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.
However, critics have questioned the methodology employed in the study. Mark Jackson from ISP Review described Ookla’s approach as “very basic” and highlighted several important factors overlooked during the testing process. The study measured battery drain by comparing the maximum battery level recorded in the morning to the minimum level in the afternoon, without considering variables such as display size, brightness, screen-on time, and background apps running.
Furthermore, the research failed to account for the volume of data downloaded and uploaded on different devices, which can significantly impact power consumption. Additionally, the study did not differentiate between non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) 5G networks. This distinction is crucial because SA networks have demonstrated greater efficiency, as they allow the 4G LTE parts of the modem to power down when operating on 5G SA. In contrast, 5G NSA networks rely on 4G LTE carriers for control signaling, resulting in the inability to disable the 4G LTE modem.
Critics argue that without accounting for these factors and differentiating between 5G NSA and 5G SA networks, the study’s methodology and conclusions may be questionable.
While a recent study suggests that 5G connectivity may drain smartphone batteries more quickly than 4G, the methodology employed in the research has been criticized for its simplicity and lack of consideration for important variables. Factors such as display size, brightness, screen-on time, and running apps were not taken into account, and the study did not differentiate between 5G NSA and 5G SA networks. Critics argue that these oversights make the study’s conclusions less reliable. Further research considering a more comprehensive range of factors is needed to provide a more accurate assessment of the impact of 5G on smartphone battery life.
