Galaxy S6 Cell Signal Issues

[walter_white]

Is anyone else seeing any issues with their cell signal randomly dropping on their Galaxy S6?  Often I will get "emergency calls only", even in an area with strong signals.  Any text messages will not send, and trying to use any apps that rely on data will just fail.  Often toggling the "flight mode" option will resolve the issue, but not all of the time.  Sometimes a restart is required, or just waiting it out for a few minutes will work.

[Nighthawk]

I've found with the S6 Edge, if I leave it on LTE, yes, the connection drops often. If I force it to WCDMA/3G only, then the signal is stable, just not LTE. LTE coverage in the city here seems spotty unless close to a handful or towers or downtown (below 10 floors above street level).

[xl]

Does this happen in the same location each time?  Could it be you are in an area of weak coverage or strong interference?

[ET]

Have you ever hear of the TELUS Network Experience app? You can report weak or no signal zones with it. It's available on the app stores and it's free.

[ET]

You can always call in and have this reported to our technical assistance department.

[Nighthawk]

It's hit and miss for me. I know some areas where there is no LTE unless you are right next to the tower and others that sometimes have it but signal strength varies considerably. Had the same issue with an iPhone 6 too.

[Nighthawk]

I've used the app yes. Without a large number of people reporting the same issue, it's considered very low priority. One tower near my place is too short and with the neighborhood built up around it significantly, the signal has to go through block after block of houses so the further away you are, the worse the signal. Short of a new tower there's nothing that can be done according to the mobility tech that came out. Even 3G speeds max out at 2mbps. There hasn't been a new tower put in the area in 20 years and I'm in Edmonton. Existing towers are about 25 blocks apart. After 5-7 blocks of signal going through houses, LTE is useless.

[walter_white]

Sorry for the delayed response on my end.  Pretty much everything that Nighthawks points out, I can relate to.  I never really experienced these issues on my old Note 3, but since upgrading to the Galaxy S6, it's been an issue.  I love some aspects of the S6, but there seems to be annoying things such as this issue that make me regret my purchase.  Anyway, I also use the TELUS Network Experience App, but as mentioned, I think my issue is more phone related than anything.  Just thought I would post here to find out if other S6 users were having similar issues.  Will probably contact the technical assistance department as ET suggested.  Thanks for your replies!

[mhinc]

Huge issues with the S6, normally when it goes to 4G slow to no internet connection.  Texts either take a long time or simply fail.  This morning I had the Prohibitary symbol for my network with no service for a good 10 minutes. Rebooted twice still didn't pick up.  Even registering for this community over my phone wouldn't work. 

I called in to Tech, was told first to swap my SIM card, that may be the issue.  NOPE.

Next I was told to factory reset.  NOPE didn't do a thing.

Their next option is to send my brand new phone off and get it fixed or get a refurb unit.

I have a hard time believing that it's just MY phone and not all S6s on Telus.  

My S4 worked like a champ on all connections.  In the same location I am in daily.  I miss it now.  This

S6 is a POS compared to the S4.  I just hope that the 5.1.1 update of Lollipop is going to somehow resolve this issue.

Nothing but issues with Telus.  For over a year I was unable to make toll free calls to anywhere, not just certain places.  Ticket is STILL open apparently.  And I have received a call from Telus's internal  CRTC department.  Oddly enough she was supposed to call me the first week of August for an update, and hasn't.

I am noticing that most of you are complaining about LTE, when I am ON LTE my phone works fine, it's when I am on 4G that it bites the dust.

Anyone else?

[NFtoBC]

@mhinc

What happens if you set your phone to stay on 3G?   I always thought   LTE or WiMAX were both 4G - just different pathways of the 4th Generation of Wireless.

[mhinc]

@NFtoBC

I can give it a try, but long story short.  I shouldn't have to I should be able to use LTE / 4G without issue, which i am sure you agree with and are just testing.

I will report back now that I have changed it

[mhinc]

@NFtoBC

Tried it, even worse than 4G.  

[Dimo-X]

Hi Mhinc, it could very well be an issue with the device.  Specially since you mentioned that your S4 was working just fine in the same area. Have the phone diagnosed by a Product Care Centre. They will most likely give you a loaner phone if they need to keep it or send it off, which will allow you to test your connection with yet another device. 

[mhinc]

@Dimo-X

I am thinking the same thing, only reason I have yet to bring it in, is that many others out there are experiencing the same or similar issue.  And it's my understanding just because it worked well on the S4 doesn't mean that the Antennas are the same in the S6.

I think I will wait for the 5.1.1 update in September from Telus and if that doesn't do it I will take it in.

[Nighthawk]

The S6 Edge I have has weak reception as well. It's a design issue with the phone itself and there are a ton of results on Google for it. I can have the S6 and an iPhone 6 side by side and the iPhone typically shows stronger signal reception.

[mhinc]

@Nighthawk

Agreed.  It's an S6 and S6 Edge flaw, and that's what I was getting at.  I can't see bringing in the device and sending it off to get a REFURB back will resolve the issue.  Maybe a fix of said flaw and a recall would.

It's sad that my S4 was so much better.  I miss it compared to this useless piece of junk

[Nighthawk]

Samsung, in it's fight to stay relevant and stop their profits from tanking further, likely cut some (or a lot of) corners. For that reason alone Samsung will never do a recall or admit their fancy flagship devices have a major fault. They've saturated the market by producing too many models too rapidly. 

I've heard of some people saying if you squeeze the sides of the phone, the GPS improves in accuracy. That and I suspect any case you put on the S6 will likely worsen reception in general for all signals.

[mhinc]

@Nighthawk

Not sure why I didn't even think to check the 4G while my Otterbox Defender was off the phone.  Mind you I shouldn't HAVE to, but if there is a design flaw, this would surly be a good reason why not EVERYONE is complaining.  Only those with thick cases.  Or possibly metal.

When I am on 4G with the case on, I get 47ms Ping, 3.54MB Down, and 0.32 Up.

With case off on 4G I get Ping 147ms, Down 1.47 and up 0.05

Tested again with case on.  143ms, Down 1.74, Upload 0.32

Seems pretty random

[mhinc]

Just a note:  Article I found.  Sounds like they messed up the new antenna,

"The Samsung Galaxy S6 features a new antenna type that will solve the problem with eventual interference from the metal casing, reports Korean media today. Since the chassis is expected to have an entirely aluminum frame, and have glass cover at the front and back, the Galaxy S6's antenna had to be built in such a way that the signal could pass through without affection from the metal parts.

Samsung will switch from Laser Direct Structuring (LDS) antenna type to flexible PCB (FPCB) type, in order to meander through the internal components with the antenna parts, exposing it to places where it will get maximum signal strength. 

Not only that, but the antenna will be flexed in sections that will be dedicated to the various internal radios offering cellular, NFC, and so on connectivity. Hopefully this new antenna type will mean that the Galaxy S6 won't experience the signal deterioration that was witnessed with the metal chassis of the Galaxy A3 and A5."

[KJS]

Mine is horrible, and the only thing Telus will do for me is to have it sent off and "repaired". I've only had it since April.  After being with Telus for 15 years, I'm very disappointed in their lack of support on this.