Phone call quality - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Got my nexus 4 during the first launch and apparently when I use it as a phone the people on the other end have a tough time hearing me. It doesn't happen all the time but people say I sound far away and they ask if I've moved or not but I'm in the exact same position for the duration if the call!
Also, I get the same complaint while on speaker phone.
Does anyone else have these problems?
I'm sure its not the network I'm using either since I'm on Telus in Toronto and I have full bars when talking.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Haven't heard a complaint yet. How's your signal when you are hearing complaints?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Voice Quality
maxpowerxiii said:
Got my nexus 4 during the first launch and apparently when I use it as a phone the people on the other end have a tough time hearing me. It doesn't happen all the time but people say I sound far away and they ask if I've moved or not but I'm in the exact same position for the duration if the call!
Also, I get the same complaint while on speaker phone.
Does anyone else have these problems?
I'm sure its not the network I'm using either since I'm on Telus in Toronto and I have full bars when talking.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell you that people are commenting on how clear and crisp my voice sounds.
Either speakerphone, Bluetooth car or regular phone all are excellent call quality.
Much better then my old SGS3.
CC

are you saying that you actually hold the nexus 4 up to your ear and talk into the thing?!?!
do you know what year it is??

Clear and crisp on both ends. No issues hearing people and haven't heard anyone say my end is faint/distorted or anything.

My call quality is awesome, much better than my one X - but the main thing you notice is the volume - its nice and loud. (some would say too loud, but you can always turn it down if you think so)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Ogg said:
are you saying that you actually hold the nexus 4 up to your ear and talk into the thing?!?!
do you know what year it is??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, right? Who uses a phone for a phone any more??
But in all seriousness. I'm wondering if I have a bad speaker or something. Everything else with the phone is fine. A slight buzzing in the earpiece but that's only if I'm using it as a phone but it doesn't bother me. Also, no rattling whatsoever.
The signal quality is fine when during the call. Full bars.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Ogg said:
are you saying that you actually hold the nexus 4 up to your ear and talk into the thing?!?!
do you know what year it is??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why does your third post ever have to be so offensive? You haven't talked on a phone for 5 years?

I think I got the same call quality problem. It sounds even worst than my old ATT captivate.

wawacoffee said:
Why does your third post ever have to be so offensive? You haven't talked on a phone for 5 years?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He was obviously kidding, which the op got. All good. :thumbup:

chrisjcks said:
My call quality is awesome, much better than my one X - but the main thing you notice is the volume - its nice and loud. (some would say too loud, but you can always turn it down if you think so)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This....
'effin speaker made me deaf the first time someone called me and spoke into the phone
if you have buzzing...that might be an indication of a bad speaker... I just placed a call to / from my phone for you as a test to be sure..
crisp, clear and NO buzzing. ever.

Yes, I have the same issue. People can't hear me as it constantly cuts out, and when it doesn't cut out, it sounds like I'm far away. It's so bad that some people have said "your new phone is a piece of crap!" and in general it's not possible to have a conversation. This has happened in several cities and places where my old htc inspire never had any issues.
I've been waiting for google to send me a new one, but it hasn't arrived yet. Also their customer service has no tools or authority to do anything, except for "sending an email to a specialist."
When I've called them about the RMA and to complain, I've done it from my Nexus phone and they constantly ask me to repeat. When I explain the issue they seem somewhat sympathetic.

^^ Stock rom & kernel?

Today i got my Nexus4 and have the same issues.
People tell me that i sound far away and some weren't able to understand me. My speaker (that one holding to the ear) sounds like an old Nokia with distortion from the wireless signal (induction). Sound chip tends to cut out people on the other end and it sounds like a "bumping volume". I have the same tested on my iPhone 5 and people also tend to sound like "bumping volume" but not that bad as on the Nexus 4. This is clearly a software issue (compressor).
Well i think i have to return my Nexus 4. Cheap doesn't always pay off in terms of quality

100% stock here. Turns out they're shipping me a new one and it should here tomorrow afternoon. So we will see if that one is better.

Got new phone, works now, everyone can hear me fine.

