Note 3 signal reception?

[jerry12]

went to a local U.S.Cellular store today and played with the Note III. The 4G LTE signal on the Note III was about 10 to 12 DBM lower on the Note III than my Note II and even on a new Note II on display. I also checked a S4 and a Moto X with the Note III having about the same 10 to 12 DBM lower signal than those two phones. My understanding is the lower the DBM signal the better reception is. If the calibration on the DBM is correct on phones then the Note III is way better that the other phones that I checked on reception. With Samsung's reputation with reception it makes me wonder though.

 

[dontlookatme]

well i just got my note 3, and at work the signal sucks either way. but it is ok, since it has been like that for every verizon customer. but i was hoping it would be different with this device. i have -100 db and no 4g. i am able to get texts and calls. at my place of work.

 

[Andy847]

I'm considering upgrading to a Note 3. I went to Best Buy where the db was at -113db and my Galaxy S3 was at -104db, but they said they didn't have sim cards in their display Models and that may be why. So I went to a Verizon Kiosk, no live unit to check. Finally went to a Verizon Corporate store and their live display unit with Sim Card, side by side, the Galaxy Note 3 had -102db and my Galaxy S3 had -99db. So gets worse reception than my Galaxy S3.
At home I'm getting anywhere from -96db to -100db on my S3. I don't have a problem with calls or internet, just worried that the Newer Note 3 has worse than my year old S3. I'm still considering upgrading, but waiting until next week to see more user reviews on it. I've been wanting a Note 2 for months and love the Newer Note 3, just hope it doesn't have problems with reception. Weaker reception has always been a concern for me when moving from my Motorola droid X to the Samsung S3 and now even more with the Note 3. My S3 has done well for me though. Just love the Note line of products better.

 

[dpham00]

Note 2 was getting 75,Note 3 was 68.both on Verizon

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk 4

 

[PonderDroid]

I'm a bit concerned. The reception is worse than my iPhone 4s. But I've heard the iPhone 5 and 5s is worse than 4s.

All I know is that I can't make a call from my house basement when I could with my iPhone 4s.

But I'm not sure it's bad enough to punt on buying it. Just marginal worse than a previous phone.

I wonder if any of this could be improve with later firmware changes?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using AC Forums mobile app

 

[chevyman29]

I'm a bit concerned. The reception is worse than my iPhone 4s. But I've heard the iPhone 5 and 5s is worse than 4s.

All I know is that I can't make a call from my house basement when I could with my iPhone 4s.

But I'm not sure it's bad enough to punt on buying it. Just marginal worse than a previous phone.

I wonder if any of this could be improve with later firmware changes?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using AC Forums mobile app

so far after using the note3 for two days it seems like its just as good as my note 2 . i traveled threw some known bad areas today and it performed just as good as the note2. i will know more after the weekend. but so far so good.

 

[Tysonsaurus]

so far after using the note3 for two days it seems like its just as good as my note 2 . i traveled threw some known bad areas today and it performed just as good as the note2. i will know more after the weekend. but so far so good.

Same here but for Verizon.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[defdc]

I get a 4G signal with my Note3 many more places my GNex would note. (Suprise!) However, I seem to be having a problem I haven't heard anyone else mention. If I stop using the data for a few minutes, it drops to 4G. And never comes back. If I go into "Airplane Mode" and exit, 4G is back, with a strong signal. This has happened when I was right next to the Verizon tower.

I plan to go back into the Verizon stored and swap the SIM to start with. It's my old GNex SIM, but I don't think that should cause this. 4G worked "Properly" on the Nexus.

