Photon vs Nexus S 4G - signal strength?

[gmore1]

Had the NS4G for 3 weeks, biggest problem was complaint of a bad echo on the other end when using the speakerphone at home(so-so connection), not as much of an issue with a stronger signal... maybe coincidence??? Traded in for Photon yesterday and with several speakerphone conversations thus far...no complaints. FWIW, PhoneDog review stated that the Photon radio was the best EVER on Sprint.

Off topic: I do miss the NS4G screen and open 3G MobileHotSpot without root or subscription. Was able to tether my HP W7 laptop via BlueTooth to Photon without issue - no-go thus far with any HotSpot attempt or Streak 7 via BT(I understand a Streak7 root might help?) and have yet to try any USB connection. I understand there's a 'mod' for the EVO3D to use HotSpot without root or subscription and will explore unless someone else here can shed some light.

 

[Dreamliner330]

I'm waiting until October-ish to see what Sprint pushes...but I'll probably end up with the Photon.

The wierd thing is, according to everything I read, signal strength should be: Photon > EVO > Nexus.

When I was in a Sprint store looking at the actual signal number it was: EVO > Nexus > Photon.

I know that my EVO had better signal than my Nexus (I dropped a call on the Nexus where I wouldn't have on the EVO), but I'm really wondering if the Photon is as strong as everyone says.

Has anyone done real world testing of the signal strength at different locations between the Photon and other Sprint phones?

It would be a no brainer if Motorola would have used a IPS-LCD.

 

[STL 314]

Photon >>> Nexus S 4G

 

[rlanza1054]

Ok a Android newbie here.. former WebOS user!

Have not decided on which phone to get yet, my choices are:

HTC EVO 3D
Motorola Proton
Samsung Galaxy S II Sprint Epic 4G Touch

Until last week, it was just between the 2 model, then Samsung made there announcement.

I once had Motorola Startec, and was the best phone I even had 'pre-smartphone in that time. I also know that Motorola in that time employed a true duplex radio on it which made phone calls sound just line a land line.

And of course, reading here everyone has talked about Motorola having the better radios, and also to consider is that Google is purchasing Motorola which means it just might receive some additional love.

But now this Samsung and the great reviews of it, one being very fast, then other that is turning me on is the extra large screen. I don't mind have a poor man's tablet until I can afford one.

So now my question, this topic is comparing Motorola to HTC. Can you guys do a comparison between Motorola and Samsung as well?

Thanks!

Rob

PS Does anyone think Sprint might announce yet another top of the line device before Christmas, yes I already know they are putting out the iPhone, not interested in Apple. I read something about a HTC Sabor (there is thread about this rumored phone). Or should I just jump in now and choose between the 3 phones. It's really now between the Motorola and Samsung.

 

[Puzzlegal]

I think the Photon's radio is about the same as the Pre's was. Good enough. It works in my home (with too much building in the way -- my husband's AT&T phone and my kid's T-Mobile phone don't work.) I am surprised by all the folks raving about it. Of course, I've always lucked into phoens with decent radios - my sister also has Sprint, and for the last 3 phones we've had I've consistently been able to get calls where she can't. But if you are also coming off a Pre, I don't think you'll find it anything to get excited about.

The Photon has excellent volume. I felt like I could never get the Pre's phone loud enough. The clarity is okay.

Personally, I find the phone a little too big. But you obviously have different preferences. You know what, you look at the screen and interact with the screen all the time. Get the big screen. You will regret it if you don't, especially when all your friends get newer phones with larger screens. I bet the radio on the Samsung is good enough

 

[rlanza1054]

The Photon has excellent volume. I felt like I could never get the Pre's phone loud enough. The clarity is okay.

Get the big screen. You will regret it if you don't, especially when all your friends get newer phones with larger screens. I bet the radio on the Samsung is good enough

I know I think you're right. You just said something my father said to me once a long time ago; 'Robert always get the best or what you want because you will not be satisfied if you just 'settle for second best'.

He made that statement when I was purchasing my first car. It was a FORD PROBE (and it was a FORD, fix or repair daily).

But I had a choice, the basic model with 4 cylinders (no sunroof) or the top of the line EX with 6 cylinder, sunroof, and electronic dashboard.

I got the EX! Loved that electronic dashboard with it's digital speedometer!

So it sounds like the Samsung Galaxy S II Sprint Epic 4G Touch for me!

However, should I wait just in case Sprint comes out with a better model before Christmas, and I'll pass on the iPhone they are releasing.

Thanks!

Rob

 

[Puzzlegal]

With cars there's a real difference on cost between models. With smartphone, almost all the cost is on the cell contract, and the dollar difference among models is a really trivial fraction of the lifetime cost of the phone. if you can afford to buy yourself a smartphone, you can afford to buy the one you want. Go for it!

