middle of my building where there is barely any signal, so i kind of know what its like to move the phone an arm length up and finally send a text
theidoctor said:
ehh, ive been on verizon for over 15 years.... and at my specific work for 7 years. I'd say i got the best cell signal with the iphone 5 (dont shoot me), but the gnexus is a close second.
i work in the middle of my building where there is barely any signal, so i kind of know what its like to move the phone an arm length up and finally send a text
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Interesting.....good to know. I guess this means these Motorola phones really didn't have good RF performance after all (despite reputation).....compared to iPhone etc.... All is relative I guess -- LoL
jt25741 said:
Interesting.....good to know. I guess this means these Motorola phones really didn't have good RF performance after all (despite reputation).....compared to iPhone etc.... All is relative I guess -- LoL
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hahaha... not compared completely to iphone. I mean, in all honesty, i was able to get that one text message without having to worry; but noticed it when my messages weren't going through.
ON the other hand, my friend with a motorola can get a text message the next seat over which is only an armlength away
I had a thunderbolt, an it would always show 4g until I went to use it, then I would get no connection, and eventually it would drop to 3g. I think this phone just hands of the connection faster and smoother than the thunderbolt, and thats what you're seeing.
Schoat333 said:
I had a thunderbolt, an it would always show 4g until I went to use it, then I would get no connection, and eventually it would drop to 3g. I think this phone just hands of the connection faster and smoother than the thunderbolt, and thats what you're seeing.
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This was also the case for me sometimes with the Thunderbolt. But then again, most of the time I was showing 4G at most locations.
I've seen just the opposite, I've got the S4 and my wife has the Razr Maxx, and she's usually got one to two bars better then I do. It's pretty often when in a building I get bumped down to 3G but the Razr is still hanging on to one or two bars 4G. I haven't been too surprised as this is almost exactly the same signals as what I was seeing with my Galaxy Nexus.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2322975
I get significantly better signal with the S4 than I did with the S3. In my house, I can have great phone calls and decent 4G data speed on the S4 (2 bars). On the S3, I had slow speed on 4G and an occasional breakup on phone calls (1 bar). On the Galaxy Nexus, it couldn't connect to the phone network at all from inside the house (x on the signal strength)... A friends RAZR MAXX gets 2 bars and has the same performance as the S4. My bosses Note 2 gets the same experience as my S4...
jeffreycentex said:
I get significantly better signal with the S4 than I did with the S3. In my house, I can have great phone calls and decent 4G data speed on the S4 (2 bars). On the S3, I had slow speed on 4G and an occasional breakup on phone calls (1 bar). On the Galaxy Nexus, it couldn't connect to the phone network at all from inside the house (x on the signal strength)... A friends RAZR MAXX gets 2 bars and has the same performance as the S4. My bosses Note 2 gets the same experience as my S4...
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I had an S3 also and while at work I would lose 4G all the time. With my S4 I have never lost 4G at work.
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