Related
Did anyone tried this out?
http://blog.whitesites.com/How-to-Increase-Reception-on-Sony-Xperia-X1__633958291637656250_blog.htm
Better try to flash an other radio version before doing this to your Xperia.
Edit:
At home i have just 2 bars of reception, but anyway it has a very good connection. Only HSDPA reception could be a little more.
If i am outside my house, i mostly have full reception even with HSDPA.
If you're getting a weak signal from your provider, there's no way to magically make reception better other than the provider giving better coverage.
Being that my Nokia's all have full reception in house and the Xperia loses connection in the same location...
rickysio said:
Being that my Nokia's all have full reception in house and the Xperia loses connection in the same location...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to change U'r radio version, that's totaly work
xicloe said:
Try to change U'r radio version, that's totaly work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've changed 5 times already.
The issue is not whether it can be resolved or not, it is how slipshod the SE radio firmware is.
Nokia gets it right 100% of the time, so why can't SE?
The blogger on that link may be onto something (ie hardware related, not firmware) - but I'm not going to do that!
I changed the radio f/w to 1.16 - it's better than before, still not perfect in terms of the number of bars, and I sometimes lose the signal in the local supermarket...
X1 signal quality is poor/below average - but not poor enough to take the phone apart like that, or to actually change it for another.
I have already re-shelled my phone, so I have no fear of this. It is actually very easy to get to that part, but I would think that the rubberized coating would help to prevent corrosion on the copper antenna. Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't a cell signal have no problem passing through a millimeter of rubber compound?
I would be more than willing to mod this to get a few more bars, but I don't want to cause damage and not actually have any benefit.
If anyone here has tried it please post your results.
i just did this mod so far there has not been any noticable increases in reception but it seems to be more stable with less drop outs
Hi
I'm considering purchasing an N1 and I've spent a lot of time searching this and other forums. These are the "known" hardware related issues that concern me :
1. Screen is prone to cracks ? HTC are advising people not to put the N1 in their pocket ???
2. Dust under the screen.
3. The N1 has a weak radio antenna and loses the 3G signal easily.
(a) Some users apparently find that calls are dropped if their hand is covering the bottom third of the phone - I.e. if they are holding the phone normally !!!.
(b) Using the GPS during a call can cause the call to be dropped?
(c) If the radio signal is dropped due to being in a "signal dead spot", then when a signal is available the N1 does not re-connect automatically. A reboot is required?
My questions are for N1 users in the UK. DO you have any of the problems above. If so can you indicate when you purchased the N1? (I've got a suspicion that HTC have quietly fixed some hardware issues in later builds ??)
I bought my phone on 6th Jan and:
1) I've dropped my phone a fair few times and there are no cracks whatsoever in the screen. Seems pretty sturdy here.
2) I never had any dust issues whatsoever.
3) A. I've had no calls drop at all
B. I don't use GPS much at all but haven't had any issues when I have while calling.
C. I did have this problem pretty early on, but it seems to have been fixed in the past few CM builds.
MetaDude said:
Hi
I'm considering purchasing an N1 and I've spent a lot of time searching this and other forums. These are the "known" hardware related issues that concern me :
1. Screen is prone to cracks ? HTC are advising people not to put the N1 in their pocket ???
2. Dust under the screen.
3. The N1 has a weak radio antenna and loses the 3G signal easily.
(a) Some users apparently find that calls are dropped if their hand is covering the bottom third of the phone - I.e. if they are holding the phone normally !!!.
(b) Using the GPS during a call can cause the call to be dropped?
(c) If the radio signal is dropped due to being in a "signal dead spot", then when a signal is available the N1 does not re-connect automatically. A reboot is required?
My questions are for N1 users in the UK. DO you have any of the problems above. If so can you indicate when you purchased the N1? (I've got a suspicion that HTC have quietly fixed some hardware issues in later builds ??)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Had my N1 since the end of February (purchased 22nd, delivered within 3 working days). It lives in my jeans / jacket pocket (in the sleeve that it came with). No cracks, chips, splits, gaps etc
2. No problems for me
3. (a) Never had a dropped call.
