yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] ambjk79:
Thanks for reply but my area is a full 4g/3g area. I have a Gnote3 and HTC m8 plus iPhone 6+ that my wife uses, absolutely no issues. I don't feel like going gsm when I have a huge data plan and wifi at home and work. Having a good phone but losing prime functionality defeats the purpose for me. Also i am constant internet warrior so the option doesn't seem feasible to me rather I would get the phone changed and get something which works normally. Yesterday I was i Qvb in sydney and absolute zero signal, where my wife had hers iPhone working on Vodafone as well. So can't blame it to the carrier or towers or too many people, got to be this phone. But thanks for getting back to the blog. Have a nice weekend.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] ambjk79:
At work full bars always, no drop outs or fluctuations
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] toms95:
You are right, I see 4G station out of my window, and coverage has always been great here, but still, i think if there are problems with software we need to report them and wait for fix, if it is hardware, then it is just sad :(

P.S. Mine operators webpage says, that there will be update for my device to fully enable 4G and that they are working with manufacturers to deliver those updates as fast as possible :fingers-crossed: .

P.P.S. Switching to WCDMA only also makes the signal somehow more stable than fully automatic, but it isn't as stable as GSM only.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] ambjk79:
Guys just a quick update, finally i went down to **** Smith sydney and showed them what was happening on my alpha and how signal was fluctuating. The Samsung rep in the store said they have received reports of this issue but nobody actually returned the handset. But i insisted and they agreed to take back alpha, and i paid $100 more to get Samsung Galaxy S5 in blue. I had to push them to give me a better deal as my spine case and Tempered glass screen protector are wasted. But today I am back home with sim swapped to micro sim and signals are full with - 85 strength all the time. So i am now convinced alpha has weak antenna or something and its not the software as my GS5 running the same software. Cheers
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Dani86:
[MENTION=232725]AMB[/MENTION]k79,

I don't want to rule out a weak antenna just yet.

Update from my side:

Samsung only wants me to bring it in for repair. I'm pretty convinced that it IS the software.

I'm awaiting the next firmware update.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] toms95:
I agree that it is software. I also contatced samsung on this, they aasked me to reset the phone and see if it fixes, now i'm waiting tor the amswer.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] hensk:
can you inform us what modem are using m8 with "bad signal",

will be great info for others members here
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] toms95:
g850fxxu1bnk3
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Spiralmind:
I live in Portugal and have the same problems with Alpha.

Very low and instable operaror signal.

Often cannot receive calls. Very annoyinng.

Samsung told me to do factory reset. I did. Problem stills.

Any update to revolve this?
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] toms95:
If you don't use much data try switching to GSM only mode. It will help. If you use data, then only method i know might void warranty.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Marcoz9:
Hi, funny ... I'm having exactly the same issue. Signal is fine when I'm sitting in the office not moving. Once I go out having a walk or driving, the phone gets totally offline few second and the signal comes very unstable. Switch to 3G fix the issue..

T-mobile USA

SM-G850M

I will try to put an AT&T SIM card to see if I experience the same issue.. I havet try to change to replace my SIM or reflash the firmware but its sound like its not going to fix our issue

I like the phone and Im not willing to give up without a solution:confused:
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Marcoz9:
I tried with AT&T and I have the same issue
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] edwinlin88:
same, purchased this phone from **** Smith Sydney.

4G / network (Optus) constantly drops out.

gets better after a restart of phone but only temporarily.

really like the phone... but dont know whether to return it this week... or wait and hope that a software update will fix???

also I get reception when i change to GSM.... but defeats purpose of smartphone... and I NEED to use 4G.....
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] als2170:
Hi all, first time poster. I've had the alpha for 3 months and have been very happy with service. Last week AT&T pushed out an update, and now I have zero service at my office or my house. Not sure what the update was, saw somewhere that the radio file might be effected ? Right now the phone has

Android version 4.4.4

Baseband version G850AUCU1ANL1

Kernel version 3.4.0-2629325

Build number KTU84P.G850AUCU1ANL1

Anyone know what the update was and how to downgrade to the previous version?

Edit: Discovered that the update is software version G850AUCU1ANL1 .

