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Hi, I purchased S3 mini around december 2012, one of the main reasons why I bought it was the gps/glonass-feature, since I figured it would provide me with more accurate tracking while running. Previously I had used a Samsung Galaxy Gio phone for running, and with rooting and a gpsfix (changed the server) it provided accurate gps in long half-marathon runs and so forth. The issue with that phone was that the battery life was terrible.
Now, the S3 mini is brilliant in battery consumption, but the gps accuracy has been horrid. It locks a satellite within seconds, several satellites are in use immediately. So, nothing to complain there. However, it is almost one street off, throughout my run. It tracks usually 1-2 kilometers less distance than the Gio, which manages to stay on the road I'm running on perfectly. If I'm to believe the S3 mini, I frequently run in water and through people's backyards...
Now, I have attempted the usual tricks, cleared agps, updated it before runs, calibrated the compass with GPS status indoors and outdoors. But nothing seems to work. Many times the gps will track perfectly when I'm headed, let's say northwards for several kilometers, but then when I turn to go west-east or southwards (for example) the gps accuracy goes off. I'm hoping this is an issue that could be easily fixed, since it's a shame that such a fabulous phone like the s3 mini fails to be a good running partner.
My S3 mini is not rooted, most of the gps fixes only fix satellite locking. My issue is inaccuracy, and yes, many people think it's normal, but having had perfect tracking with an entry-level smart phone like Samsung Galaxy Gio, I fail to understand why my S3 Mini does not excel in this area.
What else should/could I try? or just use my gio while running and hope it doesn't run out of battery in 1,5 hours.
I have also noticed the inaccurate gps of the s3 mini. After some positional testing I have decided that the gps is just not V good on this phone including being mounted on shoulder.
I also have an issue where gps locks up and freezes when the phone sleeps. I have yet to overcome this. I'm hoping it's a kernel issue brought about by flashing.
After years of smartphone soul searching, I now use a Garmin 405cx for sports, etrex10 for work and hiking, and a tomtom for sat navigation. I only now rely on the shoddy gps for View ranger Os mapping on the phone. Based on its performance I've started purchasing paper maps and now use those to navigate while walking and hiking.
This makes me very sad. I love android and like the s3mini. However yesterday I contemplated throwing it across lane 3 of the M20.
Sent from my GT-I8190 using Tapatalk 2
Hi, I have a same problem with my new Samsung Galaxy S3 mini and Sports Tracker. And many other reporting this problem. Sports Tracker works fine with my ZTE Blade. The first I thought that the fault is in bad GPS module in my phone. But the GPS work fine with Navi software. I realized that in Navi software the phone screen is always on and with Sport Tracker go in stanby. And when the screen go in standby the gps stop working. And when the signal is repeatedly interrupted then for a long time does not want to connect. Solution is that you in Sport Tracker settigs set Screen backlight to Always on. Now the problem is that the random clicking Stop suspended yor current workout. I do not know if fault is with Jelly Bean ROM or with Samsung Galaxy phones. Later I again tested navi app IGO Primo and if I turned off the screen GPS also go on off.
Phone screen always ON is also not an ideal solution. Because the signal is still losing, but every once for a second.
I tried various apps: GPS Status (settings: Background behavior/The app will keep the GPS running even the device screen is turned off.
But it does not work).Tracker Booster, Keep My GPS Alive, but without success
Is there any solution for this?
I've got the same problem while using GPS in a running application (like runkeeper, runtastic or endomondo).
I know this is an old thread, but I want to ask if anyone has found a solution for this problem.
I would be very thankful!
I have the exact same problem. After two months of GPS hell with my SII I got a new SIII mini. Initial GPS lock and detection goes really quick (22 satellites). If I do a quick turn in running it seems that it tracks a bit of until the end. It may be 100 meter or 200 meter on a 10 kilometer (and people indeed say it's normal, but with my SII it was perfect)
Could it be processor related? I run with a bluetooth heart rate sensor, google music, running app, etc. I tend to believe if I switch of 3G that it goes better.
Any other suggestions on this?
I have basically come to the conclusion that the GPS on this phone is ****, primarily due to the OS sleeping it. Which is a battery saving strategy. We do have very good battery life on these devices.
