Related
This hardware fix was posted in the Vibrant, General forum. Can it be implemented on the Captivate?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=878970
I actually think this was done and posted in the dev section. I'm gonna check real quick and post the link, but our GPS contact is just under the battery cover, no need to disassemble the phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=876179
It was in the general section.
So it's a hardware and software issue.
Clearly Samsung is never going to fix this, the design is bad. This is crazy to use this type of contact on an antenna. Let alone on a removable back cover. Especially at these frequencies.
I can't believe Google let them get away with it using pretty much the same design for the Nexus S.
This will definitely be my last Samsung. Well, after I have AT&T replace it to fix the turn off problem...
haydonxda said:
So it's a hardware and software issue.
Clearly Samsung is never going to fix this, the design is bad. This is crazy to use this type of contact on an antenna. Let alone on a removable back cover. Especially at these frequencies.
I can't believe Google let them get away with it using pretty much the same design for the Nexus S.
This will definitely be my last Samsung. Well, after I have AT&T replace it to fix the turn off problem...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong! My phone works as it is...!!! Samsung fixed it!
I returned my phone since it was having sleep death issues. They issued me a refurbished phone of 10.07 batch since it was within warranty. I had a GPS lock within 10 seconds even on the supplied stock 2.1 JH7.
Check for later batches of phone, or keep exchanging till u get the working one. The initially released batches were flawed.
You don't need to disassemble the Captivate to do this fix, because the antenna contact (or antenna ground contact) is exposed under the battery cover. There's a thread covering this in general.
diablo009 said:
Wrong! My phone works as it is...!!! Samsung fixed it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ugh. Whatever. This is a design defect similar to the iPhone 4's stupid antenna placement. Samsung at least had the sense not to use this lousy contact mechanism for their cell antenna. If they did they'd have sold about 10 of them before word got out that it drops calls constantly.
This type of contact for this range of RF can not work reliably - period. (I realize I may have a different sense of reliably than you. Reliable is far more than 90% of the time ...)
Ok after the previous journey with hd2's thermal problems and since i got a new htc sensation, i found myself a little bored until either devs or htc gives us some s-off for our phones. So i've heard of this death grip issue and want to give it a try to find a hardware fix for it. Some of you may know me for the geeky technical approaches, so i'll try to get some stuff working here.
Anyway, i have the Sensation from about 4-5 days. I'm yet to determine the seriousness of this issue and how much wireless transmissions are affected.
After inspecting the device construction, it's simple to assume that the reason for the death grip is an interference between the antenna emissions and the EM interference from the human body (hand).
I'll be conducting a series of measurements using some hardware tools to find out the exact cause. Only after this i can begin to work for a fix.
So far this future fix must comply with these conditions:
1. NOT to void the warranty. The fix have to be removable and the phone brought to it's original condition.
2. More easier and safe then my hd2 reheating thread . The solution must be clear, simple and must make use of generic household materials.
3. The death grip issue must be solved in a satisfactory way so that the fix itself is worth the trouble.
This is the start of a new project, it may take a while for some real results to come and the first thing to be determined is if the issue is really user solvable.
So, wish me luck.. i guess i'll be starting tomorrow and post some pictures/things i find during the process.
Good luck, I'm also tempted to start some experiments. BTW it might be worth having a extra Back cover to due testing with. You can get one from HTC.
well, that's the idea. the method must be non invasive for that back cover and must also present no risk in damaging it.
I was so annoyed by the touchscreen issue I never got round to this one :\
I wanted to test if the problem could be "reduced" by simply adding a strip of aluminium foil along the cover... You can probably come up with something better
Thank you for helping!
Thanks! If you can even slightly improve things, you'd be a god. I love this phone, but the WiFi dying (in landscape) is the one issue that constantly nags. [:
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Xlythe said:
Thanks! If you can even slightly improve things, you'd be a god. I love this phone, but the WiFi dying (in landscape) is the one issue that constantly nags. [:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's funny, mine doesn't die on any orientation about the wifi.
2003evo8 said:
That's funny, mine doesn't die on any orientation about the wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've yet to experience this also...
Sent from my Htcclay's SuperCM7 G2 using XDA App
Ditto...I haven't experienced this either. *knocks on wood*
2003evo8 said:
That's funny, mine doesn't die on any orientation about the wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it really depends on where your router is and how strong is the signal... I've tested mine with wall between it dropped significantly and even disconnects, while next to it only a bar or more but return to normal state after a few moments. But it shouldn't do that, and I've got asus wl520-gc router.
