Tomas

Since it will be probably another 7-8 months before LTE creeps into my area, I'm curious as to what other PQ owners might be seeing as far as 4G performance and the ease of moving 3G > 4G > 3G in normal use. This is mostly to give myself a look forward to what I might expect (and a chance to forward problems or oddities to Motorola and Sprint). So far, on just 3G, I'm very pleased with my PQ. It's likely the best physical QWERTY smartphone on the market today. Thanks!

Well, Sprint is at least licensed to provide service across the entire United States, even if they have entire states essentially without service... In fact, IIRC, Sprint was the very first wireless carrier to land a full nationwide license... All they needed to do was built it out.

I live at the intersection of signals from SIX different Sprint towers - and I'm at the signal edge for every one of 'em. It's fairly normal for me to have 3G drop out and not come back up easily. The PQ is holding on better than previous devices, though...

I've had my PQ lose it's 3G only once or twice that I've noticed in the past month. Having had a Moto XPRT prior, I'm used to it, and just pop into Airplane Mode for 30+ seconds, then back to normal, and all is well. It hasn't happened to me enough to be considered a problem.

It's the same sort of BS I used to go through with Marketing as a Bell System carrier engineer, except politicians are even worse because they have incredible inflated egos that don't believe "technically infeasible" can't be changed to "of course we can, sir!" with just some more pressure.

A bit longer winded version of the fix so that folks at any level of phone knowledge can get this fixed: • • • • There have been problems with the Photon Q sending/receiving MMS messages widely reported in many forums. THERE IS AN MMS PROBLEM FIX!!! Problem: Photon Q 4G LTE unable to send MMS on 3G and 4G Discussion: It appears that some Photon Q smartphones had the "NAI" information in their profile corrupted during the activation process, and are therefore unable to send MMS messages unless on WiFi or by using third-party applications. Correction: Customers with this problem should call Sprint Customer Support at 888-211-4727 from a different phone, and speak to a Customer Service Representative. Tell the representative that you have a Photon Q that cannot send MMS messages, and it may be a problem with the NAI. The CSR should be able to find their instruction page for this problem on their screens, and should be able to talk you through the steps you need to take to correct the problem. The CSR will also refresh the NAI information in Sprint's database. Result: The device should be able to send and receive MMS messages while on WiFi, 3G, or 4G connections. Here are the steps you will take, guided by the Sprint CSR. Do not try this on your own unless you know what you are doing. You CAN brick your nice new phone... Steps to follow: 1. Open your dial pad and dial ##3282# 2. Tap on Data Profile 3. Review Username The user name (NAI) has extra characters after the first ".com" When trying to edit this info it asks for passcode (MSL code). You have to call Sprint to get this six digit number to update the info in your phone. They will also update your profile (PDP1) within their system (be sure to remind them). Just did it on my Photon Q and the CSR at Sprint found the note on the problem in her system and corrected my profile username IN THEIR SYSTEM too. Call took about two minutes. Pass the word on other forums you are on! (Extra Bonus: You get your MSL with no hassle.)

I've noticed this, and several other Photon Q users have also mentioned the improvement in data performance over previous devices under identical and familiar conditions. We don't have an explanation, or even any really good guesses, but we'll take it!

THERE IS A PHOTON Q MMS PROBLEM FIX!!! Steps to follow: 1. Open your dial pad and dial ##3282# 2. Tap on Data Profile 3. Review Username The user name has an extra "_.com" on the end of it. When trying to edit this info-it asks for passcode (MSL code). You have to call Sprint to get this number and they will also update your profile within their system (remind them to do it). Just did it on my Photon Q and the CSR at Sprint found the note on the problem in her system and corrected my profile username IN THEIR SYSTEM. Call took about a minute. Pass the word on other forums you are on! (Extra Bonus: You get your MSL with no hassle.) Thanks to Miss Hayley Meredith for originally posting this elsewhere...

