Sent in Z5 Compact for fixing...

[netboysteve]

I am having two issues with my Z5 compact that are reported in this forum:

- LTE shows poor connection always, Cell Standby shows heavy use

- Speakerphone/mic issues when making or receiving calls.

I was pleasantly surprised at Sony's phone support. They answer quickly, they totally wanted to help and authorized the phone to be sent to repair center. Funny thing is... it doesn't really matter what your issue is. Not sure if this is old news to you guys. Basically they just receive the phone and I guess run diagnostics to check all functions. I imagine if all functions were PASS then they just return the phone, if not, try to fix, if not, replace. 

I figured this out, because I originally got the warranty approval for the speakerphone issue, but then phoned later to add the LTE issue and the guy said it didn't matter, they were going to run full diagnostics anyways.

I know people in the forum say the LTE thing (showing poor bars all the time) is just how Sony calculates signal strength but I disagree... it shows in stats as poor connection and I often lose my connection totally. This is on my usual M-F home to work to home routine.  Currently using my old Note 3 and my LTE signal is very strong/always connected.

Will report back when I receive phone back. My phone was immaculately brand new, so smooth and blemish free... I do hope I get it back that way.  heh.

[Uliwooly]

@netboysteve

Don't rely on the bars, simply go to 

settings > about phone > status > signal strength 

Your issue might be due to poor LTE network coverage

Which carrier do you have and which country? 

If you have the phone with you go to settings > about phone > model number

[netboysteve]

Hey Uli, yeah I tried that. Thing is... my Note 3 never actually loses signal, but the Z5C does. In same area (my living room). And the stats for mobile data connection are always yellow and red with little green for Z5C but are nice and green when using my Note 3.  

In any case, Sony was nice enough to take a look at the phone. Let's see what they say.  I do love its smallness.  

[Uliwooly]

@netboysteve

whenever you get it back, put both phones side to side then check the signal status on both

if you can give us more info (questions above) and also which note 3 variant you have, perhaps there's a 4G LTE band that the note 3 has that the Z5 Compact doesn't 

[netboysteve]

Yeah I could do that... only have the one SIM but I could swap it back and forth.

I have the Z5 Compact E5803:

LTE Cat4 700/800/850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100/2600 (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,17,20,28), TD-LTE 2300/2600 (Bands 38,40)

I also have the Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005:

LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800) - N9005

I'm on Rogers/Fido network:

Your device must be compatible with the Fido network, which uses GSM, UMTS, HSPA and HSPA+ at 850 MHz and 1900 MHz. To access LTE network, the phone must be compatible with:

• 700 MHz on Band 17;
• 1700/2100 MHz on Band 4;
• 2600 MHz on Band 7.

So funny thing is the Z5C is supporting all three Fido bands but the Note 3 is only supporting one. Go figure. I never worried a fig about my mobile data connection with the Note 3, am somewhat concerned with the Z5C but awaiting Sony's response.

[Uliwooly]

@netboysteve

Keep us updated. 

[netboysteve]

You know what, this isn't an issue anymore. I ignore the cell signal... and the phone works fine. The bigger issue is the complete failure of the PHONE/SPEAKERPHONE features of the Z5 compact. Different thread. My Samsung Note 3 also reports weak signal at work, it wasn't the phone, it's the cell towers.