MerLinh said:
Well it really depends on where your router is and how strong is the signal... I've tested mine with wall between it dropped significantly and even disconnects, while next to it only a bar or more but return to normal state after a few moments. But it shouldn't do that, and I've got asus wl520-gc router.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true but he was saying he looses it in landscape mode.
FOTA reduced the death grip issues for me..
i will be making some physical measurements on how the phone's transceiver produces and handles 2.43 Ghz ISM type signals. At this moment i haven't tested my device for the death grip but like i've said, i have some spare time and want to help on this.
By using an oscilloscope i will try see what's happening to the signal level in real time.
2003evo8 said:
That's true but he was saying he looses it in landscape mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's my hand touching the top of the phone when I hold it in landscape. Sorry if there was confusion. Light touches cause dramatic losses in signal on my phone.
Edit: WiFi only.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Looking forward to results. Godspeed.
I hate to sound like an Apple fanboy but I was not able to replicate this "accidentally."
Now it might have to do with the different frequencies of the Bell verison of phone, or my signal strength.
I watched a video of someone placing the phone flat on their hand and the signal strength completely dropping off. While I was able to drop a bar of cellular signal, it was far from the video.
I did not get any noticeable drop in wifi.
I went to 3 different tmobile stores and had 3 replacement phones. They all had death grip.
also don't think its EM. I lose wifi signal by covering with single sheet of paper.
joon82 said:
I lose wifi signal by covering with single sheet of paper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cover what with a single sheet of paper, the back of the phone? You lost the wifi signal completely? I get no effect by putting a piece of paper on my phone. Never heard of lead paper.
any updates ?
is it possible to solve it with hard cover... i read smowhere that with a silicone one won't solve it.
Xlythe said:
It's my hand touching the top of the phone when I hold it in landscape. Sorry if there was confusion. Light touches cause dramatic losses in signal on my phone.
Edit: WiFi only.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the same problem
Hi all,
I am relatively new to these forums, and currently own a desire hd, but i have been offered an upgrade to the Sensation.
Now i may bite there hands off at this chance BUT they are after a £100 security deposit, ( Orange uk btw ) so i cant order untill thursday morning.
What are the pro's and cons's if any about this phone?
Thanks.
***Gawsh i cant spell im that excited lmao!!, Thread title wording is wrong it should be Getting, Not Geeting Rofl****
Now we have S-OFF and the like it's definitely worth getting - OK you'll have all the Orange crap pre-installed but that's easily remedied. Just download the RUU for warranty purposes and off you go!
http://www.filefactory.com/file/ccf...0U_10.51.9007.27_M3_release_198549_signed.exe
EddyOS said:
Now we have S-OFF and the like it's definitely worth getting - OK you'll have all the Orange crap pre-installed but that's easily remedied. Just download the RUU for warranty purposes and off you go!
http://www.filefactory.com/file/ccf...0U_10.51.9007.27_M3_release_198549_signed.exe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
Day to days is it a good phone?
I think so, came from the Desire and never gone back
EddyOS said:
I think so, came from the Desire and never gone back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm ok, Need to find a buyer for my htc desire hd now. ;0)
came from the inspire (desire hd). I wouldnt' have switched, if i didn't make a good deal trading the inspire for notphone, then selling that pos to get the sensation. It is a great phone, but not sure if i'd pay $150-200 extra to get it.
Well I came from a HTC HD2 and I have to say i am very pleased with my Sensation. The speed that the device works with is great and i am still totally stock. The HTC Sense 3.0 does not cause problems with major lag like Sense has been know to do. The 4G speeds are awesome, well when I am in a 4G area at least. Matter of fact the speed I get with a 4G signal is better than my home WiFi speeds.
I do recommend you give the, "[LINK TO FIX][UPD 29AUG]Touchscreen Not Responsive" thread a good read, and the, "[FIX] Touchscreen issues (related to screen's grounding)" thread a good read. Both of these threads are on the known touch screen issue of the Sensation that users are having. I myself had the issue, and had it very bad to I must say. But thanks to both of the linked threads I was able to solve my issue and relieve the great frustration it brought me.
All in all though the Sensation has been a great device so far. My wife and I both have one, although she never has experienced the touch screen issue like me. We both enjoy or phones very much. Hope this gives you some insight.
