I'm a Tmobile customer who recently upgraded from Galaxy S5 to Mate 9. My new Mate 9 struggles to get a cell signal in my house, which prohibits sending/receiving texts and making/receiving calls. It mostly says Emergency Calls Only or No Service at the top of the screen. I did not have these issues with my mid-2014 device, so I'm surprised and disappointed to have them today. Could be a deal breaker in keeping the device.
Are there any settings or changes I can make within the device to improve signal strength?
That is surprising, as I've had much better reception compared to my Note 3. No settings changed, just popped in the SIM (after cutting it down to fit). But I should add that my Note 3 was an AT&T version, which did not support t-mobile's Band 12, so it's POSSIBLE that extra band has contributed to my better reception.
airplanegeek said:
I'm a Tmobile customer who recently upgraded from Galaxy S5 to Mate 9. My new Mate 9 struggles to get a cell signal in my house, which prohibits sending/receiving texts and making/receiving calls. It mostly says Emergency Calls Only or No Service at the top of the screen. I did not have these issues with my mid-2014 device, so I'm surprised and disappointed to have them today. Could be a deal breaker in keeping the device.
Are there any settings or changes I can make within the device to improve signal strength?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No wifi calling on T-Mobile doesnt help either.
---------- Post added at 03:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:11 PM ----------
dscline said:
That is surprising, as I've had much better reception compared to my Note 3. No settings changed, just popped in the SIM (after cutting it down to fit). But I should add that my Note 3 was an AT&T version, which did not support t-mobile's Band 12, so it's POSSIBLE that extra band has contributed to my better reception.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I kinda wonder if this phone actually gets band 12. There seems to be no way to see what band ur phones using and i get better reception by a lot at work and my apartment with my pixel xl than my mate 9. How can it be certified on band 12 with tmobile and not have wifi calling on tmobile?
aknotts415 said:
How can it be certified on band 12 with tmobile and not have wifi calling on tmobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see why the two would be related. My understanding is WiFi calling is a somewhat proprietary function: WiFi calling on T-mobile is different than WiFi calling on AT&T, etc., so the software to use it is specific to the carrier. Band 12 is just another band. If the phone supports it (and it's supposed to), then it should work.
I live in a somewhat poor t-mobile spot: I typically only got 1 or 2 two at home, and 1 bar, to sometimes no service in the Kroger a block away from me. With the Mate 9, I'm getting 3-4 bars in both places.
dscline said:
I don't see why the two would be related. My understanding is WiFi calling is a somewhat proprietary function: WiFi calling on T-mobile is different than WiFi calling on AT&T, etc., so the software to use it is specific to the carrier. Band 12 is just another band. If the phone supports it (and it's supposed to), then it should work.
I live in a somewhat poor t-mobile spot: I typically only got 1 or 2 two at home, and 1 bar, to sometimes no service in the Kroger a block away from me. With the Mate 9, I'm getting 3-4 bars in both places.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But with band 12 doesnt you're phone have to be certified by T-Mobile to really work on band 12? I thot it did which in turn made me thing, why would it be band 12 certifed and not have T-Mobiles wifi calling certified?
aknotts415 said:
But with band 12 doesnt you're phone have to be certified by T-Mobile to really work on band 12?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not aware of anything "special" about band 12 vs. any other band.
Yeah the exact opposite over here. Really strong signals indoor not to mention where my Nexus 6p and note 4 signals would be dead zero, I'm still able to get LTE. And yeah it does have band 12
I've tried my phone in Japan on Docomo and AU networks, and in the US on T-Mobile, and I haven't had trouble with reception at all. But obviously, this is totally subjective and is based on your location relative towers.
Total opposite for me, slightly better reception that with my previous phones.
Sent from my MHA-L29 using XDA Labs
Appreciate the feedback. I'll need to expedite a decision to either return it or hope for a resolution at some future point. Thanks!
yeap, band 12 (indoor) band sucks on my CHN 6/128 turned EU. I had a US Mate 9 and indoor reception sucked as well. My old LG V20 and Note 7 had better indoor signal.
I have 2 bars 4g where i couldn't have signal on other phones.
Related
My GS5 seems to have a very weak LTE signal. I disabled all bands except for band 25 because the phone was trying to signal hop killing the battery. My girlfriend has the Note 3 which can only pick up band 25. When my phone is right next to hers, she can have a very strong LTE signal and my GS5 will either have a very weak signal or drop down to 3G. The only LTE band in my area that's currently pretty strong is the 1900mhz band. I can barely connect to that. Anyone else having weak signal or connection issues?
