'Enable LTE'. Does it drain battery while on wifi?

[Merkie]

LTE is more efficient than 3G to me. LTE coverage limited on the route I use in public transport. When I use the phone with LTE, the phone remains cool. When I use 3G, the phone becomes much warmer.

Hot phones are the result of high power usage.

 

[Daveoc64]

Well, at least so far, LTE does in fact only refer to a data connection, unlike some of the other ones that can be used for calls/messaging.

My carrier supports SMS over LTE.

Even when you are using a network that can only use LTE for data, the phone will not switch from LTE when it's on Wi-Fi. It'll switch only when it actually needs to.

 

[C DM]

My carrier supports SMS over LTE.

Even when you are using a network that can only use LTE for data, the phone will not switch from LTE when it's on Wi-Fi. It'll switch only when it actually needs to.

If it's only for data I don't see why it wouldn't switch from that as it won't be using it for data (until/unless the WiFi connection is dropped essentially).

As for SMS over LTE, that's something new. SMS doesn't even go over 3G or anything like that as its imbedded into the more basic control packets essentially (used for things like call or voicemail notification). What carrier is doing something more with LTE like that? Any information out there to read more about that kind of use?

 

[Daveoc64]

If it's only for data I don't see why it wouldn't switch from that as it won't be using it for data (until/unless the WiFi connection is dropped essentially).

The cellular network just isn't designed that way. The device isn't supposed to choose how it connects - the network is supposed to choose. Carriers will want customers to be on the 4G network even when they aren't sending/receiving data. It will help them manage capacity in each area.

As for SMS over LTE, that's something new.

You're right! It is new(ish).

You can read more here:

http://www.3gpp.org/news-events/3gpp-news/1268-Dispelling-LTE-Myths

SMS doesn't even go over 3G or anything like that as its imbedded into the more basic control packets essentially (used for things like call or voicemail notification).

This is another common misconception. My carrier only has a 3G and 4G network - it never had a 2G network. My SMS messages and phone calls went over 3G only until they started rolling out 4G earlier this month.

 

[C DM]

The cellular network just isn't designed that way. The device isn't supposed to choose how it connects - the network is supposed to choose. Carriers will want customers to be on the 4G network even when they aren't sending/receiving data. It will help them manage capacity in each area.



You're right! It is new(ish).

You can read more here:

http://www.3gpp.org/news-events/3gpp-news/1268-Dispelling-LTE-Myths



This is another common misconception. My carrier only has a 3G and 4G network - it never had a 2G network. My SMS messages and phone calls went over 3G only until they started rolling out 4G earlier this month.

I guess I should have been a bit more specific as far as what I mentioned relating to SMS: it's not that it necessarily uses 2G but basically whatever is used for basic things like notifications of incoming calls or voicemails and essentially for voice, which certainly can include something like 3G/4G. LTE in the form that is being used by pretty much most if not all providers so far isn't being used for voice or call notifications or anything like that, which is why it's a bit odd to see SMS being used over LTE at this point.

 

[Applejuiced]

Although even if that's the case, for the vast majority, the battery usage from that is essentially negligible.

That's what I was thinking too.
Leaving wifi had little to no battery decrease to me over the years.