I would personally say don't get one.. its got issues with over heating. the power button wears out rather quickly.. dust under the screen. Signal issues with the cellular and wifi ariels being in the back cover how you hold the device effects strength.
I would suggest going for what ever the upgrade the sensation with (hopefully they will learn by the mistakes)
I woke up to my first phone smelling burnt to never turn on again.. the heat from the cpu damaged one of the dual flex cables that run down from the pcb at the top of the handset to the pcb that holds the cpu and other components.
The replacement phones's power button wore out but didnt have the issue with loads of heat when using a custom undervolted kernel and with scalling enabled.
the replacment came back from repair and this time they didnt even change the power board PCB all they done was change the speaker on it so its on its way back to have the full PCB replaced (and probably with the exact same revision board that will eventually fail again)
I have never had so many issues with one sodding phone... s-off is the only thing that makes this phone any good.. IMHO
Hi guys!
I've been using my HTC Sensation for a month now and I'm really reaally happy with it EXCEPT with the WiFi death grip. But I read this earlier today, an article from GSM Arena: http://blog.gsmarena.com/htc-sensat...re-there-different-versions-of-the-sensation/
As you can see, from the article, there are different versions of the back covers for the HTC Sensation.
It seems that the one with 3 contacts in the back cover doesn't experience the death grip at all. So now I am looking at this replacement back cover at ebay that has three contacts: http://www.ebay.ph/itm/ORIGINAL-HTC...asesPouches&hash=item1c1f636ebf#ht_2847wt_960
Im hoping it will fix the death grip issues but first...
Is anyone here using a back cover that has the three contacts inside for the antenna and are you still experiencing the death grip?
I just want to know if this is a worthy spend for the money. Its the perfect phone for me already.
mulawingalang said:
It seems that the one with 3 contacts in the back cover doesn't experience the death grip at all. So now I am looking at this replacement back cover at ebay that has three contacts: http://www.ebay.ph/itm/ORIGINAL-HTC...asesPouches&hash=item1c1f636ebf#ht_2847wt_960
Im hoping it will fix the death grip issues but first...
Is anyone here using a back cover that has the three contacts inside for the antenna and are you still experiencing the death grip?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one in the link only has 2 contacts as far as I can see.
I dunno bout you mate but im using the Sensation XE and the back cover on my phone has the same contact points as the one in the picture...
Just to clarify how many contact points does your current phone cover have?
Sorry about that. This one has three antenna contacts at the back: http://www.ebay.ph/itm/NEW-Full-Hou...ltDomain_0&hash=item3f0e652d2a#ht_2175wt_1139
My HTC Sensation has 2 antenna contacts only. Are you experiencing the WiFi death grip on the Sensation XE and do you have 2 or 3 contacts at the back cover? Thanks!
My phone cover has the same number of contacts as the one shown in your first link... So it has 2 contacts i guess...
but on the other hand im pretty close to my wireless extender... Also its running on wireless N... and so far i havent had any issues with my wifi... maybe its cause im using it at home..
BlackRozeInc said:
My phone cover has the same number of contacts as the one shown in your first link... So it has 2 contacts i guess...
but on the other hand im pretty close to my wireless extender... Also its running on wireless N... and so far i havent had any issues with my wifi... maybe its cause im using it at home..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I kinda have the same configuration you have at home. WiFi N and so on. But whenever I hold the top part of my phone, the signal of the WiFi all of a sudden falls from 4 bars to 1 bar or none.
Correct me if I'm wrong but do you think that if change my Sensation's back cover to the one that has 3 antenna connectors, would it help? Thanks!
I've ever asked this question here before.The answer is some say it's worked and some say it didn't,so I decided to not take this risk
There a video on Youtube 'Sensation death grip', the guy is trying to tell you that adding a strip of foil might help? That's not why I mentioned the video though, I mentioned it because I'd noticed that the back on his Sensation has the 3 contacts, possibly suggesting that even his phone has signal problems.
UKseagull said:
There a video on Youtube 'Sensation death grip', the guy is trying to tell you that adding a strip of foil might help? That's not why I mentioned the video though, I mentioned it because I'd noticed that the back on his Sensation has the 3 contacts, possibly suggesting that even his phone has signal problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just watched and you're right. Sigh, I guess the case with the three antenna connectors won't really help. Btw, does the WiFi death grip also apply with the new Sensation XE?