I've seen massive improvements in data speeds over the past few months here in University Place (west Tacoma), also... Sent from Photon Q LTE - Tapatalk

Seeing your question wording first thing to pop into my mind was Wireless Adventure. Sent from Photon Q LTE - Tapatalk

This is a recognized problem per Motorola. They are working on a fix. Expect an OTA update when they get it sorted out. Discussion on Motorola forums: https://forums.motorola.com/posts/f36db285e5 "Just to let users know, Motorola is aware of the MMS issue and is working on it. For the time being, as a temporary work around you can use a third party messaging app, such as Go SMS, or Handcent. I'm sure you'll be the first too know when this issue is resolved."

There are discussions on the Motorola corporate discussion forums about this problem with the PQ. Motorola recognizes it and is working on it. Expect an OTA update to fix once they get the problem sorted out. "Just to let users know, Motorola is aware of the MMS issue and is working on it. For the time being, as a temporary work around you can use a third party messaging app, such as Go SMS, or Handcent. I'm sure you'll be the first too know when this issue is resolved." See: https://forums.motor...osts/f36db285e5

My PQ is providing better numbers than my previous "world" phone (Motorola XPRT). This was obvious immediately after moving to the new device as the first thing I ran while still in the store after the usual test call and text was a speed test. BTW, should anyone be interested, I'm writing about my experiences with the PQ over on the Sprint site... http://community.sprint.com/baw/message/465930#465930

Nice article! I've used this method over the years, and know that it works, now I know WHY it works, which makes my tiny retired engineer mind happy.

I'm currently running a Photon Q and am surprised at the battery life, as it was one of my major concerns with this device. I'm still concerned with battery replacement as the battery eventually deteriorates over the next couple of years, but for right now the "daily life" appears to be better than I honestly expected. I'm slowly adding some normally heavy drain apps that run in the background to get an idea how much margin I have. STILL, I'd greatly prefer a user replaceable battery!

I've pumped many, many hours and many many miles of Rootmetrics data collection into the system, and I can vouch for the fact that what shows on their maps matches my Real World™ experience - at least in my vicinity.

...and when they glue in a tiny battery instead of making the device 1-2mm thicker and a few grams heavier, I can find no logic to it. The new Photon Q LTE 4G with a lighted slide-out keyboard and a 4.3 inch screen has a smaller battery in it than my Moto XPRT.

There is allegedly a button combination that is supposed to be the "equivalent" of a battery pull. I think I need to make up a label with that combination to stick on the phone... ( Hold both [POWER] and [VOL DOWN] buttons down for 10+ seconds. ) (I've had to pull the battery on my current Moto XPRT when it ran away...)

I'm exceedingly lucky to have a close by Sprint Corporate store with excellent management and staff. They are actually a pleasure to do business with (as opposed to some of the other corporate and third party stores in the area - the Sprint Repair Center store, otherwise known as The Seventh Circle Of Hell, is the worst). I buy at the corporate store that I do because I want to support a well run local store. It's worth a few bucks more to do that.

(I like that the Motorola Photon Q LTE 4G slider that is coming out has this sort of treatment from the factory... I don't know if it is this brand, but I'm impressed that that it is nano-treated out-the-door.)

Probably my next device. (Some of us actually need physical keyboards - it's not just a personal preference. Due to disability since my stroke a decade ago, virtual keyboards on touch screens and I do not get along well... It will be nice to have a well built, fairly full featured device I can use, even if the battery is glued in.)o

Good to see the actual progress no matter where it is. (Too bad I no longer live in Texas.)

Simple: Been with 'em for over a decade, I detest Big Red and the Death Star, and the Magenta T-Mob I'm really not familiar enough with. I have an excellent "World Phone" that meets my needs and while Sprint's 3G in my area is very slow in my area at this time, NV is coming... In other words, I have no need to change, and the price is absolutely right.

My speeds are usually in the 0 to 300kbs range down and 0 to 150 up from home, even with a good signal level. Yesterday afternoon I tried to check something while in the parking lot near City Hall in Lakewood, WA 98499 and got this: Yesterday, at another location 3 miles away from that I got 1.3Mbs down and 0.85mbs up. As you can see, it varies.

I have signed NDAs with Sprint, Motorola, and Toyota already, so I can ship you a physically signed agreement if you wish. Or you could take my electronic signature.