(b) Never had a call dropped during GPS navigation - I use CoPilot and now Google Nav also, and Trapster (GPS speed trap app).
(c) never had signal dropped irretrievably.
I'm running the stock ROM on an O2 contract SIM and looking forward to Froyo tastiness
NB:
3 (b) I did have this happen once when on my HTC Magic running 1.6 whilst using CoPilot when a call came in at the same time as an email and a text. Everything froze, the 'force close' dialog came up, but I was still able to finish the call before the phone rebooted. Now that's prioritising !
(c) I drive through a poor signal spot every day during the week. At that point my iPhone 3G used to drop signal, my Palm Pre dropped signal (and took an age to re-acquire), my Sony W850i dropped signal. My N1, running Trapster, has never dropped signal at that point.
MetaDude said:
Hi
I'm considering purchasing an N1 and I've spent a lot of time searching this and other forums. These are the "known" hardware related issues that concern me :
1. Screen is prone to cracks ? HTC are advising people not to put the N1 in their pocket ???
2. Dust under the screen.
3. The N1 has a weak radio antenna and loses the 3G signal easily.
(a) Some users apparently find that calls are dropped if their hand is covering the bottom third of the phone - I.e. if they are holding the phone normally !!!.
(b) Using the GPS during a call can cause the call to be dropped?
(c) If the radio signal is dropped due to being in a "signal dead spot", then when a signal is available the N1 does not re-connect automatically. A reboot is required?
My questions are for N1 users in the UK. DO you have any of the problems above. If so can you indicate when you purchased the N1? (I've got a suspicion that HTC have quietly fixed some hardware issues in later builds ??)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Never had this problem... been using this phone since the mid Jan... and I only wear jeans... even carried the phone without any protection in my jeans pocket several times...
2. This is a rare issue. I don't have this problem... hopefully u won't have it to...
3. a) Never experienced call drops even in low signal areas.
b) Done this several time... GPS + Calls... no call drops even in low signal areas.
c) Faced this a couple of time before the ERE27 OTA... and all builds post that have been fine...
MetaDude said:
Hi
I'm considering purchasing an N1 and I've spent a lot of time searching this and other forums. These are the "known" hardware related issues that concern me :
1. Screen is prone to cracks ? HTC are advising people not to put the N1 in their pocket ???
2. Dust under the screen.
3. The N1 has a weak radio antenna and loses the 3G signal easily.
(a) Some users apparently find that calls are dropped if their hand is covering the bottom third of the phone - I.e. if they are holding the phone normally !!!.
(b) Using the GPS during a call can cause the call to be dropped?
(c) If the radio signal is dropped due to being in a "signal dead spot", then when a signal is available the N1 does not re-connect automatically. A reboot is required?
My questions are for N1 users in the UK. DO you have any of the problems above. If so can you indicate when you purchased the N1? (I've got a suspicion that HTC have quietly fixed some hardware issues in later builds ??)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im in the UK, O2, and had the phone early Jan imported from US so would be original hardware, if there has been a revision.
1) If you feel this phone, youd literally have to bend it over a table and palm strike it to damage it, if you watch on youtube the bend stress testing of the phone, youll see.
2) Never heard of an N1 with that issue, but my friends 2 month old iphone has dust under the screen, just one of those things with phones and isnt N1 specific.
3)a) Signal is NEVER that bad, only time signal is an issue is for data, NOT voice calls.
b) Doesnt exist as far as I know
c) Sometimes it takes its time to reconnect (but thats so its not sitting there spamming for frequencies and going nomnomnom on your precious battery. RARELY have I ever had to restart because it wouldnt reconnect, but that was usually either cause something had crashed (super kernel'ed up custom ROM) or I was just being a retard.
DO I feel lucky ?
