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Samsung Stratosphere

So I recently upgraded my phone and got a Samsung Stratosphere. I have been driven to tears by this phone out of pure frustration. The first one I had just shut off when it was plugged in and fully charged making myself and my kids late because I use it for an alarm clock! So after bringing it in, and having them test it which meant leaving it there for an hour. Well they said it was a bad charger. So I got a new one. Well that worked for a couple days and once again, it turned off. I just got a replacement phone sent. Activated it yesterday, actually went to the Verizon store to activate it, because I didn't want to get blamed for not doing something right. What do you know? Not holding a charge on this either. Won't even stay on. Tried 2 different chargers. So I will be demanding my money back to get a new phone that is not this phone! Do yourself a favor, never buy this phone!!

Comments

AnthonyTa_VZW

Hello slaymate,

I hate you had such a bad experience with the Stratosphere! I would like to assist.

You mentioned in your post that you were returning the device; if you haven't already and are still experiencing issues with your device, let me know so I can further assist. Send me a Direct Message with the device information so I can further investigate the issue.

Thanks,

AnthonyTa_VZW

jrh4054

Yesterday, I had a problem with my Stratosphere. Out of the blue, it began making a chiming noise whenever I touched the screen. Before calling VZW customer support, I checked all the settings. They were correct. When I called customer support, I was told the only fix was the dreaded factory reset. Not wanting to do the reset after taking weeks to get the phone tweaked to my liking, I went up three levels of advisors, only to be told the reset was the only solution. Out of desparation, I went to a local VZW store to make sure the reset was the only solution. Again, I was told it was. While on the phone with customer support, I specifically asked if I should remove the SD card, which contains all my photos and apps. I was told it wasn't necessary to remove the card because the reset wouldn't affect it. WRONG!! After the reset, my pictures were still on the card, but all the apps I had installed were gone. The only ones left were two games that came with the phone. I should have removed the card before doing the reset. Keep this in mind all you Stratosphere owners out there.

TamaraH_VZW

Hello jrh4054! Typically with any device that uses the Android OS, applications are not stored to the SD card (unless you have moved them there).

The good news is that there are applications in the Market that you can install that backs up any downloaded applications.

Another way to retrieve applications is by going to https://market.android.com/

Once you are there, sign in (upper right hand corner) using the GMail email address that you used to set your phone up. Go to My Library and you will see a list of items that you have previously installed.

I'm sure one of these 2 retrieval methods will help you & others in the future.

Tamara H.

jrh4054

The CS rep with whom I spoke told me the apps were stored on the SD card. Because I'm a new Android owner, I had no reason to think otherwise. Since then, I have moved all the apps I can to the card. Some can't be moved. Unfortunately, the ones I have downloaded from the Market, I did without being signed in using my gmail information. I will do that in the future.

Are you aware of any specific apps I can use to backup my apps?

GABRIV29

Why does Verizon continue to deny any problems with the stratosphere. I am on my second one and just got off the phone with tech support and they are sending me a third Stratosphere because the issues are continuing (no network connection).!!! This is a obvious problem Verizon knows about. when asked about a alternate replacement, tech support said I would be responsible for the battery and battery cover $50+!!! That is insane. I am starting to have my doubts about Verizon,when they treat there loyal customers this way!!!

jrh4054

How do I find .pdf files that are stored on the SD card?

luannw

My brother has a Stratosphere and has no problems! he loves it! I just got the HTC REZOUND and love it. I had an HTC Incredible for over 18 months and loved that.........only upgraded because I wanted 4G.

karavise

I am having a problem now where my phone is saying that it is charging while plugged in, but when I unplug it is goes down to the orange bar. What is wrong??! Thanks.

notarep

Well, it's considered used when you take it out of the box. You send them a used one, they send you a used one. =D

Gotta keep in mind that if all the other consumers that have no issues with the device and its variations(other carrier versions), then its not a considered a major problem. On top of that, I feel that a lot of customers don't call in and they just deal with it. Or they get a friend to fix it or fix it themselves. *shrugs*

star3660

is the speaker on this phone shit or what should i take it and try to get a new phone i have 14 days???

linebed

I have had my Stratosphere since Dec 15 and LOVE IT. The speaker isnt the best that I have had in the past but everything else on it in my opinion is pretty good. I have not had any issues with mine! Glad I made this decision over the Enlighten and Iphone4 that I was looking between.

