Does Wi-Fi Consume More Battery Power Than 3G or 4G/LTE?

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Posted on JANUARY 15, 2012by Mitch BartlettFiled Under: GENERAL

Phone nerds have argued about whether or not Wi-Fi consumes more battery power than 3G or 4G/LTE since the birth of the modern smartphone. Some will swear that Wi-Fi is the only way to go. Others say that leaving it off and connecting to the 3G or 4G wireless network works best. But, no matter which side of the fence you’re on, both Wi-Fi and 3G/4G can be considered better or worse for precious battery life.

Most devices automatically shut 3G and 4G off when they are connected via Wi-Fi. When connected to a Wi-Fi network, the device will consume significantly less battery power. It’s especially true with 4G, since the technology uses way more power.

However, if your device is not connected to a Wi-Fi network, it’s best that Wi-Fi be disabled and that you utilize a data connection from your wireless network. Otherwise your device will constantly search for a Wi-Fi connection and kill your battery in the process.

If your device is not in range of Wi-Fi, 3G, or 4G, it’s best you put your phone intoAirplane Mode until you have coverage again. The constant searching your device does for a signal is what drains power the most.

So summing up, for conserving battery power do the following:

1. Try to stay connected to a Wi-Fi network for best results.
2. When you can’t connect via Wi-Fi, disable it.
3. When you can’t connect to anything, enable Airplane Mode.