Verizon confirms Galaxy Nexus signal problems, fix in the works

posted by Michael H. / Dec 19, 2011, 1:03 PM

Verizon confirms Galaxy Nexus signal problems, fix in the works

Some Verizon Galaxy Nexus users have been seeing problems with mobile signal strength since its release, and Verizon has now confirmed there is an issue, it is being investigated, and there is a fix in the works.

Some Verizon Galaxy Nexus users have been seeing issues with switching between 3G and 4G, as well as troubles with signal strength. The outcry has been pretty loud although the problems seem to be hitting just a minority of users, which is what we've seen with plenty of other issues, including various iPhone bugs. There is a workaround to the problems, which is to switch airplane mode on and off, which usually fixes the issue for a bit, but now Verizon has confirmed that a proper fix is in the works.

There has been no word on when the fix may be pushed, but there is hope that it will be part of the 4.0.3 update that is in the works.

Of course, we'd like to note that signal bars are something of a myth anyway, or perhaps a psychological placebo. The cell signals are digital, so they are either there or not. The bars are more of a probability indicator than an actual signal indicator. You may be relatively more likely to lose service with lower bars, but the quality of the service you get should be the same. That's why Apple was able to "fix" its signal strength problem by simply changing how it calculated how many bars were shown. It's quite possible that the fix from Google will be something similar.

source: Verizon Support via The Verge

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32 Comments

1. Jay_F

Posts: 236; Member since: Nov 29, 2011

Hmmmm... signalstrengthgate? lol

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:05 PM 3

5. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

Haha that would be funny if they started calling it that... Apple would probably sue for copying ;)

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:22 PM 4

22. jogutier

Posts: 324; Member since: Feb 12, 2010

It still baffles me how Verizon consistently put out phones that have signal strength. WTH VERIZON!!!!

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 4:01 PM 1

2. tacohunter

Posts: 408; Member since: Nov 06, 2011

bloodline, there are no issues.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:09 PM 1

3. RORYREVOLUTION

Posts: 3131; Member since: Jan 12, 2010

At least its not causing dropped calls. It isnt even cutting the data network. Even when i have zero bars the data still runs fine. Glad they are aware of it and a fix is coming.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:09 PM 2

4. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

Yeah I have wondered if it was just displaying a lower signal even though the signal is fine... I definitely show 1-2 less bars than I did on my Thunderbolt in the same areas but even with 2 bars of LTE last night I was pulling 25mbps download 8-9 upload.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:22 PM 3

9. RORYREVOLUTION

Posts: 3131; Member since: Jan 12, 2010

Yea when i had the razr i was getting 5 bars in my area wgere with the nexus its 2. I havent noticed any data speeds difference however. Now with Sprint, yea thats another story lol

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:43 PM 3

15. MichaelHeller

Posts: 2734; Member since: May 26, 2011

That's the way it is. The signal bars are something of a myth anyway, or perhaps a psychological placebo. The cell signals are digital, so they are either there or not. The bars are more of a probability indicator than an actual signal indicator. You may be relatively more likely to lose service with lower bars, but the quality of the service you get should be the same. That's why Apple was able to "fix" its signal strength problem by simply changing how many bars were shown.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 2:44 PM 0

16. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

Interesting. I never knew that, but it makes sense. I have noticed before that if i'm doing something requiring a good connection usually by the time my brain says "I wonder what my bars say because this seems to be going slow" that's when the signal bars reflect the slower connection... Michael, I don't know if you have always been a writer here because honestly before I started noticing your articles I never looked at the author but I have to say I have been impressed with both your articles and participation in the comments section.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 2:52 PM 1

21. MichaelHeller

Posts: 2734; Member since: May 26, 2011

I started here in May. Glad you're enjoying it as much as I am!

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 3:40 PM 2

32. kpfirefighter

Posts: 160; Member since: Sep 20, 2011

So do you think the update will fix the signal strength issues? I can understand the 4g can come and go. But, my 3g isn't even performing like it should. I have no to 1 bar in my house and all the other cell phone have a way better 3g singnal strength. I mean my nexus is really SLOW!! my sister's iphone smokes it!!

posted on Dec 20, 2011, 11:36 AM 0

6. Phullofphil

Posts: 1831; Member since: Feb 10, 2009

I am not wondering about if I it a bad phone. Is any body else's phone way to choppy everywhere especially for the hardware that's on the phone

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:37 PM 0

7. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

I honestly haven't had any lag at all... If you are experiencing choppiness I would take it back to the store.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:39 PM 3

8. DROIDX0430

Posts: 469; Member since: Nov 24, 2010

Samsung isn't known for strong signals on any of there phones---Only beautiful displays---and very thin/light phones...The Fascinate (3G) and Charge (LTE) signals were horrible on the ones I've owned. As for the signal on the Nexus--Not surprised at all---I'm beginning to think it's the LTE network---Not any of the phones I've owned (LTE)--Charge, Thunderbolt or Bionic stayed connected to the LTE network--The signal bounces between white an blue to NO signal at all--So the problem can't be the manufacturer's problem---I'm talking Samsung, HTC and Motorola--I'm beginning to think that the LTE network needs more work....the OTA update I received last week that was supposed to fix the signal issue on the Bionic is not fixed.....I'm having even more problems staying connected to LTE than before I received the OTA. I played with the Nexus last Thursday in Dallas. The Nexus did not display a LTE signal--only a weak 3G signal--once I took the phone off of WIFI--as the store had the phone on WIFI to speed up the connection....I walked around the store--The Thunderbolt, Bionic, RAZR were all on LTE, except the Nexus....Just my take--Beautiful phone and display though--and the ICS UI is amazing...