Thanks guys. It looks like I don't need to worry about 1) and 2) in my original post. Issue 3) - weak antenna / 3G radio/data- however, is still a potential problem. See
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=669442
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=678884
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=676381
From what I can see it looks like some unlucky N1 owners do have 3G radio/data issues but many / most? do not. (BTW - the same seems to apply to HTC Desire owners !? ).
Google have acknowledged that there is a 3G radio problem with some N1 handsets but have basically stated that they can't / won't do anything about it which means I have to ask myself "Do you feel lucky,punk - well do you ?" LOL
MetaDude said:
Thanks guys. It looks like I don't need to worry about 1) and 2) in my original post. Issue 3) - weak antenna / 3G radio/data- however, is still a potential problem. See
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=669442
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=678884
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=676381
From what I can see it looks like some unlucky N1 owners do have 3G radio/data issues but many / most? do not. (BTW - the same seems to apply to HTC Desire owners !? ).
Google have acknowledged that there is a 3G radio problem with some N1 handsets but have basically stated that they can't / won't do anything about it which means I have to ask myself "Do you feel lucky,punk - well do you ?" LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My brother has the problem where he NEVER gets 3g, turned out to be his sim card. Im not going to say that 3g signal isnt worse because it is [got a bberry bold with another o2 sim card sitting next to me], but its not significant to make any difference.
Nexus data connection, especially HSDPA, looks better than anything I've tried. On the exact same spots where my KU990 would lose even a voice connection, Nexus keeps hammering data. I have US T-Mo version, it's best suited for European data connectivity, and had it for the last month.
the signal strength on my galaxy s does not improve beyond -81dbm ... it degardes to -111dbm or so ..at times while speaking it goes in a silent mode .
is there any fix available or any likelihood of it being availble in near future .
i compared signal strength with blackberry phone at same place and same operator ....it was -67dbm.
huge difference ???
can someone help with suggestion or shall i sell this device asap.
yeah i got the same problems .. that really sucks .. :/ sometimes i loose signal completely
Different technology will always fair differently in various situation - meaning that the Galsxy will have a worse signal in some situation, but a better signal in others. If you are finding that you are not satisfied with it, best to sell it.
same for me its not better then iPhone 4 then...
somebody has to say it; "you're holding it wrong"
it goes to 105 dmb before 111
still have signal at 111
after that it goes to signal lost (tries to downgrade to 3G/2G before)
personally i've a hard time making it lose signal. when i already at -105 i can by covering it with hands then putting my hands in a box or covering on top with my body (yeh i look dumb when i do that)
otherwise i can't
for the GPS it's another story.. it cuts when you touch the screen sometimes..
Experienced poor signal strength myself, try using country specific modem when flashing via Odin, You can flash Modem itself to try out which one works best.
Tried flashing multiple modems on my phone and some seems to work better than other, could just be a placebo effect though o.o
does that mean it is a hardware issue or can this be improved by software upgrade..
Recevier senstivity is mobile's basic functionality , manufacturer's shall not compromise with this basic parameter .
I have checked signal strength at various locations but it never improves from -81dbm
Yeah, if you try and flash a CSC that's meant for your region may help.
Request if some one can help with procedure to flash.
Well not only your CSC but a newer MODEM file would help!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7329960&postcount=6 read here before you start!
Also I've found if it will help you JPC modem so far for me is best in the UK on O2 (that includes testing quite a weak JPH modem file imo)
i would like to improve my samsung s1 android signal
Since some think that the GPS hardware (that can't be fixed by software settings) in the Captivate is crap, do you think that Samsung should use hardware from a different GPS provider in their next version of the phone? Does Broadcom have any GPS hardware in other phones that work well? Other than buying a Garmin phone, are there any other phones out there that use "true" GPS, as in one that you would find in a "real" handheld GPS device? I see/hear a lot of people returning their phones strictly because of the GPS not working well.
I'm just wondering if there will ever be a GPS fix for my Captivate, if the hardware is at fault. If it is a poor GPS chip in the phone, there's not much we can do about it, unless the GPS manufacturer updates their driver and they produce some type of software fix.