Anyone know where I can find the previous version?

Thank you for your help
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] edwinlin88:
just factory reset and you'll be back on the old version
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] DThought:
Sorry to say that, but factory reset only wipes the data partition(s) - it doesn't modify the system partition.

You won't be able to revert a update by using factory reset.

You'd need to flash the old firmware using kies (not sure whether that's possible) or odin.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] hensk:
are you on SnapD CPU,coz in my country SnapD have big issue with network,as my forum m8 has saying

Hire nobody meantion what version of phone have issues,my is 850F signal is always awesome

never had network issue
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] JohanB2:
I experience same issue (drop of network signal).

Model = G850F

Baseband = G850FXXU1BNK1

Country = Belgium

When the phone is on the table, after some time the network connection just drops, a restart is needed to re-enable mobile network. Reception is fair enough where I live although less then HTC One.

What I already did, but

without

success so far:

- select GSM-only: last longer but it still occurs ( and I need 3G/4G).

- factory reset

- replaced SIM (SIM works fine in HTC One)

- asked shop to replace the handset: they have sent it to Samsung repair office. After 10 days phone came back, but same problem.

Next I will return to the shop to get it replaced, not repaired as still in warranty (new since mid Jan. 2015)
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] hensk:
I dont have any of this mention issue,but

are you changed modem ,if not flash diffrent modem NBK2 or new one OA2(G850FXXU1BOA2)

& shere info pls
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] tukull:
I just flashed to OA2 firmware.

still no service.

============================================

something interesting to read here.....

"Samsung is reportedly discontinuing its first metal smartphone, the Galaxy Alpha, just a few short months after it was introduced"

http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-discontinue-galaxy-alpha-2014-12
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] jurass99:
But it's nothing new, there's a 1,5 month's old thread about it on this forum.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] toms95:
And the article is badly written, for instance the alpha and a5 are same thickness, but they say A5 is thinner....
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] hensk:
are you flashed modem.bin twice as should be instaled.if not try again

also first power off your phone ,than wage up Alpha with pushing volume down & pover +menu

in downlod mod

first see what modem you got in settings/about device/ baseband version
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] lbit:
Same problem here. European Alpha

Model SM-G850F

Baseband G850FXXU1BOA2 (so don't waste your time to try this one)

Build KTU84P.G850FXXU2BOA2

Signal fluctuating wildly, with frequent "no service". Switched off 4g for now which has improved but only a bit and in any case doesn't seem an acceptable solution.

Up to now, from previous posts I see:

models working fine: SM-G850Y (from kktkaran)

models with reception problem: SM-G850F (from many, but not all: hensk's is working fine), all G850F are exynos based AFAIK (mine is)

Good fw: none known

Bad fw: G850FXXU1BOA2, G850FXXU1BNK1, G850FXXU1BNK3, G850AUCU1ANL1 (from als2170 who says he didn't have the problem with previous version)

Replacing the SIM has never helped (as expected I should say, I wonder where that suggestion came from, the antenna,rf circuitry and logic are not in the SIM, the SIM only holds subscriber info).

Checking with "network signal info" app I see general bad and unstable signal when left on desk and an immediate drop of 10 db as soon as I hold in my hand (can this be not a hardware problem? I don't see how).

...not very promising, I'll test for a couple more days and try to call Samsung...
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Nuno90:
Another Portuguese user with the same problem.

I acquired my Galaxy Alpha 3 weeks ago, and my signal it's unstable and really poor. :(
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] lbit:
Hensk, as yours is the only G850F mentioned here without the issue, what version of the FW do you have?

Thanks

Lbit
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] lbit:
Some more confusing observations:

Good:

- I actually can receive/make calls from a location where my previous iPhone 4S said "no carrier". Data connection is not possible but this is still better than the iPhone, so reception is not ALWAYS horrible

- it often happens that even if I see no bar illuminated, as soon as I start a call, the signal goes up to 2-3 bars

- in my office I can get 10Mbps in 4g even with 0 or no bar illuminated and network signal info shows 2^31,

Bad

- I got a bumper (covering all metal frame), but I still see signal strength dropping by 10db as soon as I pick up the phone with my hand

- the "Network signal info" app often shows a very large integer value (2^31-1) instead of a db value, represented in the chart as the bottom; this can happen even if the notification bar shows 1 or 2 bars and is usually solved (i.e. becomes a reasonable db value) as soon as I make a call - so maybe this app is bugged/incompatible?

