Bionic Reception?

[CincinnatiDan]

I read a post by someone who said the Bionic has terrible reception (one bar when he used to get 3).  Does the Bionic have lousy reception?  Is it as good as other phones you've had?

[B33]

I don't know about the reception Dan time will tell an so will others. if you know what i mean. an Dan your computer is Double posting or you posted this in two areas.  i think there's a setting to help fix that. just a suggestion

[CincinnatiDan]

Whenever I post something, it gives me an error.  So I didn't think the first post was successful.  Sorry.

[B33]

No problem just wanted to let you know an Welcome to the Forum Dan.   B33 

[vidguy7]

My reference point is my {word filter avoidance}
Samsung Charge. The reception on the Bionic is WORLDS better than the Charge. I'm getting 4G where I never got it with the Charge. Most importantly, I'm not having the recurring 'data connectivity' error that the Charge is plagued with.

VZW claims they're working with Samsung to fix that. Yeah, good luck with that since it's been months since this was brought up. The Motorola does everything better than the Charge.

[MacDuffie]

I was sitting at a restaurant with a friend of mine who has the Verizon 4G Thunderbolt.  She had 3 bars, I had 2.  Not sure if this is a power saving feature though.  On the other hand, I was on back country roads with lots of trees, and was able to call home with only one bar - and I've never gotten a signal there before - but that was with AT&T so not sure how that compares.  Both calls showed I was connected to 4G.

[JiriJ]

Just got new Bionic last Friday - 09/16 - this morning called to Seattle - connected on the 3rd trial - then was cut in th emiddle of the call. Getting one bar.

Old - Old Motorola (like 4 years plus) - gave me - gives me 3 bars at the same location - this phone gives me one bar. As the phone it is UN-usable.

Jiri

[toverstreet]

Mine is 48 hrs old and I am having horrible reception. Same as mentioned above, just 1 bar. My original Droid had much better. Going back to store today to see what is up.

[vidguy7]

Sometimes we get too hung up in the 'number of bars'. Since that's an arbitrary depiction set by the manufacturer, you're much better off simply by determining how well you maintain reception, can make or receive a call or download & upload.

On my old Samsung Charge, my wife's IPhone was constantly doing better in almost all of these parameters. On my Motorola Bionic, I'm besting my wife's IPhone performance almost all the time. I could care less about how many bars I have or don't have. 

[MacDuffie]

Hi VidGuy,

You are absolutely right, and I was coming here to post that same thought.  After having the Bionic for a couple of weeks now, I must say that I just never have a problem with reception, nor  with download speeds.  I'm coming from AT&T to Verizon, and I am just pleased as punch with this phone!

[Doc832]

Well I understand the moving from AT&T to Big Red. Their customer service is better, but still reluctant to fix problems with phones. Billing, reception and general services are better. I am struggling with a brand new phone to get the thing to work. Comparing side by side with my wifes brand new Bionic makes things comparable on a level playing field.

[Doc832]

Well my brand new Bionic is not getting calls with full bars, toggle from 3-4G and then NO network. Phone has been proving itself unreliable as a regular phone and is nothing more than a toy. Had several calls come in and not one rang the phone or showed on the missed calls. After 20 min I tried to call one of the expected calls and the VM icon popped up alerting me of missed messages. This was not good at all. So other than Wi FI working well and getting Email and notifications which I don't really need, the phone does not like getting calls. Probably going back before the 30days is up.

[#13]

@Doc832 I definitely understand how it can be upsetting not being able to use the phone as a phone.  In regards to your signal issues have you tried to enable/disable Airplane Mode?  Have you tried to dial *228 hit send and choose option 1?   Let me know if these steps have been taken.  Thanks.

[MrIceT]

The Bionic will not even let you dial *228. It says "A Verizon Wireless SIM card has activated your service and updated your phone's roaming capabilities. So stop telling peope to use *228.  You're a VZW person, you should know that if you are going to try to help people.

[Wildman]

---

SammuelP wrote:

@Doc832 I definitely understand how it can be upsetting not being able to use the phone as a phone.  In regards to your signal issues have you tried to enable/disable Airplane Mode?  Have you tried to dial *228 hit send and choose option 1?  Let me know if these steps have been taken.  Thanks.

---

I was told not to do *228 on a 4g device because it has been known to fry a SIM....

[Doc832]

Just so you know on the BIONIC there is no ability to *228. The phone has a simm card that checks the signal constantly. My issue is that the phone can show 3g network and then nothing or 4g network in a strong area and then have nothing. Anytime it switches from one to the other it takes awhile to come back up. Manytimes I have to shut phone off and turn back on. Happens in the middle of using it.  AND no the airplane mode is not on.

[Doc832]

---

CincinnatiDan wrote:

I read a post by someone who said the Bionic has terrible reception (one bar when he used to get 3).  Does the Bionic have lousy reception?  Is it as good as other phones you've had?

---

C Dan, The reception is fraile at best. I am disappointed in it when I am in areas known for excellent coverage. My 3-4G toggles back and forth or I have NO network. Also my calls don't come through. Great phone for speed and memory, not really a phone to make calls on or do important things. So far unreliable and uncertain. I am going to wait to see if there are fixes in the next 7day then take it back.

[gina7289]

Samuel 4g shouldnt use *228 only on 3g u shouldnt be telling to this. I heard some areas had 4g crash this week or last week.

[Doc832]

Thanks for answering that Gina, I did do a hard resent, blanked the phone and then had the new SIMM card installed. It is better but does not change my original problems with the network dropping out in a high signal area. I was in a 4g hot spot on the way to work Monday evening and had NO SIGNAL for network or phone for almost a mile. Its the phone more so than the network. I am not sure this will resolve with a new phone either. Its a toy, plain and simple.

If it gets worse it will be a poor excuse for a paper wgt.

[gina7289]

I agree with mrice. Maybe some reps are programmed to think and say that but they should know what phone there talking about

[gina7289]

No 4g should do that it hurt my thunderbolt 1 time by doing *228 option 1