Testing signal strength and reception quality

[ExtraSlow]

Does anyone know of a device or method where I can test the quality of reception for wifi, Bluetooth and cellular signal for an android phone? Suspect I was some issue, but being an engineer I'd love to quantify that.

I'm on Telus, but the person at the store said all they could do was send the phone away for repair, which sounds like a huge hassle. Thoughts?

[rage2]

For WiFi I used WiFi Analyzer, free app for Android and Windows.

[stillworking]

Network Info II on the play store is good.

[ExtraSlow]

Just to clarify I'm not trying to test the strength of the network, I'm wondering if it possible to test the ability of the phone to receive that signal.

[stillworking]

What is the issue you are having?
The ability of the device to receive the signal is demonstrated by making a phone call or streaming a youtube video.

[ExtraSlow]

Just intermittent dropping of wifi in areas of known (or assumed) good coverage. Trouble connecting to nearby Bluetooth devices or dropping Bluetooth connections. Missed telephone calls without phone ringing.

[stillworking]

So you are trying to test health of the antennas/signal tuner/related components. Not sure if there is an app for that.
Could try to see what the RSSI values for cell/wifi are in a particular location on your phone and a similar phone.
If there is a discrepancy between the values, you may be able to infer something.

[ExtraSlow]

Sounds reasonable. How do I do that? With the same apps listed above?

[stillworking]

Network info II will tell you the RSSI for cell/wifi.
My android with 5 bar cell signal shows -69dBm and 3 feet from the wifi router shows -39dBm.

[Xtrema]

Any updates from manufacturer/telco? My OP5's whole radio stack was screwed since launch and it wasn't fully fixed until 1 month and 3 patch updates later.

[ExtraSlow]

Only update from Telus was the offer to send it away. I'm up to date on all Android updates if that's what you mean. Should I be looking for software updates from Samsung?

[Mitsu3000gt]

I've never found these apps to be that good, only because my real world results often went against their findings.

[Xtrema]

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Only update from Telus was the offer to send it away. I'm up to date on all Android updates if that's what you mean. Should I be looking for software updates from Samsung?

It's a Samsung? Probably a bad unit then.

[ExtraSlow]

On network info ii app my phone consistently gets a about 3 dbm lower number than my wife from the same location. Example here's shows - 60 and mine shows - 57 from our couch.

What does that mean?

[stillworking]

I'd say that result is inconclusive as their isn't a large discrepancy.
I would agree with Xtrema that based on what you are describing there is probably something wrong with the unit.
There have also been versions of Android that have not been able to keep a steady connection to an AC1200 Dlink router.
The telecommunications gear I work with has no 'user serviceable parts', but this one guy we work with taught himself how to fix all the common problems and now does so privately.
There is probably a guy in a little shop somewhere in Calgary that would know exactly how to diagnose and repair your unit on the spot.
If my iPhone starting acting up, I'd just drop it on concrete and go get a new one from Apple.

[thetransporter]

im not sure for android but really try Netstumblr it runs on Windows XP
it breaks everything down and makes it simple

[revelations]

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Just intermittent dropping of wifi in areas of known (or assumed) good coverage. Trouble connecting to nearby Bluetooth devices or dropping Bluetooth connections. Missed telephone calls without phone ringing.

I had the same issue with an older Sony Xperia. The phone was 3 years old and in need of a literal, wipe and restart. After that it seemed to work.

Same issues - not connecting to BT devices that everyone else could, missed calls (then VM notification) and WIFI cut out.