yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Dominikm27:
If the network offers Voice over LTE, the VoLTE icon appears next to the coverage indicator.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Dominikm27:
From my observations it appears that the problem is not poor antennas hardware quality, but rather very fast switching between network categories. It is especially visible and burdensome while traveling.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ycats:
I've noticed too the switching between 5G and LTE..............just want it to switch to roaming when it's supposed to. We were at Rainbow Falls in North Carolina last weekend and it would drop coverage entirely. When we got back to our ABNB, I got in touch with T-Mobile, not sure what they did on their end but they had me reset my network connections. Haven't gotten a chance to test it out, we had to leave early the next morning due to father-in-law passing away during the night. I ran into similar problem at another state park in Tennessee with my Note-10+......so been frustrated with T-Mobile when it comes to no roaming.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] xbrandx:
Same thing I noticed. I ended up sending the phone back. I couldn't even keep a call connected while driving :( Hopefully its a software issue and they can fix it.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] blackhawk:
It maybe a carrier configuration issue if toggling to Airplane off/on resolves it, briefly.

Could be firmware or a phone configuration issue too.

A failed sim card can cause a world of hurt as well. Poorly handled sim cards are much more likely to randomly fail. One ESD event while handling it is all it takes. Replace it if there's any doubt... observe ESD protocols when handling a sim card, no joke.

I would have sent it back too after trying some basic troubleshooting like clearing the system cache, network reset and clearing the data in the sim toolkit. I would also see if the carrier's advanced tech support could ID it as some of them know what they're doing.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Talderon:
I have found that the people that work at the carrier stores (at least for T-Mobile) have some pretty strong skills when it comes to troubleshooting signal/carrier config issues. I would really try talking to someone at one or more stores to find that person that just knows what's up. I had issues with my Sprint Note 20U when the T-Mobile change was happening and went into the store and one of the guys there had his crap together and knew exactly what I needed to get it working and it worked great after that.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] blackhawk:
If it works, use it.

With AT&T it's just the opposite. The corporate stores are to be avoided at all costs. Some are simply corrupt and rotten to the core.

I only use phone support and phone sales to deal with AT&T whenever possible. Invariably a visit to the local stores degrades into a smoldering fubar🤣
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Talderon:
Yup, I know all about that. I hate to admit it, but I used to work for AT&T Corporate and used their services for years, and hated every minute of it. Even as an Employee, they would still try and screw you. I finally left AT&T and could not be happier. I can say though, I have never been with anything Verizon as I heard they are even worse that AT&T, which I find hard to believe, but hearing stories, I can...

I had Sprint before the T-Mobile merger and never had an issue with them. Oddly, I used to work for T-Mobile corporate and they REALLY DO TRY as a corporate mantra to think of the customer first. They did have the first Android Phone on the market (I still have my G1) and really bring a lot to the table. I am glad to be back on them with the merger as they have changed a LOT and the plan I am on now (fully transitioned to T-Mo from Sprint) is about 1/3 the price I was paying with Sprint, and sprint was cheap enough as is!!
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Mr. Orange 645:
I've had ATT, Verizon, and now TMo. ATT customer service was horrible. They don't care to keep you as a customer and it shows.

Verizon had wonderful customer service, but you paid for it. And the difference in coverage is no longer enough to justify it. TMo is as good or better everywhere I go. And I used to travel across the country a LOT.

TMo has great customer service and like I said the coverage is great. I was pulling down over 500 Mbps in Springfield MO and over 400 in St Joseph MO. I live in the country where the ONLY internet provider is ATT, and the fastest connection they can give me is 12 Mbps. I'm switching to TMo home internet since I'm getting 150-200 Mbps here in the boonies from them.

The signal on my ZF3 has been just as solid as my ZF2 and Note 20 Ultra.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Talderon:
I'm really looking forward to getting mine, supposed to ship the week of Sept 10, so REALLY hoping FedEx does not mess this up for me.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Mr. Orange 645:
You'll LOVE it. I'll warn you, battery life socks right now. But it's getting better as it settles. And I'm still hoping some software updates will help it too.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] blackhawk:
Yeah I wouldn't want to work for AT&T. Congratulations on finding a better path.

