Pixel - Signal dropping (Update: Google Knows)

[matty032]

Re: Verizon Pixel XL - Dropping calls?

I don't think there was any radio fix in the update. However, my phone was improving before the update. No longer dropping calls. Signal was more stable, and it was switching to Wi-Fi calling like it was supposed to in poor signal environment. And all with advanced calling turned on. A week ago I couldn't leave advanced calling turned on as every call would drop just about. I am getting the same dBm as a Moto X, and an iPhone 6 at work.

 

[James4]

I went to Verizon this Saturday to get my SIM card changed and I did not see any improvements on the drop signals. I have 0 bars but my LTE is still on. However, when I make a call I see that my signal bar goes to at least 1 bar and when I hang up it drops back to 0 bars. Verizon said that this shouldn't be happening and to talk to Google about getting a replacement.

Pixel has a little strange network indicator. Think about it like this:
4 bars Pixel = 5 bars other phone
3 bars Pixel = 4 bars other phone
2 bars Pixel = 3 bars other phone
1 bar Pixel = 2 bars other phone
0 bars Pixel = 1 bar other phone
0 bars and no "LTE" above the bars Pixel = 0 bars other phone

If you don't get any dropped calls, you don't need to worry about it. When you make a call it goes from 0 to 1 bar most likely because the phone switches from band 2 or 4 to band 13 to ensure better reliability. Then it goes back to band 2 or 4 for better network management.

I also get zero bars at home a lot, but it works just fine without any dropped calls. You just need to get used to that weird indicator.

 

[matty032]

Pixel has a little strange network indicator. Think about it like this:
4 bars Pixel = 5 bars other phone
3 bars Pixel = 4 bars other phone
2 bars Pixel = 3 bars other phone
1 bar Pixel = 2 bars other phone
0 bars Pixel = 1 bar other phone
0 bars and no "LTE" above the bars Pixel = 0 bars other phone

If you don't get any dropped calls, you don't need to worry about it. When you make a call it goes from 0 to 1 bar most likely because the phone switches from band 2 or 4 to band 13 to ensure better reliability. Then it goes back to band 2 or 4 for better network management.

I also get zero bars at home a lot, but it works just fine without any dropped calls. You just need to get used to that weird indicator.

You are a 100% correct on that. The bars do not match other phones. With an LTE app, I saw my Pixel getting the same dBm as two other brand phones on Verizon. Even though I had slightly less bars. Bars don't matter, dropped calls do. If you ain't dropping, don't worry about it.

 

[DJM626]

I agree with both of your points but in my case too I'm burning through my battery much quicker then I'd like to as my cell constantly searches when I drop down to zero bars.

Let me ask you something about wi-fi calling? To use it you have to be connected to wifi obviously and have wifi calling engaged? Any other settings you have to change ?

 

[matty032]

Re: Verizon Pixel XL - Dropping calls?

You will need to enter your E911 address in the wifi call settings. And your preferred choice when roaming.

 

[James4]

You are a 100% correct on that. The bars do not match other phones. With an LTE app, I saw my Pixel getting the same dBm as two other brand phones on Verizon. Even though I had slightly less bars. Bars don't matter, dropped calls do. If you ain't dropping, don't worry about it.

Yes, bars are pretty much meaningless contrary to popular belief. Even dBm can't tell you much on their own.

For example in my case RSRP hovers between -114 and -119 dBm and I see 0 bars when it's below -115. If you look only at this number, you might say that I have a terrible signal. But in my case it's just the signal for band 2. As soon as it reaches -120 dBm, the phone switches to band 13 with -100 dBm and two bars.

It means that the only real test would be to see when a signal or a call drops completely. If you compare two phones side by side and one drops while another still works, only then you can make the conclusion.

 

[DJM626]

Re: Verizon Pixel XL - Dropping calls?

Thanks! Already set up my E911 address and preferred choice setting when roaming. Appreciate the help

 

[anthonium]

I'm curious to know why these problems (Bluetooth, signal issues) only occur with some Pixel owners and not all. It's not even mentioned in the reviews. Could this be a bad batch of phones? Lately the threads here are giving me second thoughts about recent purchase. I'll have to wait to receive it and hope for the best I guess. This itself is not something that should be said about a flagship device...

 

[James4]

I'm curious to know why these problems (Bluetooth, signal issues) only occur with some Pixel owners and not all. It's not even mentioned in the reviews. Could this be a bad batch of phones? Lately the threads here are giving me second thoughts about recent purchase. I'll have to wait to receive it and hope for the best I guess. This itself is not something that should be said about a flagship device...

Bluetooth issues were reportedly fixed by an update. I never tried Bluetooth on my Pixel, so I can't say anything about it.

LTE signal issues are location-specific, that's why most people don't have them.

 

[Almeuit]

Pixel has a little strange network indicator. Think about it like this:
4 bars Pixel = 5 bars other phone
3 bars Pixel = 4 bars other phone
2 bars Pixel = 3 bars other phone
1 bar Pixel = 2 bars other phone
0 bars Pixel = 1 bar other phone
0 bars and no "LTE" above the bars Pixel = 0 bars other phone

If you don't get any dropped calls, you don't need to worry about it. When you make a call it goes from 0 to 1 bar most likely because the phone switches from band 2 or 4 to band 13 to ensure better reliability. Then it goes back to band 2 or 4 for better network management.

