yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[HTC Sensation] Fishawy:
Exactly .. Furthermore, it has been confirmed several times that it isn't a one-piece issue. I said *here* that when I was testing the Sensation, there were 3 handsets, and the behavior was identical in all three. I really dunno why some people insist on paying for an already-known faulty phone.

To the earlier post about the cover thing, I think this could be the issue yes. Sensation is the first phone I see where the handset is actually being inserted in the cover, which I believe screws the antennas reception even in normal state.
[HTC Sensation] smashpunks:
I agree. My first three did the same

So I cancelled my last cause I use wifi 90% of the time.... really sucks it was a good device. But meh, the g2x is the **** minus a few reboots every now and again..
[HTC Sensation] a4ol:
HTC needs to issue a recall on the back cover as it is faulty. At least they should sell for cheap a replacement back cover once they have the issue sorted out. If they decide to play dumb, I will just hope that some 3rd party company makes replacement back covers.

The current back cover fails to:

1. Protect the phone from dust.

2. Stabilize the phone on a flat surface.

3. Include long enough antennas so that the hand does not block signal.

4. Keep heat away from the external surface of the cover.

5. Cheap plastic color coating rubs off if dropped.

Faulty back cover. :mad:
[HTC Sensation] Pandemoniumone:
I would agree with you if it weren't for those who have posted they do not have the issue. I don't want to give up on this device yet as I really like it aside from the known issues. So yes, waiting on my third to arrive and keeping my fingers crossed.
[HTC Sensation] bobsbbq:
I have had 4 Sensations and they all have suffered from this. I just find it funny that so many have the problem and only a few don't.

I mean if I'm close enough to my Router I can make a video showing little or no signal drop as well. But if you compare it to other phones in a weaker signal area and hold the Sensation in Landscape it will die, while my Thunderbolt and MT4G keeps on going.

I can only hope it will be addressed in the future, if not I will jump on to the next best thing that comes along.
[HTC Sensation] Pandemoniumone:
Agreed, I find it "funny" as well. Just figured I'd try one more time. :rolleyes:
[HTC Sensation] smashpunks:
MAN, I could have handled the weird screen issue, but this wifi thing is completely flawed .. I have had 3 and a fourth in route before I completely face up. I told the ups Guy send that junk back. Sad that T-Mobile seems to never get it right lately.
[HTC Sensation] johnsonrod27:
The peoPle who claim they dont have his issue are full of ****.. I seen one video of a guy claiming he doesnt this issue and his whole video he has 1 hand on the phone not 2 .. Its idiotic..hes walking around going see mines fine.. Your a moron.. Its a design flaw like the iphone 4 on ever single one of these phones..
[HTC Sensation] danuk3:
Hi guys.

I am really glad I came across this thread as I was about to upgrade to the HTC Sensation XE when it's released on O2 UK (hopefully next week).

Before I do this I wondered if anyone knows whether the XE is affected too?

Also one theme I've noticed is all the videos don't have the phone in a case - with a case as the silicone ones on EBay wouldn't that help?

Thanks for any info!
[HTC Sensation] danuk3:
PS. The reason I ask about the case is that the "bumper" case (i think also silicone) apparently fixed this on the iphone 4.
[HTC Sensation] jtsin67:
Mine (not XE) is in a silicon case and issue still exists.
[HTC Sensation] danuk3:
Damn - thanks for the reply - this really sucks :(

I'm glad I saw it before I purchased it tho.

I doubt the XE is any different seeing as it's totally the same hardware (unless they have made any changes to the back).

I was looking at the Sensation XL (the massive white one) - as that has a different design I wonder if anyone knows if that's affected also??

