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[VZW] S4 signal quality?
- Thread starter Crashumbc
- Start date
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- samsung galaxy s4
Nick The Great
Well-Known Member
I haven't used the GN but I have been pretty impressed with the call quality. Which I realized is secondary these days . . . 
AntimonyER
CHANGED FROM AF ADDICT MIKESTONY
I haven't had more than a quick test with a coworkers new S4, but I can verify that 4G reception on the S4 is not as good as the DNA. (i had 4G, he did not, and when we both toggled airplane mode, mine popped up 4G, his 3G.
Not sure if it is better than the Gnex and GS3 though.
Not sure if it is better than the Gnex and GS3 though.
M
Member 536573
Guest
I have owned an S3, Note 2, & now the S4. The signal has been the same for all 3 devices.
joesixpack
Android Enthusiast
Hi Crash - remember seeing you in the GNex forum. Welcome to S4 Land. Just got one of these to replace my GNex and haven't noticed any significant change in signal strength (showing up as -100 dBm 40 asu), but that Sammy for you. Wife's S3 is about the same. I live in a decent coverage area, so dropped calls were never a big issue for me. On a side note, the GPS is MUCH improved over the Nexus. It locks on fast!
Haven't tried the camera in low light yet, but have heard some negative things about it. I'll give it a go when I'm out and about this weekend and (hopefully if I remember - stupid beer) report back on my experience.
Haven't tried the camera in low light yet, but have heard some negative things about it. I'll give it a go when I'm out and about this weekend and (hopefully if I remember - stupid beer) report back on my experience.
zebug
Android Enthusiast
joesixpack-hey hey hey....never call beer stupid again!!!!! Take that back right now mister!!!
I went from a GNex to an S4, and although the signal strength numbers are similar in my office (sitting at -90 dBm 49 asu), I have a constant 4G connection at my desk whereas my GNex I was always in 3G. I haven't paid as much attention to the actual signal strength numbers out and about, but I have noticed that I'm on 4G MUCH more often than with my GNex.
I went from a GNex to an S4, and although the signal strength numbers are similar in my office (sitting at -90 dBm 49 asu), I have a constant 4G connection at my desk whereas my GNex I was always in 3G. I haven't paid as much attention to the actual signal strength numbers out and about, but I have noticed that I'm on 4G MUCH more often than with my GNex.
WalkaboutDavid
Well-Known Member
This weekend, I went camping with two good friends who both have VZW Nexus phones (and, btw, I was highly jealous when those phones came out only a few months after I purchased the dreadful Droid 3). So, I got to do some comparisons in an area of very low signal strength (the valley floor in Yosemite park). I had pretty good signal in areas of the park, particularly down by the visitor's center. My friends, however, had almost no signal.
Now, obviously, this is a very limited comparison. It was just 3G signal in very compromised area and tells me nothing about LTE or signal in more typical situations. But, the differences in performance of my phone vs. the Nexus was marked.
In Los Angeles proper, where Verizon has an excellent network, the signal has been flawless and I virtually never drop down to 3G from LTE.
From hanging out with my pals and there Nexus phones around town, my impression is that they basically always have signal. However, they do seem to lose LTE access a lot.
Now, obviously, this is a very limited comparison. It was just 3G signal in very compromised area and tells me nothing about LTE or signal in more typical situations. But, the differences in performance of my phone vs. the Nexus was marked.
In Los Angeles proper, where Verizon has an excellent network, the signal has been flawless and I virtually never drop down to 3G from LTE.
From hanging out with my pals and there Nexus phones around town, my impression is that they basically always have signal. However, they do seem to lose LTE access a lot.
Flyguy94
Well-Known Member
Pretty much sums up my experience as well. So far the S4 is a good upgrade from the Gnex. It's nice to get 10-14 hours on one charge and not have to worry about it dying on you when you need it.