I get complaints anytime I use speakerphone. The caller on the remote end says my audio is choppy and sounds like I am far away. I've been holding out on doing a RMA hoping it will be fixed in a software update. I've tested my mic using different recording apps and the audio playback sounds very clear. I'm wondering if the issue is related to the noise cancelation that takes place when in a call.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

three letters. APN

phermey said:
three letters. APN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Care to explain?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

solvingchaos said:
Care to explain?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure thing. 99% of all call and data quality issues on this phone is due to the APN never being set. Or put in improperly. Most peeps think that inserting the sim is all they have to do.

Related

Echo and static on calls?

Whenever I talk, there is a noticeable echo and static. Holding it away from my face, it stops. Why is this? Is this a hardware issue? Should I take back? It is very annoying. I also have major GPS issues. The phone is perfect otherwise
What ROM-Radio combo do you use? I think thats your problem. Try searching in the ROM thread. Good luck!
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Did you successfully install the service update (DH12)? Maybe it's just a placebo effect, but I feel like voice quality improved.
If you're rooted, try the unsigned version that namebrandon posted. Otherwise, wait for the prompt from Verizon on your phone and--this is important--install via 3G, NOT Wifi.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
jorisvdende said:
What ROM-Radio combo do you use? I think thats your problem. Try searching in the ROM thread. Good luck!
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the Fascinate, not the Vibrant. We don't have ROMs. I'm only rooted. The baseband ends in D101 which is the recent update.
hanathan said:
Did you successfully install the service update (DH12)? Maybe it's just a placebo effect, but I feel like voice quality improved.
If you're rooted, try the unsigned version that namebrandon posted. Otherwise, wait for the prompt from Verizon on your phone and--this is important--install via 3G, NOT Wifi.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got this phone at BB from the Free Phone Friday promo. As soon as it turned on it prompted the D101 update, over 3G.
Oh, okay. Yeah, you have the latest build D01 (not what I mistakenly wrote above).
Hrmph, not sure what to tell you. I get some reverb and the overall voice quality is just par for Verizon, but I definitely don't get any static...
Supposedly the voice quality on Motorola's Droid X and Droid 2 are both dreamy, but they have other issues (locked bootloader, froyo update issues). Unfortunately, there isn't really a single Verizon device that does everything perfectly at the moment, so you'll have to compromise. Maybe other folks on here will have something more useful to tell you. Good luck!
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
hanathan said:
Oh, okay. Yeah, you have the latest build D01 (not what I mistakenly wrote above).
Hrmph, not sure what to tell you. I get some reverb and the overall voice quality is just par for Verizon, but I definitely don't get any static...
Supposedly the voice quality on Motorola's Droid X and Droid 2 are both dreamy, but they have other issues (locked bootloader, froyo update issues). Unfortunately, there isn't really a single Verizon device that does everything perfectly at the moment, so you'll have to compromise. Maybe other folks on here will have something more useful to tell you. Good luck!
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely don't wanna switch to a different device. The CPU, GPU, and screen are amazing. This static is just annoying. My Droid definitely had the best call and speaker quality I've ever heard on all ends, and the Incredible comes pretty close.
Sounds like you have a defective handset... Definitely not a typical thing.
Sent from my Fascinate using XDA
I've had same issue. Seems like certain frequencies cause kazoo effect or ripped speaker sound plus dimly hearing my own voice in the same manor. I've had it 8 days I think I'm gonna exchange it. And per vzw forum *228 did nothing.
in call volume only 50%.
good day.
Off topic: Will they swap the sd during exchange or should I copy stuff to computer?
I have found that holding the phone more horizontally makes this stop compared to holding it more up and down like. Make sense?
chopper the dog said:
I've had same issue. Seems like certain frequencies cause kazoo effect or ripped speaker sound plus dimly hearing my own voice in the same manor. I've had it 8 days I think I'm gonna exchange it. And per vzw forum *228 did nothing.
in call volume only 50%.
good day.
Off topic: Will they swap the sd during exchange or should I copy stuff to computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe my voice's frequency causes it I would just copy the SD card to be safe. I think I will return as well.
dlongb13 said:
I have found that holding the phone more horizontally makes this stop compared to holding it more up and down like. Make sense?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do understand that. I have felt the mic is not padded to the proper db level on this device. But the buzzing sound also occurs while listening to someone else talk on a land line. Never heard it like this on any other device.
Copying now.
good day.
Let's see: I have this issue, the GPS issue, my volume rocker rattles, which is a defect according to another thread, and my power button sticks and doesn't always work(especially when trying to turn the device on.) Return? Oh, and the 4 buttons on the front(especially the home one) have response issues. It is especially hard to pull up the multitask menu without accidentally going to the homescreen because it didn't respond right.
Problem Solved and very pleasantly...
Alright, so I was not crazy. There was something wrong with my ear piece on my device. Went to the vzw store last night signed into the kiosk and that gave me about 25 minutes of waiting which was perfectly fine. I first went to a fascinate on display and dialed *611 and listened to the chick say "welcome to verizon wireless" and holy crap it has bass and didn't buzz like a kazoo. Dialed *611 on my device and there it is, the sound that has plagued me for a week. I spied another fascinate on display and did *611 again and there it was full sounding with no buzz. Now I have confidence that I am not crazy and I am not being picky. Being very new to android and falling in love with the fascinate upon seeing and holding it in the store the first time a couple of weeks ago. So now I have some android knowledge and I had a chance to compare the vzw android line up. Keep in mind I came from a omnia i910 that served me well for almost 2 years and when vzw would release a new device I would stop in and spend 5 or 10 minutes with a hot device. Nothing ever said BUY ME like the fascinate did. But after having the fascinate for a week all the devices I laid my hands on just felt archaic and boring. So that completely eliminated the "I wonder what that device would be like thought". So my name was called and I explained my situation. He then exchanged it without mention of the $35 return or exchange fee which I was not charged for and gave me a new pack of protectors that I did not ask of, for free as well. The most interesting part of the whole experience was watching him remove way more plastic from the device that was not on my original one. And then he took the battery out of the PLASTIC. Awesome I'm getting a virgin device, the first one I got the battery was oddly in the device when she took it out of the box for programming. All my calls today were very pleasant and normal sounding. My store experience was great. Kudos to the Big Red.
good day.
Nice! Glad to hear about your happy ending
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

