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Samsungs radios...
- Thread starter ctxx24
- Start date
Veritas4420
Android Enthusiast
Sadly mine has been a lot weaker then my S3 or Iphone 4s. Used to get 3-4 bars easily and now getting 2-3 at work. Still wouldn't trade my N2 though. 
Sadly mine has been a lot weaker then my S3 or Iphone 4s. Used to get 3-4 bars easily and now getting 2-3 at work. Still wouldn't trade my N2 though.
"Number of bars" is arbitrary, and relative to a given phone, in regards to actual signal strength in dBm readings. I got "3 bars" with my at&t Note 1, when dBm was at -97 to -103...however calls start to fail, and data fails to connect at these levels. I think 3 out of 5 bars is a bit overstated in this case.
Veritas4420
Android Enthusiast
Well I notice with 2 bars, some calls do not go through and when I have three bars I don't seem to miss any. 3 bars showing -102dBm 40 asu. I'll have to see what it shows with 2 bars.
Not as good as my former Motorola Photon but better than the S3. It's one of the reasons I traded up to the Note 2. I'm just glad it was an improvement.
My experience has been interesting. My s3 had better dbm, but worse real life reception.
My note 2 has worse dbm than the s3, but phenomenal reception. I not only can get a signal, but can place good quality calls in my underground basement and the hospital. The s3 was dead in most of these areas. Interestingly, the dbm are worse, but the call quality is better. Hard to explain, unless the antennae is much better in the note 2.
My note 2 has worse dbm than the s3, but phenomenal reception. I not only can get a signal, but can place good quality calls in my underground basement and the hospital. The s3 was dead in most of these areas. Interestingly, the dbm are worse, but the call quality is better. Hard to explain, unless the antennae is much better in the note 2.
Veritas4420
Android Enthusiast
Got this off another forum. Would this be correct?
dBm Signal Strength
-105 to -100 = Really bad
-99 to -90 = Not great
-89 to -80 = Pretty good
-79 to -65 = Good
Over -65 = Excellent
dBm Signal Strength
-105 to -100 = Really bad
-99 to -90 = Not great
-89 to -80 = Pretty good
-79 to -65 = Good
Over -65 = Excellent
FWIW, I generally see increased battery drain below -90dBm, and connection issues start at the -101/-103 level. YMMV.
Sandroidfan
Android Expert
That seems according to old RSSI signal measurement standard. That doesn't apply to LTE phones with Android 4.x, OS. But it was correct for 3G android phones with OS up to 2.3.X.
Simply put, subtract about 15dbm to above numbers for RSRP signal reporting on LTE phones. -120dbm is about where LTE signal starts dropping, which is in line with my experience.
This post on rootzwiki explains that well though it's a bit length. But it's worth of reading to understand how signal is reported on phone.
[APP][2012-12-20] Advanced Signal Status v1.1.3 - Android Applications - RootzWiki
Lucky you. .."my" LTE Note fails to load web pages at -105dBm, or "2 bars". Even loading these forums via Tapatalk.
Sandroidfan
Android Expert
The original Note was released with GB. Was that -105dbm reported from Gingerbread or ICS? If GB, that's roughly equivalent to -120dbm on ICS or JB.
I posted above things just to point out the difference in dbm reporting with different OS, radios. Still a lot of folks don't realize this and wrongly compare 3G signal strength of old phone to 4G strength of new phone.
stevehoffman
Well-Known Member
I'm with ctxx24 on this .... For a year and a half I had Samsung Droid Charge .... Constantly getting lousy, weak WiFi system .... Now my Galaxy Note II gets strong WiFi reception throughout my house ... Last week used it on Amtrak and got good WiFi onboard the train .... Just a world of difference, very very pleased with Note II's radio.