Returned GNex, back to DROID

[haastyle]

Looks like most of the complaints about the signal strength are coming from people who owned 3G phones. This is a LTE issue and it's on Verizon not the Galaxy Nexus. I've had no problems with the phone. I just made a 600 mile road trip and didn't have any issues.

My complaint is more about it just disconnecting and reestablishing the connection, taking 2-5+ minutes to reestablish the connection. Sometimes it even shows full bars, then I try to do something and it says I don't have a network connection and then the bars disappear. This may be an issue switching towers, my phone's radio (tried leaked radios as well) or something else entirely. It is getting to the point where I want to exchange for a different nexus and see if I still have the issue. It is very annoying and happens to me constantly.

 

[VideoEngineerAJS]

Dude I know this.

I'm telling you that the Razr is able to go online and do things. Stream Pandora, play games, browse the web, ect.

The GN is not able to do those same things.

I'm not just looking at the bars. The GN isn't functional in the same area that a Droid X, Razr, iPhone are which are all on Verizon.

This may be where the handoff issue comes into play. I know the Charge had more of an issue with handoffs than the Thunderbolt and Revolution. Supposedly the Gingerbread update fixed this on the Charge, so hopefully the 4.0.3 update will fix the handoff issue on the Galaxy Nexus. That's the only issue I've really noticed with it overall. It does seem to take it awhile to switch from 3G to 4G and vice versa.

 

[Defconrock]

This may be where the handoff issue comes into play. I know the Charge had more of an issue with handoffs than the Thunderbolt and Revolution. Supposedly the Gingerbread update fixed this on the Charge, so hopefully the 4.0.3 update will fix the handoff issue on the Galaxy Nexus. That's the only issue I've really noticed with it overall. It does seem to take it awhile to switch from 3G to 4G and vice versa.

Yea I don't think it's that either because I never get a 4G signal in here. It's not like it's bouncing back and forth. GN either gets nothing or intermittent low 3G. Neighbor's Razr gets occasional 4G and solid 3G.

 

[FishPharm]

I wouldn't return a phone during this current 4G problem. I called Verizon like many others and they do acknowledge a 4G problem so why not wait to see if it resolves. I had a Razr before the GN and I haven't noticed any real differences btw the two regarding connectivity and 4G. There are definitely a few bugs that need to be addressed but I'm willing to see how the next few software updates handle them .... just my thoughts.

 

[VideoEngineerAJS]

Yea I don't think it's that either because I never get a 4G signal in here. It's not like it's bouncing back and forth. GN either gets nothing or intermittent low 3G. Neighbor's Razr gets occasional 4G and solid 3G.

Well that sounds like that's what it is exactly then. If the Razr gets 4G occasionally but usually gets 3G, it sounds like the Galaxy Nexus is in a constant "tug of war" between 3G and 4G and it's not connecting to either because it takes it forever to switch.

 

[Defconrock]

Yet the issue still occurs when the GN has 4G disabled and is in 3G only mode.

 

[Johnly]

all the cool kids hang out at club "beta." See ya!

 

[2010BmwM3]

Dude I know this.

I'm telling you that the Razr is able to go online and do things. Stream Pandora, play games, browse the web, ect.

The GN is not able to do those same things.

I'm not just looking at the bars. The GN isn't functional in the same area that a Droid X, Razr, iPhone are which are all on Verizon.

Weird, mine does those perfectly. Not to mention the 36 MBPS down I get on 4G.

 

[ElectroM]

My GNex is almost useless with data at my home. I have to use my wifi just to update an app. Just today the GNex was showing 2 bars and 4g symbol, dbm was 114 to 120. I could not go on the app market, it kept saying no connection. This is a real problem for some people, from what I can tell reading the forums. I am not going to return the GNex, at least not now. I bought mine at Costco, so I have 90 days to return it. If this problem doesn't get resolved, I will exchange the phone.

 

[mtcowdog]

I'm running an alpha ICS on my OG DROID. Those little tanks just keep on going and going.

 

[2010BmwM3]

I think it's fine for the OP to post his experience. It was real and to me it's valid whether I decide to keep this phone or not. What I don't like is when people project their reality onto others. It's not like the OP said "the GN sucks for me so it sucks for you too." I think the information the OP presents is valid and could be useful to someone at some point. No need to be sarcastic just because you don't agree with his reasons for returning the phone.

Ironic that you of all people says this. I've read a few threads by you complaining . Over the most trivial things too.

 

[Defconrock]

So I swapped out my GN last night after it was stuck in a boot loop and the new phone gets a much better signal here at work.

Hoping it was just a defective unit.

 

[Ken7]

If you return yours, let us now if the replacement fixes anything. I am in the same boat as you. When streaming music/video in my car this phone is dropping signal places where my bolt never did. I love all the development and roms already out on this device and like ics. I just wish my signal was close to as good as my thunderbolt. I wonder how many people who have gotten replacement devices are having the same issues?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

For those having serious 4G issues with the Nexus, try (or at least look at) a Rezound. You'll think you switched to a far better developed network. I had it for 2 weeks and it's 4G reception, particularly in marginal areas, was demonstrably better.

