Samsung Stratosphere Call Quality

[h_jack]

I got my Stratosphere yesterday and today I just tried to make a call.

It continuously cut out on me, the call time growing shorter and shorter each time. One seven some minutes, then five and then finally two.

I'm really hoping this is just some bad luck/personal phone issues and not a serious phone issue.

Anyone else have this problem? I just upgraded from an original Motorola Droid and if the Stratosphere can't make calls, I'm going to have to make a return and just wait until I can afford the Droid 3.

Any advice or should I just suck it up?

[#2]

Hi h.jack:

We don't want you to suffer through poor call quality.I have some questions that will help us reach a resolution.  When you're experiencing the audio cutting out, do you have a good signal?  Are you using any Bluetooth or headset devices when having the issue? Does this only happen when speaking to the same people? Does this happen in the same area?

A general troubleshooting step would be to pull the battery for 20-30 seconds and retest.

Please feel free to update us on your issue and/or post the answers to the questions above.

Regards,

MikeS_VZW

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[nana51]

I have had the same issue. There are calls I get that I have trouble understanding what the person is saying. The phone does what I call "warbling." The reception cuts in and out. So I get the 1st few words fine.  Then the reception fades a bit so the next so many words are muffled. It doesn't happen all the time, but enough that it's frustrating. And to "pre" answer questions from MikeS_VZW....it's not always in the same place nor the same people. And no headset is involved. I took it to Verizon and they did the battery pull reset stuff and it didn't help

[j_c_raph]

I have been having this problem since the day I got my stratosphere as well. I have tried using a headset, not using a headset, using speakerphone, using indoors, using outdoors. The sound is fine on my end, but it pops and screeches in the ear of the person I call. I did not purchase a smart phone to only use as a very small tablet. A smart phone that cannot call is not very "smart". I bought this 17 days ago and have had constant problems. I am tired of having to delete everything off of my phone, only to find out that it didn't fix the problem. As this seems to be a common problem (and not one I have had on any previous smartphone) what is the window for trading it for something else that can actually make phone calls?

[kittens]

I am on my 5th stratosphere phone! Today I will be taking this one back & getting something completely different!!!! When trying to make or receive a call I get squeeking feedback, like a fax machine & people I'm talking to can't hear me.  Thank God the people at Best Buy have been so helpful & understanding. I have honestly given the phone a chance, by trying 5 & having the same problem with each one! The people I am talking to say it sounds like I'm talking through a fan, so that would be the warbling sound. I can use it for everything BUT a phone. I recommend everyone take theirs back & get something different as I am going to do today! Do NOT GET THIS PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nana51]

hmm, I haven't had any comments from people about MY voice. My issues are with hearing them on my end. I'll have to ask people when I talk to them, if they can hear me ok.  Like I said, no one has commented.

The window for a new phone or to switch to another one is 14 days. Today is my 14th day and I am torn. My calls don't seem as bad as others. After 14 days, they'll work w/you to fix the one you have. I see where if people complian enough, they will let them get a refurbished phone. But now  you've paid alot of $$ for a refurb.

[Dave-in-Decatur]

I have to say that I've made a number of calls with my Stratosphere without having any of the problems that some people have had. It seems to be a real problem, but not one that occurs with every phone -- though if you've been through 5 of them, there must be a lot of bad phones out there. As one whose Stratosphere has worked fine as a phone and in other ways, I'm happy with it. It's the only game in (Verizon) town for an Android 4G phone with a physical keyboard. But I sure couldn't blame anybody who was having that kind of trouble with it for wanting to ditch it and get something that worked right.

[kittens]

I bought my phone at Best Buy,& they have been awesome with working with me. They have heard the noises & poor quality of calls on my phones. They have a 60 day return policy. I love the keyboard, but after 5 phones I'm done. This last one actually worked good for almost 2 weeks & I was getting really excited that I finally had one that worked.... Not so much, the noise started 2 days ago & continued intermittently throughout the past day.  Being a Verizon customer for 10 years, this is the first time I have ever had a problem with a phone.

[itzmando]

Hello,

   It seems this isn't a very huge issue in the community, but my younger sister and mother just recently upgraded as did I. They both upgraded to the Samsung Stratosphere in mid-December 2011, and I changed to a Galaxy Nexus. Over the past week they both have suffered horrible call quality on the 3G network since 4G hasn't deployed in our county. When I call them or anyone else for that matter clear sound lasts for 2mins. MAX, than a high pitch screeching sound in the background making it difficult to hear the other caller off their phones. They have tried doing the battery pull, reboot, both have a 3-4bar signal strength on 3G. Turn off 4G radios and just have it on 3G(CDMA network). Very disappointing that we upgraded and now they can barely make clear phone calls, Samsung needs to fix this, along with Verizon not charging to get a refurb. phone.

[vanessas_vzw]

Good morning j_c_raph, and all other community members.  Thank you for all of your responses, as it helps us see and understand what's going on so we can work towards a resolution. 

I know it's upsetting to have a newer phone with audio issues.  It's definitely an unpleasant surprise.

I was able to do some research, and I see this has been lifted up as an issue in some areas.  Temporarily, you can can remove the Voice Privacy Setting, then restart the phone, and this will help fix the audio issues.  Again, this is only a temporary solution, as our product team works on a permanent solution.

Voice Privacy:

• Menu
• Settings
• Call Settings
• Un-check Voice Privacy
• Restart Phone

Also, you can take advantage of our Worry Free Guarantee return/ exchange policy within 14 days of purchasing your new device.  (Indirect dealers, such as Best Buy, may have different return/ exchange policies.)  If the device needs to be replaced after the 14 days, it will be covered under the manufacturer's warranty with a Certified Like-New replacement of the same device.

Thank you,

VanessaS_VZW

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