TBolt to Nexus signal comparison

[Steve.P]

I currently have the TBolt and am considering purchasing the Galaxy Nexus. So far I really like what I see in the Nexus except for the reported poor radio performance. As an engineer I want to do my own comparison between these two to see if it is something that I could live with. So here are my questions:

1. Once I activate the Nexus can I still use the TBold to view the signal strength? I realize that I cannot make calls or test data speeds but it would be really helpful to see how each radio reports the signal side by side.
2. Is there an easy way to switch service between the TBolt and the Nexus? In the past I used unlocked GSM phones so it was easy. Just not sure how VZW handles this for LTE devices.

Steve

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

I currently have the TBolt and am considering purchasing the Galaxy Nexus. So far I really like what I see in the Nexus except for the reported poor radio performance. As an engineer I want to do my own comparison between these two to see if it is something that I could live with. So here are my questions:

1. Once I activate the Nexus can I still use the TBold to view the signal strength? I realize that I cannot make calls or test data speeds but it would be really helpful to see how each radio reports the signal side by side.
2. Is there an easy way to switch service between the TBolt and the Nexus? In the past I used unlocked GSM phones so it was easy. Just not sure how VZW handles this for LTE devices.

Steve

1) you can see signal strength, it just won't be activated
2) if you get a microsim to sim adapter, you could switch between the two when you want.

one thing I will add... yes, I see the radio performance is worse on the nexus... but not bad enough for me to toss the phone. I can still make calls, they sound clear, LTE data doesn't connect very well indoors though.

 

[superlawyer15]

you can't compare signal bars on one phone to signal bars on another phone

for ex.

the nexus can be showing 1 bar which represents -80dbm and the bolt can be showing 3 bars which represents -100dmb

in this case the 1 nexus bar would be a better signal than on the thunderbolt

 

[mikestorm]

I'm pretty sure you can do it fairly easily via the VZW activation line. I think you can also do it via your VZW online customer account page. I have a just decommissioned Tbolt next to me. I'll give it a try tomorrow.

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

you can't compare signal bars on one phone to signal bars on another phone

for ex.

the nexus can be showing 1 bar which represents -80dbm and the bolt can be showing 3 bars which represents -100dmb

in this case the 1 nexus bar would be a better signal than on the thunderbolt

But you can find the signal strength in about phone--> status... so yeah, you kinda can. Just don't look at the bars.

 

[Steve.P]

I'm pretty sure you can do it fairly easily via the VZW activation line. I think you can also do it via your VZW online customer account page. I have a just decommissioned Tbolt next to me. I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Thanks, that would be helpful. How does your Nexus LTE radio compare to your old TBolt? Overall, I am satisfied the the TBolt LTE radio. I especially liked that I could use the testing mode to enable the LTE only radio.

Steve

 

[byrds8]

My wife has a TB and I have a Nexus. I can tell you now from looking at them both they are almost identical. Ive checked the signal strength on both at the same time. I think at times the TB is a few dBm higher than the Nexus. The times it was higher it was within 5-10. So youll see the same level in either phone. I think the receiver in the TB is just a bit more sensitive than the Nexus but thats not necessarily a bad thing as it just might be cutting it off sooner so you get better quality in the end.

 

[Mordecaidrake]

I shattered my TB yesterday morning (reason why I have the nexus now) but so far I've noticed no difference in call quality or signal strength. My only complain so far is the lack of SD card. Otherwise the phone feature of both phones is the same.

 

[mikestorm]

Technically not an answer to your question, but my wife has a Charge and I compared signal strengths this morning. Charge was roughly 20 dB higher on 4G and roughly 10 dB higher on 3G. Search for posts under my name for the specific figures.

 

[iastonish]

I don't understand why some people are having issues with the signal strength, it must be relevant to location, because I have full signal strength.

 

[PJnc284]

I don't understand why some people are having issues with the signal strength, it must be relevant to location, because I have full signal strength.

You probably won't notice anything unless you're already in a weak signal area to begin with.

 

[Small_law]

I went from the Thunderbolt to a Nexus. Although the Nexus indicates lower signal strength than the Thunderbolt did in the same locations, I'm getting exactly the same reception. The Thunderbolt always seemed a little too jumpy in reporting signal strength. I like how the Nexus is more stable about it.

I think that 3G/4G handoffs are a bit quicker with Nexus, but they haven't ever been bad for me. I get higher speed test scores with the Nexus for whatever reason. Bottom line: expect nearly the same performance, if not a little better.