(and I have no idea what else will come out when)

 

[Shabbypenguin]

ok as someone who has both the nexus s 4g and the photon, first i have to clear up one issue i have with the photon, it is a horrible liar. my nexus usually sat around 3-4 bars with -65 to -76 db. the photon averages -63 to -75 db. but whats scary about it is last i night i checked and it was -87db with full bars.

im sorry moto i dont consider -87 to be "full signal"

anyways i picked up the photon for one big reason. longevity. think about it, how many of you with teh hd dock use webtop rigth now? imagine in 2 years after getting another upgrade sure the phone wont be the fastest one out there in 6 months, but with webtop it can work as a full fledged htpc. how many other phones have a useful feature a year later? the only phone imo that could compete with that is a nexus device, just because of the updates.

anyways if your torn just remember, the epic touch 4g comes out in 8 days. new nexus in oct/november. and nvidia is shipping out new quadcores (aka tegra 3) by teh end of the year)

 

[sjamie]

There will ALWAYS be another device around the corner.

This year's phones will always be OUTDATED next year.

Therefore, get the best phone today based on your needs today. I got the 3VO because my 7th Pre in 2 years died and got tired of getting replacements. Luckily, once I started noticing the issues with the 3VO, the Photon was released. Since I was still within my 30 days, I gave the Photon a try and fell in love.

I am very curious about the Epic Touch due to the stated specs. However, Samsung is known for not sending out timely updates. I'm still waiting for an update for my Samsung Instinct that was promised over THREE YEARS ago! I'll definitely play with the ET at my local Sprint store but I seriously doubt I will trade in my Photon. This phone is just too HOT and it is by far the best phone I've personally ever had!

 

[popularbelief]

I have both the NS4G and the Photon right now...I can definitely say that the Photon has better strength than the Nexus does, even after the 2.3.5 update.

Totally agree with this, but I wasn't plagued with issues on my Nexus S all the time. Only in intermittent places in my city.

 

[popularbelief]

I know I think you're right. You just said something my father said to me once a long time ago; 'Robert always get the best or what you want because you will not be satisfied if you just 'settle for second best'.

He made that statement when I was purchasing my first car. It was a FORD PROBE (and it was a FORD, fix or repair daily).

But I had a choice, the basic model with 4 cylinders (no sunroof) or the top of the line EX with 6 cylinder, sunroof, and electronic dashboard.

I got the EX! Loved that electronic dashboard with it's digital speedometer!

So it sounds like the Samsung Galaxy S II Sprint Epic 4G Touch for me!

However, should I wait just in case Sprint comes out with a better model before Christmas, and I'll pass on the iPhone they are releasing.

Thanks!

Rob

Would love to hear this reliable source that says Sprint is getting the iPhone. WSJ?

 

[rlanza1054]

Would love to hear this reliable source that says Sprint is getting the iPhone. WSJ?

Come on guys! It's pretty much already a done deal this time around.

You do know that Sprint told it's employees to answer 'no comment' on getting the iPhone season?

The guy that I have been working with for my EVP discount, without saying anything at all, said it!

Without saying it, he let me know that there will be a different pricing plan for iPhones.

And what does it matter, most people here are not into the iPhone, so who cares if Sprint releases it?

I'm coming from WebOS and this is going to become a very expensive transition for me among all the other factors.

Rob

 

[chaser0707]

New to all of this, but I have the Photon 4G and have been very pleased. Its quickness along with reliability has been pretty sweet.

 

[dguidry12]

Alert!!! I made the mistake of getting rid of the Photon for the Samsung Galaxy "suck" 2 and the phone has the same POS antenna as the Nexus S does. Don't make the mistake and do the same as I did!

 

[sjamie]

Alert!!! I made the mistake of getting rid of the Photon for the Samsung Galaxy "suck" 2 and the phone has the same POS antenna as the Nexus S does. Don't make the mistake and do the same as I did!

Wow! I thought you were keeping the Photon for sure...

 

[Sean-Troy]

Alert!!! I made the mistake of getting rid of the Photon for the Samsung Galaxy "suck" 2 and the phone has the same POS antenna as the Nexus S does. Don't make the mistake and do the same as I did!

Don't feel to bad I went and got the 4s I like the photon better I just don't like android better I would be lying if I said I did maybe I will like android more with Ics don't know if that makes any sense and truth be told I tried the epic touch for a week pos with Los and a big screen and the twelve dollar case I have for my photon feels more sturdy than that phone Sammy Sammy Sammy

 

[anon(26204)]

Don't feel to bad I went and got the 4s I like the photon better I just don't like android better I would be lying if I said I did maybe I will like android more with Ics don't know if that makes any sense and truth be told I tried the epic touch for a week pos with Los and a big screen and the twelve dollar case I have for my photon feels more sturdy than that phone Sammy Sammy Sammy

I was thinking about switching to the E4GT. But Sammy supports their international variants of their phones, but lacks support for it U.S. variants. In addition their update process is slow ... the epic 4g just got gingerbread a whole year later and Sammy's radios are just horrible.

I haven't had one issue with my photon. And my photon hasnt encountered that LOS issue that the E4GT are plagued with.

Plus all the accessories, lap dock, hd dock etc...makes the photon a even more better device.

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