Who cares i did a real use case test, in my home office for the last 14 years with same Telco and have had every iPhone since 4S, i have better reception and calls are clearer, speakers better too not that affects reception, than the 11 pro. Double /theend. Goodbye.
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iPhone 12 Pro x55 LTE vs intel modem
- Thread starter ilikewhey
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Who cares i did a real use case test, in my home office for the last 14 years with same Telco and have had every iPhone since 4S, i have better reception and calls are clearer, speakers better too not that affects reception, than the 11 pro. Double /theend. Goodbye.
the fact of the matter is i doubt anyone is gonna have the time to go through your step by step and the thoroughness you laid out. you're not paying them and they have nothing to gain but your admiration. so i would just take what everyone say at their worth and form your own opinion. so far no one has come out and say the 12 is worse in signal both speed and dBm so for me thats already pretty convincing. if you want a solid % of just how much better, i dont think you're gonna get that answer unless you get yourself the 12 and find out.
Several posts in this thread were from people (in addition to me) expressing that they too would love to get this info. Another poster (2 of them actually) said they would do the testing and post their results once they got a chance. I am very appreciative of that and I am sure others would be too.
I never asked about clearer calls, nor better speakers. I specifically asked about dBm results, period.
Then I see a post stating the 12 is much better than the 11 pro with no explanation of how or why. And when I ask if dBm numbers can be shown to illustrate how much better the 12 is, I am told to go figure it out myself.
Somehow I guess I had the mistaken idea that the reason for threads such as this were to share ideas, ask questions and provide information. Over the years, I have been very happy to do so, not only in cellphone related forums but many others as well, even if it took a lot of time doing so. If one does not have the time, that's fine. They shouldn't be expected to respond. But to call someone out for requesting something that others are willing to help with? I don't get that. But then again, I don't pay to get these answers do I.
I never asked about clearer calls, nor better speakers. I specifically asked about dBm results, period.
Then I see a post stating the 12 is much better than the 11 pro with no explanation of how or why. And when I ask if dBm numbers can be shown to illustrate how much better the 12 is, I am told to go figure it out myself.
Somehow I guess I had the mistaken idea that the reason for threads such as this were to share ideas, ask questions and provide information. Over the years, I have been very happy to do so, not only in cellphone related forums but many others as well, even if it took a lot of time doing so. If one does not have the time, that's fine. They shouldn't be expected to respond. But to call someone out for requesting something that others are willing to help with? I don't get that. But then again, I don't pay to get these answers do I.
I get what your saying, if I have both model I wouldn’t mind doing the test, but it seems others are reluctant or don’t want to do it
In my testing, mostly same spot scenarios it's better but not crazy better. Now, if you were to compare day one Intel modems to Qualcomm day one, there is a huge difference. Through many updates Apple got that Intel modem to likely behave the best that it ever will. I'm more curious about the aluminum frame on the 12 compared to the pros SS frame. I'd wager there are slight differences with the aluminum edging out the SS. Either way we are now on par with the rest of the folks on different platforms. One other note, the big thing I noticed that Intel really sucked at was network switching, whether it was different AP's in my house or wifi to cell, pretty much any scenario that a network change occurred the Intel modem could not handle the change typically resulting in a "L" for the user.
Poor Intel, getting knocked around pretty bad lately. Shame on them for missing the mobile game pretty much entirely .. cough cough Microsoft! Pretty soon they will be resorted to making procs for our toasters LMAO. Just rambling now, I love my i9 x-series, its a ripper! Not a thread ripper though. 🤣
:Rant_End
Poor Intel, getting knocked around pretty bad lately. Shame on them for missing the mobile game pretty much entirely .. cough cough Microsoft! Pretty soon they will be resorted to making procs for our toasters LMAO. Just rambling now, I love my i9 x-series, its a ripper! Not a thread ripper though. 🤣
:Rant_End
This video is interesting, but far from conclusive.
- First of all, he is running the test side-by side and at the same time. All things being equal, if his tower is congested, he may be fighting for the same bandwidth.
- Ideally this test should be run sequentially not simultaneously.
- Ideally, he should run the test sequentially on both phones at least 10 times to get a better idea. There are too many factors to draw a conclusion after a single test.
- Tower Congestion could be an issue
- Ookla speed test server chosen can have an issue (I see this all the time)
- He could be under de-prioritization from his service provider on one line?
