Same phone & network = different "coverage"

[CardinalFang]

Hi all,

Mrs F & I have the same model & spec phone (iPhone XR 64gb) & are also on the same network provider/plan (EE 4g mobile 100gb). The only difference I can see is that our allocation of the 100gb is unequal, so I gift each month.

Thing is...our signal/coverage is completely different. I have no figures to back this up, but (seems like) every time I look at her phone, it's 4g, mine almost never is. II seem to hardly ever get a 4g signal outside. Mine has signal black spots - indoors AND out - which hers doesn't. When I say that, I mean mine has a weaker wifi connection compared to hers & is much more location sensitive. I can't text from the dining room. Have to move into the sitting room & point my phone at the router. It's not a big house. Can't be right, can it?

Any ideas why? Can't say this has been the case with previous phones. Yes my router is bog standard Virgin box & therefore probably not brilliant, but she has no coverage problems with it. Any suggestions people?

Thanks, CF

[megaphone]

Are you confused? The Virgin router will be wifi. 4G/5G/3G are cellular networks.

[Doofus]

Do you have cases on your phones? Are they different?

[IIIRestorerIII]

You're holding it wrong

But on a more serious note, the cases thing mentioned above.

[k99]

Check that all the mobile data settings are identical in settings.

[CardinalFang]

megaphone said:

Are you confused? The Virgin router will be wifi. 4G/5G/3G are cellular networks.

No - possibly not well described. Both types of connections show the same result: mine isn’t as good.
Thanks, CF

Edited by CardinalFang on Wednesday 9th March 18:00

[CardinalFang]

Cases are the same, so I’ll check the settings side by side. Thanks all, CF

[CooperS]

Checking the settings would be a good idea. My dad hadn’t ever had 4g when on his old iPhone 6s. When he moved to the SE it became apparent. Called Vodafone who openly admitted the problem that they fixed their side.

[eeLee]

Things to check:
- case, as pointed out
- software release on the phone as this comes with carrier updates (so update to the same version of iOS)
- the radios on the device could differ - what is the modem number for each in the Settings/General/About?

You can also do a network reset which might help, this will also clear down all Wifi passwords you have.(Settings/General/Reset or Transfer/Reset/Reset Network Settings.

There are at least two versions of the phone likely being sold in your region.

If it all looks the same or does not get better, ask your provider for new SIM cards. It could also be that you have different generation SIM cards which can make for such differences.

[CardinalFang]

Good info - thanks all. Much appreciated. Chs, CF

[CardinalFang]

eeLee said:

If it all looks the same or does not get better, ask your provider for new SIM cards. It could also be that you have different generation SIM cards which can make for such differences.

eeLee, all,

Looks like it was the SIM. Settings, versions & other factors checked out. Spoke to EE last week & SIM arrived on Saturday. Just installed & already seeing a much better signal strength - no black spots around the house. Virtual pints & huge thanks all round - really appreciate everyone's input.

Regards, CF

[eeLee]

I am chuffed for you, you have benefitted from my experience with older SIM cards (my previous employer used to supply them to staff and I learned of the occasional issues with them).

Feel free to take the brownie points yourself though