Cell Signal Strength

[maxihod]

Just received my Nexus 5 32GB in Black yesterday.
Very nice in terms of the screen, processing, Kitkat etc.
One thing I am noticing which is a big deal for me is that the signal strength (measureed in dBm) is much lower than on my existing phone (Motorola Defy Plus) and also lower than a Nexus 4 we also have when using the same Orange Network at home here in the UK. We're not in a great signal area where we live, so this will be an issue.

I can get some more specfics, but roughly I see about 10dBM lower than the Motorola in same positions in the house. In quite a few areas it's low enough to register as no signal which I've never had with the defy. I also see it lower than the nexus 4. Less of a difference, but seems lower to me. In most areas of the house I'm seeing -100 to -113dBm on the nexus 5 which to me is very low.

At work I tried with a Vodafone SIM at work where signal strength is high (~ -70dBm), and in comparison to a HTC One, it looks to be about the same, so in the one test so far strong signal seems ok.

Quite apart from not being usable at times in the house, I can imagine trying to hold onto a low cell signal isn't going to help battery life.
I also see variation in the registered signal strength on low signal areas which I see was also mentioned on XDA for the Nexus 4.

So onto the questions...

Anyone else seeing the same issues?
Is this likely to improve as the phone gets used to the signal?

At this rate I could have to return it if the signal strength is this poor in low signal strength areas to be honest.
Thanks folks

 

[N4Newbie]

This was a problem with the Nexus 4 and does seem to have carried over into the Nexus 5 based on my very limited testing (only received the N5 last afternoon).

 

[dan1431]

Part of the issue maybe radio turning, branded devices have specific radio software tuned for the specific carrier the device is being sold on.

The Nexus line's radio is tuned more generically which should be fine in most situations but might explain why it was not performing as well as the Motorola.

Dan

 

[Robbie317]

I am actually getting a slightly better signal vs what I got my on GS3 at work and at home.... It's not considerably better but it's slightly better... I am using the 32 gig version on Sprint.... At work I dropped 3G signal all the time to "No data" connection and so far it has not done that once and the strength is just slightly better...

 

[maxihod]

Did some more testing over weekend. The Defy plus is not a carrier device either and is on stock Motorola ROM.
Anyhow further testing in weak signal areas shows:-
N5 Slightly better than Nexus4.. seems to be more stable also.
N5 On a par with a Samsung Galaxy 4 mini
N5 On Par with a HTC One

So looks like the Motorola defy is pretty good compared to all of these about 10 db better than any of these.. Not surprising to a certain extent Motorola have been good at antenna & radio design for ages I guess.