- There could be interference from running both phones so close at the same time? Dunno, but maybe?
Thanks to both of you I really appreciate it.
I agree with you though lordhamster on all your comments. Way too many people are under the impression that data speeds are an indication of signal strength. Same thing can be said about the bars on the phone. Speeds are too dependent on the things you mentioned, and bars are random and differ from one manufacturer to the next and many times from one phone to the next.
I agree with you though lordhamster on all your comments. Way too many people are under the impression that data speeds are an indication of signal strength. Same thing can be said about the bars on the phone. Speeds are too dependent on the things you mentioned, and bars are random and differ from one manufacturer to the next and many times from one phone to the next.
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I just got my 12 Pro Max in this evening and finally had a chance to run this test. I put a different at&t sim card into my 11 Pro and have both devices connected side by side to cellular.
In field test mode, they're both showing -114. This is on both lines for Serving Cell Meas - Rspr0 and Rspr1. I swapped the sim cards between each device and it looks similar so far.
Definitely will require some further tests, which I'll do over the next few days. The one area I was most curious about is near my office, but I won't be back there until Friday, so I'll give an update then.
I get similar results in field test mode. I think the 12 PM is a little better and more stable, but neither match Android phones for signal strength.
The thing that really bugs me is that when the iPhone (11 PM, 12 PM or others) is first turned on, the signal strength is very strong, but after a short time (a minute or so) it drops significantly to lower readings - often about -10 to -15 difference. I wonder if it is for power saving. Whatever the reason, it is troubling.
Thank you thank you. I've been waiting for this.
I agree that more tests are probably in order but so far, it looks from what you say as if the reception is similar or about the same in both phones. My wife has an 11Pro Max and my Galaxy S20 FE 5G routinely gets between 4 and 8 dbm better reception. This is not huge but it is noteworthy.
Gdwheel, this is normal behavior. When a phone is first turned on, it latches onto whatever it can find which is usually the strongest signal.It then goes through a routine of evaluating which cell is best based on a number of factors, not all of which have to do with necessarily picking the strongest signal.
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lol no Apple won’t sell the Intel modem business they bought. They will use everything to develop they’re own modem for their devices just like almost everything else they have custom made
Alright, quick update. For whatever reason, the only value I’m seeing in field test mode has been -114. At home, near my office, in a different state, on ‘5Ge’, LTE, 5G - that’s all I’ve seen. I’m not sure if there is something else I need to refresh or what, but that’s the only value it’s shown me over the last week.
I will say though, the signal on this phone so far does seem a bit more useable than on my 11 Pro (obviously this is highly anecdotal). Near my office, which was a trouble spot for me on the 11 Pro, I can actually get a useable data connection, when I couldn’t before. With the 11 Pro, I would see 2-3 bars of LTE coverage, but trying to actually get *anything* to connect was impossible. That’s so far not the case with the 12 Pro Max. Whether or not I switch carriers will be a different story.
For me it’s fairly simple. LTE/4G/5G max. speed does not matter much for me outdoors.
But at an outdoor parking lot I visit frequently, it makes a difference just to be able to receive/send a text.
Up to the 7 I was able to communicate via messages: 2 of 3
8 plus: 1 of 3
XS Max: Nothing for a whole year
11 PM: Nothing for a whole year
Even with a old 4 holding it right (using a bumper) I did receive text when we tested the 8 plus a few years back.
12 PM: initial result - 2 of 3
Nothing scientific, but all I can add is: finally!
But at an outdoor parking lot I visit frequently, it makes a difference just to be able to receive/send a text.
Up to the 7 I was able to communicate via messages: 2 of 3
8 plus: 1 of 3
XS Max: Nothing for a whole year
11 PM: Nothing for a whole year
Even with a old 4 holding it right (using a bumper) I did receive text when we tested the 8 plus a few years back.
12 PM: initial result - 2 of 3
Nothing scientific, but all I can add is: finally!
I have had the same problem with field test mode not changing. Refreshing it shows a different date and time, but the reading stays the same. Mine has shown -112 ever since I got the phone, despite the signal changing frequently. The band will not even change at all. No date or time change. It is still showing the band I was on the first time I ran field test mode on the phone and it still shows that date and time. Not much help.
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Field test mode can be very frustrating at best. What I've found the best thing to do is to exit the phone app, toggle airplane mode on then back off again. Then come back into the phone app and rerun field test mode.Even then, you might not see a difference, but usually there is.
