Consistent Data Issues Even After Replacement

Question

I don't know whether to blame the phone or the ice cream sandwich update for all the problems I have been having with my RAZR. When I first got it six months ago it was great and I loved it now after the ice cream sandwich update I dont really like it anymore. I never had any sort of issues while using it on gingerbread. Today, I have seen my phone switch constantly between 3g and 4g more times than I can count over the course of half an hour. I couldn't even get a consistent signal to watch a 3 minute youtube clip.
First off, I updated it to ICS but first wiped the phone clean including cache, etc. So it would have basically been a clean install. Now, I have certain issues. The 4g and 3g switch is terrible. On the street and in my own house I have had the same thing happen. In my house I get anywhere from 3-5 bars of 4g but it still switches over to 4 bars of 3g. I have even seen it switch from 4g to 3g when I had full bars. I have already replaced the sim cards, but I am still having these issues. It's actually happening on all 4 of my RAZRs on my family plan. I have gone through the network resets where I pull out the sim card and for 30 seconds, insert it, power on the phone, etc. I went through all 4 of them with the Rep over the phone. I have also had several instances where I did not have data but signal bars and then I didn't have absolutely anything at all. I live in a "major" city metro area, Boston, and I can't believe I am having these problems.
At first I would have gone off and blamed Verizon, but it is definitely not Verizon, it is our phones that are terrible. I can confirm this because my brother uses an ipad (4g Verizon) on a separate account and he consistently maintains 4g even though I have seen it go as low as two bars. Yes, I understand the ipad is a different device and may have a different radio, but that is exactly how our phones used to work on gingerbread. I received a replacement device and I am still having the same issues. Also, the headset speaker, not the speaker on the back, or receiver is really tinny during phone calls even with the in call volume down half way. It is really annoying and the little tone that plays after hanging up makes the speaker sound like its about to blow out. I don't know what to do if the RAZR will keep having data issues because this is absolutely ridiculous. I know i'm not entitled to anything but for $310 a month I mean come on, I just want my phone to work properly. As I am typing this now, I have witnessed my phone switch between 4g, 3g, and no signal at least 5 times and of course my brother's iPad on Verizon has kept its 4g signal.

Answer 1

Thanks for all the suggestions, but they just don't work at all guys. I've even tried that restore connectivity app from Motorola, but of course it didn't work. I don't like that I keep having constant switches between 3g,4g, and no signal bars. It's awful thats just what it is. I feel like I got gipped with this update promising better user experience. If the darned thing can't connect to their network, then what is Verizon doing to address these issues? Every time I try to do something "data intensive" (i.e. youtube, facebook, twitter, etc) the data signal just drops and I'm either left with gray bars and no data or no signal bars whatsoever. Also one thing that annoys me to death with this phone is that I have it sitting in my pocket after I lock the screen and I go to pull it out of my otherwise empty pocket. The screen is turned on by itself (I have the clear silicon case on it so the power button shouldn't be pressed by itself and no I don't wear skinny jeans), its got 3g and no bars, and its piping hot.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PHONE VERIZON???!!!