Signal strength on S4

[rushmore]

I tested the Verizon version side by side with my S3. Well, within minutes switching the sim card. Exact same reception as the S3. So much that seems they use the same radio chip and antenna arrays. No better and no worse.

 

[Vicki McCormack]

I just upgraded from a Blackberry. I have AT&T. I had no reception problems with the Blackberry. The Samsung Galaxy S4 has one bar at my home and I am constantly without service. I am taking this phone back.

 

[slick2404]

Coming from a HTC One, the s4 had much better signal strength...until I installed the CM10.1 rom...

 

[CrossClown]

I recently upgraded 3 days ago to the GS4 from a Droid Razr (first one) and uhm around where I live, signal in general is pretty bad. 2-3 bars on both phones. But once I head into town or into the city, I get 4 bars on my GS4. On my Razr I would've had 3 bars no matter what..

 

[JimChagares]

Side by side with old Droid X on Version

S4
-95 dBm 51 asu

Droid X
-79dBm 0 asu (no 3g carrier)

 

[tlo07]

I just went on a 5 hour car trip in Minnesota and I went through some pretty desolate areas to get to my destination. I decided to do a little experiment. I used my Galaxy S4 all the way up to my vacation spot. I was able to stream Slacker flawlessly the whole trip (no buffering) and still had >60% left on my battery when I got there. I was also able to get a decent signal at my destination place. The night before I drove back home, I switched my sim card to my iPhone 5. I got 1 bar-- on EDGE! I wasn't able to do any streaming until I was a good ways away from my vacation spot and closer to civilization. I tried to stream for about an hour and was suffering from frequent buffering. I finally just shut Slacker off. By the time I got home I only had 38% left on the battery despite the fact that I had only used it one hour for streaming. I'm really impressed with how the GS4 performed on this trip. I should also mention the iPhone 5 didn't want to stay connected to the wifi at my destination and every time I wanted to use the wifi I would have to reconnect. This was not the case with the GS4. It stayed connected to the wifi once I did the initial connection. I've always been a fan of the iPhone-- I've had the last 5 versions-- but I have to say I'm pretty shocked and disappointed in how my experiment turned out. I'm on AT&T, btw.

 

[sheepseaexplorer]

I have the Verizon S4. Compared to my Tbolt the number of bars is definitely less but I haven't had trouble with calls or call quality.

 

[akgatewood]

I'm having the very same issue, and have gone to both Samsung and AT&T for resolution, with no success. I, too, have had trouble with anyone believing that everyone else in my home, and in my office, with other phones, gets 4-5 bars, while I get 0-1. They say it's a problem with the antenna in my particular phone, but are unwilling to do anything but replace it with a refurbished one. After reading this forum, I'm not sure that will work either. As one of the hottest phone on the market, how is this possible?

 

[Almeuit]

This is an odd issue for sure. My gf on tmobile usually has the same bars as I do on my HTC One... Not exact of course but it's not like I have 5 and she has 1...never anything like that.

Sent from my T-Mobile HTC One using AC Forums.

 

[jwn66]

About the same.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[bmiller1230]

My signal on my S4 is also poor. My carrier is Verizon. I sometimes lose connections and this doesnt happen on my Iphone. Its not that they measure signal strength differently, its just poor signal from Samsung. My carrier said they would probably have an update soon but that was a month ago. Its too bad i like my S4 but you cant talk through 2 cans and a piece of string !!!

 

[ipeaches]

Coming first from iPhone 4S and then htc one, i am experiencing the same or slightly better signal strength in the dc metro area on AT&T, especially in low signal areas. Absolutely loooove this phone!

Posted via Android Central App via GS4

 

[graysonk95]

I came from the Sprint GS2 (Galaxy S2 Epic 4G Touch) and so far signal strength seems only slightly lower, like a 1-bar difference on average (based on a side-by-side test I did when I upgraded).

Sprint's service sucks anyway here in rural central Maryland, so I don't notice any difference.
Both phones would drop 3G connectivity and random times and would lose service all together causing me to have to reboot or cycle Airplane Mode on and off dozens of times.
Heck, I "internationally roam" at work.

The GS3 seems to have very similar signal strength to this phone too.

Posted via Android Central App
Samsung Galaxy S4

 

[MadBob]

You do know that there is no manufacturers phone standard for signal strength? Every manufacturer sets the strength themselves, so 5 bars on Apple may be the same as 2 bars on Samsung or vice versa.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4

 

[asdfasdfgasdfadfs]

Not sure that I can compare Apples to Apples, my previous phone was a Droid Bionic, and the signal was leaps and bounds better that my current GS4, but in fairness, I was with Verizon on the Bionic, and now I am with Sprint on the GS4. And Verizon is known to having a better signal than most of the US carriers.

 

[axllebeer]

Similar issues on mine in SF on Att. My q10 gets full signal but my s4 is constantly between 3-4.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

I've been considering the S4 but if the Z30 holds true to BlackBerry having superior signal strength then there is no question which brand I will choose. Now only to decide on the Z30 or the Q10...

 

[Kelly Dyke]

Im in the UK & have a S4 i9505 my plan is 4G, in network settings I had auto connect (4G,3G,2G) based on this i was only getting 1 bar if not no bars everywhere, i was concerned because I thought I had signal issues, however I spoke to Samsung & because I had it on 4G,3G,2G it was seaching for 4G 1st and because 4G is new in my area & low signal that is why I was having the issues, as soon as I changed my network settings to 3G/2G only my signal has improved & working, so for people having poor signal go to network settings & change it to auto connect at 2G/3G if your phone is still having issues it may be the phone, but it fixed my issue. maybe that is why alot of people are having low signal if its on 4G/3G/2G i think Samsung should have made customers aware.

 

[canusaybimmy]

Having owned almost every blackberry possible as well as an s3 before this s4...I think the signal strength is pretty decent for me here in canada (toronto). Haven't really noticed a lack of reception anywhere and don't drop too many calls. Use this for work calls and it's great. Overall I'm pleased.

Edit - I have a spigen neo hybrid (if you care about the effects of cases and reception) and the only place where I don't get the best reception is my basement...and that's been with all phones. Still don't drop calls down there though...so no real complaints overall.

 

[Shanicenicolle]

Camd from an iPhone 5. This phone has a hard time holding onto data connection and it's one of my biggest frustrations.

Sent from my *PURPLE* Galaxy S4

 

[jayzee]

I am in Singapore, just bought an S4 and am pretty disappointed with the signal. Comparing side by side with an S3, both on LTE and the same carrier, the s4 gets 1 bar while the s3 gets 3 bars. I get a much better signal with the LTE off though.