Samsung Galaxy Nexus - Reliable Reception on Verizon?

[stef7]

Question, why is the Samsung Galaxy Nexus Forums not found through the list of phones? Moderator...

Can people on Verizon tell me how their reception is? I'm considering going with a contract plan.

Out of all the research regarding the phone, it seems that call and data drops / reception is an issue for a number of users.

I could deal with some rebooting, and some app flakiness because of ICS, but if it can't work as a phone properly when I'm in a call, that would be no-joy.

Any comments appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Paul1201]

I've been on the leaked 4.0.4 OTA and reception is vastly improved. If it's a huge concern wait a few weeks for the official OTA to be released and see what happens.

 

[stef7]

I've been on the leaked 4.0.4 OTA and reception is vastly improved. If it's a huge concern wait a few weeks for the official OTA to be released and see what happens.

That sounds promising... and I agree, I can wait a bit. I've read posts of others wanting to know where their OTA push is... so it's nice to see what someone is experiencing with an upcoming update. Can you be a bit quantitative w.r.t. your observation that it is vastly improved... I'm not looking for specifics - just a general assessment. Like how bad / frequent were your issues with reception before, and how about now?

Do you know of a site where the various updates list what issues have been addressed?

Thanks for your helpful reply!

 

[Sandroidfan]

I'm still on stock OS for three months but have no problem with phone calls, texts in any place. It's well known that 3G/4G hand off is a little slow and data is lost for short time in between. Holding 4G LTE indoor is a little weak too. There are some with more serious reception issues than normal but it's mostly data signal issue. But if your main concern is the phone calls, I think it's ok even now unless you get a lemon.

 

[trophynuts]

Moving thread to VZW Galaxy Nexus Sub Forum
Reason: Tread is VZW specific
Thanks for understanding

To answer your question. Results vary. Personally my signal really really sucks in fringe areas of the network coverage.

 

[ouch1976]

Two things, what do you mean "not found in the list of phones"? It's slapped in there between the M-Pro and the Note...I overlook it sometimes, but it's in there (like Ragu)...

As far as reception, I've had no problems with it. I'm in the metro-NY area and have decent 4G and strong 3G signals pretty well covered. I'm running AOKP 4.0.3, but even at stock I didn't have a problem with dropped calls/reception issues. But, I've only had the phone for a few weeks, so maybe my sample is large enough yet...

But, all in all, it's a great phone and signing up for a plan shouldn't be a problem if you're worried about obsolescence (sp?).

 

[TheyCallMeBT]

It is listed on the list of phones on the main page.

I've had the phone since a week after it came out and haven't had much of any issue with reception. I was at a Target over the weekend at a shopping center that is notorious for having bad reception on Verizon (the only place in the city like that that I know of/ have been to). About 20 minutes into a phone call, I wasn't able to hear the other person. She could hear me. I called her right back and there was no issue. That's the only time I've had a problem with a phone call.

Data drop is an issue that isn't related to reception. You'll have bars, but they go grey instead of blue. Usually turning on airplane mode then back off again fixes it. This should also be fixed in the .4 or .5 update.

I haven't had any issues with the phone rebooting and ALMOST all the big apps are working now.. the rest shouldn't take much longer. So I say go ahead with it and you'll like it.

The biggest issue is battery life, especially if you're on 4G. But that seems to be the trend with most of the new top tier Verizon phones lately.

 

[stef7]

Two things, what do you mean "not found in the list of phones"? It's slapped in there between the M-Pro and the Note...I overlook it sometimes, but it's in there (like Ragu)...

I swear, I learned how to alphabetize back in the 1st grade.

I'm thinking perhaps many of the reports of poor reception is infact people in fringe areas. Just don't know. Yeah, data drops can be just as frustrating as dropped calls.

I had read some posts of people complaining about lower signal strengths as reported by the phone in dbm, (I don't trust bars), but then, I'm not sure I should trust a numerical value comparison either.

I'm coming from a phone that hasn't seen an update since it's introduction - so all these numbers like .3, .4, .5 since the phone's introduction is promising indeed. Is it because of the Google close partnering with Samsung or that is a flagship platform for the OS developer? I mean, is ICS getting its workout on the SNG before the other carriers are picking it up?

 

[trophynuts]

People will tell you the lower signal readings are because supposedly the nexus reports true signal reading and all other phones don't....this is for 4g ...but I'm not sure I totally believe it because when I turn 4G off I still get horrible reception in fringe areas. Other phones right next to me get much better reception

 

[Sandroidfan]

People will tell you the lower signal readings are because supposedly the nexus reports true signal reading and all other phones don't....this is for 4g ...but I'm not sure I totally believe it because when I turn 4G off I still get horrible reception in fringe areas. Other phones right next to me get much better reception

I think that's because Nexus is always reporting signal strength of data, not voice regardless of 3G or 4G. When I checked out LG Spectrum at VZW store, it showed both 1X, 4G signal separately. Its 1X dbm was comparable to Razr next to it and 4G dbm was close to Nexus next to it. Nexus dbm didn't change much when I toggled 4G on/off. LG is not very well received by android fans, but I like what they doing on the signal strength reporting.

