Another tip for better cell quality (independent of any change that came with this update) is to change the codec from EVRC to EVRC-B. My wife said my phone no longer sounds like cell phone, it sounds like a good old fashioned copper land line. Ok, fiber.. But, the difference is pretty dramatic.
I was hoping that this update would cause the phone to retain your setting, but unfortunately, the setting appears to get reset back to EVRC on a phone restart.
To get your codec set to EVRC-B:
Go to dialpad, and dial ##PROGRAM <send> (##7764726)
At the "Enter SPC Password" prompt type: 000000 and click "Verify" (6 zero's)
Choose "06 Test Mode"
Press Next
Press Next
In the first option: "Service Option" choose "EVRC-B"
Press Back
Press Home button
You're done!