T-Mobile users on Google Pixel and other smartphones report network issues

According to reports on Reddit and Twitter, it appears that T-Mobile users have been experiencing network connectivity issues for the past few months. There are claims that the carrier’s 5G service fails to function properly even in those areas where there is no lack of coverage.

For sure, random network fluctuations between 5G UC (Ultra Capacity) and 4G LTE can be frustrating for users. And it is undoubtedly quite concerning that the connection cannot remain stable if one barely moves a few feet.

Sadly, the issue is not limited to a specific phone or model. If the reports are anything to go by, Pixel 6, 7, and 8 series, iPhone, and other smartphone users are affected. Pixel 8 Pro owners complain that their device keeps losing network connectivity whenever they set the preferred network type to 5G. However, they don’t face such problems when the LTE-only option is selected, indicating issues with T-Mobile’s 5G service.

Some are experiencing dropouts on the 5G or 5G UC network, particularly during calls made through VOIP services like RingCentral and MS Teams. It is without a doubt quite disgraceful that any call lasting longer than a few minutes gets dropped out. Those who are using an e-SIM from the carrier are also facing such problems.

As per the claims, users are currently facing disruptions even in those locations that previously had reliable connectivity. One can only imagine the impact that such issues may have on one’s day-to-day activities.

Additionally, a couple residing in San Antonio have even noted some strange instances. They have observed that calls made to their phones sometimes don’t appear like they should. They can confirm that the phone doesn’t ring, as at times it is just lying next to them or kept inside their pocket. According to their estimation, they approximately miss 15 to 20% of the calls made to their devices.

This situation has got them worried, particularly regarding their inability to contact each other during an emergency. Those affected have tried resetting their phone’s network settings and disabling the ‘Adaptive Connectivity’ option, but to no effect.

Nevertheless, the troubles of T-Mobile subscribers don’t end here.

Some T-Mobile users with Pixel phones also occasionally encounter issues receiving SMS messages. They think that about ten percent of the messages sent to them are not received. Of course, it’s impossible to determine the exact number of messages or the importance of the ones that were missed.

They were earlier facing a similar issue on their iPhones, making them think that it was limited to Apple’s devices. However, even after switching to an Android mobile like the Pixel 6, the problem persisted. To get rid of it, they have reset the network configuration multiple times, updated their phone to the latest OS, and factory reset it, but to no avail.

Reverting to an old version of the messaging app and getting in touch with T-Mobile’s customer support were also of no help. Moreover, people are also facing problems with RCS messaging on the Pixel 7 Pro and Galaxy S22. As per the reports, such messages fail to go through most of the time. Even if they somehow go forward, the photographs inside the messages don’t get delivered.

While users have faced such glitches in the past, these could earlier be addressed with a simple restart. Sadly, restarting the phone doesn’t do the trick nowadays. Like before, folks have attributed these problems to the Samsung modem embedded inside the Pixels. However, that does not seem to be the case, as other smartphone users are also sailing in the same boat.

Pixel and other smartphone owners who have opted for 5G services on the T-Mobile network also claim to be getting very slow download speeds. A user remarks that the speed is significantly slower as compared to other competitors, like Verizon, in some areas. It seems that despite the claims of network leadership in the 5G race, T-Mobile is yet to implement mmWave in certain areas.

Others state that this carrier has the most inconsistent network. According to them, one can either get a blazingly fast download speed, a slow 2G-like download rate, or no service at all.

iPhone owners are also disgruntled, as they have been unable to make FaceTime calls using cellular data for the last two months. Interestingly, they don’t face any hiccups if they make the calls using Verizon or AT&T’s SIMs. They have already submitted multiple tickets to the company, but to no avail. Some are so upset that they are now thinking of switching to another carrier.

So, in this case, it can be concluded that the problem lies with T-Mobile itself, not the Pixel and other phones’ modems.