Galaxy S5: Signal Strength

[Eclipse2K]

Once the device is in the hands of a decent amount of users I'd like to see how the signal compares to other devices. The S4 was not as good as the Note series but the Note 3 seems to be worse than the Note 2. I'm hoping Samsung got their act together because I have friends who can't hold a call for the life of them on the S4 and Note 3 but Motorola phones, as expected, worked fine. Just not enough "flash" or tech in Motorola devices.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

 

[Eclipse2K]

Re: Signal Strength

I went to Verizon to check the signal strength along with other things. In that area the stores and my Note 3 hovered around -100 dBm. Not the best, but acceptable. The S5 hovered around -103 to -105 dBm.

Again, not a huge difference but still a difference either way.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

 

[copywrite]

Re: Signal Strength

That doesn't sound promising, thanks for the update.

 

[italianotampa]

The Sprint S5 store model had a 6-8dBm weaker signal than my S4.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Eclipse2K]

That doesn't sound promising, thanks for the update.

No, it really doesn't. I wanted to make the switch but Samsung radios are never the best so I canceled my preorder through Verizon/Comcast promotion. I just found it odd that two Note 3 devices held the same signal while one S5 was worse. I even switched positions of the devices just in case the couple of inches mattered and same result.

The Sprint S5 store model had a 6-8dBm weaker signal than my S4.

Posted via Android Central App

I've seen others report that the S5 has better reception than the S4. I'm not sure if they used bars or actual dBm information to confirm though.

 

[1Coopgt]

I'm on Verizon with my S5 and it seems about the same if not a little bit better than my Moto Razr Maxx XT912.

 

[Jdroids]

I guess there is difference between CDMA and GSM radio performance? The at&t model I saw was better than even M8, Moto X next to it which are regarded as good reception phones. The difference is about 6~7dbm but noticeable.

I think up to 5dbm difference is not something to worry much, but if it's more than 10dbm it's bad.

 

[Eclipse2K]

I guess there is difference between CDMA and GSM radio performance? The at&t model I saw was better than even M8, Moto X next to it which are regarded as good reception phones. The difference is about 6~7dbm but noticeable.

I think up to 5dbm difference is not something to worry much, but if it's more than 10dbm it's bad.

Depends, -120 is no signal so if you go to an area like that ever those extra 3-5 dBm may matter. The issue is Samsung phones are worse than Motorola and others so every dBm counts.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

 

[zipro]

I got the S5 yesterday - the real-world reception is worse than on the N3, and considerably worse than on the iPhone 5S. It's also slightly worse than on my wife's M8. While I can get a solid 4G lock on the iPhone 5S, I can't get 4G at all on the S5 in my house.

 

[Eclipse2K]

I got the S5 yesterday - the real-world reception is worse than on the N3, and considerably worse than on the iPhone 5S. It's also slightly worse than on my wife's M8. While I can get a solid 4G lock on the iPhone 5S, I can't get 4G at all on the S5 in my house.

That's depressing.

I really want a smaller Samsung device but my most important feature is top tier signal strength. I may have to look else where with Motorola and HTC One M8 maybe.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

 

[Jdroids]

Depends, -120 is no signal so if you go to an area like that ever those extra 3-5 dBm may matter. The issue is Samsung phones are worse than Motorola and others so every dBm counts.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

It's true small dbm difference matters if you are close to -120dbm. Actually I had such phone, Galaxy Nexus on Verizon which was definition of weak reception phone! S3 was much better than Gnex though still not great. But on GSM network like at&t, T-mo, Samsung phones seem to do just as well as other brands if not better.

 

[Star-Lord]

Wow that's awful. I'm going to give it 3 days. If I notice anything bad about the reception, it's going back.

 

[Eclipse2K]

It's true small dbm difference matters if you are close to -120dbm. Actually I had such phone, Galaxy Nexus on Verizon which was definition of weak reception phone! S3 was much better than Gnex though still not great. But on GSM network like at&t, T-mo, Samsung phones seem to do just as well as other brands if not better.

I wonder why Samsung has issues on CDMA if not on GSM. I obviously haven't tested reception nor could I based on different carriers/location but still odd. Don't get me wrong I love my Note but the S5 display is perfect and I love the comfort level. I'm just not willing to give up signal strength even though I'm usually in decent enough areas.



Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

 

[Eclipse2K]

Quick question - even though I saw a difference is the phone still worth it? I obviously am going to be looking for a smaller device but I also want it to work properly. I love the amount of accessories available and I use Tempered Glass protectors so Samsung is the way to go if all goes well.

Go for it? I'm all back and fourth on this one. Lol

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

 

[dwatcool]

My findings with my GS3 at the Verizon store today. My GS3 -90db, GS5 -95db. Both were side by side. Checked both display models and got the same results. Wonder if a radio update will soon come?? This weaker radio concerns me a little.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Eclipse2K]

My findings with my GS3 at the Verizon store today. My GS3 -90db, GS5 -95db. Both were side by side. Checked both display models and got the same results. Wonder if a radio update will soon come?? This weaker radio concerns me a little.

Posted via Android Central App

I can't believe its weaker than a 2 year old phone. That's a concerning thing to me and to be honest unacceptable. The GS3 wasn't known for having a great radio either.

Maybe a software update is due to hit soon?

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

 

[msavic6]

This seems wierd to me as many people stated the S5 had better signal than the S4 and now people are stating otherwise

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[Eclipse2K]

This seems wierd to me as many people stated the S5 had better signal than the S4 and now people are stating otherwise

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I may go to Best Buy and buy an S5. I can return with no restocking fee within 14 days (30 but don't want an active contract if I return) and do a 2 week test. I can't imagine it being unusable but who knows.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

 

[msavic6]

I may go to Best Buy and buy an S5. I can return with no restocking fee within 14 days (30 but don't want an active contract if I return) and do a 2 week test. I can't imagine it being unusable but who knows.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

I think that is your best bet if you are really considering the S5 as a replacement for your Note 3. Speaking of the Note 3, upon release people complained about weak signal strength and said it was noticeably worse than the S4, I havent been paying attention to the Note forums so I'm wondering were those claims valid or did they turn out to be false?

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[Eclipse2K]

I think that is your best bet if you are really considering the S5 as a replacement for your Note 3. Speaking of the Note 3, upon release people complained about weak signal strength and said it was noticeably worse than the S4, I havent been paying attention to the Note forums so I'm wondering were those claims valid or did they turn out to be false?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

Weaker than others but not horrible. Some people have a lot of issues and others don't.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)