I updated my Captivate with the OTA update that claims to "fix" GPS performance. It has improved from never getting a fix to providing one relatively quickly. However it loses the fix moving, it loses the fix for NO REASON when stationary (sitting on a surface with a clear view of the sky), goes nearly a minute without updating at times and isn't accurate. People that are using it and saying it works great have never used a real GPS before. The Captivate is useful for location based services at best and hopefully with more improvements navigation.
I compared it side by side with a 9 year old Garmin eTrex and the ancient eTrex blew the Samsung out of the water. Initial fix on the Samsung was faster (thanks to AGPS) but while the Garmin hovered between 6-8ft CEP and the Galaxy S was about 32ft CEP. This makes the Garmin about 30x more accurate in my book.
This was both outside and INSIDE in my home. To the naysayers that say GPS shouldn't be working indoors please take a walk. It depends on the construction of your home. The fact that a 9 year old GPS receiver that was never known for its sensitivity beats the pants off off the Galaxy S really speaks to how much of a terrible joke the phone's GPS is.
If I could I would return the phone. This OTA update was AT&T and Samsung's fix for the GPS and I believe they're going to say it's "done". Because they'll claim to have fixed it already I hold out no hope that this issue will be further addressed and am upset I have the phone. GPS is a basic feature for such a well-spec'ed phone - we shouldn't be thankful when features work - we should demand that they do.
I'd say probably that's all Samsung can do for its crapy implementation of BroadCOM 4751 chip. The GPS chip may be the latest and greatest (newer than the one used in iPhone4, BCM4750) but we are the beta testers for BroadCom/Samsung as the chip is very new (released in April 2010) and never field tested in any devices.
I have no doubt that we will see great GPS performance from this chip later on from other phones or GPS devices. Just not from any of the current Samsung Galaxy S phones. There is only so much they can do to compensate in software for the bad hardware implementation. Ultimately they have to change the board design and/or chip designs to address the real issue. I just can't see Samsung willing to recall millions of existing SGS phones back and replace the motherboard on each one of them.
The update was certainly discouraging. The phone really has no ability to track you correctly on GPS when moving and it loses its lock frequently. Wasn't there a leaked vibrant rom that fixes the tracking part of GPS? Having something like that come to the Captivate is really the only hope we have left at this point.
I'm not a GPS expert, but since basically every phone that comes out these days has a working GPS, I really can't understand how Samsung managed to screw this up. I'm sure that GPS is quite complicated, but aren't the methods and alrogithms for calculating position from the data pretty well established at this point? I don't know why its this difficult for them to get this right. They souldn't have to reinvent the wheel with this; just implement an existing algorith. I wish I knew what is so challenging for them, it seems way to easy for this much time to go by without addressing this properly.
This needs to go in Q&A or General.
TheSopranos16 said:
They souldn't have to reinvent the wheel with this; just implement an existing algorith.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not the algorithm, it is the chip. For what ever reason, Samsung decided to use the latest and greatest, but untested, GPS chip that was officially anounced only the spring of 2010. Basically, we are beta testers for BroadCom for its BCM4751 version 1.0 sillicon. Of course, adding a slighly bigger or better GPS atenna inside the phone probably will help too but Samsung has to cut corners somewhere (they always do)
I'm also disappointed with the GPS in this phone. I have a standalone Garmin that I bought this summer, but its nice to know that I can use the phone if I don't have my Garmin with me...but I can't rely on this thing.
I had the Nexus One before this and its GPS was great. I used it on a 300+ mile trip between St. Louis and Chicago and it never lost its fix.
I like the Captivate better for its screen, true multitouch and better graphics processor (although I don't really notice a difference there).
I like the Nexus One better for more ROMs (Cyanogen), stock Android, WORKING GPS, first for updates.
IF (and that's a big IF), they can get GPS to be reliable while driving, then I will prefer this phone.
