Computers & Hardware > Android & other hand held devices
Android phones - anybody a fan?
sevenlayermuddle:
I needed a new mobile and considering the proliferation of iOS devices I've collected, decided it was time to dip a toe into Androids so I am now the proud owner of a cheap as chips Samsung Galaxy Fame PAYG. ;D
I'm fairly impressed on the whole, but it's worse than useless for network data access. I only have 2G (gprs) coverage locally, but my previous phone (pre-android and pre-iOS) coped fine, if a bit slow, with the same SIM. The Android just seems to give up on almost every attempt. I have checked and double-checked the configurable parameters for the access point and anyway, the fact that it works occasionally suggests the configuration is basically sound. I've tried it in the nearby town centre, much the sam - nearly never works.
When not working (which is nearly always) the symptoms are initial flickering of the activity arrows under the 'G' (gprs) symbol, which peters out and stops after a few seconds, and then the App hangs for few tens of seconds before giving up, and reporting various error messages like 'can't access', 'try again' etc. The same symptoms affect all my favourite Apps, BBC weather, National Rail (train times), BBC News, etc. Yet they all do work, occasionally.
So to recap, signal strength is fine, and data connection does occasionally work, possibly it works best when the network is quiet like wee small hours. In consideration of that I'm inclined to think this is an Android O/S problem, rather than with the phone. Perhaps, for example, it can't cope when corrupted data needs to be resent? Or maybe it can't cope with long latencies?
Just wondered if anybody else had good/bad experience with Android network data, compared to earlier phones (pre iOS and pre Android)? I'm Android 4.1.2 for what difference that makes.
broadstairs:
I've had two Android phones and both frankly struggle on any 2G services, dont know why. I'm lucky here that I normally have a good 3G service and when at home I always use wi-fi on it. I have no idea why but if I only get a 2G signal I dont bother with the net. I would not expect and IOS devices to fare much better since most of their access, like Android, would be graphical not text which is what pre-IOS/Android phones used plus I expect timeouts are much shorter because of the design expecting 3G.
Stuart
sevenlayermuddle:
--- Quote from: broadstairs on February 05, 2014, 05:06:34 PM ---I would not expect and IOS devices to fare much better since most of their access, like Android, would be graphical not text which is what pre-IOS/Android phones used
--- End quote ---
Better half has an iPhone, but we've never set it up for data access. I may do so for comparison, we are both on Vodafone PAYG. A characteristic of Vodafone PAYG is that as soon as you use any data, you are debited £1 which allows you to use a full 25MB. OIt's not actually bad but it means however that every day I do these experiments it is costing £1 for each phone. :'(
With the old phone I used to just use the built in browser, had bookmarks for my favourite BBC weather charts, and for my usual train stations from the National Rail website. On days when I was out walking I could watch the weather, and on my way to the station I could check if the trains were on time. So that was graphical too, and worked fine, if a bit slow. And even if it took a while you just stuck it back in your pocket and walked another hundred yards, it'd be ready when you looked later.
But with the Android, if it doesn't work immediately, there's no point in 'giving it time', it just won't work period. Really is quite useless in comparison.
kitz:
I have a galaxy S4 mini which runs on Android 4.2.2 and although its slow, I just put that down to being used to having wi-fi on a fast connection at home. Aside from my parents house, where its carp, I cant say Ive noticed a problem - but thats no surprise since they show as grey on the map even for 2G.
My daughter has an galaxy s2/s3 (cant remember) and she uses 3G practically 24/7 without problems as shes always on the move and hardly ever home. Shes always uploading photos mail etc from her phone and uses mobile data these days more than her laptop.
Admittedly I previously had a HTC DesireS which tbh wasnt much good on 2g and could be painfully slow at times, but it usually worked depending on location.
I think there may be a setting somewhere in the phone where you can state your network prefs, and I recall seeing something once that if you are in a 2g area it may be best setting that as your default network mode. But double check as Im talking off the top of my head.
Have you checked coverage for your area via your network provider
vodafones is here
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/our-network-and-coverage/uk-coverage-map/index.htm?cid=rdr-11072-01
Ronski:
I can't shed any light on your specific problem, I've had Android phones for a long time and don't have any problems, but I do generally have a good 3G signal. Do any of the other mobile firms have good 3G coverage in your area? There are only four mobile network operators in the UK (mentioned below), all the others piggy back off those 4, you can find further info here.
Just reading what Kitz posted reminded me that your phone may keep trying to swap to 3G then drop back to 2G, I think there may well be a setting somewhere to set it to 2G only.
£1 a day for 25MB sounds like it could be very expensive way of using your phone, there are now some very good Sim only deals out.
Vodafone 300 minutes, 500 texts, 250MB data for £9 a month
Three 200 minutes, 5000 texts, 500MB data for £6.90 - I'm on the One Plan, 2000 minutes, 5000 texts and unlimited data with tethering for £15, but looks like it's gone up to £20 a month
Orange 500 minutes, 500 texts, 100MB data £8 a month
O2 100 minutes, unlimited texts, 100MB data £8 a month
Those above are the cheapest tariffs for 12 month contract, a little more money can get some good allowances, tie that in with a cash back deal and you can have a good contract at a very good rate. Do some in depth research and it is possible to get some very good deals.
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