Samsung Galaxy Nexus volume drop bug infuriates owners

By Luke Westaway on 21 November 2011, 10:24am

The only-just-released Samsung Galaxy Nexus is suffering from a bug that causes the volume on the phone to spontaneously drop, infuriating owners.

It's unclear right now exactly how widespread the issue is, but the glitch certainly affected the Galaxy Nexus we used for our review (up later today, review fans!), to such a degree that making calls was almost impossible.

We've seen a huge number of complaints online, including a Google issues board and on Samsung UK's Facebook page. One owner has uploaded a video to YouTube demonstrating the problem.

Android forum XDA Developers has been collecting information from Galaxy Nexus owners on the bug, and early analysis suggests the volume bug only affects the phone while it's on a 2G connection, and seemingly only affects models that use 900MHz for 2G coverage.

Unfortunately that includes those sold in most of Europe, including the UK. You can tell when the Galaxy Nexus is using a 2G connection because it shows a little 'G' icon meaning GPRS, or 'E' for Edge.

The issue means the Galaxy Nexus could suddenly go silent without warning, meaning you miss texts or other notifications. The volume can also drop out while you're making a call, silencing the people you're talking to and making the art of conversation somewhat more tricky.

We've also experienced the volume key becoming unresponsive and the power button being affected too, meaning we couldn't lock the phone.

It's certainly possible this issue could be fixed with a software update, though when we can expect that is anyone's guess. So far we've seen no response from Samsung -- we've reached out to the company for a comment and we'll let you know when we hear something.

In the meantime, we've factored this glitch into our in-depth review of the Galaxy Nexus, which will be going live today.

Is your brand-new Galaxy Nexus affected? Does this glitch put you off buying one? Let us know in the comments below, on our Facebook wall or over on our Google+ page.

Update 2 December: Google has pushed out an official update that fixes the bug, and we've amended our Samsung Galaxy Nexus review to reflect this.

Comments 15

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MikeBuck_1 21 November, 2011 11:03

ahhh a phone that can't be used as a phone, i know Samsung are alleged to copy alot of iphones stuff, but their crap phone facility is going too far! lol

anonymous 21 November, 2011 11:45

I was always affraid of the frequency with which manufacturers releasing new models. To capture the larger market share, they release half baked products without testing them properly. It's really cruel for consumers, who have to pay such a premium price, only to find out that their gadget can not perform such trivial task as making calls. Seriously, they should stop storming the market with half heartedly built products and stop robbing us. I wouldn't mind having fewer options that all work properly (well, atleast their basic functionality should work out of the box).

Regarding software updates, I agree that lot of these problems can be fixed with software updates but with such small release cycles how many of these issues are actually addressed in first few months? And it's not about one company, they all have more or less similar issues.

anonymous 21 November, 2011 11:51

I have had 2 handsets now (first brand new one bought on Friday 18th November, and now a brand new replacement bought an hour ago). Both the handsets have this problem. It is related to having the phone in 2G mode (so that would be either G or E next to the signal bars) and if your mobile network happens to use 900MHz as the frequency for 2G connections - so that is O2, Vodafone, giffgaff, and Tesco Mobile.

anonymous 21 November, 2011 12:17

I got one on launch day and have had these problems and it does make making a phone call impossible !!!!
I got it as an upgrade from O2 from my 3GS and im afraid its going back today !!!
How the hell can Samsung ship a phone with such serious issues as this, its the first phone ive seen that you cant actually use as a phone !!!

anonymous 21 November, 2011 12:22

I'm using this phone on Three and works perfectly fine

anonymous 21 November, 2011 12:36

Anon 11:51

Should be OK on Orange then? If so, I reckon I will still go for it...

anonymous 21 November, 2011 16:55

Thats why its always best to wait a while.. let the bugs get sorted first .. just like the iPhone !.

AppleRocks16 22 November, 2011 19:58

Oh dear... That is certainly not good for a flagship handset. ICS looks good, but the bug that is causing the problems better be resolved soon or customers are going to start raging.....

anonymous 22 November, 2011 21:32

That's why you shouldv'e gone for an iPhone! It doesn't get stupid bugs like this because Apple, as well as being superior, make sure that things work before releasing them!

anonymous 22 November, 2011 21:51

anonymous 21:32 I beg to differ! I have an iPhone which so buggy its not even funny. Apps just close themselves, apps simply don't work, the music shortcuts on the lock screen don't work from time to time, the menu in the Gallery displays all weirdly (forcing me to restart the phone). If those aren't stupid bugs then I don't know. As for Apple making things work before releasing them, is that why they've just released an update for iOS5 already?

anonymous 23 November, 2011 18:11

To 'anonymous' @ 22 November, 2011 21:32

Yeah, right...

Apple's EPIC FAIL of the iPhone antenna was a fine example of quality control, eh?

anonymous 24 November, 2011 09:43

On the keypad dial in: *#*#4636#*#*
You will get a menu, hit Phone Information.
At the bottom you will see an option to Set Preferred Network Type,

Change this to WCDMA Only or WCDMA Preferred.

Whilst this is not a fix, it will limit the use of 2G networks on the
Galaxy Nexus thus stopping the volume issue.

anonymous 24 November, 2011 09:46

APPLE users get a wake up call http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h5JSojJN3Y&feature=youtu.be

anonymous 22 February, 2012 11:12

I own the Samsung Galaxy ACE and the volume button does not actuall respond when i press it samsung have given me no comment on the matter and i think that their quality for customers is appalling for the amount of money you spend i spent £230 on the unlocked model if this phone and I am less than satisfied [thanks SAMSUNG for your continued help ;) Joke]