Verizon support is far worse but has better coverage. The stories I've heard from Verizon users aren't pretty including mine🤣

Tmobile coverage was the issue for me using them. That may change in the future as they seem like a better provider.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Talderon:
Well, with the Sprint Merger, T-Mobile pretty much mopped up the blank spaces in their coverage. It's really great and their 5G is FAST (at least where I am). Overall, I am VERY happy with T-Mobile. Especially since they have very attractive plans for Military Vets. :D
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Talderon:
Yeah, I have been following many Battery Life threads on various boards and hope a few tricks I have seen will help. I just want to get my hands on it!!! :D

battery Life has never been much of an issue for me as I work from home and pretty much everywhere I go, I have access to power in one way or another. I am normally not away from a power source for more than a couple hours and most times I am not on my phone all that much soooooo... we'll see.

I also have portable power banks for when I need them. :D
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] blackhawk:
Sweet... Thank you for your service.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Talderon:
Welcome! :D
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] xbrandx:
I went to best buy and picked up an unlocked version. Headed out to test it now on Tmobile and bringing my att sim as well to test. I'll do a 30 mile drive that I know was good coverage for both.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ronaldheld:
In the past, VZW had the best coverage in areas I went to. Perhaps not now, but I have not traveled far in over a year and a half.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Talderon:
Well, due to the current pandemic, not too many of us have traveled too far in the past year and a half, but all in all, I have to say that everywhere I go around where I live, T-Mobile has been awesome. :D
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] xbrandx:
So far so good on this new unlocked fold 3. No connection issues so far. Fingers crossed.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Dominikm27:
I can confirm again - coverage ZF3 is disaster. And that is not network problem.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] StormCell:
Can anyone get 5G coverage in the U. S.?
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Mr. Orange 645:
What do you mean? All the major carriers offer 5G now, and this is a 5G phone. I guess I don't understand your question.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] StormCell:
Sorry, I should have been more clear. Is anyone actually GETTING 5G? I am not.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Dominikm27:
This topic is not about networks. It is about horrible coverage ZF3. This is worldwide problem, not US only.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] StormCell:
This topic is exactly about networks.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Mr. Orange 645:
I'm definitely getting 5G on TMo in Missouri. Over 500 Mbps down in Springfield. 400 Mbps down in Saint Joseph. My house in the boonies where I previously was getting 3-5 Mbps, I'm now getting 150-200.

Seems very 5Gish to me.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Mr. Orange 645:
Though to be fair, no this thread is not about the networks and 5G availability. Your question was, but the thread wasn't.

It's about the signal strength and network drops specific to the ZF3. It doesn't matter if you have 3G, 4G, 5G or Super Duper G in your area. If THIS phone has issues getting a signal and maintaining it, that's a problem.

Now with that said, I've had zero coverage issues with my ZF3.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] StormCell:
I wonder is Samsung is aware of this issue.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] klemen241:
At work in bathroom i had full strenght signal with huawei mate 40 pro. Now with zfold i can barerly get 4g. I had this problem with all samsungs, now idea what the do with their antenas to be so bad
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Mr. Orange 645:
When I first read this, I though it said, "I work in a bathroom..."
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] StormCell:
As unbelievable as this sounds I think my case was jamming my signal. My case has a gold edge around it. I saw a video here of a guy talking about not using cases with adhesive as it messed with the 5G antenna. My case isn't adhesive but the gold trim looks very solid. Well, I removed my case and now my data speeds are 10 times what they were. My network hasn't shut off once. This is crazy.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] 94b20gsr:
Just another voice on this, signal has been without issue here. On 5G most of the time, including home and travel between states. T-mobile user. Saw 650mbps down on 5G two days ago so all is well. Using the Samsung Aramid case.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] cpufrost:
No problems here in the northern MD area. TMO exclusively. Have not been near a 5G enhanced area that gets 500/200 but I'm sure it will. Signal and voice quality is just as good as my 12 Pro Max. No complaints. I do go in valleys where both VZW and TMO either have no service or dreaded Edge showing up. I need to hook up my Fold 3 to carplay and see how it fares. TIDAL streaming at MASTER QUALITY is quite the test for data in the car LOL.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] JMillion:
i feel like my unlocked ZF3(used w/ T-Mobile) takes longer to reconnect to networks when going out of areas(ala the train) compared to my iPhone 12 Pro(locked to T-Mobile). But my prior ZF2 unlocked was the same way. OnePlus 9 Pro i had no issues
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Damian:
I found also GPS is freakin when cell signal is low.