It is very frustrating. I purchased 2 Captivates, one for my wife and one for myself. Both phones are factory still. The wifes gps works excellently, fix within 5 seconds (indoors too).....whereas my gps couldn't find me if I was the only crumb on the plate.
I returned the first phone. The second phone handed to me worked just as my wifes did. Excellent gps fixes. This phone unfortunately had the turn off problem. If the phone was in my pocket for any period off time it would turn off.
I returned this one for a third phone. The third phone stays on but still has the gps problem.
Is it the device, the hardware or the software, you be the judge!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
drez22 said:
It is very frustrating. I purchased 2 Captivates, one for my wife and one for myself. Both phones are factory still. The wifes gps works excellently, fix within 5 seconds (indoors too).....whereas my gps couldn't find me if I was the only crumb on the plate.
I returned the first phone. The second phone handed to me worked just as my wifes did. Excellent gps fixes. This phone unfortunately had the turn off problem. If the phone was in my pocket for any period off time it would turn off.
I returned this one for a third phone. The third phone stays on but still has the gps problem.
Is it the device, the hardware or the software, you be the judge!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its still hard to say. Signs are starting to point towards hardware, but it could also just be poor drivers, which will eventually get fixed hopefully.
I've said this in another post.. but these phones are being produced on an assembly line - errors get made - the phones are all using the same hardware.
this is my #5 captivate - the last 2 phones were battery issues, but att replaced the entire phone.. I tested gps before I left the store with the new phone -
everyone needs to understand that there will ALWAYS be problems - It's technology. If your GPS didn't work within the first 29 days, take it back!
There is a reason Samsung is creating a "fix" for the GPS - they aren't RECALLING the phone because of a hardware problem. I will eat my words if the phone gets recalled because of a bad "GPS chip." But for now, if you are within 30 days and you aren't happy, please go return it, test the new phone in the store before you leave!
There is still SOME home for this chipset. Nokia is developing a device with the same chipset. I made a thread in i9000 - Android Development forum with the linux driver source code written by Nokia. We'll have to see. If Nokia releases a device with this chip and the GPS works, we know it's Samsung's fault.
Has anyone ever tried to get a comment from Broadcom about the GPS issues? Since its their chip and there are over a million Galaxy S phones out there, I would think it would be appropriate for them to weigh in on this...
born_fisherman said:
I've said this in another post.. but these phones are being produced on an assembly line - errors get made - the phones are all using the same hardware.
this is my #5 captivate - the last 2 phones were battery issues, but att replaced the entire phone.. I tested gps before I left the store with the new phone -
everyone needs to understand that there will ALWAYS be problems - It's technology. If your GPS didn't work within the first 29 days, take it back!
There is a reason Samsung is creating a "fix" for the GPS - they aren't RECALLING the phone because of a hardware problem. I will eat my words if the phone gets recalled because of a bad "GPS chip." But for now, if you are within 30 days and you aren't happy, please go return it, test the new phone in the store before you leave!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to realize that the percentage of the bad SGS with GPS issues are too high to be caused by any reasonable manufacturaing defects.
You can't test GPS properly in a store without going through a driving test. Period. The problem with the GPS is not about whether or not you get a lock, it is whether or not the phone can keep an accurate lock on you while driving. Unfortunately, most ppl didn't realize this at all.
Samsung will not recall the phone even if it turns of the GPS chip or motherboard is the problem. It is not some kind of safety issue.
TheSopranos16 said:
Has anyone ever tried to get a comment from Broadcom about the GPS issues? Since its their chip and there are over a million Galaxy S phones out there, I would think it would be appropriate for them to weigh in on this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Broadcom made some small fixes in the driver. That's why with JH7, you can see your phone can lock on to more than 8 satellites now. Old drivers will only allow max lock of 8 satellites and minimal SNR value of 20. New driver allow lock on to more than 8 satellites and minimal SNR value of 10 or so. But unfortunately, it didn't improve moving accuracy.
So when you go to the AT&T store take the phone outside and the phone you are going to walk away with doesn't see any satellites, you should just take it and run?