The GPS doesn't have any issues if an app is using it, like (Viewranger recording a track). This prevents the OS sleeping it. However accuracy of the GPS on SGS3M is poor. But really if you after doing serious tasks that require even a hint of accuracy then purchasing a dedicated device is the way forward. If you run try the Garmin range of fitness devices. If it's work try a hiking GPS I use a etrex 20 for assisting in surveying trees. Recording my movements across a site and the locations of any trees with works associated.
I think the phone manufacturer decided that the accuracy issue was not a concern as many navigation apps would snap the users location to roads and such.
Don't hold out for any solution. I can say the only thing to ensure is the latest firmware. I have the latest which isn't available on the "BTU" location code. However the German firmware works fine with my UK device. Check the Dev thread for latest stock rom, (pretty rooted).
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
gaze eademno
ninjalandpirate said:
I have basically come to the conclusion that the GPS on this phone is ****, primarily due to the OS sleeping it. Which is a battery saving strategy. We do have very good battery life on these devices.
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Click to collapse
I don't know what to think from it. If I track a car drive with it (using Endomondo), it uses a perfect track to road tracking.
Also initial running tracking using Endomondo is fine. It seems that a sudden change in direction (eg a sudden change from south to nord) let's down the accuracy. It's strange because the device has a very good satelite detection and fast lock.
NicolasBE said:
I don't know what to think from it. If I track a car drive with it (using Endomondo), it uses a perfect track to road tracking.
Also initial running tracking using Endomondo is fine. It seems that a sudden change in direction (eg a sudden change from south to nord) let's down the accuracy. It's strange because the device has a very good satelite detection and fast lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This morning I had a spectacular improvement.
What has changed:
I installed the latest 4.1.2 official build from sammobile.com
I ran without 3G location services. (pure on GPS)
I also switched the device from being upside down on my left arm, to being straight on my right arm.
Possible something that has nothing to do with it: my work e-mail policy was not yet enabled on the device.
I also ran a slightly other route (but there was still a sharp turn halfway involved), and the signal corrected itself perfectly.
My bluetooth heart rate was enabled, 3G was enabled and google play music was enabled.
So the thing I'm eager to try is: enabling location services again, and doing the route that caused trouble again.
But to be honest ... I think it's the new 4.1.2 build that solved it.
My gf's phone has XXAMG1 build and it has exactly this same issue. GPS shuts down a couple of minutes from start.
Recently I found out that my GPS becomes inaccurate when I enter into the forest. I use it mostly for navigation while mountain biking. The position defers after 10 to 20 minutes for 200 to 400 metres. The position error direction is almost every time in the direction of departure point that means that GPS position stays behind me. When I check GPS reception with GPS test, there are always 5 to 12 satellites in use with estimated error up to 5 metres. The interest thing is that if I switch GPS off and then again ON, the new first fix is very accurate. After that, if I continue cycling, the position becomes inaccurate again. I have tried different programs (sports tracker, view ranger, orux maps, Google maps) with same results.
Any suggestions very welcome.
Same issue here (example included)
Same issue here. S3 Mini and Endomondo. Tracks start to differ after a certain amount of time (refer to attached JPG)
Chatted with Samsung about this issue and they told me that this is caused by the fact that all Galaxy phones have AGPS, where an internet connection is neccessary for the GPS to work. But I am not sure that this is the problem...
Samsung told me that I am the only person indicating this is a problem so it's probably my phone. Perhaps good to file an official support request at Samsung?
My few thoughts on this...
On stock rom everything was working well. except for the rom itself.
On maclaw cm 10.1. gps worked well until after an hour or so of use for tracking. then gps decided that I'm cca 100 meters away from spot where I was standing. it just translated my position and stayed translated the whole time until I turned gps on/off.
On Stock i8190XXAMJ3 gps was amazing, it was locking onto satelittes even inside the house, but it had the same issue like cm10.1 rom.
