1520 Bad Radio Antenna?

[Windows Central Question]

RM-940
Running 8.1 Denim

Getting very low signal in comparison to my old Lumia 925...

so I pulled up field test mode on both phones and went to the LTE section:

Lumia 925:
RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) = -88 dBm
RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) = -7 dB

Lumia 1520:
RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) = -114 dBm
RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) = -15 dB

That's a HUGE difference in sensitivity and signal quality. Is this the norm for other users (worse antenna than the 925), or should I be sending my findings to Microsoft to investigate?

 

[QuadraFX]

It is very difficult to judge the results obtained in such non-professional way.
The thing is also that the wavelength is so short that moving the phone by few centimeters can cause significant difference in signal strength.

 

[Chase Elliott]

OK THEN...here are the extended test results:

Phone signal was recorded in fixed positions with min/max strengths over a period of 5 minutes, then the phone positions were swapped, and recorded for the same duration. Also tested a 2nd un-activated nano sim in the 1520, no change in the measurements.

Lumia 925, 1st Position:
RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) = -87 dBm (max) -94 dBm (min)
RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) = -7 dB (max) -11 dB (min)

Lumia 925, Switched Position:
RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) = -91 dBm (max) -96 dBm (min)
RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) = -7 dB (max) -10 dB (min)

Lumia 1520, 1st Position:
RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) = -108 dBm (max) -113 dBm (min)
RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) = -10 dB (max) -16 dB (min)

Lumia 1520, Switched Position:
RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) = -105 dBm (max) -109 dBm (min)
RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) = -9 dB (max) -14 dB (min)

Reception sensitivity of the phones in the same position is still a HUGE difference...the worst signal for the 925 in the same position as the 1520 was -96 dBm, where the 1520 at either position doesn't even come close at -108 and -105 respectively. Anywhere from a 9 to 22 dBm in difference min/max between the two can't just be chalked up as "too many test variables" to discount that it is not on par with the 925.

So I'll ask again...engineering design letdown, faulty antenna, or radio firmware flaw?

 

[Chase Elliott]

Nevermind, I figured it out myself...ran a full battery of self-test diagnostics in the Nokia Product Support Tool and the Power Amplifier IC self test failed ten times in a row. For those that don't know what that means, the power amp IC is responsible for sending power to the radio and wifi antennas, as well as the sim card interface.