Shame, phone is perfect but they need to do something with it.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] klemen241:
same lol, it showed few km wrong location yesterday
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Damian:
If they not fix it within next 1 or 2 updates I will start warranty requests until I'll get full refund.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] TFDM:
Sir what do you mean warranty requests.

Extending the warranty I presume.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Damian:
I will start request repairs untill they fix it or give me money back.

I love this phone but I need it for work out of big towns where network signal is poor and comparing with s21u or iPhone 12 Pro Max this phone have a big issue with network signal.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ShaKki:
Mine is fairly good. In Germany i can't complain. Most of the time i have 5g with 500+ Mbits even i nthe subway.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] bs3pro:
Amazing how many have issues. There must be a bad batch, because mine always has signal, just as good as my wifes s21ultra.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] StormCell:
Got this in Fayetteville today. Only had to restart phone once and turn on/off Airplane Mode twice. Not even 5G.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] maximus81:
I am in similar situation. Moved over to GF3 from S21U and I have noticed bad network connectivity in areas where I had no issues on my S21U. I am based in Australia and on Telstra network which has best network coverage. Have done network settings reset but no improvement noticed.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Damian:
Guys start sending reports about it over the Samsung Members app. I've done it, few of my friends also.

Maybe they can fix it over the next 1 or 2 updates.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] StormCell:
I started a. Laim with Asurion.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] StormCell:
Spoke to a Verizon TS agent who said she is dealing with a LOT of folks with bad signals on their ZF3.

Asurion approved my claim and is sending me a new phone.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] klemen241:
but new phone wont fix it. All zfold have problems. People in city wont notice
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] acc3d:
I can echo the same experience with my US Unlocked ZF3 on Verizon: terrible cell/data performance (no signal at times) in areas my US unlocked S21U had great coverage.

I've used the Samsung Band Selection app to switch network mode to 'LTE ALL', which seems to resolve a good chunk of issues.

I wouldn't be so frustrated except for the fact that it's almost October and we're sitting on July security patch/software. I'm confident these issues will be fixed via software, but what's taking so long?

Even the official Verizon model is sitting on the July patch.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] StormCell:
Where are you finding LTE ALL?
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] acc3d:
1. Tap 'Launch Band Selection'

2. Tap 'LTE All'

View attachment 5419611
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] StormCell:
I also have uocked on Verizon and I don't see this anywhere.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Dominikm27:
Have you experienced any improvement? I still have a huge problems. In the suburbs and out of town, the smartphone is useless.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ycats:
When/if you lose coverage, does it switch to Roaming? I've had that problem and keep calling T-Mobile to fix......wondering if it's the signal strength on the device..........I do have a case, might be an issue too.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Dominikm27:
I live in poland. T-Mobile does not have domestic roaming.