Now I'm on S5style_i8190XXANA2_v1 and for now gps look good, didn't have any issue, hope it will stay like this.
just to say, I've played with gps.conf, with various apps like gps status, gps test, resetting agps data, trying different apps for tracking and nothing worked. after a while, gps simply translates my position and stays like that.
to reply to myself...
for some reason every stock rom I flashed with cwm apparently didn't flash baseband with it (or something went wrong), so phone was showing original baseband version. then I flashed baseband ANA2 separately and now gps shows no problems stated in previous post.
I've had the same problem on my S3 mini. I'd tried a few apps to track my sport activities before I've found working one - Navime Sport Tracker. Since then I've been using it and faced no problems with GPS and tracking. Unfortunately app only works in Poland. So you may ask why I'm writing about this. I do so because I reckon that problem sometimes lies in a tracking app itself. E.g. in the same place where Navime was detecting 7-13 satellites Endomondo (with identical GPS settings) managed to find 1 or 2. That's how I solved my problem. And one more thing - I use stock-Samsung Android 4.1.2 (newest).
My usual GPS config:
- GPS is ON (obviously)
- using wireless network to fix GPS is OFF (option on the top)
- GPS data available for Google services is ON (option on the bottom)
- data connection is ON
Proof:
navime.pl/trasa/348283/Katowice-Pszczyna+17.04.2014
Hi pcm266
I know this is a reply to a post a year old, but this is the closest description of the problem I continue to experience. Perhaps you and others are still looking for a solution.
This is NOT simply a matter of poor connections due to loose screws. I tried a month ago tightening screws, checked every setting but the problem persists. Loosened then tightened screws again yesterday. Today I ran with both my S3mini and my old Samsung GIO. The GIO recorded perfectly!
Your sentence "Many times the gps will track perfectly when I'm headed, let's say northwards for several kilometers, but then when I turn to go west-east or southwards (for example) the gps accuracy goes off. " is pretty well what I see happening.
What is puzzling is that S3mini worked perfectly in a race on 29 March. ??? Have not been able to repeat that.
Tightening screws is certainly not helping me. I am sure that this is a software error. There is a consistency in the type of error that is not is the type of error I would expect from intermittent connections.
Another strange thing is that the S3mini tracking is pretty good when travelling in a car. It is when I ran - which is of course much slower than a car - that the tracking is worse. Something to do with collecting too much data and doing some sort of averaging????
My son runs with an S3. Never had a single tracking problem.
A tip re the GIO battery: The Lithium-hydride batteries in laptop battery packs have the same charging characteristics as the batteries in the Samsung phones. I simply soldered wires from the contact points in the phone to a battery taken from an old laptop pack. (Usually when these battery packs fail, most of the individual cells are still good. I use them in all sorts of applications. ) The battery is fastened to the back of the Gio with duct tape. The phone no longer has a simcard in it, so I keep it on airplane mode. The battery stays charged for days!
Guys, I've never experienced this GPS problem. My S3 Mini has completely accurate readings both in car and while walking. You can try and update your phone to a newer firmware version if it's still on a firmware from a year ago. Don't know what else to suggest, God bless my S3 Mini for not having this problem, 'cause I use GPS frequently
Hello, I have the same problem with inaccurate gps after some time. Is there any solution. I use this phone only for running, so for me it is not a problem to flash another rom. I hope someone can give me a solution or a rom that works while running.
Hi!
I am facing problems with the orientation sensors (accelerometer and/or gyroscope), because installing several applications to test them (or use games), it is clearly observable, that they are a bit off (with enough to be disturbing when required). For example, games or tests that simulate a ball, and my phone is laying on a horizontal table, the ball rolls quickly to the edge of screen. This happens as well with the built-in tests in the "service menu" of the phone, for accelerometer and gyroscope also.
Do you have any suggestions how could I calibrate these sensors globally (for every app)?
Thanks.
Info
vetko said:
Hi!
I am facing problems with the orientation sensors (accelerometer and/or gyroscope), because installing several applications to test them (or use games), it is clearly observable, that they are a bit off (with enough to be disturbing when required). For example, games or tests that simulate a ball, and my phone is laying on a horizontal table, the ball rolls quickly to the edge of screen. This happens as well with the built-in tests in the "service menu" of the phone, for accelerometer and gyroscope also.
