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.