I'm saying this with experience. I've had 2 phones that didn't pickup any satellites even after waiting 5 minutes.
My current phone immediately saw satellites and got a lock within 45 seconds.
Regardless if you are moving or not, the phone should be able to see satellites - I understand the problem is when you are mobile and keeping the lock, this is not my argument.
my argument is that people are still complaining that they can't get a lock even after the OTA update - Test your phone before taking it home. That's all. Not a big deal if you ask me! If your new LCD TV with HD tuner isn't picking up HD channels, you would bring it back right??
My gps was pretty terrible until I flashed Cognition the first version. Now my gps works amazingly and never has the blue circle of ambiguity. Very happy with the gps performance now. So much that I haven't flashed the cognition that is updated with JH7. Worried it could brea kit haha. might as well try though.
Yeah, the new one (Cognition v2.1) with OTA JH7 in it is pretty bad based on my reading. JH7 is an old firmware. Original Cognition has some files from T-Mo Vibrant JI2 firmware which is newer than JH7.
Our only hope is that the final version of Froyo has some improvement baked into.
Hi all,
Within the past week or so, I've noticed a fairly large drop in the signal strength from both my wireless lan and 3g signals. With the cell signal, it was even dropping to edge sometimes when I was outside in an area which used to give me full bars. Wireless isn't much better, and it seems to be fluctuating between 4/5 signal and 2/5 signal even though I'm close to my router. Again, I used to have full signal in the same location. Nothing really would have changed.
Yesterday I tried flashing Continuum (2.3.4) instead of running the stock 2.2 that I had before. The 3g signal seems to be *slightly* more consistent, although I'm still not at full bars, whereas I always was before.
Is this a common occurrence? Is it my hardware, and can I fix it myself, or do I need to send it in to Rogers? I've only had the phone for about 6 months now. I wonder if it's under warranty still (assuming I flash back the original ROM and bootloader).
If anyone has any suggestions it would be much appreciated. It's odd, but the wifi signal almost gets boosted when I'm trying to use the internet, but not to full bars even when I'm near the router.
Bump. Is this the wrong place to ask this question?
Cheers
My AT&T Captivate has similar issues. Mine started about a month ago. I haven't put any effort into figuring out the root cause.
Yeah, I'd really like to figure out what's up though. Does the hardware just crap out after a few months of use? Thanks samsung!
Lucky75 said:
Yeah, I'd really like to figure out what's up though. Does the hardware just crap out after a few months of use? Thanks samsung!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This trend happened with my HTC Aria as well. I don't believe its anything related to Samsung hardware crapping out.
So, if it's software, what would be consistent across a ROM and kernel flash?
I recently fixed a network error effecting call quality by flashing a new modem. I know our issues are different, but since you did flash new ROM i dont think it could hurt.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I896 using XDA App
Stumbled across this article on Toms Hardware today and felt like it was a good read for this thread.
http://www.tomshardware.com/picturestory/571-wi-fi-beamforming-networking.html
Unfortunately it's not just my wifi that has issues, but 3g as well.
Lucky75 said:
Unfortunately it's not just my wifi that has issues, but 3g as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried flashing a different modem? The one that came with your current rom may be different than you had before which would account for your weaker signals. Different modems work better in different areas. Try something else and see if it doesn't help, such as JK4 or JL3.
I haven't yet, but I actually had the problem before I flashed the ROM.
Where are you located. I have absolutely ATROCIOUS reception in Atlanta, and ATT says they have some 50 towers down. Your area might be the same. In my basement where I used to have 3 bars consistently, i know have to run around the basement struggling to get one bar to send a text. ATT needs to get their act together or everyone might start switching to Verizon.
In Toronto, Canada. We usually have good reception. It's only recently that I have had issues.
check with other people such as your family and see if they have bad service too, if so call your service provider, there may be an issue on their end. Other than that all I can suggest would be a full reset to factory and a master clear and then restart from there. While that is annoying, it might be worth it to solve the problem.