What is the power draw difference between WiFi and 4G?

[PaulQ]

I am confused now that I have a Rezound. I was using one of those power managers to turn Wifi and mobile on and off all day. Then I decided to go raw and just leave 4G on. I am not seeing a huge battery drain difference (not a scientific study though). I have never actually asked what the difference between power drain is between wifi and 4G? Is it siginifant or is it more like penny pinching?

Sorry for the old school question. Thanks.

 

[Frisco]

It is a very good question, Paul.

Battery and resource drain as related to signal search are both significant. No matter which system a user implements, the actual searching for viable signal is what burns energy. So, if the tower signal is close and strong, the difference between that and a strong home or work wifi or hot spot signal will be minimal.

 

[Eric2]

May have to do with how strong the 4G signal is in your area. My experience at home has been less batter drain with WiFi. It is also much faster, (determined by speed tests).

Edit: Looks like someone beat me to it.

 

[PaulQ]

So... I can conclude that since I have a good 4G signal here in Phoenix, I am having good battery results with 4G?

And good is "half bars or better" ... I am not skilled with the dbm lingo. Weaker signals take more work?

 

[Frisco]

Weaker signals take more work?

Yes, Paul. Weaker signals cause the device to constantly poll towers for a signal of sufficient strength to allow for a data stream. Weaker wifi signals are similar, as they cause the device to scan for a good signal to lock into.

All that polling and scanning will drain a battery pretty quickly.

 

[PaulQ]

Thanks so much guys. This really helped clear up the issue.

Now i have to see what my mobile signal is like during one class i have in a basement. I might switch to WiFi then. Otherwise, I get a solid 4G everywhere else (lucky, I guess?).

Thanks!!!

 

[Deleted User]

I too live in an area with great reception. I have been trying to monitor the difference recently and have noticed about a 1-2% drain per hour with Wifi and 2-3% on LTE.