Is the Nexus 5 Cell signal reception really that bad?

[B. Diddy]

Like other folks here, I have no significant issues with calls even with 1 bar. It's difficult to say if the signal meter is inaccurate, though, because it certainly does go up to 4-5 bars in some areas, as well as at home with my signal booster.

 

[Alex Karim]

I've had this issue since day 1(February). Absolutely horrible cell service and I came from a 4S. I kept looking for hope in all the updates but nothing. I have the 820 model, maybe that contributes to the problem. However I've been running android L and have finally noticed somewhat better service

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[anon(3653)]

My call quality is great on T-Mobile

 

[brosko]

Like other folks here, I have no significant issues with calls even with 1 bar. It's difficult to say if the signal meter is inaccurate, though, because it certainly does go up to 4-5 bars in some areas, as well as at home with my signal booster.

Yeah I noticed I am getting 0 to 2 bars at best in my house but outside it is a solid 2-3. I'm going to keep it and thinking about getting an at&t micro cell. How does yours work?

Also I compared my wife's s3 mini with the nexus 5 in the about phone menu (where it shows actual reception in dbm/asu) and her phone is slightly better than the n5 (give or take 2-7 dbm's) so it does seem to have a slightly weak antenna but not horrible. With a micro cell I should be fine.

 

[brosko]

Like other folks here, I have no significant issues with calls even with 1 bar. It's difficult to say if the signal meter is inaccurate, though, because it certainly does go up to 4-5 bars in some areas, as well as at home with my signal booster.

I've had this issue since day 1(February). Absolutely horrible cell service and I came from a 4S. I kept looking for hope in all the updates but nothing. I have the 820 model, maybe that contributes to the problem. However I've been running android L and have finally noticed somewhat better service

Posted via the Android Central App

Interesting. Could lollipop have helped the cell reception a little bit?

 

[jvai]

if this can be of any testimony, i fringe tested my lte tethering from both sprint's band 26 & band 41, at their most worse state, on my debian laptop from work on b26, & home on b41..

turn down the sound, audio's delay from the screenrecording (it will drive you crazy)-

testing sprint's b41 fringe usage within -120 to -124 dbm range..

tested band 26 at it's weakest, tethered to a thinkpad, this is what can be done @ -113 to -116 dbm..


i would say from my own experience, the nexus 5 is a keeper on signal reception..

 

[silentbobdrummer]

From what I can tell, there are no issues with my Nexus 5 on T Mobile. There are some areas of my commute that have some dead zones but those same dead zones are present on my Fiancee's Moto G. So I'm inclined to think it's just a T Mobile issue and not a Nexus issue.

 

[B. Diddy]

I'm going to keep it and thinking about getting an at&t micro cell. How does yours work?

My T-Mobile Cel-Fi works great! As soon as I make or receive a call, the bars jump to 5. (While not in a call, the booster isn't actively boosting the signal.) It also doesn't boost LTE, but that's fine, because I get 30-40 Mbps download speeds at my house, even with only 1 bar.

 

[Alex Karim]

Seems to have helped with the reliability rather than the strength

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[freeups]

I get 1 bar at my house and 5 at work using T-Mobile. I don't even remember the last time I had a dropped call. Phone functions great even on 1 bar. As others have said maybe the signal strength meter is finicky.