For what it's worth, I started another thread on signal strength with an iphone mini that I purchased yesterday and will most likely return. I have been very disappointed in the fact that signal strength is actually about the poorest I've yet to see on an iphone. I am routinely getting widely different results all the time. The phone almost seems as though it is constantly changing cell sites, routinely ranging anywhere from -78dBm to -95dBm in the same location while my Android will show between -70dBm to -80dBm siting right next to it. This is a room in my house where I've been doing comparisons between phones for years. The Androids always do better but some iphones (such as the Xr) came extremely close. The 12 mini has been the worst I've tested yet.
For what it's worth, I started another thread on signal strength with an iphone mini that I purchased yesterday and will most likely return. I have been very disappointed in the fact that signal strength is actually about the poorest I've yet to see on an iphone. I am routinely getting widely different results all the time. The phone almost seems as though it is constantly changing cell sites, routinely ranging anywhere from -78dBm to -95dBm in the same location while my Android will show between -70dBm to -80dBm siting right next to it. This is a room in my house where I've been doing comparisons between phones for years. The Androids always do better but some iphones (such as the Xr) came extremely close. The 12 mini has been the worst I've tested yet.
Just to point out, dBm numbers are not reliable. Different modem samples may report differently - and obviously actual dBm strength is independent of modem. A well constructed speed test shows actual total performance differences. And anecdotal reports about how reliable connections are versus last year's model should give you enough information to figure this out. It appears that one billion dollars of research and development over last year's models (and a month or two of consumer field experience confirmation) have created a better performing phone.
Actually dBm is derived from a mathematical formula and is a standard measure in electronics. But you're right. The means which we get those readings are not always very reliable or accurate.
Since we are dealing with cell networks where download speeds can vary enormously depending on how many phones are using that network at any one given time (among other things), these tests are of no value in determining how well a receiver/antenna/modem are working in a phone. For instance, I can see a 5G speed reading of 50mbps download at noon, and using the same phone in the same position hitting the same tower, I can see upwards of 300mbps at 3am. One doing the testing at noon may get the impression that his phone has issues.
Lastly, looking at the mountain of complaints both in this and other forums about various issues concerning the iphone 12 (and a great many other electronic devices, be they phones, cameras or any number of high tech things), I would disagree that spending a billion dollars on R&D over the past year has improved anything. Perhaps Apple (and most other high tech companies) really need to go back to the days of true QC and not expect millions of people to spend good money on devices before they are ready for market. Doing THAT would be an improvement!
Since we are dealing with cell networks where download speeds can vary enormously depending on how many phones are using that network at any one given time (among other things), these tests are of no value in determining how well a receiver/antenna/modem are working in a phone. For instance, I can see a 5G speed reading of 50mbps download at noon, and using the same phone in the same position hitting the same tower, I can see upwards of 300mbps at 3am. One doing the testing at noon may get the impression that his phone has issues.
Lastly, looking at the mountain of complaints both in this and other forums about various issues concerning the iphone 12 (and a great many other electronic devices, be they phones, cameras or any number of high tech things), I would disagree that spending a billion dollars on R&D over the past year has improved anything. Perhaps Apple (and most other high tech companies) really need to go back to the days of true QC and not expect millions of people to spend good money on devices before they are ready for market. Doing THAT would be an improvement!
It is a shame that some owners have issues. I think the 12's are a stunning work of technology. With millions of owners, you cannot help but have issues. However, QC is pretty darned good, far better than most manufacturers. Probably lacking (hopefully) compared to the vaccine makers.
Decided to upgrade from my 11 Pro.... WORTH IT. Speed differences are massive.
My place during the day:
11 Pro average: 2-20 down, 1-5 up
12 Pro average: 30-80 down, 20-60 up
I have Visible so speeds are never consistent. But improvements nonetheless.... wow.
I can’t imagine how fast LTE download speeds would be if I was with native Verizon.
My place during the day:
11 Pro average: 2-20 down, 1-5 up
12 Pro average: 30-80 down, 20-60 up
I have Visible so speeds are never consistent. But improvements nonetheless.... wow.
I can’t imagine how fast LTE download speeds would be if I was with native Verizon.
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I exchanged my mini for a 12 today and the difference in reception is very noticeable. For the first time, I am now getting db readings that are right there with my Android phones. Not sure if my mini was defective or not, but the 12 is very good.