I owned the galaxy nexus and you will be impressed...better connection to the internet, instant switching from 3g to 4g and back again, and calls are perfect...I was scared of the samsung radios too after the nexus (though I do wish this was a nexus phone because samsungs software<ifyoucallitthat> sucks)
Camera.....13MP make for super clear photos but can focus soft and wash bright lights out more than the nexus did, low light is barely better in my opinion...other than the 5mp, the nexus camera was pretty darn good...if youd bump the nexus cam to 10mp I would take this over the 13 on this one...but its quite nice indoors with a really really bright flash (will blind subjects)
A few of my S4 photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreatjonashley/sets/72157633741332747/
a few of my galaxy nexus photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreatjonashley/sets/72157631534683253/
User group to post\search peoples S4 photos
http://www.flickr.com/groups/sgs4/
Camera.....13MP make for super clear photos but can focus soft and wash bright lights out more than the nexus did, low light is barely better in my opinion...other than the 5mp, the nexus camera was pretty darn good...if youd bump the nexus cam to 10mp I would take this over the 13 on this one...but its quite nice indoors with a really really bright flash (will blind subjects)
A few of my S4 photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreatjonashley/sets/72157633741332747/
a few of my galaxy nexus photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreatjonashley/sets/72157631534683253/
User group to post\search peoples S4 photos
http://www.flickr.com/groups/sgs4/
rushmore
Extreme Android User
In all fairness as far as radio reception, the Nexus is a very low bar. The S4 could have fair to middlin' signal and seem like the greatest device ever in comparison.
TAPS uses a Nexus as part of their ghost huntin' equipment, since the signal can only be picked up by spirits
TAPS uses a Nexus as part of their ghost huntin' equipment, since the signal can only be picked up by spirits
In all fairness as far as radio reception, the Nexus is a very low bar. The S4 could have fair to middlin' signal and seem like the greatest device ever in comparison.
TAPS uses a Nexus as part of their ghost huntin' equipment, since the signal can only be picked up by spirits
Exactly, I survive with my GN because of the other features, but I make a switch signal quality has to be better...
Thanks everyone for their input!
joesixpack
Android Enthusiast
Beer not stupid - I just get stupid after each beer. My apologies for insulting beer :beer:
Everyone needs something to believe in. Right now, I believe I'll have another beer!
rushmore
Extreme Android User
...and therefore out of the question for me. Both my office and my husband's house in WV are in weak signal areas. ONly phones that can cut it are Razr Maxx HD (sold) and iPhone 5 (stuck with this right now). Come on, Verizon! Give me an Android phone with strong radios, AND a great camera!
WalkaboutDavid
Well-Known Member
The reception on my S4 is excellent and easily on par with the Moto it replaced.
Roll-Tide
Android Enthusiast
Not in my case... At our church with my s3 I would have a weak 3g signal with no hope of getting 4g....with the s4 I have consistently held a 4g signal, maybe only 2 bars but it's definitely not the same as my s3
trparky
Android Enthusiast
For those people who have low signal, why don't you switch to another carrier that provides better service in the area that you're in? If Verizon isn't providing adequate signal to you, why stay with them? It doesn't make sense. I switched away from Verizon for that very reason.
Went to AT&T and I now have no issues what so ever in every area that I had an issue with. Hell, they even threw in a micro-cell just... because they could.
Verizon isn't the greatest network in the US, their advertisements may say they are and that they have the best network in America. I don't buy that statement. If they are the best network in America, I'd hate to see the worst.
Went to AT&T and I now have no issues what so ever in every area that I had an issue with. Hell, they even threw in a micro-cell just... because they could.
Verizon isn't the greatest network in the US, their advertisements may say they are and that they have the best network in America. I don't buy that statement. If they are the best network in America, I'd hate to see the worst.
Roll-Tide
Android Enthusiast
Common sense should tell you that it depends on your area... At&t absolutely sucks in my area but that doesn't mean they're bad everywhere. Verizon is the best in my area so that's why i have it. Besides, this isn't about carrier really... It's about the radio strength in certain phones which makes your argument pretty much invalid.
Podivin
Android Expert
Even though the Verizon signal is weak in the area I spend the most time, the other carriers are worse. At least I can still make and receive calls, whereas folks on other carriers often can't even do that.
So you may be making a faulty assumption that there is a better choice for the area in question.
VZW is by far the best in my area and most area's I travel. In addition, my work building is wired for VZW, So I get full bars everywhere in the building while no other carrier gets signal.
This discussion was intended to discuss the SIGNAL differences between phones on the VZW network as they can and do vary greatly.
trparky
Android Enthusiast
Well, I see in a lot of other forums (not just this one) threads that talk about Verizon Wireless signal issues. With so many phones out there that are having the same issue in more than one geographical location, you have to stop and think about what the real problem may be. Maybe it's not the device's fault, maybe it's the network itself.
When does one stop blaming the devices and start blaming the network?
When does one stop blaming the devices and start blaming the network?