I also get zero bars at home a lot, but it works just fine without any dropped calls. You just need to get used to that weird indicator.

Ignore bars. Bars from phone to phone don't equal up together. Check the -dBm. That is the true signal.

 

[recDNA]

My iPhone 7 Plus was having LTE connectivity issues when I first got it, but within two days of having the phone, Apple pushed out an update to fix the LTE issues. That's the great thing about Apple. If there's a widespread problem, it'll be fixed rather quickly. Side note: I vastly prefer Android over iOS. The Note7 was my favorite phone this year, until the battery issues made me get rid of it.

When are they going to fix the Bluetooth issues assuming they fix the iphones shutting off on their own issues.

 

[recDNA]

Re: Verizon Pixel XL - Dropping calls?

So far so good. I can tell better at home than here at work. But, it's not going from 100% to 0% in an instant like it was doing.

Why didn't you return the phone?

 

[James4]

Ignore bars. Bars from phone to phone don't equal up together. Check the -dBm. That is the true signal.

It's just an example to give an idea about Pixel "zero bars" issue. Of course different phones map signal to bars differently, because there's no standard for it. Even dBm (RSRP) alone won't tell you how good the signal is. RSRP is just signal strength. Signal quality (RSRQ and SNR) are more important.

 

[Almeuit]

It's just an example to give an idea about Pixel "zero bars" issue. Of course different phones map signal to bars differently, because there's no standard for it. Even dBm (RSRP) alone won't tell you how good the signal is. RSRP is just signal strength. Signal quality (RSRQ and SNR) are more important.

Very true -- but most people aren't going to go that far. Checking -dBm is better than saying "My old phone had 3 and I have 2 bars now" as it could very well be the same just the phone shows it different .

I get what you're saying / what you were trying to show though .

 

[Davidoo]

I think the bottom line is that the Pixel devices just have weak antennas and/or radios. Some people aren't affected who are mostly in areas with strong signal. Just my opinion, but thinking software updates are going to fix it is wishful thinking.

I don't think we should be surprised by this. Just prior to launch there were posts on this very site with links to some type of testing or certification service that was used for new devices coming on the market. I know it was in the section for the Pixel on these forums before the release. I don't have time to find that thread but it was titled something like "Tell me it's not true the Pixel will have weak radios." The tests showed the Pixel's radios, specifically for LTE were weaker than the tests for other devices, but still meet minimum standards.

I think this just furthers the opinion that they rushed this device, left out features that should have come with a premium device such as water resistance and wireless charging, not to mention the double tap and raise to wake, and did little testing. Reminds me a lot of the Gnex which had similar issues that software updates could not entirely fix.

Lucky for me, Google and Verizon also bungled the rollout and shipping as well, so the QB 128 XL I ordered in October is not scheduled to be shipped until January 13th, so I have plenty of time to watch these threads to see if by chance the issues get fixed, cancel the order or just wait and see how long it really takes to get it shipped, and if I have any dropped calls or signal issues return it right away. I use my phone for work and can't do the call drop thing. I currently am still rocking my Droid Turbo that hasn't dropped a call in at least a year. Too bad Moto sucks with updates.

 

[Almeuit]

I think this just furthers the opinion that they rushed this device, left out features that should have come with a premium device such as water resistance and wireless charging, not to mention the double tap and raise to wake, and did little testing. Reminds me a lot of the Gnex which had similar issues that software updates could not entirely fix.

I believe if they wanted they could have done the water resistance that everyone wanted but not sure if they could have done wireless charging with the design they wanted to do -- so I don't believe this was a "we can't do this due to rushing" issue. More of the design they wanted didn't go hand in hand with it.

Double-tap to wake / raise to wake is there now. I have it on my phone right now .

 

[matty032]

Re: Verizon Pixel XL - Dropping calls?

In my experience, HTC has always had weak radios. However, I also had signal issues with my old Moto X at my home, which was the main reason I bought a Pixel so I could have wifi calling at home. The thing that got me about the Pixel was the signal being there, then dropping to zero when u made a call. Now that issue seems to be gone, just in the past week or so. Like early on my IMEI number was not in the VZW system, but now it is.

 

[James4]

Very true -- but most people aren't going to go that far. Checking -dBm is better than saying "My old phone had 3 and I have 2 bars now" as it could very well be the same just the phone shows it different .

I get what you're saying / what you were trying to show though .

That's why I said that the only real test would be to take 2 phones to a low signal area and see when they drop a call or signal.

I did this test with my Pixel and my Motorola Droid Maxx and can say that they lose the signal at about the same point and the Pixel holds a VoLTE call even better than the Maxx. So what Davidoo said about weak radio/antenna is definitely not true from my experience. If you don't think that Motorola phones are also bad for reception of course

 

[DJM626]

I had also read sometime awhile back that part of the reasoning that Google went with the partial glass back in the way that they did was for signal purposes, and that it was supposed to be outstanding, so go figure. Maybe if they added water resistance or waterproofing to this phone it may not have worked as intended either.

 

[supreme8124]

Still don't understand why Google choose HTC to make the Pixel. I read today it cost Google $254 to make a pixel phone.