I ordered Case Mate Tough for my smartphone and signal degrades by 5 to 10 dBm (2 bars) when in this case. Many people reported such problem and what is interesting, it does not happen with every HTC smartphone.
One person reported that the smartphones this happens with have software or firmware issue/glitch and that HTC are aware of it and working on a fix.
Does somebody here have Wi-Fi signal issues with Case Mate or Otterbox or even other brands' cases?
I do have a case-mate barely there for my DS but not noticed any drop off in anything. Used a case-mate pop (at least i think thats what they're called) for my DHD and wifi dropped by around 50%. My worst one is with a cheapo silicone off feebay. My wifi signal goes so low it disconnects. Take off the case and its full. Annoys the hell out of me but then i prefer any phone without a case anyway so dont mind taking it off just wish i didnt have to put it back on again!
Si
i'm use otterbox for my DS, and didn't face this problem...
I use a rubber case, and yes, the signal for both WIFI and the network drops. I think the reason behind this is that the only parts of the phone which can act as an antenna are the soft rubber parts, as the phone is unibody. WIFI signal has the worst drop though, and sometimes I cannot get a signal at all.
spagmuff said:
I use a rubber case, and yes, the signal for both WIFI and the network drops. I think the reason behind this is that the only parts of the phone which can act as an antenna are the soft rubber parts, as the phone is unibody. WIFI signal has the worst drop though, and sometimes I cannot get a signal at all.
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What do you mean by "network drops"? Cellular signal?
I have only problem with Wi-Fi signal. I have noticed that when i move away only top half of silicone, signal improves a lot. I have spotted 2 holes on top - left and right (looking from back). When i cover left, right or both with finger or silicone, signal drops, but silicone has 2 appropriate holes that allow signal to pass through which don't work right.
Hi, I don't know if my point is relevant to this post. If you hold the top part of the phone, the signal will degrade. It is true for my phone and I don't have a casing.
Your point is relevant, this is why i don't hold phone by the top when using internet.
Hold top = degrade/lose Wi-Fi
Hold bottom = degrade cellular signal
wow, HTC didnt think through the DS very well did they
Im not certain but i dont think my cell signal has ever degraded as a result of holding (always hold the bottom of the phone) but im not certain, but my wifi signal definately degrades when i hold at the top or put a silicone case on. It was only a dirt cheap case from feebay but im looking for another that wont degrade it, any recommendations?
Si
Boris_yo said:
Your point is relevant, this is why i don't hold phone by the top when using internet.
Hold top = degrade/lose Wi-Fi
Hold bottom = degrade cellular signal
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Same behaviour for me.
Something tells me that degradation of Wi-Fi is a cost for using silicone/cases. For some yes, for some no.
i got a silicone tpu 2$ case, and the signal drops 5dbm
Related
I am talkng about this wonderful accessory: http://www.boxwave.com/products/armorcase/armor-case-htc-p3600_2412.htm
I had such a thing for my old Qtek 9100, I got use to it and I bought one for the P3600, too. It is very useful because you can bump your PDA into almost anything (not drop it on the floor, because it cannot absorb shocks, just deflect them) and nothing, not a single scratch will happen.
I have no radio signal degradation (neither on EDGE, nor on UMTS). The only things that are its weaknesses are:
- the door lock is on the left side (but I think it is due to the fact that they couldn't place it on the right, there is not enough room for it)
- internal GPS signal is lost while in the armored case, but I can sacrifice GPS when I don't use it in order to save the PDA
Hello,
is the screen also protected with this alu case?
if I have understood this correctly I've to open the box to work with the pda?
Check http://www.inkino.co.uk/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1540
That's much closer...
Replies
Yes, the screen is protected and yes, you have to open the case to access the PDA. Anyway, all the buttons are accessible even with the case closed and if you attach smart functions to those buttons, you can use 85% the PDA without opening the case at all. For example, I can read my emails or search a phone number or make a phonecall without opening the case.
This went into the wrong folder. sorry guys.
Check out this video of a metal case for the p3300. Sure that they do one for the p3600 too
Hi
I have a aluminum case for my P3600, is a efective protection device, but it afects the radio signal in zone where the signal is poor with this case you can´t catch any signal, you take the case out and you have signal again (25% to 40%)
That´s my experience very protective case but afects the signal, thats the reason that at home where nokia an Sonyericsson devices have 50% signal strange i use crystal or silicone case, this way i don´t lose calls.
