How often does the iPhone 5's LTE radio scan for LTE?

dw3bb10 · Nov 16, 2012, 02:05 AM

How often does the radio scan for an LTE signal on its own when its turned on? I know that some devices, the GS3 and Note 2 on Sprint for example, will scan automatically ONCE every half hour when LTE isn't connected. Of course, this would not have a negative effect on battery life. Anyone know what the ping time is on the iPhone?

tymaster50 · Nov 16, 2012, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dw3bb10

How often does the radio scan for an LTE signal on its own when its turned on? I know that some devices, the GS3 and Note 2 on Sprint for example, will scan automatically ONCE every half hour when LTE isn't connected. Of course, this would not have a negative effect on battery life. Anyone know what the ping time is on the iPhone?

...why does this matter?

Myiphone7 · Nov 16, 2012, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dw3bb10

How often does the radio scan for an LTE signal on its own when its turned on? I know that some devices, the GS3 and Note 2 on Sprint for example, will scan automatically ONCE every half hour when LTE isn't connected. Of course, this would not have a negative effect on battery life. Anyone know what the ping time is on the iPhone?

This is very interesting. I didn't know the phone actually scanned for lte like that. Would be interested in reading more about this.

dw3bb10 · Nov 16, 2012, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tymaster50

...why does this matter?

Obviously, If the ping time is say once every 30 minutes, then I could just leave it on, even when not in an LTE area, or if coverage is spotty, and not have to worry about taking a huge hit on battery because its not scanning so often. Get it? -___-

tymaster50 · Nov 16, 2012, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dw3bb10

Obviously, If the ping time is say once every 30 minutes, then I could just leave it on, even when not in an LTE area, or if coverage is spotty, and not have to worry about taking a huge hit on battery because its not scanning so often. Get it? -___-

When it gets an LTE signal then it'll connect to LTE obviously, get it?

x-evil-x · Nov 16, 2012, 05:02 AM

i think the scanning for it is what kills battery? if your in an lte area and its connected it should get better battery life correct?

AutoUnion39 · Nov 16, 2012, 10:52 AM

If you can't wait, then switch LTE off and then on to force scan the area for LTE (if it isn't connected)

In the early days of LTE last year, phones would have trouble hooking back on to LTE quickly after switching down to HSPA+ for a voice call, but it really doesn't happen anymore

tys · Nov 16, 2012, 11:32 AM

We don't have LTE in my area yet. I noticed a huge improvement in battery life when I tuned LTE off in the iPhone 5 settings, which leads me to believe that the phone does indeed waste energy scanning for LTE that isn't there. No idea how often it scans, however.

Small White Car · Nov 16, 2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tymaster50

When it gets an LTE signal then it'll connect to LTE obviously, get it?

You're trying really hard to miss the point here. The OP is being pretty clear.

He wants to know when to shut off LTE and when he shouldn't bother. I don't actually know the answer to the question either, it would be interesting to know.

mikeydeezy · Nov 16, 2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tymaster50

When it gets an LTE signal then it'll connect to LTE obviously, get it?

It's pretty obvious he's asking to make sure the iPhone isn't pinging constantly seeking a LTE signal that isn't there thereby impacting his battery life.

CBR900RR · Nov 16, 2012, 12:59 PM

I guess it is the same as having the wifi on in an non wifi area.

bluerocka · Nov 16, 2012, 01:23 PM

I could be missing something here... but if you move from a 4G to an LTE area and the phone connects immediately, this would leave me to believe that it is constantly scanning for the network. Possibly even up to a thousand times a second (once every millisecond). This is something that an Apple engineer would have to comment on

scaredpoet · Nov 16, 2012, 01:31 PM

No idea how often the scan frequency is, but I can also confirm that if you're in a 4G only area, the battery drains pretty quick, and turning off LTE stops it. So, the answer for now is "often enough."

I would turn it off and maybe manually scan for LTE (turning it on, letting it sit for a minute or two, and if no LTE, turn it off) once a day or so.

The New iPad · Nov 16, 2012, 01:50 PM

I think the scan for LTE does take up a lot of battery. When I'm in a certain building that has thick walls and no signal, I leave an hour later with 10% gone just listening to music. When I turned off LTE, much better battery life. Down maybe 1-2%. These results are consistent but not scientific.

dw3bb10 · Nov 16, 2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by small white car

you're trying really hard to miss the point here. The op is being pretty clear.

He wants to know when to shut off lte and when he shouldn't bother. I don't actually know the answer to the question either, it would be interesting to know.

thank you.

Nov 16, 2012, 02:05 AM	#1
dw3bb10 macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2008	How often does the iPhone 5's LTE radio scan for LTE? How often does the radio scan for an LTE signal on its own when its turned on? I know that some devices, the GS3 and Note 2 on Sprint for example, will scan automatically ONCE every half hour when LTE isn't connected. Of course, this would not have a negative effect on battery life. Anyone know what the ping time is on the iPhone? __________________ 2012 cMBP 2.3/8GB/128GB SSD iPhone 5 - 16GB - White & Silver - Sprint
	1

Nov 16, 2012, 10:52 AM	#7
AutoUnion39 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston, MA	If you can't wait, then switch LTE off and then on to force scan the area for LTE (if it isn't connected) In the early days of LTE last year, phones would have trouble hooking back on to LTE quickly after switching down to HSPA+ for a voice call, but it really doesn't happen anymore __________________ rMBP 15 2.3 i7/16gb/256 SSD\| MacBook Air (Late 2011) 1.7 i5/4gb/128 SSD\| riPad 32gb WiFi\| TV (3rd gen)\| Airport Extreme\| iP5\|S4\|One
	0

Nov 16, 2012, 12:59 PM	#11
CBR900RR macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Middle of Pacific	I guess it is the same as having the wifi on in an non wifi area. __________________ Free FXsound ringtone
	0

Nov 16, 2012, 01:31 PM	#13
scaredpoet macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2007	No idea how often the scan frequency is, but I can also confirm that if you're in a 4G only area, the battery drains pretty quick, and turning off LTE stops it. So, the answer for now is "often enough." I would turn it off and maybe manually scan for LTE (turning it on, letting it sit for a minute or two, and if no LTE, turn it off) once a day or so. __________________ If you're not a clairvoyant, then you shouldn't be speaking for a dead guy.
	0

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Nov 16, 2012, 05:02 AM	#6
x-evil-x macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2008	i think the scanning for it is what kills battery? if your in an lte area and its connected it should get better battery life correct?
	0

Nov 16, 2012, 11:32 AM	#8
tys macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2008	We don't have LTE in my area yet. I noticed a huge improvement in battery life when I tuned LTE off in the iPhone 5 settings, which leads me to believe that the phone does indeed waste energy scanning for LTE that isn't there. No idea how often it scans, however.
	0

Nov 16, 2012, 01:23 PM	#12
bluerocka macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2009	I could be missing something here... but if you move from a 4G to an LTE area and the phone connects immediately, this would leave me to believe that it is constantly scanning for the network. Possibly even up to a thousand times a second (once every millisecond). This is something that an Apple engineer would have to comment on
	0

Nov 16, 2012, 01:50 PM	#14
The New iPad macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2012	I think the scan for LTE does take up a lot of battery. When I'm in a certain building that has thick walls and no signal, I leave an hour later with 10% gone just listening to music. When I turned off LTE, much better battery life. Down maybe 1-2%. These results are consistent but not scientific.
	0