Mine has the 3 contacts and still has the wifi death grip so don't bother finding a 3-contact back; it won't help.
Each contact is for a different antenna.
Someone else posted something similar to this not too long ago regarding the difference between the S4G and SXE back covers. His cover (like mine) has 3 contacts, but the XE cover only had two. I did some looking around and found the FCC filing for the S4G, which lists the 3rd contact to be the GPS antenna. The others are the WLAN (wi-fi) and a "Diversity" antenna. There is a PDF attachment that was submitted to the FCC with the descriptions of each antenna in that thread.
Details in this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=18815345&postcount=4
See the whole thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321315
/thread
~T.J.
This has been asked and covered numerous times, it's an extra pin for the 4g version if I'm not mistaken, but users have made 4g work without that extra pin. no biggie.
mulawingalang said:
Just watched and you're right. Sigh, I guess the case with the three antenna connectors won't really help. Btw, does the WiFi death grip also apply with the new Sensation XE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't seem to have any issues with WiFi so far... and i tried a lot of ways to cover the back of the phone... (palm, pillow, books)
maybe its an issue with WiFi range?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26906002
Yes, I have a great idea. Let's have antennas put in the case of the phone, so we have to use crappy little leaf-spring type connectors just to have a connection to the phone. Then, to make it even better, let's have the case made of polycarbonate so it can bend. And to help with even better design, let's make the connectors so thin and crappy that bending them at all stresses them enough to make it not spring back up, and then trying to bend it back will likely snap the connectors. Because we need ideal antenna design, never mind the fact that an antenna is useless when it can't connect to the modem that needs it.
HTC has pulled this idiocy before, it happened with the Desire HD's GPS, it happened with the Sensation's WiFi and touch screen, now it's happening again. It is beyond me why they insist on doing this when Samsung is getting by perfectly fine by just having the antennas sit beneath the case. What happened to plastic being RF transparent? This is probably one of the few things that really riles me up about HTC, simply because they never seem to realize why the Galaxy S2 and S3 are more popular. When they can't even get basic antennas right, how do they expect people to be repeat customers?
EDIT: No, this doesn't affect the phone when everything is fine, but this can be part of the reason why there are wifi issues/general reception problems.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience, but it is probably just you or a software problem. I have played with many H1X's, including 2 of which are my own, and never had the problem you described. Perhaps you have a defective unit?
ethantarheels123 said:
I'm sorry to hear about your experience, but it is probably just you or a software problem. I have played with many H1X's, including 2 of which are my own, and never had the problem you described. Perhaps you have a defective unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't own an H1X, I have a Desire HD but frequent multiple device forums.
Yes, you may not have a problem, but this design makes it incredibly easy to break Wifi/BT, and any other antennas that are connected to the phone in this manner.
Yes, if the connection breaks, it is a defective unit. My problem is that if you squeeze the back case often enough or have the phone overheat (likely if you have the Tegra 3 variant and use it as an in car GPS) then you will destroy the connection. Designs where the antennas are not in the case will never have this happen unless you somehow physically melt the connection between the antenna and motherboard or it is torn off, both are incredibly unlikely to happen.
It doesn't matter whether your phone has this issue, it is likely to happen and HTC needs to be pressured into changing their designs so this issue never crops up again.
Another whine thread...just what we need. Speak with your money if it bothers you.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
I guess that explains why my first One X had no wifi (could never connect0 and it was that top left glass corner lifted up enough from the device that light came out of the crack.
But guess what? Got another while I wait on my warranty repair (no exchange because no stock).
Hunt3r.j2 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26906002
Yes, I have a great idea. Let's have antennas put in the case of the phone, so we have to use crappy little leaf-spring type connectors just to have a connection to the phone. Then, to make it even better, let's have the case made of polycarbonate so it can bend. And to help with even better design, let's make the connectors so thin and crappy that bending them at all stresses them enough to make it not spring back up, and then trying to bend it back will likely snap the connectors. Because we need ideal antenna design, never mind the fact that an antenna is useless when it can't connect to the modem that needs it.
HTC has pulled this idiocy before, it happened with the Desire HD's GPS, it happened with the Sensation's WiFi and touch screen, now it's happening again. It is beyond me why they insist on doing this when Samsung is getting by perfectly fine by just having the antennas sit beneath the case. What happened to plastic being RF transparent? This is probably one of the few things that really riles me up about HTC, simply because they never seem to realize why the Galaxy S2 and S3 are more popular. When they can't even get basic antennas right, how do they expect people to be repeat customers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The s2 and 3 are more popular not because of any of the reason you have stated.