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
Eckono said:
My GS5 seems to have a very weak LTE signal. I disabled all bands except for band 25 because the phone was trying to signal hop killing the battery. My girlfriend has the Note 3 which can only pick up band 25. When my phone is right next to hers, she can have a very strong LTE signal and my GS5 will either have a very weak signal or drop down to 3G. The only LTE band in my area that's currently pretty strong is the 1900mhz band. I can barely connect to that. Anyone else having weak signal or connection issues?
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've noticed the same thing.... my girlfriend has the Galaxy S3 and has better signal then me all the time... WTF?!?!?!?!?!
I'm tempted to go to the Note 3. I can deal with alot of things, but signal issues isn't 1 of them.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
s13silviaguy said:
I've noticed the same thing.... my girlfriend has the Galaxy S3 and has better signal then me all the time... WTF?!?!?!?!?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone is showing data signal hers is showing cdma 1x voice. .. please download signal check app and you will see true db of 1x 3g lte signal. .. so you can compare
Sent from my SM-G900P using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
Eckono said:
My GS5 seems to have a very weak LTE signal. I disabled all bands except for band 25 because the phone was trying to signal hop killing the battery. My girlfriend has the Note 3 which can only pick up band 25. When my phone is right next to hers, she can have a very strong LTE signal and my GS5 will either have a very weak signal or drop down to 3G. The only LTE band in my area that's currently pretty strong is the 1900mhz band. I can barely connect to that. Anyone else having weak signal or connection issues?
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Signal bars lie. Do this on both of your samsung phones:
Go in to your phone app, and dial ##DEBUG#
Enter 777468 for your lock code
Select LTE Engineering
Go down to RSRP. The number next to RSRP shown in dBm is your LTE signal strength.
Compare numbers.
I did this vs my wife's iPhone 5 and found that although her signal indicator was showing 3-4 more bars than my s5 we both actually had the same signal strength.
Thanks I'll do that asap. The only reason I'm thinking something is wrong is because in areas I had 4G all the time on my Note 3 and S4 I'm barely get 4G or I'll drop to 3G. Then when I'm watching YouTube, if I stop a video , fast forward, or rewind, if I'm on cellular I can never get the video to play back. I get the error tap to retry. But when on WiFi I can I can.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
Eckono said:
Thanks I'll do that asap. The only reason I'm thinking something is wrong is because in areas I had 4G all the time on my Note 3 and S4 I'm barely get 4G or I'll drop to 3G. Then when I'm watching YouTube, if I stop a video , fast forward, or rewind, if I'm on cellular I can never get the video to play back. I get the error tap to retry. But when on WiFi I can I can.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You also have to read about cfbs and triband phones ... which can cause the data issues
Sent from my SM-N900P using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
well if i dont remember note 3 and s3 dont use the spark network and the s5 does soo,.,.its prob a bad spark connection they are still upgrading the towers ..
The s5 signal bar shows data strength instead of voice strength
When you make a phone call, it switches to the voice signal strength, which is why it seems to get higher all of a sudden
-Sent from Tapatalk
Eckono said:
My GS5 seems to have a very weak LTE signal. I disabled all bands except for band 25 because the phone was trying to signal hop killing the battery. My girlfriend has the Note 3 which can only pick up band 25. When my phone is right next to hers, she can have a very strong LTE signal and my GS5 will either have a very weak signal or drop down to 3G. The only LTE band in my area that's currently pretty strong is the 1900mhz band. I can barely connect to that. Anyone else having weak signal or connection issues?
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you disable certain bands? I want to try it as well as something seems to be killing my battery. Thanks
Yea, in the last year I have had an iphone 5, Note2, and Note3. New Orleans is newly upgraded to LTE (not yet Spark), and coverage was great on those three phones. This S5, however, constantly switches from LTE to 3G in areas where the other three phones stayed on LTE. It also drops to no data at all way too often in areas where data is fine. (I play Ingress, so I am VERY familiar with the signal capabilities all over town)
Is there any hope of this phone's signal strength being improved with software updates? Will Spark make a difference when it hits New Orleans?
This piece of garbage is pretty pathetic signal-wise compared to my other devices I've recently used. I've got Sprint to agree to a phone swap, but if that's not going to make a difference, perhaps I should just go back to my Note3.