Do you have any suggestions how could I calibrate these sensors globally (for every app)?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
factory Reset ur phone and then use PC companion app to Repair Firmware...
this can wipe current data and install fresh firmware on ur device
:good:
Hi,
I have the same problem. Only the x axis of the accelerometer seems to be affected : it show a value around 1 instead of 0 while the phone is sitting flat. Y and Z display normal values.
All the software solutions I have tried have had no effect at all... It seems the built-in test reads raw data from the accelerometer. It is hard to imagine how this can be a hardware problem though...
Anyway, in my case I believe a software fix (x=x-1) would do the trick but I have no idea how to do such a thing ! Any help ?
@vekto : Have you solved the issue by any chance ?
Would anyone care to try the accelerometer tests and post their results ?
Typing *#*#7378423#*#* will get you on the service menu. The two significant tests are "accelerometer" and "gyroscope".
I'd post some screenshots myself but I'm not allowed yet...
I'm having the same problem now. It seems one axis is affected. Haven't found a way around so far. This is sad because it affects the images taken with Google Camera Sphere mode. The images are badly aligned together with glitches in between. My phone wasn't like this before.
Either a SW fault - might be able to calibrate with GPS Status & Toolbox app, for example - or a FW fault - and reflashing ROM might help (highly unlikely) - or HW fault - the sensor has moved on the board (which is a bad sign anyway, might be on the way to disconnecting itself).
I sent mine to Xperia Care and got it back with the accelerator fixed. Still unclear if it's a HW problem...
It came back with a white spot on the screen (near the power button) though... so I sent it back again
I'm also having issues with the gyroscope. Installed Bubble app to calibrate the gyro. It showed the gyro was of a couple of degrees. Unfortunately the bubble app calibration doesn't work in a game like Need for Speed. It's very difiicult to achieve good times in the game right now since I have to hold it tilted to the left to go straight ahead.
So if anyone has a fix or workaround... Please do post.
Same problem, Seems after factory reset whith wipe dalvik cache.
any solution?
02nd March 2017, my autorotate has completely stopped working, restart, safe-deposit and reset do not fix. Diagnostics show Gyroscope Light Sensor and accelerometer failed testing, 3 years of same issue, surely there must be a fix that works by now?? ( please note, " turning it off and on again " does not fix it )
Helps Please
I have the same issue. Since last week, gyro, accelerometer, light and proximity sensors stop working. I've tried reflashing stock ROM without success. I have not warranty (almost 3 years old), so I even try to disassemble , disconnect an reconnect every flex (I don't know exactly were the sensors are located on the board). After that I get almost 8 hours of fully functionally sensors and then, they stop working again, so I'm almost sure it's a hardware issue.
Same problem for 3 years
I'm just now getting around to doing something about this. As my power button stopped working I can't post requested screenshot without going to the pc. I have been shopping new (fall 2018) phones after having the Z3+ since release. In my research I'm finding the phone still is better than Samsung, LG, and the pixel3 for me because the 3.5mm phone jack is mandatory for me using my device with an i-rig midi requiring both that port and the USB at the same time. I'm going to do everything I can to keep using this phone till it falls to dust. It's one of 4 Sony I've bought since the day Z1 came out of t-mo. I look forward to testing solutions. :good:
Some time after my post, I bought a new jack/proximity sensor flex and replace it. This solved the issue, but weeks later, the bottom portion of the touch screen becomes unresponsive. May be I have done something wrong... may be programmed obsolescence...
Hi I'm facing a problem of my gyroscope I don't know which one is not working a gyroscope or accelerometer. My gyroscope is so delay when I play pubg mobile and I can't also calibrate my Gsensor it always says FAIL but I put in a perfect flat surface please please please help me with this problems
I have a strange problem with my Z3C's GPS (note: running CM12.1 nightlies). The problem did not occur when I used the phone for navigation last year, I first noticed it some time in January. So either my hardware has broken since last year or some upgrade broke my GPS.
Symptom: GPS does not work reliably when stationary or moving at slow speed (i.e. hiking or running). It takes forever to get a fix. Literally, many times I can put the device down outside with completely free view to the sky and after 15 minutes and more there is still no fix. The number of satellites picked up according to GPS Status&Monitor varies, most of the time 0 to 2, sometimes up to 8, then dropping again to 0 for no obvious reason, but even with 8 satellites no location?!? If I get a fix and record a track with OruxMaps, the quality is bad, many dropouts, very often the fix is lost. The GPS location and heading is drifting around when I'm standing stationary.