But in case you're wondering despite HTC being abandoned by "expert" users aka xda members () HTC's customer satisfaction ranking has always been higher than Samsung. Google it.
---------- Post added at 12:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 PM ----------
powerwagon said:
Another whine thread...just what we need. Speak with your money if it bothers you.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL
There is no problem with the connectors, and as far as I can tell, touchscreen problems only exist when swapping batteries, and continuously chatting then in the phone. If you use an external charger and swap batteries, there is no problem. So its not the connector, but static buildup from continuously charging dead batteries. Yes it is a problembut goes away when using the phone as intended(charging just one battery per charge cycle).
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA
masondoctorjt said:
There is no problem with the connectors, and as far as I can tell, touchscreen problems only exist when swapping batteries, and continuously chatting then in the phone. If you use an external charger and swap batteries, there is no problem. So its not the connector, but static buildup from continuously charging dead batteries. Yes it is a problembut goes away when using the phone as intended(charging just one battery per charge cycle).
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem was the fact that the touchscreen grounding was on a spring that was supposed to touch the phone, and over time if you removed the back cover often enough it would start losing contact.
From the tear down pics there isn't much thats not built right onto the mobo. I have used many android phones, and really enjor the One X, I just think a lot of people don't give the device a chance. I mean I have had a few software issues, but nothing that makes me want to return the phone, it will all get fixed in time.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
kleeman7 said:
From the tear down pics there isn't much thats not built right onto the mobo. I have used many android phones, and really enjor the One X, I just think a lot of people don't give the device a chance. I mean I have had a few software issues, but nothing that makes me want to return the phone, it will all get fixed in time.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is with the antenna connectors. I would not be so concerned if there was a ribbon cable or something that connected antennas to the motherboard, but I know that the type of design that they use is very easily broken.
"You're holding it wrong" - Steve Jobs
Haven't had any wifi problems with mine
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
My connection seems to flicker. It'll be five bars but then out of nowhere I'd lose my connection for like 3 seconds. Very annoying. I have a ht24
Most every HTC phone nowadays has that antenna design; my Rezound also use spring connectors to the seperate backplate antennas. I have pits in my antennas from use, but no significant signal loss thanks to the rigid case design keeping the connections solid.
The relatively flexible case of the HOX really could interfere and needs a different connection method. The battery is non-removable, yet they just stuck with what they knew how to do anyway.
PhantasmRezound said:
Most every HTC phone nowadays has that antenna design; my Rezound also use spring connectors to the seperate backplate antennas. I have pits in my antennas from use, but no significant signal loss thanks to the rigid case design keeping the connections solid.
The relatively flexible case of the HOX really could interfere and needs a different connection method. The battery is non-removable, yet they just stuck with what they knew how to do anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably because it's a working, effective design that has been implemented in almost every phone they make. No reason to change it. What's the term... "tried and true".
My old HTC Aria had the most flexible back cover ever, and the connection was fine after over 2 years of non stop service. I'm sure this phone won't have any issues, especially considering it is a unibody design.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I love reading someone's complaint about a phone only to realize further down in my reading that op doesn't even own the phone. Super fail lol.
On the other hand, my reception has been great. There is even this one crazy spot where I'd never get reception or data connectivity at work and now with this phone it actually works in said location! Love it.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Complaining about a phone you don't own?
credibility lost right there..
move on.. to your sgs3
wiesman2613 said:
Complaining about a phone you don't own?
credibility lost right there..
move on.. to your sgs3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Complaining because the last thing I want is a GS3.
You're holding it wrong.
I wish an "engineering" team built the one x, but they used a new "design" team because they wanted it to be stylish. Ponderous. Why worry about the back/shape of a phone when the majority puts it in a case and will never see or feel the back. Build quality should be the driving force, not design. Antennas should be HARD WIRED, period. All these pogo or spring style connectors have issues. I work with point to point wireless links and any connector has loss. 1db loss on a good connector. Spring and pogo are a bad idea and definitely causing too much loss.
I have an Inspire and TFPrime. Two big offenders. I have cleaned and retensioned all three on the inspire and it helped for about 3 mos, but GPS is getting flaky again. Going to HARD WIRE GPS antenna and be done with it. Basically what HTC should have done from the start.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA