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Signal problem with Speck case?

I have the candyshell Speck case and have been battling weak signal issues compared to my Vibrant. At work today I had absolutely no signal all morning long. Granted, the signal is always very weak for me at work and with the Vibrant it would intermittently drop off completely but generally I had enough signal for the phone to adequately provide text and e-mail updates. I was going to check my sim card so I pulled the Speck case off and as soon as I did, I got signal...weak, just like I'm used to with the Vibrant, but at least it was something. I left the case off the rest of the day and the phone behaved very similarly to my old Vibrant.
Obviously the Speck doesn't have any metal which could interfere with the signal, but perhaps with the case being so tight fitting (it's a royal pain to get off!) it is somehow distorting a connection to the antenna or something. I would be curious to know if anyone else could confirm this behavior.

bluemoon737 said:
I have the candyshell Speck case and have been battling weak signal issues compared to my Vibrant. At work today I had absolutely no signal all morning long. Granted, the signal is always very weak for me at work and with the Vibrant it would intermittently drop off completely but generally I had enough signal for the phone to adequately provide text and e-mail updates. I was going to check my sim card so I pulled the Speck case off and as soon as I did, I got signal...weak, just like I'm used to with the Vibrant, but at least it was something. I left the case off the rest of the day and the phone behaved very similarly to my old Vibrant.
Obviously the Speck doesn't have any metal which could interfere with the signal, but perhaps with the case being so tight fitting (it's a royal pain to get off!) it is somehow distorting a connection to the antenna or something. I would be curious to know if anyone else could confirm this behavior.
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I also have the speck case and also have a Vibrant. I have noticed that the signal strength and consistency of the G2X is not as stable nor is it as strong a signal. I am getting a lot of no signal or X when it was just 3 bars of 4G and then drops to nothing. I have tried it without the speck case and I find it makes no difference for me at this time. However my Vibrant does not display an X or no signal and have had no data issues with it. I believe the G2X has enormous potential but right now there are some flaws or issues which I hope can be rectified by soft ware.

Just exchanged my G2x and the signal strength is all over the place. Way unstable.

I came from a vibrant. Had 2. Both with way worse signal issues. I mean way.
My g2x is much more reliable.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

The signal strength compared to the radio version that my G1 came with is about the same. After several updates to the radio on my G1, it was rock solid. I hope future radio updates improve signal strength for the G2x as they did with my G1. Already ordered the speck case so I hope it doesn't give me issues.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

I get a better signal with my G2X than I did with my Vibrant.

same here. I got better signal strength than my old Vibrant.

Poor reception when using case...

I returned my powerskin because my reception would drop from 3-4 bars to 1-2 bars and could make me lose signal at my hiouse which has never been a problem with my cliq
I got a gloss blqck case fro. Tpu cases and while it is a really well made case and very nice, i am seeing the same drop in reception. I spent 10 minutes taking it on and off, and leaving it on or off for 1 linute at a time and it was extremely consistant.
I know others have experienced this problem on this forum, and my dad has the same issue. Anyone have a solution? I am considering cutting out a part of the tpu cases back.

I just replied about this here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16048202#post16048202

Darnell_Chat_TN said:
I just replied about this here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16048202#post16048202
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Thank you very much! I have been considering the "tough" case that has an ABS exterior and a silicone interior.

i've been using the tough case and there is no issues about the signal or wifi bar dropping

Are u guys talking about this case?
http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=AmMwTseMHtO3twfM06ikCQ&ved=0CFQQ8gIwAA

MxFadzil92 said:
i've been using the tough case and there is no issues about the signal or wifi bar dropping
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Good deal. have you used the OpenSignal map app to watch the actual signal strength when putting the case on and off? Mine drops a ton. Even if I am very very close to the tower (and getting way over 4 bars) I drop to the low side of 4 bars.
Then again, at my house, I get only 1-2 when I usually get 3-4 with my cliq (and the cliq has much higher signal strength) and I lose reception if I lay it on my stomach (reclining computer chair.)
riverajuan said:
Are u guys talking about this case?
http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=AmMwTseMHtO3twfM06ikCQ&ved=0CFQQ8gIwAA
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yes.

weird mine is more stable at 75-83% when using with the case... without the case the percentage keeps jumping from 70- 89%

MxFadzil92 said:
i've been using the tough case and there is no issues about the signal or wifi bar dropping
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Same here... Been using the Tough case from Case-Mate for about 5 days now and there are ZERO issues whatsoever.