Bye
Jorge
qbom said:
it afects the radio signal in zone where the signal is poor with this case you can´t catch any signal, you take the case out and you have signal again (25% to 40%)
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I can agree there. If I put it my car holder with the case on I never get a GPS fix. If I take it out the case then I will get a GPS fix.
The case is very sturdy and protects well. I have removed the screen from the case so I can use the touch screen. Overall I am very pleased with it.
Hi,
Does any one else have an aluminium case?
Do you have any loss of reception?
I seem to loose 2 bars, and have trouble switching between 3G and HSDPA, does anyone else have these problems?
I choose this case because I needed something strong and otterbox hadn't made one yet.
Thanks all
could be. all walls surrounding your device will limit the working of it...
Simple laws of physics - metal blocks radio waves.
I had a PDair case on my past phone (HTC S740) and yes, signal strength did take a hit.
Normally this was not an issue but in areas of weak signal it sometimes made the difference between 1 bar and none.
Of course if you wrap your phone in metal, it can only be expected.
I just tried the death grip at the Bell store and the wifi indicator quickly dropped one bar. I was quite disappointed, until in a whim I tried on my N1. Lo and behold, it dropped TWO bars, not to mention it's in a quality Deodorant case. So I guess the issue has been blown out of proportion. But I do find the horrible viewing angle annoying, compared to my N1 and IS. So I'm still deciding...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Walk away from the router and try again. Not blown out of proportion at all ...
You'll notice the death grip only if u wanna see it... You'll never be disconnected untill u'r holding the phone normally, both in portrait and landscape...
But if you hold it intentionally at top right corner around camera, u'll notice death grip..
pnyppon said:
You'll notice the death grip only if u wanna see it... You'll never be disconnected untill u'r holding the phone normally, both in portrait and landscape...
But if you hold it intentionally at top right corner around camera, u'll notice death grip..
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Not so fast. Simply placing the phone down on a flat surface (screen side up) is enough to cause a significant loss in wifi signal. This signal loss is not an issue if you are very close to your router, however this is not always possible. I have noticed that this signal loss is often enough to cause unreliable wifi communication, but not enough to disconnect wifi entirely and fall back to mobile data. This results in no connectivity and missed notifications which can be quite frustrating.
The solution is to observe one or more of the following:
1) Stay close to the router.
2) Turn wifi off unless actively using it.
3) Place the phone face down instead of face up.
4) When holding the phone, keep your greasy paws away from the antenna.
Buy a rubber case with some rubber backing like the case-mate. That should solve whatever issues you have.
m918v said:
Buy a rubber case with some rubber backing like the case-mate. That should solve whatever issues you have.
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And how exactly do you propose that a rubber case will solve this issue? This isn't an iPhone 4 external antenna issue.. A case on this phone will likely cause an additional small reduction in wifi signal.
smacman said:
Not so fast. Simply placing the phone down on a flat surface (screen side up) is enough to cause a significant loss in wifi signal.
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Just tried this and it caused zero loss in wifi signal. Tried it with and without the case, no difference. So, your observation would appear to only be true for some phones or some routers.
I do see about a 20-25dB signal loss if I wrap my hand around the top of the phone, but that's easily avoided, so for me it's not a serious problem.
*something witty about this being the nine millionth thread about the death grip and how this is redundant*
Thread closed.
After a lot of testing, the four different types of cases I bought (cheapos on Amazon) have horrible degradation of signal.
GPS signal is almost entirely wiped out by all cases. Tower signal has a small, yet identifiable, loss as well. I tested both signals with Marketplace apps: "GPS Stats" and with "OpenSignal".
Any cases out there that don't have interference or are very minimalist in doing so?
Two cases that I've tried and have GPS signal loss to the maximum are:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PNAXXW/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PN7DRG/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2
How exactly do you quantify signal strength for GPS?
Sent from my Inspire 4G using the power of the dark side
Well, that's a fair point. I've based it on how many satellites I lock onto both indoors and outdoors. I let it "lock" and then wait a couple of minutes to see the number that actually stayed locked.
For example, without the case I can lock onto 7 sat's indoors, but with the case I'm currently only getting 1 sat. Outdoors, I can get 5-6 with the case and 9 constant without.
With my Otterbox Defender I see no difference in GPS or cell signal. I lock 9 says inside on or off as well as get the same signal strength for cell.
