VZW GS3 "ghost" signal issues

[rushmore]

I have noticed the one big issue for me with the GS3 is "ghost" signal, and it is Ghost Hunter signal worthy of fakeness.

The area I live only has 3G and the signal with my previous devices (Inc, D2, D3 and Razr) have all had great 3G signal and results. The GS3 also shows great signal, but the results are weak in many areas. Tested with Opensignal and other apps. All show great signal as well, but download speed is slow and battery life is a lot less when using much.

This issue is not varied, since happens in specific areas without fail. The odd thing in other areas I get weaker signal, but better results (than ghost signal) and places that the strong signal matches the speed. This seems very strange to have areas where signal and speed correlate, but other specific areas that show strong signal, but get slow speed.

It is to the point where I do not trust what the GS3 reports for 3G signal, since the results do not match as much as previous devices. This is an issue I absolutely did not have with previous VZW devices and have two to compare with now (Droid 2 & 3).

The ghost signal areas also result in a hotter running device. This does not seem to happen in 4G areas and not all 3G areas. This scenario and GPS are the two hottest temp running events that I have tested (still not as hot as the Razr got).

Added: This is really starting to bug me. Phone call range is just as good as previous devices, but the ghost signal for some 3G areas is strange. Same issue with the white one and older kernel, but was thinking it was network issues, due to short time of having the device. Droid 2 and 3 shows same strong signal, but works fine with 3g in the same areas and no funky battery drain.

 

[brichi]

wow, too funny cause this happened to me this morning, Sitting at a red light, full 4G signal so I was like "cool, let me check the forums", Immediately it said "no network connection" and I went from full 4g to nothing, still had full bars but it didnt say 4G or 3G like in the pic below (older pic but you can see what I am talking about" sadly I think this phone is going back and waiting for the next one this is at least the 10th time I have had false readings and not internet in places I never had issues before with previous phones

 

[rushmore]

The ghost signal is even more "evil", since it shows 3G full bars with strong dBm (-60s to -80s), but speed is very slow. The issue you describe would happen a lot with my Razr and is a common issue (sadly).

Ghost signal seems unique to the GS3. Well, I have not had it happen on the devices I tried out, or actually kept: Droid 1-2-3, Inc, Droid X2, Rezound and Razr. Seven devices and none had ghost signal, where the device showed strong dBm and 3G symbol, but results were slow and battery drained quicker as a result.

Added:

Again, this issue is not in all areas for 3G, but is in specific areas. Can not replicate issue with 4g in areas tested so far.

 

[vzwuser76]

The ghost signal is even more "evil", since it shows 3G full bars with strong dBm (-60s to -80s), but speed is very slow. The issue you describe would happen a lot with my Razr and is a common issue (sadly).

Ghost signal seems unique to the GS3. Well, I have not had it happen on the devices I tried out, or actually kept: Droid 1-2-3, Inc, Droid X2, Rezound and Razr. Seven devices and none had ghost signal, where the device showed strong dBm and 3G symbol, but results were slow and battery drained quicker as a result.

Added:

Again, this issue is not in all areas for 3G, but is in specific areas. Can not replicate issue with 4g in areas tested so far.

Actually, I have seen this from time to time on my Rezound as well. We have no 4G here, so I'm constantly on 3G. I have had scenarios like the 2nd poster had, but on 3G. Don't know why just know it was frustrating. Usually I just waited until I got to a different area and tried it again. I had just assumed that it had to do with the signal around here, as it can be real spotty. While maybe not as hilly as your area, you can really see dropouts in slight valleys. Just something I've lived with since I moved out to the sticks.