The problem is with the ZF3, not with the network. Other phones work fine in these places.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ycats:
I really haven't had any issues around town/suburbs, but when I get a couple of hours away from city life, signal off/on.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] mffu:
If you were depending on some CDMA coverage with Verizon, Fold3 has it disabled in the ROM, although the module is there and the radio is listed in FCC certification papers. I had Fold2 prior to Fold3 and had better reception on Verizion for sure.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ButterflyFlutterflyMyOhMy:
Anyone else have the problem of their cell signal suddenly and randomly (while sitting in one spot) go from full (or one less than full) bars to no service (x over empty bars) and back again? I am on T-mobile (via Sprint) and have had my Z Fold 3 since two days before release date. This problem has been happening for a while. I talked to Sprint, but am not going to erase all my Network Connections data because I have a lot of WiFi and Bluetooth devices set up that I need and it would be too time-consuming to redo it all. The solution was to clean the SIM card, but that did not fix the issue. My plan (unlimited everything with premium data from Sprint) definitely includes roaming for voice and data, so it should switch to roaming if the signal is lost, not just lose the signal.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ycats:
The couple of times where I lost signal, it would not switch to roaming. I'm a Sprint customer for 20 years, now T-Mobile. I brought up the issue with T-Mobile and they had me reset network connections.............but I will say that I have not been in another area where I drop signal, only happened on vacation labor day weekend.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ButterflyFlutterflyMyOhMy:
So, you don't know if the fix worked for you then, right? I don't know why there isn't a way to reset just the cell network connection instead of including WiFi and Bluetooth with it or else I would try it.

I've been with Sprint for 21 years, too, and never had a service issue until now.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Dominikm27:
I have exactly the same problem (T-Mobile, Poland). It has nothing to do with the network, it's a hardware (or software) problem.

Fold3 nonstop changes the categories of networks and transmitters (3G, LTE, 5G) and very often loses coverage at all.

Don't reset your network settings, it's no use, it's a waste of time. I did this twice and nothing helped. I also replaced the sim card.

As I also use the second network (PLAY) in dual sim, I know that the problem is identical in this case.

I am waiting for the latest update and if it does not help, I will send phone to repair or sell it.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ycats:
Correct, don't know if resetting the network settings really works..............hoping a software fix will take care of it, would hate to be w/out a phone for a bit.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ButterflyFlutterflyMyOhMy:
Thanks for confirming that I don't have to do the network reset! So, your second network also does the same thing? We don't have dual SIM here in the States. I use Google Voice (VOIP) as my second number, and it is free so all the better.

I really hope this problem gets fixed with an update! How do we notify Samsung of the problem?
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Acoustichayes:
I get that issue as well, but usually only at my house where I have a t-mobile signal booster. Phone acts really messy.

T-mobile is in the second stage of merging sprint customers over to t-mobile's full network. So that could be part of what you're experiencing
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ButterflyFlutterflyMyOhMy:
I don't have a booster. Signal coverage is good here (4G for data except in certain areas where there is 5G) between full and one less than full bars. This is a T-mobile SIM, not Sprint, but my plan is still through Sprint.

Yeah, the whole switch to T-mobile antennas is why I had to buy a new phone this year, because my previous one would have stopped working in January when they shut the Sprint CDMA network down, otherwise money-wise with starting a new business and all, I was going to wait until next year to get a new phone. The Z Fold 3 is useful for my business, so I chose it instead of a non-flipping Samsung.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] pieces of cake:
I'm on T-Mobile in the Metro Detroit area. Previous phone was a Note20 Ultra. The Z Fold3's signal reception is SIGNIFICANTLY better than that of the Note20 Ultra. Almost a night and day difference.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Nastrahl:
Phone's signal "behavior" is quite strange, and it happened with my Note 20 U too:

When i first got the phone and on some part of the subway i must go through I lose signal completely for maybe 3 to 5 stations. If was OK because the area is probably not covered yet.

Still, after some times i don't lose it anymore and i highly doubt they put new antennas in the area

I also noticed that on some others areas.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ButterflyFlutterflyMyOhMy:
Here's something interesting: my area is experiencing a multi-day power outage, and ever since the outage, I have not seen the issue of the signal suddenly going from full bars to no service and back. Obviously, I don't have WiFi right now, so am using only cell data, and must be in between towers because my driveway (charging devices in the car) and some parts of my second floor get 5G while others get an often-slow 4G signal. Before the outage, I never saw 5G here. One place I am getting 5G most of the time is laying on my bed, but once I put my phone on the nightstand right next to me, it goes to 4G. On the toilet is often 5G, but sometimes only 4G.

