That's highly overplayed or worst case depending on network coverage or coming from a phone with very good reception. I am living in a rural area and did not notice such major problems.
To me it seems the reception is comparable to Pro¹ when i lay both devices side by side and observe a signal strength app.
Its not great, never was on Pro¹.
And the antennas being covered by hands when in landscape does not help in that aspect.
No idea what can be done in software. What i noticed is both devices switch cell towers very frequently when comparing to a XA2 on same network.