Difference in battery life between 4G and 3G

anon(3092520)

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2011
287
40
0
I've been conducting my own unscientific study today by spending the entire day with 4G disabled. Right now, I'm around 20% ahead on my battery than I would normally be.

Has anybody else done a similar test and what were your results? Considering the very minor drop in quickness when browsing the internet, I might just go ahead and stick with 3G all the time unless I'm planning on downloading or streaming.

In case anybody doesn't know, an app named "Phone Info" allows you to change your network settings to use only 3G or only 4G.
 
I've noticed that when just sitting idle, the phone doesn't seem to use more in 4g than it does in wifi or 3g, I use about 50-79mA, which translates to (2100mAh/79)= 26.6 hours of standby time.

I would assume that the power consumption is increased while actually using data and browsing but that would be harder to test as it's really subjective and rarely consistent depending on what is on the screen and what app you are using for data. I would have to test further, but for me all day in 4G seems fine. I actually got worse battery using juice defender for some reason.
 
I'll get 4 hours of screen on time with 3g. 2.75 with 4g

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
 
I've tried both and can get well over a day in either. Right now I'm at 15% and it shows 1d4h on 4g (no wifi). I don't notice a difference between the two

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
 
I've tried both and can get well over a day in either. Right now I'm at 15% and it shows 1d4h on 4g (no wifi). I don't notice a difference between the two

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

There is definitely a difference between the two.
 
I've noticed that when just sitting idle, the phone doesn't seem to use more in 4g than it does in wifi or 3g, I use about 50-79mA, which translates to (2100mAh/79)= 26.6 hours of standby time.

I would assume that the power consumption is increased while actually using data and browsing but that would be harder to test as it's really subjective and rarely consistent depending on what is on the screen and what app you are using for data. I would have to test further, but for me all day in 4G seems fine. I actually got worse battery using juice defender for some reason.

You would probably have to make a record throughout the week on daily usage. Then 4g on another week.
Then average it out.