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What do the bars on your phone really mean?
As you may already know, the bars (or dots, depending on your phone model) are meant to indicate what your signal strength is like. Although this is what the bars (dots) are meant for, it isn’t necessarily a reliable source.
Each mobile phone manufacturer uses an algorithm they’ve developed to sense the strength level of available signal. And then they show you however many or few bars they choose. This makes it nearly impossible to compare signal strength between different phone models.
For example, you may have an Android phone and an iPhone side by side, both with the same carrier. While both phones may be receiving the exact same signal strength, the iPhone may show four bars while the Android phone only shows two.
You may even have experienced having four bars on your phone, but when you go to download something online or try to send out a text it just won’t go through due to the poor service that the bars are not reflecting.
Therefore, the most effective way to determine what your signal strength is like is by taking a decibel, or dBm reading. Decibels are a standard unit of measurement given in a negative number. This allows you to accurately know the signal strength being received by your phone. No more second guessing what your signal strength is really like.
Want to know how to get a dBm reading on your phone? Visit the link below to find a possible test mode for your phone.
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