Vibration getting weaker... - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've had my Nexus 4 since the first batch, my sister just received her Nexus 4 last week. I've noticed that her vibration is more pronounced than mine, such as with typing and unlocking the screen. This might sound dumb, but does the motor have to break in, therefore get weaker after awhile? I'm thinking about trying to get a replacement. Any ideas?
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Yeah Ive had mine for about a month and I do remember the vibration being a lot better when I got it out of the box.
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I haven't noticed any change on the vibration strengt... it has a crappy little vibrate now as it was when out of the box... The Nexus 4 has the worst vibrator in a mobile device I ever saw.

OK good, so I'm not going crazy.
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I haven't noticed it getting any worse, but I must say it is a pretty bad motor.
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I noticed, that it has gone slightly softer. But it has never been really "good". I set a higher value for Vibration in Trickster, so it isn't that bad.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

yesterday i got my second device from the rma... and i have to say that on my first devices the vibration were much better... it sounds quit but good....but on my new devices it stronger and it sound hollower....
It's annoying... but it's not defect or what are you think....

I actually find mine vibrates quite well, a little bit better than my Nexus S.

mmhhh oke...but is there someone, where can agree my description of the hollow sound!?

I think it's either hit or miss. My original nexus 4 is pretty good but one the the RMA's I received had a really sluggish and weak motor that made a lot of noise.

Are you going to change your device?

My original Rev 10 had the best screen I’ve ever seen, but the vibration function hardly worked. I actually did an RMA on the device because I thought the vibration didn't work and the ear piece would buzz like hell. I really wish I didn’t do that! The screen was worth dealing with the vibration sucking. Long story short, After I returned the original device, I rooted my RMA replacement and found that the vibration function could be adjusted using an app called Fauxclock123. With that said, the N4’s intensity is set at around 60-70% from the factory. I set mine at about 86% and it felt pretty good. My 3rd device is a REV11 and has the worst screen of the bunch, but the vibration intensity is very strong from the factory.
Please keep in mind that the N4 uses a Linear actuator for its vibration. A linear actuator feels better and makes less noise (less springy), however this is at the expense of intensity. Apple put linear actuators in some of it’s Verizon phones and it caused a bunch of complaints from buyers. My brother has an iPhone with this motor and it feels much weaker than the N4.

"Vibration getting weaker"..that's what she said
"Vanilla android >jail broken iOS>90" TV's"

Related

Vibrate really weak?