The first two shots are naked. The last two are in the Defender. That's actually the first time I ever saw double digit sats.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using the power of the dark side
The Otterbox Commuter is another good case. It might have a small amount of attenuation - a couple of months ago I did some testing and I got a lock on 8 satellites with the case on, and 9 satellites with the case off. Not enough difference to worry about, and my results may have been within the margin of error.
Thanks for the input. There are a lot of factors for GPS issues....
The Seidio innocase II works well for me...
I tried the casemate tough and it def degraded my gps signal..
Seidio case I'm in love with. My sis ran over my phone and it's fine! I've haven't had problem with the signal.
It's always good to have a good radio flashed in too.
Yeah, this ****ty case has definite issues with GPS. With the patch I provide in the Android Development, I can only get 4 sats with it maximum and it takes forever to get past 1. But, I get instant 7 with it off and gain a few more seconds later.
Now, there are two cases that look to be the same
http://www.amazon.com/Seidio-Innoca...PTB0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1316740449&sr=8-4
http://www.amazon.com/Seidio-SURFAC...RWU2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1316740449&sr=8-9
It's as if they are calling them two separate things even though they appear to be the same?
In looking at those cases, the design may be why some say it's fine with GPS. The GPS spring-connected antenna is on the backplate that holds the LED. If it's opened nicely, you get a clear shot. If it's covered with crap (as mine only has a hole for the led), it sucks. Just an assumption until I figure out which to buy.
I personally have the S-wave black case. If I need the navigation on my phone, I just take the case off. Problem solved
popupstoppa said:
I personally have the S-wave black case. If I need the navigation on my phone, I just take the case off. Problem solved
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Yeah, I'm tired of taking this case off every time I need to test my patch!
tell me about this device
singforpain said:
tell me about this device
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What about it?
FYI: The innocase is awesome!
I use the Speck Candy and have zero issue w/ either GPS or Cellular signals. My only complaint is the thin piece(specifically the plastic portion, the rubber stays in tact) at the bottom below the front bezel tends to crack, but the case is warranted for a yr. I've replaced mine for this piece breaking w/out issue at the ATT store.
The piece I'm referring to is the thin section that's against my leg in the photo.
Here's with the case on.
forgive me if it has been posted over and over again, but after some time now, has any1 actually found a real fix? from last year's thread till now, some say it's software some say hardware, some say hard case solves it but some says aluminium foil does it. some even say by simply turning on best wifi performance, it will solve it.
some others say flashing a custom rom fixes it. so what is the actual fix? tomoro im going to buy aluminium foils and run it all over the antennaes behind my back cover and see if it helps..
i've tested my sensation, yes death grip is there, but not as terrible as people had it before.
here's my test results :
ROUTER : ASUS N53SV (use connectify)
OS : WIN7 HP
distance from router, 2metres, but blocked with a wooden door (those thick and hard type).
normal holding position : full bar
cover the antennae : 4 bars (- 1 bar)
cover the antennae with 2 hands : 3~4 bar
scenario 2 : distance : 10 metres (blocked by walls and doors) (went to different room on the same floor
normal holding position : 4 bar
cover with 1 hand : 2 bar
cover with 2 hand : 1 bar
considering the fact that im using my laptop to emit wireless signal, this is not bad at all. but im still trying the aluminium foil fix tomoro. will report back
do post your methods of fixing here if you have it thx
Every smartphone has a deathgrip issue and to be honest, it doesnt affect me so much. When i cover with my hand the antenna positions, signal drops 1 line, maximum 2, but like i said, that's normal. Had this problem with 3 different phones, and i think its a general smartphone issue. In many cases people like overreacting.
But hey, thats my opinion!
i've tried my damndest to find this death grip and i just cannot...i run a speedtest and completely cover every single part of the phone with both hands and i still manage to get a 10Mb throughput...so i just don't get it
Have you got a dual band router, if so that's probably why you cant find it.
Death grip affect all of the Sensation phones whether people admit it or not. The back cover is part of the antenna, so covering it with your hand WILL drop the signal. I find it is worse with wifi. No software will fix it, no tinfoil will fix it, no ROM will fix it. Just don't clasp your hands fully around the back cover and its not a big problem.
the_scotsman said:
Death grip affect all of the Sensation phones whether people admit it or not. The back cover is part of the antenna, so covering it with your hand WILL drop the signal. I find it is worse with wifi. No software will fix it, no tinfoil will fix it, no ROM will fix it. Just don't clasp your hands fully around the back cover and its not a big problem.
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that said, some people dont experience it at all. there's a couple of youtube videos proving that. they cover the entire backside of their phone and there's no signal loss..