sknd

I too have the same issue with the network issue. I've been told that it is a software issue and the Stratosphere either works or doesn't. My son's Stratosphere works perfectly and has from day one. Mine started acting up right after the 15 day "trial period" where it wouldn't connect to the Verizon Network intermittently and "screamed" at me every time I had to turn it on. The dread factory reset was done 3 weeks after I received it. THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK!!! The phone worked fine on the wi-fi, just not on the Verizon network. Another factory reset was determined to "be the answer". That worked for about a month when the speaker just suddenly crapped out. Got a "Certified Like New" phone and at first the phone didn't work on either network and wouldn't allow any e-mail accounts to be added except for the G-Mail account needed to log on; however, I removed and re-inserted my SD card and it at least let me put my e-mail on the phone and intermittently worked on the Verizon network. So, I go into the Verizon store and they played with the phone stating that maybe it was my SIM card and replaced it. The phone works fine, except for on the wi-fi network. I went back on the same day and the representative tried everything including trying to log onto various different wi-fi stations. The phone doesn't work on wi-fi no matter what. The "new" phone is less than a day old before I had to go in. I called "corporate Verizon" and their solution is a BRAND NEW CERTIFIED PHONE or a BRAND NEW DIFFERENT PHONE AT THE RETAIL PRICE AND A "NEW" 2-YEAR CONTRACT, which I just updated my contract less than 3 months ago. Don't feel bad...since I got this phone, there has been only 1 person when I called for technical support that was actually able to troubleshoot the problem. So far since getting the Stratosphere, I have had my son and my phone mixed up while activating, which is interesting since they were activated 6 days apart. When attempting to activate my BRAND NEW phone, the technical support guy asked "Did you try dialing *228??" Of course, you would think that technical support would know that to activate a 4G phone, you insert a SIM card, right???? Apparently NOT!!!!

jrh4054

VZW cusomer service told me that app killing and virus protection apps can interfere with getting a 3G/4G connection. I had installed both of these apps. After I deleted them, connecting was still a problem but nothing like what it had been.

myrmanjon

That phone has a setting for the vision impared called accessibility sound back... uncheck that and it will stop the chiming noise.

sarahmae2730

yea, i had the stratosphere, i actually had it stolen twice. the second time someone stole it, i decided to get the galaxy nexus 4G, the newest one out. I love the galaxy nexus, its the best phone i have ever had. you should try to replace yours with the galaxy nexus, trust me, you will be in heaven with it. :smileyhappy:

Kramerpup

I am having the same problem with a new phone!

Eltigro

Ever since I bought my family stratospheres last December (3 phones) we have had continuous problems from bad call quality, mic dropping out during calls, SD cards failures, trouble connecting to wireless networks, the list goes on. Now my Son's phone has a new issue: His ear speaker stopped working. He can switch to speaker mode and hear but when he does his mic doesn't work. Connecting an external headset works fine,

This phone has had issues since new and even the new replacement I received had the same problems. There are definite major problems with this phone. While there has been some acknowledgement to some problems no successful corrective actions have been made available.

I highly suggest people avoid this phone!!!

Verizon_Support

Kramerpup, I'm sad to hear that you're having issues charging your new phone! To understand, your phone shows charging, shows orange once unplugged? Does your phone show charge complete when plugged in? How long does it normally take to charge the phone? Verify you have the current software installed, i405.FF1. This is still being pushed out, but here are the details. http://bit.ly/O9keEQ

Let me know if you continue to have issues.

MarquiaF_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

ousooners1baby

What is the next step after multiple factory resets? My network will just drop and I have no service on my Strat. after about 15-30 minutes. Restart and it is back. Do I need to call and get a replacement. Kinda getting tired of wife chewing on my butt because I am not answering her calls.

demmo86rt

If you are still having major issues after a factory reset, I would suggest calling for a replacement.

Verizon_Support

Hi ousooners1baby. I definitely don't want you in the dog house! There's been a recent update http://bit.ly/O9keEQ for the Stratosphere that has a pretty extensive list of improvements. If you haven't already had an opportunity to get the update, I'd highly recommend to save yourself any more unnecessary factory resets.

I'll need more information from you if you continue to have trouble. Like what area (city, state) are you in when the service drops out? Is it happening indoors or outdoors or both? Any other friends/family mentioned service troubles in the same area? When the signal drops out, do you get any error message on the device or does it seem like a program begins to run?

Thank you

JenniferH_VZW

Please follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport

Dave-in-Decatur

Trying to be respectful here, JenniferH, but ... seriously? Given the date of Sep 29 on ousooners1baby's post, it's entirely possible that they have the update, and the update is causing the problem! As you surely must know, this update has been responsible for all sorts of issues reported extensively in this forum, and VZW's response to most of these has been ... yes ... do a factory reset.

Moreover, the update is pushed over the air and is mandatory, so if ousooners1baby doesn't yet have it, they are going to get it without seeking it out. Honestly, and again trying to remain respectful, I don't understand how advising them about the update could help with their problem.

stef7

The only thing I would recommend is first running a program like 1Tap Cace Cleaner and cleaning all caches. Then running Advanced Task Manager Free, selecting the Phone tab and moving everything possible to the microSD card. Uninstalling any apps that are not needed and powering down the phone. Pull the battery (if that is possible on the Strat), Wait a few min. Re-install the battery, boot back up and see if the behavior is the same.

If it is, then, yes, following any update, an end user might be forced to do a Factory Data Reset. But if the OP did that multiple times, all the above is for naught.

If things were still quirky, and assuming the OP has the update, I'd say, time to contact VZW and demand a different device.

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