Thanks for any help guys, glad I'm saving myself £500 on a dodgy product!!
[HTC Sensation] masondoctorjt:
If your holding the phone with 2 hands, how are you touching the screen, why would you hold it with 2? You that afraid of dropping it? And yes... If I totally wrap both my hands around the phone, and lay over top of it, I can get the WiFi and wireless signal to drop by a bar or 2. I can also make the signal drop by putting it in a 2foot thick walled lead lined safe! Is that a design flaw as well? Holding my phone as if I'm a normal human, I notice no "death grip" with WiFi or mobile reception. And I am sensitive to these types of issues. It is one of three first things I checked.
[HTC Sensation] cozmic1988:
I have no issues holding mine normally.
[HTC Sensation] masondoctorjt:
According to Pandemoniumone, you and I are full of crap!
[HTC Sensation] coppil:
I hold my phone with two hands and type with my thumbs when I have it horizontally oriented.
[HTC Sensation] masondoctorjt:
Ok, I get it now, I usually use swipe so I use one hand, but I decided to use mine like you do for a while and I still don't have any issues with signal loss, even when using it with both hands. in fact as I was typing this in landscape I had 3 bars the entire time and WiFi is full bars. The weird thing is I usually only have 2 bars in this same location, so my signal actually improved!
[HTC Sensation] jtsin67:
There are so many pluses to the platform, and a great bunch of developers. I found this thread as I had wondered the same thing (did the XE have any changes in hardware to overcome it). I use the phone in whichever way needed and so far its never caused me to completely drop wireless. Really have a think whether the issue will impact you. yes its a fault, but find a phone that doesn't have one. I am very content with the phone and the features the developers are cutting for it!
[HTC Sensation] cozmic1988:
Whether I use landscape or portrait, one hand or two, I find I never drop more than 1 bar. This problem just doesn't exist for me! 1 bar is on par with everything else I've used, and isn't even comparable to the iPhone 4's death grip.
[HTC Sensation] HigherSensation:
Only problem i have is with the wifi the bars will drop when i cover the back,signal doesnt seem to drop
[HTC Sensation] Madeli:
Read this thread cuz I'm soon getting my sensation xe... So out of curiosity i had to try to see if my signal drops on my incs... And yes, if I cover it with both my hands it drops one bar.. I have never had any problems with this drop so I'm not worried about it on the sensation xe either. But I guess incs also have a it then... Tho i haven't seen anyone complaining about it on the incs.

Sent from my HTC Incredible S
[HTC Sensation] cozmic1988:
All phones have this when a hand covers the antenna. The signal can't penetrate flesh very well / at all. All depends where the antenna is as to how much of an inconvenience it is.

The Sensation has network antenna at the bottom on the back, and the WiFi is at the top on the back. It's built into the cover (for those who don't already know).
[HTC Sensation] shammanCZ:
i dont realy have a issue with signal dropping, yet iam the case with network degradation from HSDPA/HSPA+ to EDGE, so from 3G to 2G, i had a chat with HTC technician and i was told smthn like "hold the phone as described in manual (3 fingers w/o palm touching the back cover), now f-off". Kinda sad.
[HTC Sensation] Super Chimp:
Is it still something that effects wifi more than network reception?
[HTC Sensation] UKseagull:
You were luckier than me, do you have a strong phone signal? I have returned 3 Incredible S phones due to signal drop, I could have the phone in my pocket and not know if I had a signal until I checked. Sometimes I would have 3 bars and within seconds.....no signal at all.

I have to say that this was with the O2 network, which gives a better coverage here at home. I since found out from my nephew who works for O2, that the IS failed 02 network tests and that's why 02 wouldn't sell the phone in their stores. I have a concern that I may end up with similar issues if I go for a Sensation, but I've no way of finding out unless I buy one.
[HTC Sensation] Babydollll:
Then I'm completely craptastic cuz I don't have any issues either :rolleyes:

Pipsqueak approved this message.
[HTC Sensation] Madeli:
Oh, well I'm in Sweden and have Telenor. I have no problems here with the signal. Sometimes it drops 1-2 bars but it doesn't drop completely. Telenor is the provider that have strongest signal where i live....

Sent from my HTC Incredible S
[HTC Sensation] tuner562:
I've noticed this yesterday when I was about to use my phone as a hot spot. I grabbed it to move it and I noticed that if I grab it from the top I loose about 2 bars on the wifi signal. The phone radio seems unaffected on how I hold it.
[HTC Sensation] Madeli:
Been testing death grip on sensation xe now and i don't have that problem... Just for your information :)

Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio Z715e
[HTC Sensation] cozmic1988:
Would an XE back cover fit the Sensation?
[HTC Sensation] howetechnical:
For what it's worth, I had bad death grip at my old house (only on WiFi, not cellular). After moving to a new house (newer, also...so no chicken wire in the walls) with a stronger router, I can't replicate the problem. Any way that I hold the phone doesn't drop the WiFi signal.

I believe that it's HTC's problem that their product requires a very strong signal to not experience the death grip, but once that strong signal is acquired, it's golden.
[HTC Sensation] jjdoctor:
This GSMARENA Video is Misleading...

Here is my video.. I used Wifi Analyzer application so that u can see a big Guage and ran some tests..