I have this phone it does drop lte alot plus I have spark. But I have an offer to trade for a note 3 idk if I want ..I like yhe fingerprint scanner but this signal is boo boo ....
gregg37 said:
Yea, in the last year I have had an iphone 5, Note2, and Note3. New Orleans is newly upgraded to LTE (not yet Spark), and coverage was great on those three phones. This S5, however, constantly switches from LTE to 3G in areas where the other three phones stayed on LTE. It also drops to no data at all way too often in areas where data is fine. (I play Ingress, so I am VERY familiar with the signal capabilities all over town)
Is there any hope of this phone's signal strength being improved with software updates? Will Spark make a difference when it hits New Orleans?
This piece of garbage is pretty pathetic signal-wise compared to my other devices I've recently used. I've got Sprint to agree to a phone swap, but if that's not going to make a difference, perhaps I should just go back to my Note3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldnt worry about the phone swap. I skeptically did it to see if it would work and ended up wasting an hour in ths store. between my friends and family we have 4 GS5s that all have the same issues.
None of your previous phones were triband. They only could connect to 1900mhz LTE. The GS5 is a triband phone, aka spark, that can connect to 800/1900/2600mhz LTE. Unfortunately there are issues with the software on the towers (search eCSFB) that changes you between bands. I have turned off band 41 and it has helped a lot even tho my area is a "spark" area. I turn it back on once in a while to see if things are fixed.
There have been complaints that the GS5 has worse connectivity because of the water resistant design compared to phones such as the GS4. its really only a couple dbm from what i have seen when looking at actual signal values from engineering screens and when comparing the same band of LTE.
As far as shutting off bands, you will need your MSL code. you can either get it from a sprint rep (all i did was ask) or you can use the MSL reader here
tools.flashingtools.com
use dialer code ##3282# and go to edit. enter your MSL code and go to LTE. turn off B41 and restart your phone.
Shiftlock said:
As far as shutting off bands, you will need your MSL code. you can either get it from a sprint rep (all i did was ask) or you can use the MSL reader here
tools.flashingtools.com
use dialer code ##3282# and go to edit. enter your MSL code and go to LTE. turn off B41 and restart your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Shiftlock! This is the kind of help I was hoping for. I'll give that a try!
:good:
Shiftlock said:
use dialer code ##3282# and go to edit. enter your MSL code and go to LTE. turn off B41 and restart your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I've got this turned off. Will it persist through resets and restarts? Or will I have to keep turning it off?
(have to remember to bookmark this so I remember how to turn it back on when Spark hits New Orleans, which I think is somewhat soon)
gregg37 said:
Ok I've got this turned off. Will it persist through resets and restarts? Or will I have to keep turning it off?
(have to remember to bookmark this so I remember how to turn it back on when Spark hits New Orleans, which I think is somewhat soon)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes this will stay until you either change it back or do a system update. I noticed that nd2 changed it back. You may want to check it after clearing data/cache if you flash any mods or roms. Luckily the msl won't change so it's easy enough to fix if needed
I'm getting LTE coverage in places I wouldn't with my s4. The data is definitely better
-Sent from Tapatalk
eyecon82 said:
I'm getting LTE coverage in places I wouldn't with my s4. The data is definitely better
-Sent from Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better because of turning off band 41 or just comparing the S5 to the S4?
CCallahan said:
Better because of turning off band 41 or just comparing the S5 to the S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess we'll never know....
(mine still sucks after trying that, btw)
I remember reading about phones like Moto X (2014) and Droid Turbo not being able to use simultaneous voice and data unless they're in a VoLTE area since they don't have separate antennas like the Note 4 and many others others do.
Will Samsung Galaxy S6 have simultaneous voice and data no matter if it's in a VoLTE or 3G area?
Of course it will.Only on 3G or LTE (LTE switches back to 3G when a call is initiated), but it will.
Szadzik said:
Of course it will.Only on 3G or LTE (LTE switches back to 3G when a call is initiated), but it will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it'll have two separate antennas then like the Note 4?
livinginavacuum said:
So it'll have two separate antennas then like the Note 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea how it is done technically, but I do not imagine a high-end phone not allowing voice and data at the same time, unless it is called an iPhone, of course.
I mentioned Moto X (2014) and Droid Turbo in the OP. Those are both high end phones.