So I got my Nexus 4 and overall I love it. It was a nice upgrade from the Galaxy Nexus. 2 issues im having though are
1. The vibrate seems really week. Much weaker than the Galaxy Nexus. Its so weak, if I lay the phone down flat on a table I cant hear it vibrate. I even have an app installed to make it vibrate longer.
2. My led light doesnt seem to work. I installed light flow and nothing. It worked fine on the Galaxy Nexus.
I dont know if I should try and return it to google for another one simply for the vibrate issue or what.
I can confirm the weak vibration. I had a G2 which I could hear rattle against the table. N4 is nowhere near as powerful.
the vibration intensity of the LG Optimus G variants are also the same. i have noticed that Samsung makes the best motors for this function. HTC/LG/Moto appear to use the same, or similar, motor.
The vibrate is really bad. Its basically useless. I just might disable it. I cant get any of the LED notification apps to work. I tried trusty light flow and nothing. The only time the LED works is when I press the option to test it and then its only 1 color.
Ok so an app called sms popup was preventing light flow from working for some reason. I uninstalled it and now light flow works as it should. An FYI if anyone does a search
First time I've owned a phone built by LG and the vibration really is pathetic.
Yeah, I can't feel anything either. :/
I am disappointed with the vibration as well, I can live with it though. I have not had issues with flow light, in fact it's a great app to allow me to set vibration reminders in custom intervals
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I'm disappointed in the weak vibration..no tingling sensation in my pants
Wondering about this as well; the vibrate actually works fine when I've got the N4 in a pocket but when it's on a table or desk, I can't hear/feel it at all. One thing I've noticed is that if I can get one of the longer edges to touch the desk, the vibrate seems much stronger on the edges of the N4 (no bumper here). When it's just face up the vibration just isn't strong enough through the back of the device to notice.
I've read other posts in this forum where people feel like the N4's vibration is actually stronger than the GNex. Is it possible that something needs to be replaced in these devices with weak vibration motors?
I actuallyl iked the vibration on the N4.
Using a custom kernel such as Francos increases the vibrate intensity.
zephiK said:
I actuallyl iked the vibration on the N4.
Using a custom kernel such as Francos increases the vibrate intensity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly recommend flashing Franco's kernel. Fixes the vibration, improves performance, improves battery life and improves the colours on the display.
The weak vibrate is because the nexus 4 uses a linear oscillating vibration motor instead of a counter weighted rotational motor. A linear oscillating motor produces crisper, smoother, and quieter vibrations, but it isn't clanky, rattly, or annoyingly gritty sounding like a counterweighted motor used in most other phones.
nkedge said:
Wondering about this as well; the vibrate actually works fine when I've got the N4 in a pocket but when it's on a table or desk, I can't hear/feel it at all. One thing I've noticed is that if I can get one of the longer edges to touch the desk, the vibrate seems much stronger on the edges of the N4 (no bumper here). When it's just face up the vibration just isn't strong enough through the back of the device to notice.
I've read other posts in this forum where people feel like the N4's vibration is actually stronger than the GNex. Is it possible that something needs to be replaced in these devices with weak vibration motors?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Confirmed, when I hold the buttom of the phone standing up to the desk,the vibration actually goes to the desk.
---------- Post added at 10:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 PM ----------
Well, at least it isn't as strong and loud as the one in my iPhone. That sure was annoying.
AshtonTS said:
The weak vibrate is because the nexus 4 uses a linear oscillating vibration motor instead of a counter weighted rotational motor. A linear oscillating motor produces crisper, smoother, and quieter vibrations, but it isn't clanky, rattly, or annoyingly gritty sounding like a counterweighted motor used in most other phones.
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Click to collapse
This is good information to know. Upon unboxing my N4 I definitely felt that the N4's vibration was DIFFERENT. When I say different, I meant in a good way, it just feels more real and thats the only explaination i could say but the way you worded it was just what I was trying to say but could never think of the words.
I disliked my old phones' vibration where they rattle and sounds like a car motor.
zephiK said:
This is good information to know. Upon unboxing my N4 I definitely felt that the N4's vibration was DIFFERENT. When I say different, I meant in a good way, it just feels more real and thats the only explaination i could say but the way you worded it was just what I was trying to say but could never think of the words.
I disliked my old phones' vibration where they rattle and sounds like a car motor.
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Definitely agree. I really like the way the N4 vibrates, but I just wish I was able to notice it when it's on a flat surface. Figured it had something to do with a difference in motor; glad to know I'm not crazy!
I agree about the vibration, almost useless (I find the maximum ringtone in my pocket on the street to be too quiet too).
Lightflow works with no problems for me, did you enable it in the "accessibility" settings?
I like the vibration on this phone a lot better than my old gnex
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
play.google [DOT] com/store/apps/details?id=com.dunnow.software.vibrationTuner
I've wrote this app to solve this issue. Njoy!
mrvirginia said:
i have noticed that Samsung makes the best motors for this function.
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As an owner of a S2 i couldn't disagree more