However, when I drive in car and use Here Maps or OruxMaps, the GPS is perfectly usable: Fix after about 30 secs in motion, good positioning quality, good tracks. Even when the car is standing, the position is not drifting. As soon as I leave the car and walk around, the positioning is soon degrading.
An issue with might be connected is that I cannot calibrate my compass: Every compass app claims that it has to be calibrated (even if the compass bearing itself seems to be pretty OK - every direction is where it is supposed to be). All the methods given on the net - waving 8, turning in all three axes - never got me the compass calibrated. I also refreshed AGPS, cleared caches and dalvik, regularly flash an upgraded CM nightly, no change.
As I'm using CM12.1, I cannot get into services menus, it seams.
Has anybody an idea what could be the reason for this strange behaviour?
Hi everyone,
Almost all sensors stoped working after few days on my brand new Pixel 5 :
Failing sensors :
- Proximity sensor
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Compas
And maybe others I don't know of...
Fingerprint & cameras are still working.
I've contacted Google support, and they advise me to clean my screen :-/
I'll try a factory reset today before asking for a replacement unit, but my hope is low...
Anyone facing the same issue ?
Any advise ?
Edit :
After a factory reset : same situation
Same here. Had phone for about ten days. All seemed to work. Then thinks went weird over several days. First thing I noticed when going to hang up a call I was no longer presented with phone dialler screen. During calls phone was also spontaneously switching to handsfree. I suspect this was wall tilt related. Then camera images were in incorrect orientation. Google photos not longer rotating images and so on. Installed a sensor app and it reported gyroscope as missing. Clean booted - no change. Factory Reset and still no change. Arranged for an exchange with Google. While waiting for that to pan out, after about a day the gyroscope has come back to life. Although presently reporting no compass. Doe the P5 have a compass?
Anyhow given it working again now I am wondering if some power saving activity is killing the Gyroscope? Waht was the out come with your sensor failure. Did they recover or did you need to exchange?
logger said:
Doe the P5 have a compass?
Anyhow given it working again now I am wondering if some power saving activity is killing the Gyroscope? Waht was the out come with your sensor failure. Did they recover or did you need to exchange?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried a random app from the store : Sensor Test with my bad unit and it reported 0 sensor !
I've exchanged my P5 and now the same app reports 30 sensors.
While waiting for the exchange , mine never came back to life : can't rotate, screen stayed on during calls (and auto brightness not working), compass was not working in Maps...
Also on the faulty unit I noticed that the OTA update tooks ages (30 minutes or so, for a ~30MB update). On the new unit, the same uptate took just a normal reboot time.
Thankyou for the update.
While mine has a working gyroscope (at the moment) the proximity sensor is still borked and the screen stays on during calls. I just installed the Sensor Test app and it says I have 16 sensors!
30 for me
Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
30 sensors also for me.
Oh my god yes exactly this happened to my phone since yesterday. No auto rotation, no auto brightness, no tap2wake.
I have to send mine back, I hate it. Sensor app does not recognize a single sensor. Factory reset didn't help either
When rebooting like 10 times it changes between 0, 1 and 16 sensors.
I factory reset my phone again and that made it worse. Has gone from 16 to 0 on Sensors Test!
Has lost screen rotation again.
logger said:
I factory reset my phone again and that made it worse. Has gone from 16 to 0 on Sensors Test!
Has lost screen rotation again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point, you should contact Google Support and ask for an exchange.
Like my old one, I doubt this is a software issue...
I hope my new one does not have this flaw.... but this definitely hurt my confidence in P5 devices....
Sounds like issue with corrupt persist partition caused by update gone wrong.
dannejanne said:
Sounds like issue with corrupt persist partition caused by update gone wrong.
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Click to collapse
Indeed ! I didn't know about this.
But it seems that the solution is to root the device, and this void the warranty (Google asked me if it was rooted before the exchange).
