Is S4 Reception as Bad as S3?
MuseumCat
Enthusiast - Level 1

I have the S3 and the reception is miserable. 

  • Is the reception on the S4 any better? 
  • Is there a different Verizon phone that I should consider (maybe the HTC One)?

I don't want to make the same mistake again.  At this point, I use my S3 like a 1990 Palm Pilot.  I look up the number in my contacts and call from a landline. 

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Re: Is S4 Reception as Bad as S3?
4ktvs
Contributor - Level 1

I think its a lot better from what I have read. I know the note 2 is good and that the S4 uses a radio closer to the note 2 than S3.

Verizon will be getting a "upgraded" HTC One "soon". All I know and can say is that it's coming to Verizon. But that will be it for HTC android "flag ship" phones for the rest of the year. So if you don't like the one HTC comes out with, then it won't be till next year for them to get a new HTC android flag ship.

The X phone is also incoming, though I don't know when.

I think you would be happy with a S4, but because I don't own one yet I can't really say how well it does VS the S3 for sure. (I have an S3 and like it but I know a lot of S3 owners have had issues.)

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Re: Is S4 Reception as Bad as S3?
unclejames1
Enthusiast - Level 2

I would like to know the answer to this too. I currently have the s3 and am happy with the phone except the reception for the phone calls is horrible. I was thinking about trying to get my hands on a note 2 or the s4 and was wondering if its even worth my time?

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Re: Is S4 Reception as Bad as S3?
japetty
Specialist - Level 1

I have owned 2 Samsung S3 still have both, 1 stock VZW firmware and another with other firmware and I have never had an issue with reception and my travels are in areas of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico and I do drop calls but those areas I drop calls when going down the road at 80 MPH are issues with call switching (handing off from one tower to the next) because I can redial the call.  The S4 I have is about the same as these are beaten path for my travels with my work.  I also owned a MOTO RAZR Maxx prior to the S3's and it was not any better than the the S3's or the S4.

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Re: Is S4 Reception as Bad as S3?
PDawg2013
Contributor - Level 1

I know exactly where your coming from related to the Galaxy S3. I used to have beautiful coverage with it until VZW did two upgrades to the software and essentially broke the reception. Add on the network saturation issue they have and I just gave up on VZW after receiving 4 replacement phones and left for another cellular provider after 16 years. Not worth chancing it on another phone after signing another long term contract.

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Re: Is S4 Reception as Bad as S3?
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hi MuseumCat,

I am sad to read about the problems with your phone. I know reception is very important in keeping in touch with everyone.  How long has this been happening? Did this happen with your previous phone? I am not showing any problems with the phone in regards of reception. I would recommend pulling the sim card out for at least 60 seconds and seeing if this helps. Also, if this does not help; I would recommend replacing the sim card. Keep us posted.

Bobby_VZW
Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

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Re: Is S4 Reception as Bad as S3?
lizmn
Enthusiast - Level 2

I just got a GS4, phone reception is OK, but I get neither 3 nor 4G, and wireless isn't great either. Did fine with iPhone 4S. Tried power cycling, removing Sim card. It's frustrating enough that I'm considering ditching this device and going back to Apple. And, I love Android! But, the antenna or something on this phone sucks!

>Edited to remove profanity<

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Re: Is S4 Reception as Bad as S3?
lopez60120
Newbie

We need to make sure that Verizon Technical support is aware of this poor signal issues. I been struggling with it for 2 month and calling and calling tech support and every time its like they never heard about this. Below are a few of the sites

http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/273559-signal-strength-s4.html

http://www.galaxys4forums.net/forum/6-galaxy-s4-general-discussion/1987-poor-signal-strength.html

https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/802003

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Re: Is S4 Reception as Bad as S3?
jth2013
Newbie

Duplicate post - please visit:

https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/1027847#1027847

Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

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Re: Is S4 Reception as Bad as S3?
jth2013
Newbie

Verizon  has replaced my Galaxy S4 three times in the last 4  months in an  attempt to get a phone with good reception.  I have sat  side by side  with other Verizon customers who were using their  phones(motorolas) for  calls and for data, yet I had NO signal.  I could  not make a phone  call, send a text or use any data.  This has become a  constant problem  with the S4.  It has been the exact same on all three  S4 phones.  Can  anything be done to increase reception?

I  tried real hard to stay with the S4, but its lack of reception forced  me to a different manufacturer's device.  I am now on my 4th  phone in 5  months.  I traded in my S4 for the Motorola  Maxx.  Now, I  have signal in areas that I had none on the S4.  I am able  to use my  phone now, but I do miss the S4 for its features.  The menu,  camera and  just plain basic functionality on the Maxx is no where as  nice as on  the S4, but I can make calls where I could not with the S4. 

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