Annoying Vibration Motor

I've been using my 5X for a day now, and my one major complaint is the terrible vibration motor. The thing makes more noise than it does vibrate.
The original Nexus 5 had great feeling haptic feedback that made very little noise. Whereas, the 5X makes an obnoxious high pitch "beeping" type noise that sounds like it's coming from the earpiece.
I was typing on the 5X in bed last night, and the vibration feedback was so audibly loud that I had to disable it, for fear of waking my wife.
Part of me is hoping this is a manufacturing defect, but I am doubtful...
Here's a side by side video demonstrating the 5 vs 5X:
https://youtu.be/f-D93hEoPpA
There's a thread for that http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3226848
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk
Sounds like they got their vibration motors from Motorola!
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robstunner said:
Sounds like they got their vibration motors from Motorola!
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But the Motorola motors have one advantage, though highly audible, at least you can FEEL them! They vibrate and serve their intended purpose.
The 5x motor is barely felt yet highly audible!
withdrawn said:
But the Motorola motors have one advantage, though highly audible, at least you can FEEL them! They vibrate and serve their intended purpose.
The 5x motor is barely felt yet highly audible!
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Ah, well that stinks.
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haptic motor seems fine to me when i started using it. However, i've always turned off haptic everything for all my phones anyway so....... yeah.
I made a video comparing the Nexus 5 and the 5X vibration noise.
https://youtu.be/f-D93hEoPpA
rockhstrongo said:
I made a video comparing the Nexus 5 and the 5X vibration noise.
https://youtu.be/f-D93hEoPpA
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That's so annoying! Lol. I don't use haptic for the keyboard so it isn't too bad for me, but for other haptic stuff, I know it will be
Sent from my Nexus 5
I never use it, but the best way to describe it is it is tiny. Some prefer a deep rumble. It makes no noise on mine
While not dismissing your opinion, I can see how this might not be something that everyone likes, I love it (so far). I qualify that statement.
Yes I can totally understand the annoyance of the sound I do love the immediacy of the feedback and while I don't want to say that it's stronger than the N5 it definitely feels more sharp and distinct. Now saying that I always felt that the haptic feedback on the original felt far too dull for my liking. I guess it's a personal thing but I can agree that the noise it generates would be preferably absent in a perfect world.
nexus phones never have a solid good vibrator. Nexus 6 being worst.
jtwlbz said:
nexus phones never have a solid good vibrator. Nexus 6 being worst.
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Click to collapse
I don't think the n6 had a chirping sound when vibrating?
My N6 didn't chirp but the vibration at 100% was bad sounding. With a kernel tweaker it needs to be at about 50%. With the 5X, it's way less, very subdued, almost too subdude
As soon as I pulled the phone out of the box and turned it on, I immediately noticed this. I hope there is a fix.
For some people, this might not be a big deal, but I tend to pick up on subtle sounds, and it is definitely audible.
I have this exact same problem. It is obnoxious. I'm not sure how anyone who prefers key noises off could deal with this. I thought it was the speaker when I first got it. The haptic feedback is mostly felt through the back of the phone and the fingers/palm touching the underside. Which doesn't make much sense at all considering it's supposed to make it feel like you're touching the screen. On the screen it is way too underpowered. So basically there are no benefits to it at all on the phone. I have a replacement order already in the mail, but if it comes with the issue again I'm hoping they can upgrade me to the 6P or something (despite not wanting the extra size). It's sad that I have to compromise on the successor to the best nexus phone built just because either nobody noticed this or cared during production, or because of poor quality assurance.
Are you guys sure it's the faulty vibro motor and not it's placement? I remember how Nexus 10 had a very weird noise for vibration, and turns out the motor was placed right under one of the speaker grills, which resulted in the audible noise amplified by the empty space within the grill
Just got my nexus 5x. It doesn't sound anything near as loud as the moto. I'd say it's close to the audible noise of a Samsung. Which is fine with me. It might not be as strong of a vibrate, but its as least quiet. No point in having your phone in vibrate only mode when your phone's vibrations can be heard across the room!
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
robstunner said:
Just got my nexus 5x. It doesn't sound anything near as loud as the moto. I'd say it's close to the audible noise of a Samsung. Which is fine with me. It might not be as strong of a vibrate, but its as least quiet. No point in having your phone in vibrate only mode when your phone's vibrations can be heard across the room!
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
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Great to hear, hated the one from Moto x2
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Fatal1ty_93_RUS said:
Are you guys sure it's the faulty vibro motor and not it's placement? I remember how Nexus 10 had a very weird noise for vibration, and turns out the motor was placed right under one of the speaker grills, which resulted in the audible noise amplified by the empty space within the grill
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't the issue. For me most of the vibration is through the back of the phone and very little is felt with the screen-touching finger. In fact, the beeping noise from the video on page 1 (watch it if you're not sure of the noise) sounds more like it's coming from more on the top left (SD card area). With or without an SD card in or the tray removed entirely, the noise is the same.
I describe it as a large mosquito noise.... and I like it .

