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Note 3 phone reception in rural areas.

Jon Davis

Well-Known Member
Our farm is about 8 miles from the nearest Verizon tower.
I was reluctant to buy the GN3 because of a bad experience with the Galaxy Nexus 2 years ago.
However I took the leap this afternoon.
Happily reception is a good solid 2 bars.
Better than my Droid Razr.
Thought someone out there might be on the fence worried about the phone reception in marginal areas.
It is good.
 
Thanks for the feedback, it's always nice to get some positive feedback to counter the usual negative banter.

I won't be able to test mine in a rural setting until after the return deadline, so I appreciate the info.


Chris....
 
Our farm is about 8 miles from the nearest Verizon tower.
I was reluctant to buy the GN3 because of a bad experience with the Galaxy Nexus 2 years ago.
However I took the leap this afternoon.
Happily reception is a good solid 2 bars.
Better than my Droid Razr.
Thought someone out there might be on the fence worried about the phone reception in marginal areas.
It is good.

Thank for for this post. I, like you, have SUFFERED with horrible reception with my Nexus for the last two years. And I said I would never own another Samsung product because of it. But the size of the Note 3 sold me and I ordered one. I haven't received it yet, but your post really gives me hope.
 
I can second the improved reception! I came from the Galaxy SII which has a reputation for poor reception, but I live in the mountains and my Note 3 has much better reception and faster data. I'm very pleased with its reception!
 
Can you guys share where you are exactly? I do lots of traveling and want to get some feedback before I buy this phone. I'm in Md.
 
I was leery too, I had always heard about how great Motorola's radios were and when my bionic started giving me issues at home I was scared. But so far I cant complain at all, everything's been great.
 
Well, I was fully satisfied after playing with it in a VZW corporate store. I can finally go around now boasting that I have a big one.

I too live in a rural mountain/valley area and for signal I have 3-4 bars (-89dBm avg) on the Note 3. My Galaxy S3 would only bounce back and forth between 2-3 bars (-97 dBm avg) in the same location.

As far as data, it has always been weak from the tower. VZW upgraded this tower to 4G last year which was surprising to see, being that I thought we would be the last to upgrade here rurally. I really have to praise Verizon for their service and coverage. They are only a few dollars more on my older unlimited plan than the other schemes pushed by the more inferior providers. On my S3, I've hovered between 1X and 3G. My Note 3 is now pushing more consistent 3G and some 4G in and out. I'm very impressed!!!

I do have the Verizon Network Extender which was a must have during initial HTC DInc release until they finally pushed out an upgrade tweak. This has been soooo rewarding to have and between it and Wi-Fi, I don't have to really care about my fringe location at all. The yard test did help me concur with the times that I'll be in other poor reception areas that this Note 3 will do me right. It sure is fast and smooth!
 
I live in N.E. Alabama and I got very poor reception on my Galaxy Nexus at my home. I have had no issues at all with my Note 3. Very pleased with it.
 
@darkcyber "I got very poor reception on my Galaxy Nexus"

I feel for you because I almost bit on the Nexus after it had been out a while until I did my homework to find out everyone was having reception issues with it. I waited it out because I heard the Galaxy S3 was coming up for pre-order and it would be a safe bet because of the S2 predecessor being good.

______________________________________________________________________

She said, "Is that a Note 3 in your pocket or are you just excited to see me?"
 
Comparing the "phone" performance with about a dozen dumb phones I use - some of which are still active, the Note 3 is appreciably worse.
 
In my basement I've always had a poor buy steady signal. With the Note 3 my service goes in and out so yeah it is a little worse than my iPhone 5.
 
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