Verizon addresses Galaxy Nexus signal strength complaints, fix coming

December 21, 2011 By Jeff Hughes

Verizon Wirless promises a fix for the Galaxy Nexus signal problems but says indicators are the problem, not performance.

Verizon Wireless’ LTE version of the U.S. Samsung Galaxy Nexus launched last week after much anticipation, and in a short amount of time, reports have begun piling on of users experiencing subpar signal strength in comparison to other LTE devices. However, Verizon has officially confirmed the problem, and has promised a future fix.

Over the weekend, users claimed inconsistent signals which flashed varying 4G LTE service bars in neighborhoods. Verizon officially responded to those complaints this week, confirming the signal problem on the Verizon support Twitter account. Verizon assured users that the issue was being investigated and a software update was being developed, though the company couldn’t give a definite ETA on the fix.

On Wednesday, Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney clarified the company’s position on the new Android 4.0 smartphone’s problems

“There is no issue with the performance of the device. There is a difference in the way the signal is translated into bars on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus compared to other smart phones. A future software update will adjust the signal strength indicator to more closely match other Verizon Wireless devices.”

So, to reiterate, Verizon is saying that it’s a translation problem, not a strength problem. They are saying strength is just dandy. The Verizon spokeswoman did not give a concrete date for when the updated would arrive, though Computer World points out that a few Verizon service reps have been pointing towards an arrival in January.

Prior to last week’s launch, great anticipation had been built up over the Google’s Galaxy Nexus as Verizon kept the launch date for the U.S. close to its chest. Worse, consumers were subject to the Galaxy Nexus being paraded around in other countries such as Canada and the UK.

Showing 6 comments

Christ on a pony at 7:39pm 22nd December 2011 god damn it...LTE RADIO turned off not radian.
Christ on a pony at 7:36pm 22nd December 2011 My nexus got 16 hours today with juice defender set to custom. I have the LTE radian turned off. Brightness set to 45. My bars are a little screwy and even for wifi doesn't show any bars but in settings it shows excellent connection. This thing could read no bars and I could care less as long as I don't drop calls. I don't miss my iPhone 4 I picked up my wifes today and it felt like a kids toy compared to this monster. Love this phone! A fix/placebo is coming and all will be well with the world again until everybody finds something else to complain about.
jd_12345 at 12:47pm 22nd December 2011 My Nexus gets no signal at all most of the time from my desk where as my previous 3G Droid got a signal 90% of the time. At least one of my micro USB chargers that worked with my Droid doesn't work with Nexus. And the RCA jack doesn't work with neither some inexpensive ear buds nor my Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones.
peter56_verizon_user at 9:40am 22nd December 2011 I got a Galaxy Nexus last Friday. In less than a week the mini-USB connector to the charger failed so I couldn't recharge it and had to have the phone replaced. Verizon assured me that all my apps would automatically xfer to the new phone. Not true! The "free" apps I had downloaded from Google Marketplace into my first Nexus did not show up on the new phone and Verizon Support admitted the Google synch mechanism doesn't always work. I've had to manually re-download them. I've also found that the phone battery discharges in less than a day, its a real power hog. The signal strength is pretty mediocre even though in in suburban Boston where I'm supposed to be getting good 4G signal. Not an auspicious start.
mbe3204m at 7:29am 22nd December 2011 it's interesting, after uninstalling Juice Defender Ultimate, my signal strength is better. No dropped calls (not that I had them before), wifi is great....overall I've been happy w/ the performance of the phone, just not the battery life. I do have an extended battery on the way. 4g is weak inside a big building but strong outside in my area.
1. mbe3204m at 7:32am 22nd December 2011 FWIW JDU support team indicates there are problems managing the LTE radio even in version 3.8, so we're awaiting an update...once JDU updates for ICS and LTE phones, I'm sure battery life won't be as much an issue.