MxFadzil92 said:
weird mine is more stable at 75-83% when using with the case... without the case the percentage keeps jumping from 70- 89%
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Click to collapse
What case? (he said tough case)
Your phone signal will fluctuate wildly based on where you hold it (with no case)

I ordered 2x tough cases today to test.
I hope to God that at the very damned least it won't reduce my cell phone signal. The signal on this stupid phone is highly sensitive to proximity to humans. If I lay it on my bare belly it loses all signal. If I hold it at the bottom it loses all signal. I really need a dock to just keep myself from forgetting not to place the phone away from me.

chisleu said:
What case? (he said tough case)
Your phone signal will fluctuate wildly based on where you hold it (with no case)
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im using casemate tough case? when using the case doesnt matter how i hold the phone the percentage of the signal strength is still 75% and above and doesnt reach 100 percent... hope this well help you in any way

I ordered 2 from case-mate yesterday and they shipped out yesterday from GA. I live in SC so I may have them tomorrow! I will report back on signal issues with this case.
It seems poor quality TPU can be more conductive than higher quality (which still only registers ~1kohm.)

Got it today...
My fault for not checking but these covers all the holes on the back including the noise isolation mic. WEAK.
It doesn't seem to affect wireless signal nearly as much as the TPU case.

Yes it definitely does not affect my wireless signal as much as the TPU case. It's a big difference.
I still get signal strength changes depending on how I hold the phone. It seems that my hand's proximity to the lower part of the phone is the key. I don't even have to touch it. If I dangle it by my thumb and pointer finger by the top of the phone, I get good reception. If do it the same way with the bottom I lose 20-30%.
The only reason I'm harping on that is that with my Motorola Cliq I get much much higher signal strength in the same spot (side by side) and the other two sensations and other 1 cliq I have access to have the same results.
We are all T-Mobile US customers.
I'm resorting to using Wifi calling at the house because of the huge signal issue. Often it has no signal at all, especially when sat on my lap otherwise. The Cliq does not go below 2-3 bars (usually 3-4 bars) while the sensation can be disconnected completely. The sensation also seems to jump towers much more often and the signal strength on each tower varies.
I am using a the stock radio which is not listed in the radio's thread and I pray that if I can figure out how to radio s-off and actually get a radio to flash, that maybe I can get some improvement in reception.
I can't be the only one noticing this problem...

Body glove causing dropped calls

Is anyone using the bodyglove experiencing dropped calls, had the sensation for two days with no problem got the body glove today and dropped more than 4 calls already
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk

No dropped calls here with bodyglove.

Had bodyglove case for a few weeks with no dropped calls.

Nope not one drip call from my sensation w/ body glove case.. and I've had it on since day 1.. maybe it's your area coverage is to blame..
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App

maybe it's the fact that cases reduce signal strength on this phone.
I mean, when the signal strength drops when you hold it at the bottom of the phone, what can we expect?

chisleu said:
maybe it's the fact that cases reduce signal strength on this phone.
I mean, when the signal strength drops when you hold it at the bottom of the phone, what can we expect?
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What kind of world are we living in where a device only functions properly under the range of normal-intended use circumstances and begins to falter when you you hold it in the most unnatural, unconventional and uncomfortable ways in an attempt to cover its radio antennae. Ah well, what can we expect?
Also , the first time I held my phone in store it was with a body glove and screen protector. That body glove is like the binky that my baby came wrapped in, and I haven't had any issues with dropped calls, though my GPS is pretty whack.

havent had any problems either , and lovin the body glove case

This phone don't have problems with drop calls your signal where you live at is weak. This is not the iphone folks i can cover the phone with both hands and don't lose a bar.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

Had it on for 3 days now. No dropped calls.
Antenna signals can pass thru objects. The holes on the phone
are sufficient to get signal to the connectors.
But, having a thin piece of plastic should not interfere
with that signal.
Now, I would not advise using a metal case for this phone.

bonebeatz1234 said:
This phone don't have problems with drop calls your signal where you live at is weak. This is not the iphone folks i can cover the phone with both hands and don't lose a bar.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
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you are correct I only get dropped calls at home nowhere else.

Case that does not block GPS?

I'm after a case that will not interfere with GPS activity. I'm currently using 'case-mate pop' and after some tests it severely hinders GPS signal. I've read that 'barely there' case in silver has a lot of problems but what about in different colours?
I was also interested in the 'case-mate tough' but it looks like that has the same issues as the pop case blocking the signal.

I had a pop and now a tough. Have you got a rooted DHD? try the app called Fasterfix and set it to your location pool. You shouldn't have any problems then.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

ToneyEricsson said:
I had a pop and now a tough. Have you got a rooted DHD? try the app called Fasterfix and set it to your location pool. You shouldn't have any problems then.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
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Did you notice any difference with GPS from pop to tough?