Poor outgoing call quality...

Hi guys,
I've got my Note for four days now, I'm very happy with it except for one thing. I keep getting complaints from people I call that the call quality is very poor. When I use the voice recorder my voice sounds crystal clear, so I don't think it's a faulty mic. I thought my maybe my in call mic volume is too high. I accessed the service menu (*#*# 197328640#*#*) but I can't get into 5. Audio. When I press it it just goes back to the main menu. Does someone else have this problem or does someone have a fix for my problem.
I have the same problem... but some people hears me well and others told me they hear me far away and with a metallic voice.
No problem here.
It ain't just ok... it's perfect compared to other devices.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
I agree the note is very good on out going and incomming calls. Much better than the S1 and S2.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Works fine here..
does it mean we have a defective batch .. ?

Bad call quality, what can I do?

Hello All,
I've become increasingly aware that the quality of the voice calls on my N4 is very poor indeed. At first I thought it was just my network but have since been able to test two other N4's on the same network at the same time from the same location. The other two were fine - exceptional actually. Mine was comparatively bad: crackling, low fidelity and too quiet. Something isn't working properly.
So, are there any suggestions for ways to fix this sort of problem on my own?
Also, how does one go about getting Google to actually support the hardware they sell? I suspect my N4 should be replaced under warranty and I already fear the colossal ball ache they are going to make that experience for me.
Any and all suggestions welcome.
Kind thanks
Paul
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
What carrier are you using? If you're on T-mobile check and see if you're phone supports HD calling.
I was having that same issue with my Note 2, not all the time but sometimes I would hear echos and cracking. I set up my call sound and it's great now.
Not all phones support HD calling but you should look into it. It's a huge difference, even more so when both sides have a phone that has HD calling. It sounds even better then calling over wifi as long as both party's have a device that supports it.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Hi Onemoa
I'm on Three in the UK which also has HD voice. How do you go about checking whether it is configured correctly?
Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
On T-mobile you get a widget called my call sound. I used that to set it up best for myself.
I'm not sure how you would configure it though. All I know is when you have it you will know because the difference is very noticeable, as long as both users have a compatible phone. I'll try looking into it some more.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