I also remember reading that having one antenna is what most manufactures will be going for in the near future when I was researching the Droid Turbo.
no phone will have two antennas anymore (i doubt anyway) because carriers are now moving towards Voice over LTE, so unless you're in a VoLTE area, no.
tft said:
no phone will have two antennas anymore (i doubt anyway) because carriers are now moving towards Voice over LTE, so unless you're in a VoLTE area, no.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to still have my fingers crossed that we'll have two antennas in the S6 since the Note 4, which is a relatively recent phone from Samsung, had them incorporated.
Of course, if you're 100% sure (and perhaps have some type of proof?) that the S6 will only have one antenna and not be capable of simultaneous voice and data in a non-4G LTE area then I will take your word for it and be a sad puppy.
livinginavacuum said:
I'm going to still have my fingers crossed that we'll have two antennas in the S6 since the Note 4, which is a relatively recent phone from Samsung, had them incorporated.
Of course, if you're 100% sure (and perhaps have some type of proof?) that the S6 will only have one antenna and not be capable of simultaneous voice and data in a non-4G LTE area then I will take your word for it and be a sad puppy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well it more or less depends on the carrier too. verizion seems to retain dual antennas on their phones, where as sprint on the other hand, not so much. the note 4 for example has dual radios, but iirc you can't use both on sprint at the same time, at least not until they fully enable volte.
the Note Edge came out at the same time as the Note 4 and iirc, it does not have dual antennas, so who knows..
tft said:
well it more or less depends on the carrier too. verizion seems to retain dual antennas on their phones, where as sprint on the other hand, not so much. the note 4 for example has dual radios, but iirc you can't use both on sprint at the same time, at least not until they fully enable volte.
the Note Edge came out at the same time as the Note 4 and iirc, it does not have dual antennas, so who knows..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing. Verizon's Moto X (2014) and Droid Turbo both have only one antenna... BUT as already discussed the Note 4 had retained dual antennas so I'm hopeful that Samsung did the same with the S6.
Unlikely that S6 can do SVLTE because the FCC test docs say as much and because VZW is moving toward VoLTE the need is not there. 5.1 Android has the VoLTE switch built in.
With GSM providers its a little different for example ATT will drop you to HSPA+ during a call to support Data/Voice if a call came to your phone.
Its a loss, yes, but for the OEMs it reduces cost and perhaps saves some battery life.
my 2 cents
equake said:
Unlikely that S6 can do SVLTE because the FCC test docs say as much and because VZW is moving toward VoLTE the need is not there. 5.1 Android has the VoLTE switch built in.
With GSM providers its a little different for example ATT will drop you to HSPA+ during a call to support Data/Voice if a call came to your phone.
Its a loss, yes, but for the OEMs it reduces cost and perhaps saves some battery life.
my 2 cents
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, no SVLTE. Says so right on the docs.
Definitely a shame, but that is the trend for CDMA carriers these days. HTC m9 is the same way.
Correct.
For example on my factory unlocked Galaxy Alpha 850M which is on Metro PCS/Tmobile
and has ALL the 3G and LTE Bands for Tmo - the phone says LTE in the Display but as soon as I make a call it drops to 3G H or H+ AND I do have simultaneous Voice and Data 98% of the time but NOT VoLTE.
Metro and Tmo Branded phones have VoLTE so you always have voice and data AND you have voice and LTE Data Simultaneously- this is Software enabled by or for the specific Carrier.
The one handicap of a factory unlocked phone no one ever mentions.....
Has anyone figured out how to get rid of that notification for when you can't use your data while talking on the phone? This happens always when I'm driving and using navigation (waze) and it's pretty annoying.
robertkoa said:
Correct.
For example on my factory unlocked Galaxy Alpha 850M which is on Metro PCS/Tmobile
and has ALL the 3G and LTE Bands for Tmo - the phone says LTE in the Display but as soon as I make a call it drops to 3G H or H+ AND I do have simultaneous Voice and Data 98% of the time but NOT VoLTE.
Metro and Tmo Branded phones have VoLTE so you always have voice and data AND you have voice and LTE Data Simultaneously- this is Software enabled by or for the specific Carrier.
The one handicap of a factory unlocked phone no one ever mentions.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having a problem with my USCC S6 with this. They do not have voLTE yet. I was able to use data during calls with my S4 & S5 but I can't with the S6.
Any news on getting data and calls to work simultaneous? Very disappointed that this happen coming from the s4.. Is it physically impossible because of the hardware? I'm just starting my search on this issue so bare with me..
The OnePlus 6 has band 71 which is T-Mobile's new band. I read that the future 6T will have a version sold through T-Mobile that is"optimized for TMobile." I'm curious what is meant by optimized for TMobile. Any thoughts?
I'm very interested in this, but I've never owned a one plus device. One question that I have for one plus owners is how fast does one plus update their os to the newest android version? I know you can have P beta on the 6 which is really quick. Has it always been like this? And do you think since this phone will be on tmobile, would that make the update slower then the global version?
All it means is t-mobile will tweak the modem. And as for band 71 unless you are in a rural area don't expect much from it. It won't give you amazing speed it willl allow for better signal in buildings and other areas that cause signal difficulties.
nujackk said:
All it means is t-mobile will tweak the modem. And as for band 71 unless you are in a rural area don't expect much from it. It won't give you amazing speed it willl allow for better signal in buildings and other areas that cause signal difficulties.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I don't live in a rural area, but I did start working in a rural area, and my tmobile sucks, but I did notice there's some tmobile network that I can't access. I'm only allowed to be in their partners network. I wonder if that tmobile network is band 71. I currently have a s7 edge. Is there anyway to find out if that's really band 71?
fredox19 said:
Well, I don't live in a rural area, but I did start working in a rural area, and my tmobile sucks, but I did notice there's some tmobile network that I can't access. I'm only allowed to be in their partners network. I wonder if that tmobile network is band 71. I currently have a s7 edge. Is there anyway to find out if that's really band 71?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible that it is, but since you can't connect only way to check is t-mobiles map or call them and ask if it's in the area they won't mind, but may be in hold a while.
The OP6 will connect to 71, I have when passing thru area that had it.
And main reason it's rural areas right now is that's where they've been able to get the tvv stains to clear the bandwidth first and where it's most needed.
Should start to see it Lot more in bigger cities next year. T-Mobile working with them to speed it up
Hello, so I'm currently looking to replace my phone and the only phone that fits my needs is the z6. My only concern is comparability with tmo. Do any z6 owners use tmo? And if so, how is the lte? If anyone can help I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
My last phone was oneplus 3, and I'd say speed is about on par, both get LTE. But no voLTE for zenfone. There are places where I'm getting receptions and oneplus 3 didn't. I don't think you will notice much difference, unless you are in a place where band 71 is normal.
I get better data speeds than my gfs Galaxy s9. I'm in Chicago
For the most part it's ok speeds could be a tad faster at times but 90% of the time coverage and speeds are fine
No volte or wifi calling
Sent from my Asus Zenfone 6 using Tapatalk
works well with TMobile
All good for me. As above, only thing is missing volte and wifi calling. Using the phone successfully on tmo in Southern California and roaming in Taiwan and China.
Hi all,
Recently I've had the Pixel 7 Pro, S22 Ultra and S23+ and every phone has issues keeping a 5G signal. I use AT&T and my iPhone 14 Pro Max holds 5G just fine. In the same exact spot with the Android phones I will get full bars and 5G will work for a few minutes and then stop. Signal bar stays full but no data will pass. I have a brand new SIM with each phone I've tried but it seems to be an issue with Android and the cell network from what I can gather. Restarting the phone does not help but switching in and out of airplane mode will do the trick for a few minutes. My cell plan is the highest tier plan that includes 5G. I use Android 13, OneUI 5.1 on the S23+.
Anyone else having a similar issue?
If you want to enjoy 5G service, actual coverage matters. Check your carrier's website to see if they offer a location-based breakdown of which towers they utilize for their 5G signal. You can also look at third-party apps like OpenSignal or Cellmapper.net, which use crowdsourced databases to pinpoint 5G towers near you.
jwoegerbauer said:
If you want to enjoy 5G service, actual coverage matters. Check your carrier's website to see if they offer a location-based breakdown of which towers they utilize for their 5G signal. You can also look at third-party apps like OpenSignal or Cellmapper.net, which use crowdsourced databases to pinpoint 5G towers near you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the response. I have narrowed this down to a tower issue. Where I work we have a cell site installed by AT&T just for our building due to coverage issues inside. Anytime I am away from work, 5G and 5G+ are both working great. We have placed a call to AT&T to see if they can come and see what's going on. The only weird thing is that the iPhone 14 will hold 5G and work fine in our building but not the Android phone.
Thanks again.