The Specimen said:
Did you notice any difference with GPS from pop to tough?
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Would like to know that too

follow this guide and you will get improved gps even with a case. i did this and get a fix in 2 seconds in the car using co pilot.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1266525

I have a CaseMate Pop (silver) & Tough:
Pop - beautiful, but indeed blocks the GPS signal badly. DON'T buy one, other colours appear OK, tbh.
Tough - excellent case, been on the phone a year now, looks like day 1. Would recommend this.
HOWEVER, there is also a bit of a loss of signal. I did a test in the top floor of my house, and the Pop blocked almost all of the signal, and the Tough blocked just a little bit, compared to the naked phone.
I don't consider it to be a significant loss with the Tough case, I have the case on all the time, stick it in my bag & go mountainbiking for hours, and the track is always well recorded. Equally in the car, the satnav works perfectly.

breakbystealth said:
follow this guide and you will get improved gps even with a case. i did this and get a fix in 2 seconds in the car using co pilot.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1266525
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Click to collapse
works, thanks m8

I have an Otter Box Commuter case for my Desire HD, and it doesn't appear to block any kind of GPS signal that I can speak of. I am rooted and am running the latest Android Revolution HD as my current software on the phone, so I can't speak about stock GPS connectivity.

I too have an Otterbox Commuter case and it doesn't block the GPS signal at all.
Matt

Don't use a case when using GPS, the phones in the cradle on the HTC car kit, can't imagine using GPS elsewhere tbh
Otterbox commuter user here

The Specimen said:
Did you notice any difference with GPS from pop to tough?
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In honesty I haven't noticed any difference with GPS with any of them cases GPS works the same.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium

I have beautiful silver Case-Mate Pop and I can say that it kills GPS on my DHD.

Bought this case, didn't notice any GPS troubles.

I bought this the other day, arrived today and thankfully no GPS problem.

I have just bought a case-mate barely there (black). No problem with GPS.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using XDA App

A thin layer of plastic/rubber does not degrade signal enough to have any noticeable impact (not even half full db).
Shiny cases that sparkle have a very slight impact due to metal flake in the silicone/plastic/paint that makes it its sparkly/metalic color.
- The Fight Against Mis-information

The GPS from DHD is generally not so good. I'm geocacher and had many trouble with it. I recommend you an external bluetooth gps receiver, that's a very good, precise and powerfull solution, which also at very bad conditions works.

komigo said:
I have just bought a case-mate barely there (black). No problem with GPS.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using XDA App
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I can confirm that GPS works fine with this case.

I've use google maps navigation for the last two days.
Normally gps and even the normal location thing (i guess that's agps?) are turned off.
When i turn on both and then start a navigation in google maps i get a gps lock within 5 seconds.
I did install some "gps fix" from this subforum (don't remember which one) but i haven't modified the hardware for the 5 second lock!
/edit:
okay so i forgot to mention: i'm using the otterbox commuter.....no problem with gps at all!

well, I use silicon case on my Inspire 4G and I suspected it is the reason for poor GPS performances. but then, i followed all possible threads from this forum related to Inspire 4G GPS issues and got my GPS to work. so I recommend silicon case, best choice there is for phone case

cases

hi all!!!before 1 week ago i was in a friend's house who has the htc sensation also.when i connect my sensation through wifi connection i realized that the signal strength was the half but my friend's htc had full signal (his mob is without case but mine with case),so i decided to throw the casebattery life and signal strength is much better now!!!!!

Interesting, I use a case also . I'm wondering if it hinders my signal? I'm keeping the case because it keeps the dust from entering under the screen. (a known sensation problem) I'm still getting H =4G so I'm keeping the case. The front wraps around tightly keeping the particles from entering under the screen. So please beware because without the case It's more vulnerable to dust getting under the screen. I use a hard plastic case that fits tightly with a screen saver and I've kept the dust out for a year now. So beware of the dust it can ruin your screen. Best wishes. Just thought I'd let you know about the dust issues.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium

Known issue just try this at home
realsis said:
interesting, i use a case also . I'm wondering if it
hinders my signal? I'm keeping the case because it keeps the dust from entering under the screen. (a known sensation problem) i'm still getting h =4g so i'm keeping the case. The front wraps around tightly keeping the particles from entering under the screen. So please beware because without the case it's more vulnerable to dust getting under the screen. I use a hard plastic case that fits tightly with a screen saver and i've kept the dust out for a year now. So beware of the dust it can ruin your screen. Best wishes. Just thought i'd let you know about the dust issues.
Sent from my htc sensation 4g using xda premium
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dont u mean h+ = 4g. also on my case ive drilled some holes into certain areas where the antennas are.

nikomo55 said:
dont u mean h+ = 4g. also on my case ive drilled some holes into certain areas where the antennas are.
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I may do it aswell can you post pics just to see how it looks please ?
Sent From My Sexy Sensation Running Aokp.

I'm using gel skin case from QUBITS. Works awesome, no signal problem, have cutout for signal at various places and goes weill with the style of phone .
Can't post link . Its on Amazon HTC SENSATION 4G / SENSATION XE GEL SKIN CASE .

One of things I could never get used to is using an case on any phone I've had. I feel like it takes away from the beauty of the phone, bulks the phone when it is designed to be slim. But love the fact that it gives more grip, and won't have to worry about scratches or dents when it falls.

when i´m using mumbi silicon case my wifi signals drops 2 stripes down.
Solution: don`t use it that makes ur device slimmer and better connections