Droid X 3G/Wi-Fi question

[jimbo1mcm]

When the X comes within range of a wi-fi output, does it automatically switch to wifi? And if it does, does the 3G turn off?( battery use saved)

 

[Szadzik]

1. It does not switch WiFi on for you automatically. You can set it up to do it with apps like Locale or Settings Profile.
2. If WiFi is on it will only connect to a network you have previously connected to as it needs the key to be typed in the first time.
3. WiFi switches off 3G.
4. WiFi uses MORE power than 3G.

 

[jimbo1mcm]

thanks for the quick thread reply. Kind of interested, since although battery life is not greatly affected by 3g, if Verizon changes the data plan from unlimited, then wifi will be really important to me.

 

[takeshi]

It does not switch WiFi on for you automatically. You can set it up to do it with apps like Locale or Settings Profile.

That's not the question as I understood it. Android will automatically switch to WiFi. It won't turn WiFi on or automatically configure it for an access point that you've never used but it will automatically switch to WiFi and use it for data instead of 3G.

WiFi switches off 3G.

I don't think that's true. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to receive calls at WiFi spots.

WiFi uses MORE power than 3G.

Not true. At least, on the Droid it isn't. The Droid consumes more power transferring the same data over 3G.

 

[lexluthor]

That's not the question as I understood it. Android will automatically switch to WiFi. It won't turn WiFi on or automatically configure it for an access point that you've never used but it will automatically switch to WiFi and use it for data instead of 3G.


I don't think that's true. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to receive calls at WiFi spots.


Not true. At least, on the Droid it isn't. The Droid consumes more power transferring the same data over 3G.

Agree on 3G consuming more power than wifi, especially if signal isn't great.

Wifi does disable 3G (at least on the incredible). 3G is a data network. It doesn't need to be on to receive calls/texts.

 

[LED]

I don't think that's true. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to receive calls at WiFi spots.

Voice and text don't use 3G. You can turn off wifi and mobile data and still make calls and send texts.

Not true. At least, on the Droid it isn't. The Droid consumes more power transferring the same data over 3G.

I'm pretty sure wifi uses less power. Apple quotes a much longer internet usage runtime on the iPhone when using wifi over 3g.