Weird. It did not happen to mine right after an update, more like 20 days later. Btw Google did not ask me if I rooted the device, which I haven't, but I did unlock the Bootloader for a short period of time to use the android flash tool from Google.
I'm not very familiar with partitions on android but all I can say is that a newly flashed stock firmware from Google itself did not help me
All my sensors work according to that app - it shows 30 sensors every time I launch it - except the proximity sensor sometimes does not actually work right. I was noticing an issue because KinScreen would think my proximity sensor was covered and would turn the screen off because the proximity sensor looked to be covered when it was not, even though the app should have kept the screen on. I downloaded multiple sensor testing apps and the proximity sensor works most of the time but sometimes it does not. Weird. Not sure if I should exchange the phone, I got this with AT&T.
AlEsC said:
At this point, you should contact Google Support and ask for an exchange.
Like my old one, I doubt this is a software issue...
I hope my new one does not have this flaw.... but this definitely hurt my confidence in P5 devices....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Took a couple of weeks, but I now have a replacement unit. 30 sensors showing and all working properly now. I took it for granted how reliant these devices are on having sensors working for basic things like the phone to work properly. Glad I found this thread and was able to get it sorted out. thanks for the help.
I had to get a replacement PIxel 5 through AT&T for the broken proximity sensor. This one works fine.
Couple of weeks?
I got a new device within 4 days where 3 days were for shipping
Just out of curiosity, am I the only one Google asked if I have rooted my device before sending it back ?
They asked me 5 questions for the warranty (I live in France/EU btw):
- Has the device been impacted, or is the screen damaged?
- Has the device come into contact with liquid?
- Has the device been in contact with a heat source?
- Has the device been rooted?
- Has the device been repaired by unauthorized personnel?
AlEsC said:
Just out of curiosity, am I the only one Google asked if I have rooted my device before sending it back ?
They asked me 5 questions for the warranty (I live in France/EU btw):
- Has the device been impacted, or is the screen damaged?
- Has the device come into contact with liquid?
- Has the device been in contact with a heat source?
- Has the device been rooted?
- Has the device been repaired by unauthorized personnel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I started an RMA process on their website and no I'm not 100% sure about the other stuff but I'm sure they didn't ask if I was rooted.
Germany
I see where Google announced that a fix in the December update could possibly fix the sensor issue for some. I'm guessing you guys got the update and it didn't work huh.
idk I got a new device in december
I have a strange problem with GW5 sensors: My watch is secured with a PIN and Samsung pay is active. After I register body composition, hearth rate sensor blocks and the security lock doesn't work anymore even if I undress the watch and I put it back on. It stays unlocked. The only way to reset the situation is take a SPO2 measurememt or restart the watch.
Besides, occasionally, the watch locks without any good reason and if I enter the PIN it unlocks only if the screen stays on. When it turns off it locks again.
Somebody else notes this behavior?
I have the 2nd problem you have where the phone locks without any good reason.
Thanks for the answer RigoF. I suspect that the two malfunction are somehow related. Would you mind to make this test:
With the watch working normally take a body composition measurement. Once you get the results, go directly back to the home screen. Undress the watch and check if it locks. If it doesn't work, put it on again and go to the SPO2 widget. Take a measurement of the SPO2 and once you get the results the.watch should start working normally again.
I also noticed that doing this procedure improves the accuracy of the sensors. The other way to solve the issue is restart the watch, but in this case the sensors are not always precise.
Yes I was able to duplicate the behavior you described in post #3. It won't lock after the body composition measurement and returns to normal after the SPO2 measurement.
Thanks a lot. I already spotted this issue in two 5 pro LTE that I had the possibility to use, both brand new and with different CSCs. The BIG message to people that use Sansung pay is: If your watch locks with no good reasons when at your wrist, there is the possibility that everytime you take a body composition measurement your security PIN could malfunction leaving your card accessible even if you undress the watch.
UPDATE. I sent the watch to the Samsung service support. They found that the problem was due to the sensor working intermittently. They changed both the main board and the entire back cover. Now the watch works like a charm.
UPDATE. I sent the watch to the Samsung service support. They found that the problem was due to the sensor working intermittently. They changed both the main board and the entire back cover. Now the watch works like a charm.