 

[recDNA]

Ok well I've conducted a simple test and here it is. Seems the Note 3's radio is substantially less sensitive than that of the Note 2's The following image shows both devices running KAIBITS Network Signal Info app. Both were out of their external cases and the Wi-Fi was turned off. As you can see, the Note 3's receive signal was measured at -110 dBm, while the Note 2 measured in at -104 dBm. That's a 6 dBm difference!! Now let me shed some light for those with little or no RF knowledge. +3dBm doubles your signal, while -3dBm cuts it in half!! So in essence if I take the Note 2's signal and cut it in half TWICE, that's what the Note 3 is receiving!!! View attachment 85028

edit I see your provider in KAIBITS is ATT
What is your provider? It is helpful if we all mention provider along with signal data. ATT has nothing to do with VZW etc.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[dpham00]

What is your provider? It is helpful if we all mention provider along with signal data. ATT has nothing to do with VZW etc.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

Based on the screen shot, I would say att

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk 4

 

[recDNA]

Based on the screen shot, I would say att

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk 4

Yup, my bad, just found it but you posted before I could edit. Thanks for pointing that out. I'm only interested in big red data. Wish we had separate threads

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[dpham00]

Yup, my bad, just found it but you posted before I could edit. Thanks for pointing that out. I'm only interested in big red data. Wish we had separate threads

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

There is a Verizon thread


http://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=321433

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk 4

 

[GMan826]

I picked one up on Friday and have been unable to get the same level of service in the same locations where I got primo service on my Motorola Bionic. Thinking about taking it back.

 

[Brenden Soos]

Just upgraded to the GN3 from my EVO. I typically got great reception (but slow speeds) with sprint in my area especially at home. The GN3 will not keep a signal at all. It is either roam, no signal, or in 3G mode 99% of the time. Took the device back to sprint they updated the PRL and Profile, then same issue. Took it back again and they game me a new device, same issue. Just got back from my 3rd trip to sprint. Now the tech is telling me the phone has a new tech antenna and it will be a month before the signal improves....probably going to swap it out of another device, although I love this phone.

 

[Cynical_Bear]

Well I just made it through my first night at work with the Note 3, on Verizon, and I can say that the antenna is quite weak compared to my HTC DNA. We usually have pretty weak signal inside the building, absolutely abysmal for Sprint and AT&T in my area. With the DNA, and the S3 before that, I would usually dip in and out of 3g and 4g. Tonight on the Note 3 I barely picked up 4g all night, and mostly stayed in 3g, and dipped in and out of 1x quite a bit. Really disappointing, and hard on the battery. Luckily I get excellent signal at my home, and I have yet to take it around for the weekend.

So yeah, compared to a couple of my previous devices, the Note 3 has disappointing signal strength.

 

[David Guldager]

PLEASE DONT BUY THE PHONE!!!! Galaxy 2 is the best phone from Samsung!! G2 has always connection and my new NOTE 3 Loses connection every 5 min!!!!!!! Jeg I'm sick and tried of IT!

 

[Tyler Lietz]

I don't have really a problem with signal and I have T-mobile which is considered very spoty in my town to the point of every Walmart employee advised me not to get T-mobile and they even shut down the T-mobile store here. I get I guess good reception for a bad coverage area. Nothing the phone is causing. I seem to always have some kind of coverage though the bad coverage here means I'm usually have data or cellular with only 60% of the time with both, though I can simply tap select network on T-mobiles unlimited roaming and ride at&ts network all the way from my town to my moms house in the countryside with all 5 bars. Frankly I would rate the Galaxy note 3 as the best signal phone out there. If I could chose a phone again I'd do it all over again

 

[MissouriFarmer]

My farm is 6+ miles from the nearest Verizon tower. Coming from a Droid Razr (which had so so reception) I am pleased with the quality of the GN3 reception.
NOTE:
Phone connection is different than data connection. I am pleased with both on my phone.

Sent from my SM-N900V using AC Forums mobile app

 

[jerry12]

My farm is 6+ miles from the nearest Verizon tower. Coming from a Droid Razr (which had so so reception) I am pleased with the quality of the GN3 reception.
NOTE:
Phone connection is different than data connection. I am pleased with both on my phone.

Sent from my SM-N900V using AC Forums mobile app

That is good to hear. We need to remember that the LTE 4G Signal doesn't travel as far as a 3 signal. Verizon will have to add more towers in between the LTE towers.

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[FBA]

PLEASE DONT BUY THE PHONE!!!! Galaxy 2 is the best phone from Samsung!! G2 has always connection and my new NOTE 3 Loses connection every 5 min!!!!!!! Jeg I'm sick and tried of IT!

Must be an issue unique to your phone - mine is fine. Reception is the same as any other phones I have used in the past year or two. No issue at all on the mobile network or WiFi.