Question for LG G2 owners, regarding external speaker decibels

One of the things which hold me from buying this phone, is the speakerphone decibel levels.
In the past, I had some phones with very low speakerphone levels, which led for many missed notifications (it happened mostly with notifications and not phone calls, because notification sound is much shorter).
I've seen GSMARENA's comparison of spkearphone decibel levels (attached image), and was quite shocked to see just how quiet the LG G2 speakerphone is. It is 10 decibels lower than the Galaxy S4 (10 decibels translate to twice as loud, for human hearing).
So, in your day to day experience with the LG G2, do you find yourself in situations that you missed a notification because of the quiet speakerphone ? how much of a problem are we talking here ? can you compare the notification volume to your last phone and conclude this is a real problem ?
notification sound is pretty loud enough imo.
Havent missed any notifications in loud places.
Video sound is a little quiet, but not the notification sounds
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
Yeah, it's a little quiet, but there's a post somewhere around here about how to increase your speaker volume above factory specs if you're rooted... Haven't done mine yet because I'm not rooted yet
Well, I'm quite particular about this, thus I sold off the Xperia Z after 11 days of usage.
As for the LG, I'm running it for 2 weeks and still going good.
I did the hack as mentioned above and it's pretty much decent. Videos are pretty darn loud for me (MX player, using HW+ decoder).
Something to note is that the speaker placement is at the bottom. I feel that's the best place for a speaker on a phone. It will face out when you insert your phone headfirst. Also when laying on the desk, the speakers are not blocked (as opposed to the S4). All these help in delivering sounds more efficiently.
I've had the phone for a good 2 weeks now and haven't missed many notification or calls at all. The ringtones and notification tones that come with the phone are plenty loud.
Also, I agree with MasK about the bottom-facing speaker. It doesn't seem to get muffled at all sitting on a desk or even on a pillow on my couch, unlike my old RAZR MAXX.
MasK said:
Well, I'm quite particular about this, thus I sold off the Xperia Z after 11 days of usage.
As for the LG, I'm running it for 2 weeks and still going good.
I did the hack as mentioned above and it's pretty much decent. Videos are pretty darn loud for me (MX player, using HW+ decoder).
Something to note is that the speaker placement is at the bottom. I feel that's the best place for a speaker on a phone. It will face out when you insert your phone headfirst. Also when laying on the desk, the speakers are not blocked (as opposed to the S4). All these help in delivering sounds more efficiently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, could you let me know how you did the hack?
Thanks.
You might say that I have been known to be a bit hard of hearing, but I have not really had any issues with the speaker or speaker phone with the G2. I have add these 2 apps:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.divi.volumebooster&hl=en
and I have the pro version for .99 cents of this one:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cb.volumePlus&hl=en
i hope this helps you
albundy9999 said:
Hi, could you let me know how you did the hack?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I did. Set the value to 65.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2442883
There's a ViperMOD as well and seem to get very good reviews. However, I could not get it to run. I've yet to troubleshoot it.
I find that picture hard to believe...the HTC one been getting BIG thumbs up for its speaker.
Will ViperMod work on T-Mobile variants? Can someone confirm?
Sent from my LG-D801 using XDA Premium HD app
Ok guys,
I have the LG G2 D802.
There are 2 speaker grills, one on each side of the Micro USB port on the bottom of the phone. I noticed that only the Right Speaker on the phone is working. The Left one is not. My question is, DOES THE PHONE HAVE 2 SPEAKERS OR IS THE SPEAKER GRILL ON THE LEFT JUST FOR SHOW?
abhinavsg said:
Ok guys,
I have the LG G2 D802.
There are 2 speaker grills, one on each side of the Micro USB port on the bottom of the phone. I noticed that only the Right Speaker on the phone is working. The Left one is not. My question is, DOES THE PHONE HAVE 2 SPEAKERS OR IS THE SPEAKER GRILL ON THE LEFT JUST FOR SHOW?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The second one is the mic
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda premium
gm007 said:
The second one is the mic
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL.
Thanks a lot for the clarification. I got really worried. :laugh:
btw buddy, dont you think that practically the volume of the speaker is a bit on the lower side? Also, imo the earpiece performance for calls is not the best possible like HTC One. Dont you think?
abhinavsg said:
LOL.
Thanks a lot for the clarification. I got really worried. :laugh:
btw buddy, dont you think that practically the volume of the speaker is a bit on the lower side? Also, imo the earpiece performance for calls is not the best possible like HTC One. Dont you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are right but each phone has it's + and -
All have weak points at some place
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda premium
gm007 said:
Yes you are right but each phone has it's + and -
All have weak points at some place
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, best part is, 802's positives weigh much more.
anyway any way we can enhance the speaker and earpiece without rooting?
abhinavsg said:
True, best part is, 802's positives weigh much more.
anyway any way we can enhance the speaker and earpiece without rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda premium
abhinavsg said:
True, best part is, 802's positives weigh much more.
anyway any way we can enhance the speaker and earpiece without rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah,
There is some chance to increase that low volume level without modding device please?
Many thanks guys
I've tried some apps like volume boost or music eq but don't seem work
diegocapassi said:
Oh yeah,
There is some chance to increase that low volume level without modding device please?
Many thanks guys
I've tried some apps like volume boost or music eq but don't seem work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FiiO e11 and a BOSE speaker in the backpack with car battery, you wouldn't miss a notification at all