I still prefer my Nexus despite the signal issues, but the difference in reception between these two phones is obvious. Of course even the Rezound won't save you from a nationwide outrage, but it may well provide you with usable reception in weaker areas.

 

[Ken7]

I'm sorry to see that you didn't like the Nexus. The phone is definitely not for everyone. That is one of the nice things about Android. It is not a one size fits all system.

I see a lot of posts like these and there's a subtle insinuation in them. It's kind of like telling someone that's not really computer literate to stay away from a deep program because it's 'not for you'. What you're really saying is 'it's too complicated for you'.

Guys, that's NOT the reason most people are returning the GNex or considering returning it. Almost every single person I've seen is doing so because of reception. This is the parallel to real estate's 'location location location'. For the GNex returners it's 'reception reception reception'.

It's not because they don't 'understand' or dislike Android or the new ICS, they invariably say they love the phone but hate the reception. So when someone says dismissively 'it's not for everyone', what you should really be saying if you're sincere is 'the reception of this phone is not for everyone, especially those that live in weak signal areas'.

 

[Lodingi]

For those having serious 4G issues with the Nexus, try (or at least look at) a Rezound. You'll think you switched to a far better developed network. I had it for 2 weeks and it's 4G reception, particularly in marginal areas, was demonstrably better.

I still prefer my Nexus despite the signal issues, but the difference in reception between these two phones is obvious. Of course even the Rezound won't save you from a nationwide outrage, but it may well provide you with usable reception in weaker areas.

What are you basing this perception on? Is it based on how many bars are displayed, or did you do some real world testing?

I ask because it's been proven the Nexus, with ICS displays the LTE network. All other 4G phones on Verizon display the 3G network.

I'd be willing to do some testing. I have the Nexus and my wife has a Rezound. Let me know what the best way to test these devices. Thanks.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[Ken7]

Like I said it only happens in my office.

Seems like the phone does fine when there's a good signal to be had, but when it has to "reach" (for lack of a better term) it can't do so as well as other devices. If that make sense.

And that's it in a nutshell. The Rezound I returned did better in poor signal areas than my GNex. It is unquestionably not always the LTE network.

 

[xelhabb]

And you've made only 2 posts since joining September 2010? I am just going to call SHENANIGANS on this post. That's just a nice way other than saying B to the S!

I mean what is the purpose of saying this in a forum?!? "Oh Poo, this phone is so terrible. Wah Wah Wah" Save it.

I remember people coming into the forum when the DX was out telling everyone they were going back to their sacred Blackberry because the DX was an epic failure. The DX was also terrible on battery life, yatta yatta, etc, etc. But things panned out and I was loving mine, flashing ROMs, right up until the GNEX arrived.

Why even bother going back to your old Droid? Evidently, you were unhappy with that one because you snatched up the GNEX so quickly. Son, you need an iPhone because apparently you demand perfection. The fanboy crowd could use another whiner. Hurry along now...

 

[MegaSoundwave76]

My buddy just upgraded from his Droid Incredible to a Galaxy Nexus and we've been talking about how he's hating the volume on his speakerphone. He's telling me how he's missed phone calls and such and I'm like "Dude, I had a Thunderbolt and that sucker had a big a$$ speaker on the back and I would still miss phone calls with that thing in my pocket". He was considering taking it back and getting either the Razr or Rezound and I wasn't going to convince him otherwise. His choice, I can only advise him somewhat, and both phones are pretty solid choices also. I've had nothing but a great time with my GNex. The signal issues can be controversial, but my reception has been rock solid. My calls are clear as day, speakerphone volume is acceptable to me (in quiet areas) and in loud areas, what do you expect? Gotta rock headphones in loud areas. All in all, I know I didn't make a mistake when upgrading from the TBolt to the GNex. I wish every GNex owner was experiencing the same enjoyment, but that's not a reality. However, I'm not going to give people crap if they aren't experiencing the same enjoyment I am. Get what you like and enjoy!

 

[ohiomoto]

Like I said it only happens in my office.

Seems like the phone does fine when there's a good signal to be had, but when it has to "reach" (for lack of a better term) it can't do so as well as other devices. If that make sense.

Mine too. I'm ready to exchange it in hopes of getting on that works better. Probably wishful thinking, but I do have a pretty growing list of buggy behavior to go along with my signal issues. Yesterday on my way home from work I was listening to Pandora and took a call. Most of the time, when I hang up Pandora resumes normally, but a couple of times Music resumed instead even though I don't use that app. But this time, not only did Music decide to open, Pandora resumed as well. So I had the weird mix of Bowery Electric and early Monster Magnet playing at the same time. Actually wasn't as bad as it sounds. LOL This phone is turning out to be quite the adventure for me.

 

[Ken7]

all the cool kids hang out at club "beta." See ya!

You mean all the 'cool kids' with no reception issues? There are plenty of 'cool kids' who will switch to other phones because they value this little thing called 'reception'.

Some of these posts just continue to amaze me. It's the old 'I have no issues so nobody else must have them'. I believe the word 'empathy' is lacking in some people's vocabulary.