 

[Paul1201]

That sounds promising... and I agree, I can wait a bit. I've read posts of others wanting to know where their OTA push is... so it's nice to see what someone is experiencing with an upcoming update. Can you be a bit quantitative w.r.t. your observation that it is vastly improved... I'm not looking for specifics - just a general assessment. Like how bad / frequent were your issues with reception before, and how about now?

Do you know of a site where the various updates list what issues have been addressed?

Thanks for your helpful reply!

Before installing the leaked OTA I had horrible issues with data since I live and work in a fringe area. Receiving an MMS message was extremely spotty. After installing the update I have no data loss at work and places where I had weak data signal I now a better signal. I have had no issues receiving MMS messages after installing the leaked OTA. Battery life has really not improved however.

 

[Tim K]

I am on the edge of a 4g area. My signal strength is usually in the 93-103 dbm range. My wife's razr usually reports slightly better dbm.

However... two things to remember.
1. The GN doesn't report signal strength by single digits. It only shows 83, 93, 103, 113 and some other digits i cant recall. So a 103 could actually be a 99 and a 93 could actually be a 97.

2. The razr supposedly does not report 4g signal it only reports 3g signal even when in 4g coverage.

This makes it impossible to compare. However, I never miss or drop a call. I recently installed the 0.4 radios. When I was on stock i saw more fluctuation between 3g and 4g at home and it appeared to have a lower signal but that may be a placebo effect.

Regardless, i have no problems with my phone.

 

[Demache]

As far as phone calls go, I would say the phone is fairly reliable. I've been in several hour long phone calls, and it never skipped a beat. Mind you, your 4G and even 3G signal indicators have zero indication on the quality of your 2G signal (which Verizon uses for voice). I've been in several situations with both my Eris and my Nexus where I had barely any 3G but an amazing 2G signal. So don't fret about it until you you actually start dropping calls.

 

[red66charger]

I'm coming from a phone that hasn't seen an update since it's introduction - so all these numbers like .3, .4, .5 since the phone's introduction is promising indeed. Is it because of the Google close partnering with Samsung or that is a flagship platform for the OS developer? I mean, is ICS getting its workout on the SNG before the other carriers are picking it up?

If you're into modding your phone these numbers may be of benefit to you. But if you don't root and rom, the updates above won't matter. Some of us believe an official over the air (OTA) update is overdue. I'm not enjoying the benefits of the updates above because I'm chicken to tinker with my phone. Just thought this point should be made. The updates above have not been officially pushed.

My phone works pretty solid as a phone. Occasionally people can't hear me, but that doesn't happen much. My data connectivity is quite poor indoors. Outside it is solid. When indoors and the signal strength gets week, I completely lose data. It takes a while to get it back. Usually I have to walk near a window or step outside. It can be quite frustrating. I am not in a fringe area. This is happening in downtown Clearwater, FL. Our area is supposedly saturated with coverage.

 

[stef7]

The updates above have not been officially pushed.

My phone works pretty solid as a phone. Occasionally people can't hear me, but that doesn't happen much. My data connectivity is quite poor indoors. Outside it is solid. When indoors and the signal strength gets week, I completely lose data. It takes a while to get it back.

Thanks for the comments which are very helpful to me.

 

[dguy]

Bought mine on launch day. It has been extremely reliable.

 

[Imparatus]

Posted this in the NON Verizon forum as an answer to someone's question, but I thought it would be of help here:


I have had 3 different Gnex's, each with new SIM cards, each new out of the box, and I made sure the verizon store rep gave me phones widely separated in serial number. I live in a non-4G area, and the coverage is SOLID, SOLID RED on the map. NO weak spots. My Droid X, sitting right beside my Nexus, gets -77dbm signal while my GNex gets -96dbm. Insides several stores, and in some parts of my house, I get -120dbm where my Droid X gets -89dbm. At work, wher my X gets -77dbm, I'm at -93dbm on the GNex. My first phone missed calls (went straight to voicemail) even though I had 2 bars (a strong signal at my house). My second phone froze and dropped into repeated bootloops that only pulling the battery solved. This third one has the EXACT same reception problem, flashing the 4.04 radios and Rooting and Installing the Franco Kernal and Axiom Crossbreed does seemed to have stabilized the signal minutely. I really don't think this is a bad individual phone. I believe there is a firmware or hardware issue here. I am set at CDMA only since I don't have 4G. My data connection virtually never drops....it's VOICE, and getting the phone to RING in areas of "low signal" that's the problem.

My calls are always VERY clear, and I've not had much issue with dropped calls at all, certainly no more than with my Droid X.

I'm not sure if my dbm reading is the 3G signal or the CDMA signal, but I can tell you that I LOVE this phone, I'm in the last third of my 14 day period, and I'm working hard to decide if I'm going to keep it or if I'm going to the Razer Maxx, which is currently backordered until after my 14 days is over, but which gets -77dbm here at work where I get -97dbm. Reception by my wife's *cough* iPhone is comparable to the Razr and Droid X.

I haven't heard whether 4.05 will address the CDMA signal strength or not.....all I hear is LTE discussions. I'd hope it would, but you never can tell.........