Re: Verizon looking into the signal strength issue, software comi
By the way, I did some informal tests today when I was running around doing some errands.
At my home, the Nexus sticks to one bar, and 7 down and 1-3 up on the main floor. On the second floor it can fluctuate from 7-15 down to 3-6 up. The most bars I've ever seen in my house has been 3, on the second floor. Ping is insanely low, almost always at 40ms or less.
For the second part, I tested in the parking lot/inside of a local Target about two miles away. This is in a newer expanded area of the network, and its got more towers. I averaged 10 down and 7 up here, including inside. (where I had zero bars) Bars continued to hold around two, sometimes jumping to 3. This area maxed out at 25 down and 12 up, more than double the speed of at home.
So here's my theory:
For whatever reason, the Nexus has trouble grabbing and holding onto a signal in more loaded areas that have fewer towers. This makes sense, but is still curious considering that a Rezound I had would never drop to 3G and almost always got more than 10 down at home. Coupled with issues handing off to 3G, and handing off too quickly to 3G, it makes the Nexus seem less than stellar compared to its HTC and motorola counterparts.
I have also noticed that the Nexus has a signal attenuation issue, depending on where you hold it. I have been able to get my speeds to stop completely and freeze during a speedtest just by holding it closer to the top (which is a natural position for someone with a little bit smaller hands like me). I've also found that just placing my hand there will force the phone to drop to 3G, and then to no signal at all. This, I think, is much more serious than any of the other issues I've encountered, because I can kill the radio just by putting my hand in the wrong place.
By the way, I did some informal tests today when I was running around doing some errands.
At my home, the Nexus sticks to one bar, and 7 down and 1-3 up on the main floor. On the second floor it can fluctuate from 7-15 down to 3-6 up. The most bars I've ever seen in my house has been 3, on the second floor. Ping is insanely low, almost always at 40ms or less.
For the second part, I tested in the parking lot/inside of a local Target about two miles away. This is in a newer expanded area of the network, and its got more towers. I averaged 10 down and 7 up here, including inside. (where I had zero bars) Bars continued to hold around two, sometimes jumping to 3. This area maxed out at 25 down and 12 up, more than double the speed of at home.
So here's my theory:
For whatever reason, the Nexus has trouble grabbing and holding onto a signal in more loaded areas that have fewer towers. This makes sense, but is still curious considering that a Rezound I had would never drop to 3G and almost always got more than 10 down at home. Coupled with issues handing off to 3G, and handing off too quickly to 3G, it makes the Nexus seem less than stellar compared to its HTC and motorola counterparts.
I have also noticed that the Nexus has a signal attenuation issue, depending on where you hold it. I have been able to get my speeds to stop completely and freeze during a speedtest just by holding it closer to the top (which is a natural position for someone with a little bit smaller hands like me). I've also found that just placing my hand there will force the phone to drop to 3G, and then to no signal at all. This, I think, is much more serious than any of the other issues I've encountered, because I can kill the radio just by putting my hand in the wrong place.