Recent research conducted by Ookla has claimed that using 5G connectivity can drain a smartphone’s battery more quickly compared to 4G. The study tested modern chipsets on Android devices and found Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset to be more power-efficient, with 5G users experiencing 31% more battery drain and 4G-LTE users experiencing 25% more drain. However, the methodology of the study has been criticized for its simplicity and lack of consideration for important factors such as display size, screen brightness, and running apps. Additionally, the study did not differentiate between non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) 5G networks, which can significantly impact power consumption.
Recent research by Ookla has raised concerns about the impact of 5G connectivity on smartphone battery life. The study focused on testing the efficiency of modern chipsets on Android-powered devices, particularly comparing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset to its Gen 1 counterpart. The researchers found that the Gen 2 chipset not only exhibited better power efficiency overall but also consumed less power, with 5G users experiencing 31% more battery drain and 4G-LTE users experiencing 25% more drain.
