Verizon denies Galaxy Nexus has signal issues

Verizon on Wednesday described its fix for signal issues on its edition of the Galaxy Nexus in terms that recalled Apple's initial response to the "antennagate" issues with the iPhone 4. Spokeswoman Brenda Raney explained to Computerworld that an update was coming that would adjust the signal strength indicator to "more closely match" other Verizon phones, not actually modify the signal behavior. Despite dropped calls and losses of LTE, she claimed there wasn't a problem with the signal itself.

"There is no issue with the performance of the device," Raney said.

Chances exist that the reports of data problems may tie into recent outages as well as the newness of the LTE network, which in many cases is spread thin as the carrier focuses on getting basic access before going back to fill coverage later. Voice issues, though, would affect its much more established CDMA network.

The statements don't cover exactly identical circumstances but are an unusually close parallel to Apple's approach at the height of fears about the iPhone 4's "death grip." While it didn't affect most people, Apple put out a signal meter patch that more accurately reflected the current signal but was meant mostly to assuage users who thought they were losing more signal than they actually were. It didn't change the inherent issue of an obvious vulnerable spot on the phone, however, which required a hardware redesign that wouldn't come in earnest until the iPhone 4S.

HSPA+ versions aren't known to have had a signal strength issue, although a software bug dropped calls for Europeans either on the 900MHz band or near others using it.

By Electronista Staff