I do think that I previously tested if the problem happened when WiFi on my phone was off, and it did, so I don't think that's the problem. The cell signal wasn't lost whem the outage happened (I was using my phone at the time), so it wasn't like the towers were reset or something. However, I know in some areas the towers did go out because a friend had to drive ten miles to get a signal (not sure what carrier he has, but he has an iPhone) and he lives about a half-hour from here.

Does this give anyone ideas on what the problem could be caused by?
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] cpufrost:
That's what I noticed here too.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Acoustichayes:
Assuming you are getting high band, mmwave 5g is very prone to interference being 24+ghz. Think of how 5ghz from your router doesn't go near as far as 2.4ghz. So having power outages would remove a lot of the random signal interference that would cause it to not reach as far
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] OJsakila:
interesting... I just got off the phone with AT&T and had them mail me a new (5G) sim card for my z Fold 3. I have currently just swapped my sim card from my 2019 og Fold 1 into my new z Fold 3. I HAVE seen the 5G logo flash on the screen last night but the card doesn't say 5G and the og Fold 1 wasn't a 5G capable phone. At least the US version wasn't. I wonder if this new card will make any difference? I don't think I have any issues and 5G isn't really around here in Savannah, GA. At least that's what the 5g maps say...
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Acoustichayes:
If you didn't have a 5g phone before, you have to upgrade to a 5g sim card in order to hold 5g. So you'd be correct, it will make a big difference
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] OJsakila:
Thank you. Thats what I figured. Well, its on the way! :)
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ButterflyFlutterflyMyOhMy:
Makes sense. Any idea about what the cell reception on/off problem could be? We just got power back an hour ago (whew! I won't have to charge my devices in the car tonight!), but I haven't really watched to see if the issue reappears.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] vermiciouskanid666:
I'm in the same boat. Constantly getting no service when there clearly is service. I also frequently get slower 5g speeds in areas where I'm one of maybe 5 people who have a 5g phone... so they can't blame congestion. I transfered to Tmobile so I can't comment on service via my last phone the Note 20 Ultra.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] OJsakila:
Less than a week in with my new Fold 3 and quite happy. Not sure why others are getting poor call reception compared to their previous phones... Im on AT&T and in Savannah, GA. Not quite a metropolis but sizable enough. I dont see any difference in my reception. Always pretty solid around here and thats the case with my Fold 3.
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ButterflyFlutterflyMyOhMy:
Earlier this week, my phone suddenly dropped a call I was on, making the person think I hung up on him (once I called him back, I told him I'd never do that and explained that this phone has issues). The signal still does the random flipping to no service thing. It is really frustrating!

I tried to choose the cell service to connect to and still had the issue when specifically choosing the T-mobile tower. It would not connect to any other tower, including the Sprint one, and that's odd since I have unlimited roaming on my unlimited everything plan.

I saw on a Facebook T-mobile ad for the phone that I can't find again that someone commented they turned off two settings that were adaptive settings. One was the adaptive battery, and the other I'm not sure what. They then restarted their phone and it fixed the problem. Has anyone here tried that?
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] Dominikm27:
I was looking for some "adaptive" settings on the phone apart from the battery and nothing sensible that would be related to coverage problem, I did not find
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ButterflyFlutterflyMyOhMy:
Yeah, I searched for it, too, and found nothing. I wish I could remember what that guy said!
[Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3] ButterflyFlutterflyMyOhMy:
So, today I realized that when you have the notification panel open, at the bottom of the screen it tells me the name of the network the phone is on. I noticed it when I had to flip Airplane Mode on and off to get my Chat texting working again. So, I opened the panel and waited for my phone to do the random flip to no service and back thing, which was a short wait because it does it far too often. I was expecting it to say "Emergency Calls Only" like it did right after I turned Airplane Mode off, but instead it changed from "T-mobile" to "(Searching)" and then back to "T-mobile".

Does anyone know if Samsung knows about these problems?