Weak Vibration

Is it just me or is the vibration really weak? I missed a ton of messages and calls already due to not even feeling it. I called myself to test it out and the vibration even in my hand feels very weak. Maybe I'm just numb to vibrations because the X 2014 was so aggressive, but it seems super weak on the 6p.
Anyone else having issues? Is there anyway to alter my vibration strength?
Hmmm might be defective as this is the first post or comment regarding this. You would need to compare it to another if you can find in next few days
I'm actually rma'ing mine because the vibration is audible, like it's rattling against something.
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akellar said:
I'm actually rma'ing mine because the vibration is audible, like it's rattling against something.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
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I wish mines were a little more audible. I haven't been using my 360, but it seems I will need to if this is just the level of vibration. I just called myself with it on a table. I can't feel it on the table like half an inch from the phone. I'm pretty sure the vibration should be stronger than that.
The vibration is odd indeed, its almost a resonating sound and a light vibration.
Wait till we have control.over the kernel and we can edit its values
Really weak vibration here too. Have another coming for my wife on Monday. I'll compare with that one before deciding if its worth talking with Google over. The vibration is much lighter than my old nexus 6.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
You're not imagining it. The vibration is very weak on this phone.
I've missed loads of notifications too. It's pretty much useless in my pocket.
Waiting for CM based roms. Hopefully they're continue to have a setting like they used to have to increase the vibration strength.
The vibration is weak but I rather like it. I never feel it in my pocket on any phone. It's way better than the n6. The vibration on that was super loud and really annoying
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Can another compare it to the LGG3?
It's one of the weaker vibrations on a phone I've felt. I have a N6, Note 3, G2 and G3 and the 6p comes no where near them
The vibrator motor on mine is also weak. Much weaker than my N5. I am hoping a mod can increase its strength.
very weak. really wish it was stronger. I just pulled my Android Wear watch out of the drawer it's been sitting in for 3 months....
brikholl said:
Really weak vibration here too. Have another coming for my wife on Monday. I'll compare with that one before deciding if its worth talking with Google over. The vibration is much lighter than my old nexus 6.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
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Any comparison yet? I'm so curious lol
It's very weak compared to the Nexus 6, that's for sure. It's strange after the Moto X 2013 and then the Nexus 6.
I can barley hear the Nexus 6p on the desk next to me, but I could hear the Nexus 6's vibration from the next room over.
It's not just week and hard to hear but the resonance is something like nails on a chalkboard. I no like it.
It's lighter but not bad. I dislike when the vibration on a phone causes rattles. This feels solid and fine. It's not defective because it's different from another device.
I'm finding the vibration strength to be extremely weak, and the default duration to be very short with this phone. I wish makers would put more priority on the motors. It feels as bad as my HTC Hero2. Sure, it's loud and feels alarming when testing it in hand or on a table, but it can be unnoticeable when it's in certain positions in my pocket. My galaxy s2 and s4 were much better, but I wouldn't call those great either. I miss you, nokia 3390 earth shaker.
Are there any recommended notification managers for marshmallow that lets you play with the duration?
Coming from Note, S4 and Note 3 with stock AT&T and XDA roms. I miss the intensity of those phones compared to my new Nexus 6P.
Going from HTC M8 to the nexus 6p the vibration sucks. Any way to increase strength/duration?
hayleystarr said:
Going from HTC M8 to the nexus 6p the vibration sucks. Any way to increase strength/duration?
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Same here. I am coming from m8 and I barely feel it meanwhile m8 is like a taser which works great.