- at my parent's house I cannot use data, but an S4 mini with same carrier can do good 3G

So both the signal level in the notification bar and the value from "network signal info" don't seem very indicative of real signal strength...

Reception is not very good, but maybe not even that bad...will keep checking

In the end the question is: are all the Alphas like this or are our units defective ? Has any of you seen an Alpha with same firmware but consistent better reception?

Cheers,

Lbit
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] MaskedMarauder:
Sometimes my signal indicator shows no bars but I can still call and even get 3G data. I don't get hung up on how many bars of signal it has, it either works or it does not.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] lbit:
Yes, me too, and this is not too bad. What is much WORSE is that it also often happens to me that I travel to an area with low coverage and here sometimes the Alpha goes off the network (which is reasonable) but it still shows 3 or even 4 (full) bars (not reasonable). This is an issue for me because I think to be reachable and instead when I get back, people tell me that they couldn't reach me. Also, in this cases (which I find out only when I try to make calls and just get the message that I'm not registered on the network), I see that if I reboot the Alpha, then 1) it actually manages to register on the network and 2) it correctly shows 0 or 1 bar.

So the Alpha general bad reception can be due to hardware or software or both, but in any case, showing full signal level when not even being registered on the network is definitely a software bug.

Let's see if Samsung really releases lollipop by the end of the month and solves this too...
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] toms95:
Since i switched my Alpha to GSM only, there have not been any problems with dropped calls and I got messages and sent some at place, where others didn't get any reception. :good:
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] MaskedMarauder:
Which is all good and well, but I live in an area with good 4G coverage and that is why I bought a 4G compatible phone.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] jjsaustin:
I got the 850m last week and have somewhat poorer reception. I noticed that the bars are lower on the display and the signal strength is also lower vs my S4 in a side by side comparison, sometimes by 5 or more dB. Both say the mobile network type is LTE. If I get down to 1 bar, I can still make a call, however, it will switch from LTE to 3G or something else and the bars go up on the screen. I think I even completed a call with 0 bars.

So while the signal strength may be lower, it will try to switch to another band/frequency and make the call. It takes a couple extra seconds for the call to go thru, but it does work.

So my take is the antenna reception is definitely less than my S4, this is some what offset by the modem being more efficient because it can make a call with less signal strength than my S4 could. The net effect is slightly less coverage.

I really like the phone, but I'm not sure if the problem is really with my phone or the phone design and the antenna.

Will it get better if I get the phone replaced? I don't know. ....
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Dani86:
Hi all,

I was wondering if anybody got a new handset under warranty and if that fixed the problem. I.e. A new handset without issues

I installed an update. It wasnt lollipop and it did not fix the problems ive been having.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] MaskedMarauder:
The last update that I did solved my radio issues, both the low signal strength issue and the data switching issue.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Bono_:
Hi, what is your firmware version? I also have problems with disconnecting from mobile network, signal strength it looks little better with GSM enabled, but that is not good solution.

My Baseband version is: G850FXXU1BOA2
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] droidsmanmk2:
All - I've been reading through this thread and notice some of you have had/are still having issues with your Alpha's signal strength...

I had the same problem. Got my Alpha the week the iPhone 6 came out, I remember because the shops were so busy with iPhone lovers...

I noticed the issue with signal immediately.

Constantly low signal strength in areas I'd normally get full signal on my Galaxy s3,

no 'bars' of signal showing, but still getting 3g data connection,

constantly having to restart my phone as the only temporary remedy to the problem, only to be greeted with loads of voicemails and missed calls, and then for the problem to return within the hour.

I tried 2 new sim cards, and had my Alpha replaced by the network twice over (3 Alpha's total...) and every single one had the same problem.

In the end, and after hours and hours of standing my ground talking to people who weren't willing to help, I got an absolute gem of a lady from the network to deal with, who had my contract rolled back, the phone returned, and I went sim only with my s3 until something better came on the market.

