Network coverage and 5G not working properly

[DianDD]

This is a screenshot taken on my OnePlus 11 device showing full network and 5G working excellent but with the same sim card my S24 Ultra has barely 2 bars of network and only keep 4G because 5G keeps switching to 4G

Why does OnePlus phone provide excellent network and Samsung £1300 can't even connect to the 5G in year 2025 ?! 

I know Samsung phones have never been the one to show 5 bars network but that sucks. I can only use 5G outdoors and in much less locations 

[Reylob]

Hi @DianDD 

The bars have been debated a lot, and I think that they really do not represent the strength of the signal. It is down to the network very often. I am with O2 and coverage and speed are testing and yet with an EE's SIM card the phone was having no issue whatsoever.

Mobile signal coverage in the UK is not the greatest and this has been true with 5G, 4G and any G. For a reason that I cannot understand we say that we want fast broadband but do not want the masts and technology that provides it. I had mentioned in the forum before, I went to Portugal and 5G was in my phone even in the middle of nowhere.

It could well be that phone struggles with 5G, but I think that it is hard to pin down.

[ynneL]

I'm not sure if the bars even mean a anything I've only got 2 at the moment but it's just the same speed as if I had 4

[DianDD]

I know the number of bars isn't a big deal this is why I am using speed test.
1st of all the Samsung stays on 4G and getting 5G only for a few seconds
2nd is that speed tests showing better speed on the OnePlus overall. I don't know....
Maybe because my Samsung is Nigerian and my OnePlus is EU
I don't know if I can unlock all bands eventually if any of them are not available for me no idea

[Reylob]

Hi @DianDD 

Some users have mentioned changing the CSC of the phone without any ill effect. However, I never have tried it. If you feel brave you could search for ways to do it.

Please note, that neither I am endorsing this, nor it is supported by Samsung. If you were to go that route, it is at your own risk.

[DianDD]

I have done this in the past and it unlocked Samsung wallet for me but I stopped receiving ANY updates so I changed it back to the original one but interestingly Samsung wallet kept working no problem and I now receive the updates meant for the original CSC code.....

[DianDD]

Today, I reset my 24 Ultra and 5G network is now stable and works as expected. I think I should stop installing every monthly update with "fixes and security" because obviously after a few updates phone needs reset already which is not good.