Watch it HERE
[HTC Sensation] FnH84:
I've yet to find this deathgrip...
[HTC Sensation] cjlawson23:
I think a lot had to do with the router broadcasting the wireless signal. I have a dlink dir 825. No matter how close I am to it I can get it to drop the signal by covering the top of the phone. It will drop so far that it will kill my signal.On my friends Verizon action tech. I can cover the same way and it only drops 1 or 2 bars at the most. I maintain signal the whole time.

Funny thing is my dlink should be far superior than the Verizon.
[HTC Sensation] casht0wn:
ಠ_ಠ ...i bet it wont work in a lead box either. VIVA HTC!
[HTC Sensation] jjdoctor:
I have the cheapest TPLink 54mbps Wireless G router...:D..
[HTC Sensation] meexoo:
So 2 contact points are bad, but 3 are ok?
[HTC Sensation] michnovka:
noob confession

Hey, just want to cheer you up guys and also thank you a lot, cos THIS SAVED MY LIFE. I kept reinstalling ROMs, FWs, flashing different radios and RILs, HBOOTs and all possible things you can imagine, and I was still having poor signal reception. Both wifi and network.

I was using fastest method for all the reboots - pull out battery and put it back in. Well, you cant imagine the look o my face when I found out (in this post) that cover is actually the ANTENA!!!! LOL, I spent so many hours wondering what is wrong, and all the time I had cover down cos of easier rebooting.

THANKS GUYS!!!!
[HTC Sensation] FiddleGoose:
Agreed.

These claims that come out of the community about death grip issues are impractical. When will you ever find yourself holding your phone like that anyway?
[HTC Sensation] Imperatorpg:
I have bad signal wi fi when hold phone with two hands and cover backside of the phone.
[HTC Sensation] yasobaso:
Confirmed, its getting weak...

I've tested it with my none 4G version of Sensation and the signal gets weakened.

It does not drop you off, but it's getting weaker, which is actually in some perspective natural as we disturb/block the signal.

I'm just interested in the horizontal positioning of the device, as it is a common position to be used and I can say,performance drops but your not loosing connection.

So it is not good to have this behavior in a phone which is not cheap and is/was called a Flagship device. :(

Many users complaining about bad reception and flashing Radios,RIL's, Roms to overcome this kind of situations.

I'm not talking about HTC only, all of the manufactures are doing this, sending out beta software with RC hardware

because of money and competition pressure. Which IMO is sad and not right, but true.

PS : For all those who want to test it, please first be associated (connected) to your wireless network and see it for your self. Just enabling WiFi is not enough.
[HTC Sensation] ibancioiu:
I have the same problem with my sensation

So if i use it in normal mode and i put my hand over the main camera, the wi-fi signal is dropping with 2 lines, BUT is NOT cutting-off.... I CAN REPRODUCE IT EVERY TIME.

what i have to do, to fix this?
[HTC Sensation] phantomblu:
Ah, no wonder my connection gets so bad whenever I switch to landscape.
[HTC Sensation] nevrlow:
No death grip here.
[HTC Sensation] windflare:
Yes death grip here, reception drops by one to three bars if I hold it by cupping the top and bottom tightly. But frankly, I am not doing that a lot, so it doesn't really bother me.
[HTC Sensation] bubble_cat:
Well, just tried and realised that my phone protection was killing 30% on my WiFi signal...

Now i tried to hold my phone with my two hands, one hand, lying on my desk and the signal was stable.

(With Wi-Fi Analytics app)
[HTC Sensation] nevrlow:
Tried the "deathgrip" still have full bars
[HTC Sensation] badboi_zero:
When I death grip I lose most, if not all, of my bars, wifi and network. But on one bar, either wifi (in this case, just the dot) or 4g, my phone can still stream youtube videos at a non-abysmal rate. When I released death grip the videos still loaded up roughly the same pace. These are videos I haven't viewed before as to avoid any cache help.
[HTC Sensation] nevrlow:
Thats bc you have tmobile :cool:

GeNeX

AOKP-Team Kang

Francos latest

-VabeachFC-
[HTC Sensation] salea656:
ever since i updated to stock ICS_asia it happens maybe not like in the video but every time i hold the phone with 2 hands, one on top and one on bottom, i have this issue.

on GB this did not happen
[HTC Sensation] x3xtacYx:
In my case, i don't get a reduction in network (or data) connection if i place my hand over the top of the phone. But what really is affected is the wifi; if i cover the top of the phone, wifi connectivity is completely lost, which is really only an inconvenience to me when playing games in landscape that require a controller style grip.
[HTC Sensation] fat barry:
Had my Sensation XE for a month now and I have the death grip,I have not had this issue with my sim card in other phones just this one.Leaving the phone on the table the signal is full in GSM mode or holding the phone with one finger on the top of phone and one at the bottom.But holding it like you should hold a phone I am lucky to get 2 out of 5 bars and sometimes can drop a call.