I LOVED everything about the phone, EVERYTHING, except of course the signal issue which never got resolved...

Glad to know that it wasn't just me that was going crazy, but also gutted you're having the same issues I did.

I've had samsung galaxies since the first, and will have another, but the Alpha was very disappointing :(.

Hope you all get somewhere with it!!
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Dani86:
The one thing i've noticed is that the "upload arrow" stays highlighted while all apps say there's no connection. This only happens when the phone is set to GSM/CDMA/LTE regardless of what connection the phone is using.

Has anybody noticed this as well?
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] JayantSparda:
Does anyone had expierence with losing the GPS signals?

I often losen the GPS signals while navigating on the motorways.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Dani86:
Hi Jayant - I have no issues with the GPS connection, it's very good.

I even did a 800 km drive with it, even thru tunnels in Paris etc.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] MaskedMarauder:
I was losing the GPS signal recently too, I was wondering if it was down to the last firmware update, but the last few days it has been fine again. Perhaps it was atmospheric conditions or something.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] JohanB2:
Phone was returned from repair center, with 'no problem' found...

After some hours, the network drop (no signal) occurred again. Restart of the phone was needed.

The next day, some update was installed:

Baseband: G850FXXU1BOA2

Build: G850FXXU2BOA2

When on 4G/LTE I notice signal strength goes low (105-111 dBm) , especially when holding the phone in the hand (touching the metal edges).

The network drop occurred still a few times, but very short (5 seconds) and was recovered automatically.

Now I stay on 3G, and no drops so far (6 hours) with level around 90 dBm.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Dani86:
Mine is just as crappy on BOA2.

I'm waiting for lollipop, if that doesn't work then i'm returning it under warranty.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] aspot72:
Guys, had the same problem. EMERGENCY CALLS ONLY. Switched to GSM only (in Settings-Network) and phone working OK.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] aspot72:
Guys, found (temporary) fix. Go to Settings-Networks and select GSM only. My Aplpha is working now.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] JohanB2:
Unfortunately I confirm BOA2 firmware does not solve the problem...

No option (for me) to stick with GSM-only network for an expensive phone with 4G/LTE Cat.6 capabilities..

Samsung support center are still investigating the issue I reported apparently.

Could it be related to 'death grip' linked to metal frame ? :confused:
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] aspot72:
Don't think so. But will flash lollipop today and get back.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] robertkoa:
Yes. I notice in South Florida on Metro PCS /Tmobile Alpha often shows low signal strength AND because this is not a Metro Or TMobile phone- it is not optimized for the Network so I often have low signal strength BUT calls are very strong and clear even often in elevators (!) parking garages etc.

Data has been more erratic because international unlocked phones ( my first) don't lock on to Metro LTE and no VoLTE on factory unlocked.

Using Bearer LTE and GID 6D in APN seems to help.

Today at minus 114 LTE I was still able to watch 720p Youtube with almost no or only a few seconds of buffering.

OOKLA is totally wacked on this Phone gives me Towers in LA Houston Texas...etc...

So Youtube is better measure...

Generally Alpha seems to get lower signal strength but functions well anyway..
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] aspot72:
I think I have a bad news 4u. Flashed 5.0.2 , did hard reset set it up as new phone and still the same problem.

But now I am OK as got rid of it and using A5 which is fantastic device...
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Pvanwelt:
I have borrowed a brand new Galaxy Alpha from a friend of mine because my own LG G2 is out for repair.

My telco in the Netherlands (tele2) just moved me over to their new 4G network a couple of weeks ago.

I thought a good time to test the 4G connection , because the Alpha should support 4G.

Yesterday morning when I arrived at the office I noticed I got no connection anymore with my phone, no G, 3g , 4g , nothing.

I found it strange because signal strength is always great.

I found out that switching back from LTE/WCDMA/GSM to WCDMA/GSM connectivity , I immediately get my signal and internet connection back.

From that moment I payed attention to what was happening, I found out that once I have been connected to the 4g network,

I will lose my signal connection entirely. I also noticed that once connected to the 4g network, my internet connection is not working.

