Since the Epic 4G launched on Sprint August 31, we’ve been receiving notes from owners upon various issues they’ve gifted with a phone. We’ve heard about as well as gifted problems with a supposedly-fixed GPS, to surprisingly delayed 3G uploads (fix on the way), to odd issues with battery empty and glitchy marketplace implement problems. Now which we’re confronting the end of Sprint’s 30-day lapse duration, we’re wondering if Sprint as well as Samsung have shown enough of a joining to resolving any problems to keep owners as well as intensity buyers unresolved upon. Check after the break for a couple of of the issues we’ve found as well as what can be finished about them, and let us know in our poll how optimistic you have been about a future of this differently well-received device.

Are you sticking with the Epic 4G or choosing an additional phone?

I had an Epic 4G, but I’ve already returned itI paid for a Epic 4G at launch or soon after and I’m sticking with it no matter whatI paid for the Epic 4G and if I don’t hear about fixes I will probably traffic it in for something elseI’ve been deliberation a Epic 4G but until these issues have been taken care of I substantially won’t collect a single upI’m still meditative about shopping an Epic 4GSomething elseVote

Problem: GPS
Description: The many ordinarily complained about GPS issues on the Epic 4G seem to core around 3 things: It’s ability to lock onto satellites, even in auspicious conditions, all the time stating correctness of 30m by satellite during all times no matter what accuracy it should be indicating, and a complete inability to make use of satellite GPS or provide correct location information after being upon fora couple of hours. As the result, even with “use network assistance” checked as endorsed by a manufacturer, it possibly gives inaccurate location report that throws off key apps similar to navigation or is unable to get inform the location at all.

Workaround: A reset of a device clears up the issue for a few hours, varying from 4-8 at times depending upon conditions. The complaint seems to be caused by caching GPS interpretation, so posters from AndroidForums as well as elsewhere have come up with a workaround to force it to refurbish that report upon any ask as indicated below. This seems to yield a preferred start of getting the GPS lock but rebooting all the time, though has the downsides of negligence down primary requests as well as not being means to pull formula when outside network operation.

Steps:Enter “*#1472365#” in a dialer (no quotes)Select Setup>Position Mode>Starting ModeChange the choice from “Hot Start” to “Cold Start”We’ve contacted Samsung about this issue, so distant they have not acknowledged to us that they’ve been able to recreate it, as well as settled that branch upon network assisted GPS is a enough fix to provide correct information. Unfortunately in the knowledge that doesn’t do much as described on top of — we’re eagerly watchful to see how this is dealt with on the Epic as well as a alternative Galaxy S phones exhibiting GPS issues, any Captivate owners wish to carillon in on how it’s going?

Problem: 3G upload speeds
Description: When uploading large files or contrast with apps similar to SpeedTest, upload speeds average a max of about 150 kilobits per second, good next other 3G inclination on Sprint’s network tested during a same time and place, similar to the EVO, MiFi or EV-DO modems. Casual browsing does not appear to be consistently affected, however some users have reported scarcely inconsistent interpretation speeds even while browsing a web. Speed have been unblushing over WiFi, as well as 4G speeds report aloft, nonetheless some have indicated those appear to be capped as well. We’ve tested multiform units and have been incompetent to reahc the aloft speed upon any of them, however an Epic tethered to a MiFi or mechanism continuous to Sprint 3G showed no complaint reaching aloft speeds. In forum posts, the couple of users have reported removed incidents of reaching higher speeds, but the 150kbps limit is prevalent opposite devices as well as locations, causing issues with trying to make use of video discuss or promulgation email attachments.

Workaround: None. After reaching out to Samsung as well as Sprint upon this emanate, a association sent us this reply:
“We have listened reports of users experiencing less-than-expected 3G upload speeds with their Samsung Epic 4G. After extensive review, Sprint and Samsung have identified an enhancement which may urge upload speeds on the Epic. This fix will be done available in a next upkeep recover. It’s critical to note which network speeds have been impacted by most factors when using commercially-available speed exam applications as well as test results may or may not be loyal indicator of a actual network opening.”A post currently upon the Sprint support forums indicates the firmware update should arrive tomorrow and hurl out to users over the subsequent multiform days, so all that’s left is watchful for it to be fixed, although we’ll still be watchful to see if performance has improved enough to bring a Epic up to standard with alternative phones in terms of web browsing as well as hotspot speed.

Problem: “Download catastrophic” when installing apps from a Android Market
Description: Upon activating an existing Gmail comment upon the phone, perplexing to initiate app downloads in the future starts to fail, and a user is unable to download any apps during all. This problem does not appear to be disdainful to a Epic, or even the Galaxy S family of phones, though it is prevalent among certain users. We’ve experienced it upon some-more than one device as well as account, including two Epics as well as a Verizon Fascinate. Requests upon Google’s support forums as well as elsewhere have not appeared to reveal any petrify reason because this happens or what can be finished to repair it.

Workaround: Following a cache clear steps listed next (originally found here) consistently resolved a emanate on the Galaxy S devices, however you have had a complaint recover later. One permanent fix appears to be to create an entirely new Gmail comment upon a device, however for assorted reasons that is frequency the acceptable resolution for all, but being unable to implement apps makes a phone most invalid.

Steps:Go to Settings>Applications>Manage ApplicationsPress a Menu button, name Filter, afterwards “All”Go to “CheckIn Service” as well as name “Clear Data”Go to “Download Manager” and name “Clear Data”Go to “Google Apps” as well as select “Clear Data” (this may not be an choice, if so, skip)Go to Google Talk Service” as well as name “Clear Data”Go to “Market” as well as name “Clear cache”Turn a phone off, afterwards back upon again

Problem: Battery drain
Description: One sold source of battery drain upon the Epic appears to be a cell modem on standby. After the fresh foot, when it’s on battery it consistently draws energy as well as reports up to 50% of time spent off network, even in areas with great vigilance coverage. It appears to be searching for signal unnecessarily and drianing a battery while left on standby.

Workaround: Flipping a phone into transport mode as well as then behind to normal during any point after branch it upon clears up a reported time off of network and appears to reduce the drain on a battery enabling it ot final longer upon standby, though this has to be finished each time a phone is turned on.

We’ve been in contact with Samsung as well as Sprint regarding these issues though so far have usually received approach confiration per upload speeds. These aren’t a only things to nitpick possibly, there’s the more complete list on the Sprint forums here. The positives we’ve remarkable about the Epic 4G in our review have been still present but most users look during these, plus the story of unresolved issues with a Moment as well as be concerned about a phone’s future. We’ll let you know what information you get from the conduit as well as manufacturer about any more fixes on a way, but for right away let us know, will you keep holding upon or look for bluer skies elsewhere?

Via Engadget