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:40 PM 3

10. nastynaps

Posts: 93; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

So it sounds like most who posted are experiencing a problem and every review i read makes mention of a problem which leads me to believe the problem is beyond an isolated issue.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:57 PM 0

11. gomulkaaa

Posts: 42; Member since: Sep 02, 2011

This is what happens when you buy a phone as soon as it's released....that and overpay through the roof.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 1:59 PM 2

12. Bert1

Posts: 4; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

I think that MR. DROIDX0430 is on point. I had the Thunderbolt for a few months and had some serious issues. I would go from 4g to 3g then 1x over and over again. It would try all kind of fixes to include taking out the 4g simm card, placing the phone in airplane mode and rebooting the phone just like the tech's on the would suggest but the problem immediately came back after 20 minutes. I also tried Dialing #4636#*#* and switching from "LTE mode" then "CDMA + LTE/EvDo auto" and so on. I think that Verizon knows about these issues but they aren't addressing them. Am I holding the phone the wrong way?

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 2:11 PM 1

13. LewsTherin006

Posts: 140; Member since: Nov 18, 2011

It has to be the network, the GSM nexus hasnt had any problems like this to my knowledge.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 2:13 PM 1

14. MichaelHeller

Posts: 2734; Member since: May 26, 2011

There were rumors that Ice Cream Sandwich had compatibility issues with LTE, which is why the phone was delayed until the 4.0.2 patch was made, so this could be an extension of those problems.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 2:38 PM 0

17. pdub73

Posts: 33; Member since: Nov 25, 2008

I've posted facts to the contrary on a couple of sites, I had a Droid X before I got the Nexus, and I work at an airport, a 75 year old airport in the midst of a huge renovation...so I would get 3 or 4 bars in some areas and 1, 2 or NO bars in others...sometimes I would have 2 bars or more and youtube wouldn't even load, or text messages would fail...so I get the Nexus power it up and notice in my house where my DX gets 4 bars i'm struggling to get 1 bar on the Nexus...I go to work and with only a 3G signal and NO BARS I'm streaming Pandora, Netflix, and youtube with no buffering or pauses..maybe i'm just lucky that mine works or maybe the problem is based on phones in certain markets...but I'm very happy with the nexus...

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 3:01 PM 1

18. tedkord

Posts: 17478; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

This is why Verizon will always fail - they don't know the proper way to address an issue with one of their phones: STEP 1: Deny there is any issue STEP 2: Blame the users for holding it wrong. STEP 3: Claim that ALL cellphones have the issue, produce a video showing this. STEP 4: Offer a bandaid solution (like a case) that sidesteps the issue, while still denying the issue exists, even though all phones suffer from it because it's a law of physics. STEP 5: Repeat as necessary if bleating stops.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 3:06 PM 2

20. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

You mean Apple I'm sure.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 3:13 PM 4

19. jeffbass2x

Posts: 1; Member since: Dec 19, 2011

Verizon rep I talked to this morning said they are expecting an update in March....let's hope we don't have to wait that long!

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 3:09 PM 1

27. cfprelude

Posts: 140; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

No way. I will return if its not fixed within the return period. I bought a 4g phone to have 4g not go back to 3g and worse service than my og Droid at that. Thunderbolt and razr got great 4g in my area.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 10:45 PM 0

23. RORYREVOLUTION

Posts: 3131; Member since: Jan 12, 2010

Either way i have no data issues or dropped calls so i can wait for an update to come.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 4:36 PM 1

24. TKFox007

Posts: 303; Member since: Nov 02, 2010

I think it's a display thing. I switched from iPhone to Droid RAZR and exchanged the RAZR for the Galaxy Nexus. The iPhone always showed 3 bars of service and the RAZR showed about the same at my house. The Galaxy shows a fluctuating 0 to 1 bar. But even with 0 bars the quality comes in fine just like the previous 2 phones.

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 5:08 PM 0

25. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

And you guys complain bout AT&T signals

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 5:21 PM 0

26. kpfirefighter

Posts: 160; Member since: Sep 20, 2011

Since I have had my nexus I think it has been on lte for a total of 20min's. This is bulls**t. The thunderbolt loads faster then my nexus! and I have dropped calls a couple of times already! I miss my old droid X! They need to fix these problems. Plus when I'm at work I'm right in the middle of a 4g area and it's in and out!!

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 5:56 PM 1

28. cfprelude

Posts: 140; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

same here. :-(

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 10:46 PM 0

29. RORYREVOLUTION

Posts: 3131; Member since: Jan 12, 2010

I am not in a 4g lte area yet so i cant say too much but i can understand the frustrations others are having. Tho i would say be glad you are at least in an lte area lol

posted on Dec 19, 2011, 10:52 PM 0

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