Pre-purchase jitters from the call quality issue

I am (was?) all set to buy a 6P, so doing some research on them. And I've run across the multiple threads on different forums with 100's of user complaining about call quality. But it's hard to tell if it's only affecting a few unlucky souls or if it is pretty much everyone. I like the idea of this phone since I'm a programmer and want to be able to use a rootable phone with any carrier I choose, but it has to do the basic things a smartPHONE should do, too. I'm coming from an S5 which has great call quality, and do not want to downgrade in that area at all.
So any user feedback would be welcome.
TIA
For what it's worth, in Perth Australia with Vodafone I find the call quality no better or worse that any of my previous phones (see my signature for that list).
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
My 6P has fine call quality on both ends of the conversation. I've asked those on the other end of the line how the sound was and have consistently been told it's very good.
if your talking about the noise cancellation issue, you can easily fix it with a simple build.prop edit
What "quality issue"? There is none, most issues are network related, hell mine sounds just fine using the car Bluetooth while doing 70 on the highway
Yeah no problems with call quality on any of mine or my friends and families 6p
No issues with my call quality....
Mines running perfect out the box ... Verizon here .. Made several calls no issues yet
You should be more worried about the screen issues than the call quality of this phone.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
ncsuwolfs said:
if your talking about the noise cancellation issue, you can easily fix it with a simple build.prop edit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the noise cancellation issue. I'd read about that tweak, but pretty much no feedback about if that was a true fix or not.
z0phi3l said:
What "quality issue"? There is none, most issues are network related, hell mine sounds just fine using the car Bluetooth while doing 70 on the highway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it seems to work fine on Bluetooth. It's when it's using normal mic that it has issues.
mkouk said:
You should be more worried about the screen issues than the call quality of this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What screen issue? I guess I got caught up reading 500 or 600 posts about the call issue, and didn't see anything about the screen. I'll have to do some more looking.
On Verizon here.. My fiance said that I sounded a bit odd when I first started using the 6P (Call sounded normal from my end). I discovered that the HD calling option was turned on. I tried it with the HD calling off, and she said I immediately sounded "normal" again. Funny because I bet it actually sounded better in HD mode, and she probably just wasn't used to the clarity.
The only sound quality issues I have experienced are with the noise cancellation mic on the back of the phone. I have a Tetded flip case and if I call with it opened up on that mic people say I sound muffled. If I uncover it I can be in a very noisy room and all people can hear is me even though I can bearly hear them because of the volume of the background noise.

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