It looks like I am facing the same issues as you are, but with a brand new Alpha phone (running stock android 4.4.4)
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] kind3r:
Could be a faulty sim card.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Pvanwelt:
I did not have a nano sim card, so I have ordered a brand new one.

It could be, but I think the chance the brand new nano simcard is giving these issues , is very small.

Even more because there are more people having exactly the same issues.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] JohanB2:
Solved

After my phone went for the third time to the service center, it came back few days later with comments "Replacement N - A - S" (French, not sure what it means) but my problem is gone :o

Phone is working fine in all radio bands, reception is great in and outdoors, battery is even better (1,5 - 2 day).
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] sarcophyton:
In Australia, there has been a problem on the Optus network (among others) that some people have solved by stopping the phone being able to access LTE band 40. I can't post a link as I'm new, but google 'galaxy alpha optus reception'.

I can't seem to get the fix to activate, but would be interested to hear if anyone else can? I will post it below for ease:

Quote:

The fix is:

(thanks to kent0129)

Dial *#0011#

Click top right menu (three dots) and select "Go Back"

Click top right menu (three dots) and select "Key input"

Type "Q"

Click top right menu (three dots) and select "Key input"

Type "0000"

~wait for main menu~

Follow the menu options below:

[2] UE SETTING & INFORMATION

[1] SETTING

[1] PROTOCOL

[2] NAS

[1] NETWORK CONTROL

[4] BAND SELECTION

[1] LTE BAND[*]

[2] LTE TDD[*]

[1] LTE B40[*] (will change to [1] LTE B40[] upon selecting)

[2] BACK TO PREVIOUS

[5] BACK TO PREVIOUS

[6] APPLY BAND CONFIGURATION

The only annoying part is that the configuration appeared to reset to default upon restart.

LTE 4G will still function on bands 3 and 28.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] gggg:
A5 (sm-a500fu) bad reception

As the A series has a similar hardware basis, we seem to face the same probs. I just use UMTS&GSM (no LTE) and even there I often have cell changes twice a minute up to once every 5 minutes, where my Tab S (SM-T705) has no changes with the same provider (I chages SIM and provider - still the same)

I use this app, where you get the cellchanges logged: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.signalmonitoring.gsmsignalmonitoring

There you can see that on each cell change you also loose connection (no connection=the red cell 65535) for some seconds or even longer.

Has anyone of you solved the problem ?
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] gggg:
no one - no more troubles for you guys ?
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Ursurobertt:
i have some fluctuations , a little worse than my s4 mini, but not problems with calls and messages.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] lbit:
In the end I think the current behavior of my Alpha (with lollipop or the immediately previous fw) could be normal when you consider these:

- the signal strength indication icon is meaningless (e.g it often shows 0 level while not calling and jumps to 3-4 bars as soon as I start a call)

- I always see very low signal when using LTE, both with this alpha and a couple of new S6...I think in my country LTE base-station max power is also lower than other countries due to domestic regulations

- the antenna of the alpha is somewhat poorer than other phones. It is a little worse then my new S6s but about the same as an iPhone 4s I have been testing with.

With older FW it was very much worse with frequent "no coverage" in areas with decent coverage, which could be solved by rebooting (clearly a fw problem)
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] Ursurobertt:
Metal bumper

Any of you guys that ave reception problem have the metal bumper installed? I had and as soon as I removed it the signal improved from 1 bar to 2-3 bars in my home. I put the s view cover , i know it doesn't look the best , but still it's pretty good.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] hammy434:
im on EE.

comparing with my old phone (sony xperia sp) and my mums phone (iphone 4s), all using EE sim cards, in the same room:

sony xperia sp ~ -99dbm

apple iphone 4s ~ -105dbm

samsung galaxy alpha ~ -113dbm and switches to 2g soon after (to get to 3g i have to go near the window...)

typically my phone is 10-15dbm lower than other phones, and it really affects speedtest results especially on upload.

im on 4.4.4 and dont have lollipop update available yet for some reason... my phone is unlocked and UK, my model is sm-g850f and i got it in blue :)

does anyone have a fix for this? think i'll be getting a new phone, maybe the z5 compact when it comes out, or i could get the s6.
[Samsung Galaxy Alpha] gggg:
pls xplain what you mean :confused: