Loving this Galaxy S III

**Airb330** · 07-19-2012, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by TWX

How is the reception on the VZ GS3?? I am contemplating picking one up using my upgrade, but heard that Sammy's have bad reception on CDMA. How would the reception compare to an iPhone or Moto Razr?

I hope that tower is back on track in your home town! What a long process it has been for you.

I just got my S3 a few days ago but so far reception seems fine. My house and even outside in my development and my one work project never had 3G coverage, but the S3 picks up 4G. I haven't dropped any calls. It sounds a little better than the iPhone 4, but I can't really compare decibels to decibels as my S3 is in 4G coverage most of the time. I'll know more as I travel around and visit more weak areas, as sadly many areas in DE, PA and S.NJ are for me (most of my work project locations, my moms, my in-laws, my brother in laws house are all marginal i.e. -99db or so levels) and I'll PM you.

There are 1-2 areas where 4G drops off to 3G, but even the Verizon maps do show it as a mix of spotty solid red and extended, so I think its the network, not the phone. The odd part of those areas is, I know the tower I am connected to, and if I am getting 3G on PCS from it, why the hell can't I receive 4G off the the same location on 700? Verizon's LTE should, but alas, still doesn't match 1X coverage...even with all of the towers in an area having LTE panels active. Just as BCLToys here on hofo as stated, it seems like they are artificially limiting the signal--in Delaware and south New Jersey it seems the 4G signal won't go past 2 miles, even though 1X routinely goes 4 miles here on 850.

**jasaero** · 07-20-2012, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by TWX

How is the reception on the VZ GS3?? I am contemplating picking one up using my upgrade, but heard that Sammy's have bad reception on CDMA. How would the reception compare to an iPhone or Moto Razr?

This tends to be the claim. I also would be particularly interested in the S3's reception compared to the iPhone. I think Moto might usually have atleast a 1X voice advantage in weak coverage, but not sure about 3g fringe signal downloading? iPhone I think is a better comparison to hear though.

**ShortSxit** · 07-20-2012, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by jasaero

This tends to be the claim. I also would be particularly interested in the S3's reception compared to the iPhone. I think Moto might usually have atleast a 1X voice advantage in weak coverage, but not sure about 3g fringe signal downloading? iPhone I think is a better comparison to hear though.

I think it was FAU's review that said the reception is *much* better than typical Sammy's (like the Nexus). Not quite up to Motos, but pretty good nonetheless. And while the dBs weren't quite as good, the speed blew Moto out of the water.

**FAUguy** · 07-20-2012, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by ShortSxit

I think it was FAU's review that said the reception is *much* better than typical Sammy's (like the Nexus). Not quite up to Motos, but pretty good nonetheless. And while the dBs weren't quite as good, the speed blew Moto out of the water.

This was between the GS III, Razr Maxx, and the Rezound.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...8#post14865088

**jasaero** · 07-20-2012, 03:18 PM

Yep, had seen that. That was mostly an LTE comparison though correct? I would be curious to see 3G and 1X voice compared and have the iPhone added to the mix since it's probably the largest threat to the SIII and really only competes with it on 3G and 1X.

I say this partially because I am starting to wonder if some manufacturers are now doing things with antenna designs that maybe compromise the 3g/1x in favor of LTE. Won't really be easy to tell though really until we have various phones with the same baseband and such I suppose.

**Climb14er** · 07-20-2012, 04:14 PM

The overall reception and voice quality of the S3 is fine. However, it's not as good as the Motorola products, most of which shine when it comes to phone quality.

Using the X2 as an example, I average -72 to -84 Db at the house. This is very good reception.

With the S3, I'm averaging -86 to -103 Db... which is not as good.

Same tower.

**jasaero** · 07-20-2012, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Climb14er

The overall reception and voice quality of the S3 is fine. However, it's not as good as the Motorola products, most of which shine when it comes to phone quality.

Using the X2 as an example, I average -72 to -84 Db at the house. This is very good reception.

With the S3, I'm averaging -86 to -103 Db... which is not as good.

Same tower.

This CDMA or LTE numbers? X2 will report ONLY CDMA. SIII should report for whatever mode you are in. ICS reports LTE correctly.

**Trocks797** · 07-20-2012, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by jasaero

This CDMA or LTE numbers? X2 will report ONLY CDMA. SIII should report for whatever mode you are in. ICS reports LTE correctly.

Truthfully, you need to subtract 23 db from your LTE reading to get the equivalent CDMA reading (on Verizon). For example, -102 LTE is the same as -79 CDMA (again, on Verizon).

**jasaero** · 07-20-2012, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Trocks797

Truthfully, you need to subtract 23 db from your LTE reading to get the equivalent CDMA reading (on Verizon). For example, -102 LTE is the same as -79 CDMA (again, on Verizon).

Interesting. Was not aware of all those specifics, but yeah didn't really think you could compare LTE to CDMA signal numbers. Don't really even know for sure if you are on the same tower for them to be comparable anyhow and they will come through different antennas on some phones also I am guessing.

But all this was the reason I asked what I did. The numbers he is reporting seem to match up with what you are pointing out here for SIMILAR signals if the SIII numbers were LTE and not CDMA. I don't really think it's fair to compare an LTE signal to a CDMA one in general though as depending on your area, even if the tower is a similar distance and has both CDMA and LTE stuff on it, you may have only 1900mhz CDMA spectrum available in your area, while LTE will be 700mhz and over the same distance it's not at all fair to compare the signals you are getting between those two.

Just was confirming he was posting an apples to apples comparison and has either disabled LTE or is in a 3G ONLY area.

**Trocks797** · 07-20-2012, 05:13 PM

Ah, I see. If both LTE and CDMA are on a tower, you should be pulling both LTE and CDMA from that one tower. Obviously, the levels will vary for each one, but my purpose was to let others know that, for example, a -110 LTE signal is not all that bad. In fact, I just did this test in my office chair a few minutes ago:

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There was less than a minute between the readings and I was stationary, but you can clearly see the different readings for each service. Both CDMA and LTE are on this tower. It isn't a strict 20 or 23 db lower, but 20-23 db is a very good estimate.

**dmaxfan** · 07-20-2012, 07:55 PM

Ics measures sigbal different then gb iirc. When my razr got ics, i thought the signal was low. When i got the s3 i was afraid i had messed up, but after looking at the razr that my wife now has, i get the same signal, even a little better in some areas

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy SIII

**jasaero** · 07-20-2012, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by dmaxfan

Ics measures sigbal different then gb iirc. When my razr got ics, i thought the signal was low. When i got the s3 i was afraid i had messed up, but after looking at the razr that my wife now has, i get the same signal, even a little better in some areas

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy SIII

Yeah, GB only reported CDMA signal, even it it said LTE, it was reporting CDMA numbers.

**jasaero** · 07-20-2012, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Trocks797

Ah, I see. If both LTE and CDMA are on a tower, you should be pulling both LTE and CDMA from that one tower. Obviously, the levels will vary for each one, but my purpose was to let others know that, for example, a -110 LTE signal is not all that bad. In fact, I just did this test in my office chair a few minutes ago:

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There was less than a minute between the readings and I was stationary, but you can clearly see the different readings for each service. Both CDMA and LTE are on this tower. It isn't a strict 20 or 23 db lower, but 20-23 db is a very good estimate.

Yep, and I suspect this is what is creating Climb14er's impression his X2 has a better signal. Unless of course, like I said he only has 3G in his area.

**piper28** · 07-23-2012, 01:18 PM

My personal experience on signal quality (coming from a DX), is that the S3 isn't quite as good, but for me, it's adequate. At work, I've found a few spots in the basement that I got coverage (CDMA) that I can't get anything now, but then, quite honestly, most people in our basement get no signal at all on anyone, I always got surprised looks when my phone would ring. So I'd guess that you're going to find some spots that were fringe areas on something like a DX that you won't get reception on the S3, but once I've had reception, I've had no problems with it. One thing that is kinda annoying is that I can get 4G almost anywhere in my work building - except the basement and my office. Everywhere else in the building I seem to get decent LTE. Reception was something I was pretty worried about because of the rep Samsung has, but it's turned out decent enough for me so far.