Rattling vibrator?

How does 6p vibrator do? My nexus 6 makes crazy rattling noise almost non usable. This is thr biggest buying factor for me.
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It's 100 times better. The N6 vibrator SUCKED. It would scare the crap out of me every time it went off on my desk.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
6p is ever so much better than the n6 and the 5x. Nice little purr compared to the n6 which sounds like it's going to vibarate to pieces!
I do love the actual sound of the vibration. It is a purr like, and it feels very compact instead of ratting anything around.
So it looks like more like samsung vibrators right?
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best vibrator ever... (that's what 'she said) - no punt intended
Much better than the Nexus 6, that had an awful loud buzz rather than vibrate, people knew you had a notification from miles away! The 6P has a really nice subtle vibration, so nice I actually keep the haptic feedback on, on the nexus 6 with that on it was like a big clunk every time you pressed the screen.
Its fine with me. I don't like how loud it is when you double tap the power button to open the camera. Can't find a way to disable it either.
I don't think anybody on reddit has anything but good things to say about it
The vibration motor is not as good as samsung. It is better than N6 but still the same sound but quiter. It feels a bit cheap. I think about send it back to google because of that. It's a high rattle sound coming from the camera lense.

Cheap Vibration touch feel

So I've used this phone for 5 minutes already and I can't stand the vibration on touch.
I had this issue on the OPO and OPO, the vibration on touch feeling was very cheap.
I've tested many phones like the Moto X 2nd Gen, N6, G4 and now Moto X Pure and all these phones had a very good vibration touch.
This one feels really cheap and annoying and I cringe every time I type.
Anyone else feel this way? Did I get a defective device or is this normal (I hope not)
I"m going to try sucking it up just to see if I like the camera and battery however if this is normal I think I'll be returning it.
I spent a lot of money (128) model and I did this thinking I won't need to find workarounds or sacrifice by disabling options.
Ugh I'm so annoyed.
I'm not sure if you got a defective unit or not but I love the haptic feedback on the N6P. Probably the best vibration motors I've felt on a phone (tried a few phones out: Nexus 5, HTC M8, Note 4, Nexus 6). I think the general consensus about the haptic feedback has been positive as well, but I could be wrong. Can you describe what you don't like about it?
It's very subtle but I like it
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
miketn said:
I'm not sure if you got a defective unit or not but I love the haptic feedback on the N6P. Probably the best vibration motors I've felt on a phone (tried a few phones out: Nexus 5, HTC M8, Note 4, Nexus 6). I think the general consensus about the haptic feedback has been positive as well, but I could be wrong. Can you describe what you don't like about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It feels cheap.
Like the whole phone vibrates in a weird cheap way.
I still have my Moto X Pure here and it has a stronger feel to it and it was the same on the N6, G4 and other phones i mentioned. I had my wife try it and she noticed it was cheap as well.
I'm going to try applying for a replacement because I'm loving almost everything else so this is really depressing.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
krazyq said:
It feels cheap.
Like the whole phone vibrates in a weird cheap way.
I still have my Moto X Pure here and it has a stronger feel to it and it was the same on the N6, G4 and other phones i mentioned. I had my wife try it and she noticed it was cheap as well.
I'm going to try applying for a replacement because I'm loving almost everything else so this is really depressing.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Yeah, that doesn't sound right at all; it may be a defective unit. I had the Nexus 6 and it was like that, strong but the whole phone rattled (which made it feel cheap). The Nexus 6P has a very solid subtle vibration (that's how I would describe it). There's a thread on reddit dedicated to haptic feedback and how people were praising it haha (https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3qsryc/the_best_feature_of_the_nexus_6p/)
Anyway, I hope everything works out with your replacement.
The vibration from the motor seems very... snug. Like all the surrounding components are very tightly fitted around so when a vibration occurs, nothing is rattling. It sounds, and feels, very clean.
Do any of you live in Minneapolis so I can test it out...
I'm going to call them tomorrow and see what options I get
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