Witnessing the "Antenna-switching" ability of the iPhone in action.

[Beeplance]

Since the debut of the 4S, Apple has proclaimed that the phone is "able to intelligently switch between the 2 antennas to get the best 3G speeds possible". Now that the 5 also has this feature, has anyone ACTUALLY WITNESS this feature in action? I'm not sure how to describe it though, just wondering if its possible to see a sudden difference in data speeds when using the iPhone..

 

[ManuCH]

I'm not sure if that's what I'm witnessing, but I have noticed an interesting effect when I'm on a 3G HSPA+ network (Swisscom).

If I start the speed test, it starts off quite slowly, at around 4-5 Mbit/s. Then after 1-2 seconds, it's as if someone hit the turbo boost button, and it shoots up to 10-15-20 Mbit/s. As if the iPhone found a new frequency and enabled it, or, well, as if it switched antennas.

 

[Beeplance]

I'm not sure if that's what I'm witnessing, but I have noticed an interesting effect when I'm on a 3G HSPA+ network (Swisscom).

If I start the speed test, it starts off quite slowly, at around 4-5 Mbit/s. Then after 1-2 seconds, it's as if someone hit the turbo boost button, and it shoots up to 10-15-20 Mbit/s. As if the iPhone found a new frequency and enabled it, or, well, as if it switched antennas.

That may seem like it. I don't know, I guess most of the time it just works subtly in the background or something. From what I infer from Phil Schiller's explanation, it's seems as if when there's a poor connectivity, the iPhone will be able to change antennas to get a much better signal... Although its interesting to note that the 4S does have better reception/3G signal as compared to older iPhone models at most locations.

 

[sviato]

On my 4S sometimes I notice that I go to 0 bars then it goes to 5 (all while on 3G). Always thought it was just a network or phone issue, but could be the antenna switching maybe.