Maybe some of us just have a poorer batch than others who don't have the death grip issue.Or people who don't have the issue are in a super signal strength area.dunno.Even re checked my Nokia N8 and Samsung Pixon and light version and they are fine.
[HTC Sensation] ibancioiu:
I don't have the problem anymore :)

I found a trick, this is not a hardware problem, is an software problem...

To make it work you have to go to phone and type:

*#*#4636#*#*

then go to phone informations and restart the radio.

I don't have anymore problems!
[HTC Sensation] UKseagull:
You have to do that just once or each time your signal vanishes?
[HTC Sensation] d2d2d2d2:
No Death grip here either.

Though, still better than iphone death grip XD
[HTC Sensation] iAmBalvinder:
Hardly any signal drop

I own a HTC Sensation, and I find this death grip issue over-exaggerated. I hardly find any signal dropping off my phone. Yeah once or twice I found my wi-fi signal dropping, but it was not a total blackout for the wifi, just it dropped to 40-50% signal and my internet kept running. :):)
[HTC Sensation] mqazimi:
Guys,

I noticed it to my sensation too and I tried everything but was unsucessful. Thinking bout it I decided to raise up the little two small antenas in the phone in order to touch the cover better. Strange that it improved my signal very good. I'm went down to garage (shopping center) three meters under the gorund and still I receive three bars.

When I get to the ground floor or outside I receive full bars and never death Grip.

Just give a try and see if it helps.

If not I'm thinking for another option to take some very thin aluminium letter and place to both antenas and see if it helps.

But first try to raise up the both antenas IN THE PHONE in order to get better contact with the cover.
[HTC Sensation] ibancioiu:
only one time ;)
[HTC Sensation] laxin:
i never had any reception issues, this death grip thing is really overrated
[HTC Sensation] crayon16:
Same here, i haven't experience this death grip issue :)
[HTC Sensation] pikoko2k3c:
death grip for sensation mostly affects the wifi radio.. usually by holding near the center at the back of the phone right below the camera lens.. can be irritating at times especially in lower signal areas.. :)
[HTC Sensation] EnhancerFIN:
So here is people with problems also with cellular network coverage? :O

That gsmarena -video showed only about 20db attenuation on wifi signal, and some breaking of bluetooth audio stream, which are both tolerable under so special conditions, but cellular network problems are not. How is it?
[HTC Sensation] Robboftw:
Well to be honest, so far we don't have much information. We'll see how bad of a problem this is when more people have the Sensation.

It looks bad news though.
[HTC Sensation] alexsql:
Really

I pretty much disagree with every point you made here in quoted text, and I am no HTC fanboy
[HTC Sensation] bigmachine:
how come in the video (from nordichardware), the wifi signal strength does not drop.. im referring to the wifi icon at the top.

unlike the desire s death grip issue..the wifi icon clearly shows the drop in signal strength.

could this be a false accusation?
[HTC Sensation] PartyMango:
Did you actually watch the video? The bluetooth/WiFi-antenna attenuation occurs when he has the phone flat on his hand, not when he is gripping it. Nobody actually uses a smartphone like that - it would be terribly uncomfortable and unsafe (fall damage).

The iPhone 4-problem concerned cellular network attenuation - with the phone held in a very common way. And still: Not that big of an issue, way overblown in the media. Every phone has a "deathgrip", just Google "Samsung Galaxy S deathgrip", or "Nexus One deathgrip".
[HTC Sensation] xl VipeR lx:
Receiving mine on tuesday ill check this out
[HTC Sensation] kgbkny:
Oh my god!!!! It's the deathgrip problem! That's it, everyone forget about getting the crappy HTC phone, and get the amazingly flawless SGSII instead! :rolleyes:

Just a pre-emptive action before the Sammy fans jump in here. Oh wait, they already have...darn!
[HTC Sensation] Darnell_Chat_TN:
Oh my, our bodies can shield signals and don't act as antennas. Shocker, not.
[HTC Sensation] ARC X12:
I really don't understand why HTC didnt fix this problem before releasing it. This problem exist on the Desire S which they recently release and now it also exist on the Sensation. The big problem with this is that it wouldnt be fixed because it is a hardware design issue and not software. This is important if you are always using the internet like me since i always browse using the horizontal way and not portrait and since the antennas are located on the edges then it couldnt be avoided unless of course if you browse using only one hand which is rediculous.
[HTC Sensation] ARC X12:
Could anyone with the Sensation test if this problem really exist on the phone? I was really inclined to get this phone but lost interest when i read it since internet browsing for me is very important.
[HTC Sensation] billy_overheat:
Lol guys, relax. Even when I'm putting my dhd in that way, my wifi signal drops too. But, I just used it. And sensation is my next target! :D
[HTC Sensation] xl VipeR lx:
Ill test it for you tomorrow
[HTC Sensation] familyhousing:
I haven't watched the video but I get the idea. This phone has the best WiFi and Bluetooth range I have had in any portable device. I cannot compare gsm signal as I have moved to a new network.

This phone's wireless absolutely blows away my previous HTC Legend and my partner's Desire. I had been planning to replace my router to boost WiFi but now there is no need.

I have watched video in landscape on BBC iplayer with no dropouts. I have browsed from the garden perfectly. I have never seen WiFi drop more than one bar ( where my legend would have been at the edge of range).

I regularly use stereo Bluetooth while walking. With my legend, it would only work if I placed the phone in my right pocket with the screen facing inwards and even then, slightly turning my head disrupted signal. The sensation Bluetooth couldn't contrast more. I simply don't get any interruptions at all and can put the phone anywhere with perfect reception. Range is also massive - five meters is comfortable even with obstructions. For some reason though stereo Bluetooth seems to be at a lower bandwidth than the legend (as I can hear more compression noise).

Every phone has a death grip. As far as i can see, the placement of transceivers on the sensation is well designed. With my legend, I had to know exactly where each tranceiver was and hold the phone in a particular way. In my opinion, this video is created by people looking for a problem that doesn't exist.
[HTC Sensation] wouwout:
OK I have a Sensation and tested it using the Wifi Analyzer app and signal strength.

1. holding the phone at the top with three fingers, my network's wifi strength is -50 db

2. holding the phone at the bottom, with my left hand (thumb on the left, other fingers on the right. Just the normal way to hold the phone - the way you would when you use it, no squeezing). No change in wifi reception.

3. pushing the bottom half of the phone in the palm of my left hand. Really trying to cover as much of the bottom part of the phone. Not a normal way to hold your phone. I have to use my right hand to keep it in position. Wifi strength drops gradually to -65 db. Takes about 20 seconds to get there.

Same test with 2G reception (sorry no 3G at this location):

1. -85 dbm / 14 asu

2. -83 dbm / 15 asu

3. drops to -103 dbm / 5 asu
[HTC Sensation] ARC X12:
Thank you :)
[HTC Sensation] Peterdejong8:
I will post a video soon, with the HD2 and Sensation together.
[HTC Sensation] Bogdanbd:
I can't help wondering how is that until this test no actual Sensation owner had any complaint about any signal problem. And they still do not have.

Either the test phone had a problem, or even if these problems are there, in the daily use they are not noticed because they appear only in certain and rare conditions...

Pls, would be nice to have more opinions from Sensation owners.

I have a Desire S and I read also abt its deathgrip issue - I can tell you I have not encountered it in my phone until now and I hold the phone in all kinda strange ways...
[HTC Sensation] o0o Wiggy o0o:
I have also tested using the wifi analyser and it really isn't much of a problem to be honest.

Yes, it does drop connection a bit when you hold the phone in a way that you will never hold the phone.

I'm upgrading from a HTC Touch Pro 2 so this phone is the bees knees to me lol....never go back to a windows phone thats for sure!
[HTC Sensation] C0NAN:
Same thing happens with my HTC Wildfire, Wi-Fi becomes weaker but who the hell uses your phone flat on your palm? :confused:
[HTC Sensation] DuoM:
Actually some Sensation owners have been complaining about signal problem, about signal drop-offs and about the signal strength dropping quite dramatically while a comparison phone on the same network holds a strong, constant signal.
[HTC Sensation] :
This seems to be a design issue that has little real-world consequences. Who would hold their very expensive phone this way? Could it be the weight of the phone balance on the cover is causing it to warp ever so slightly thereby disrupting the antenna connections?