Does enabling wifi improve battery life?

ajamer · #1 (**permalink**) 02-13-2010, 11:33 PM

I tend to get a lot of push mail and keep my data connection on all the time. With my palm pre, I heard allowing the device to transfer data over wifi rather than over the cellular network used less battery. Anyone know if this is the same with the TP2?

**Eschelon** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-13-2010, 11:46 PM

Wifi will drain your battery more than the standard data connection will

uglyone888 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-13-2010, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eschelon

Wifi will drain your battery more than the standard data connection will

I've always heard its the other way around...

**Eschelon** · #4 (**permalink**) 02-13-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uglyone888

I've always heard its the other way around...

So... leaving 2 radios running in your phone will use less power than just running one?

I don't buy it

EDIT: Here. If you want to find out for yourself which is better, install the attached apps to see which method uses more power. Once you see whichever is better for you, roll with it

gcianc · #5 (**permalink**) 02-13-2010, 11:57 PM

is this a joke? wifi is a total battery drain as stated above.

push wastes battery also vs checking an IMAP inbox say every 10-15 minutes

zeuswsu · #6 (**permalink**) 02-13-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uglyone888

I've always heard its the other way around...

I think you heard wrong, having wifi on all the time definitely uses more battery then using your standard 3g connection. Test it out for yourself..

**Eschelon** · #7 (**permalink**) 02-13-2010, 11:59 PM

Edited my original post above with a way to see for yourself which uses more power

uglyone888 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-14-2010, 12:16 AM

Okay I'm going to test with those cabs you posted and I'm not trying to doubt you but whenever I use WiFi I turn off all other communications and my phone seemed to have a better battery life by a slight margin. And I remember reading somewhere online that WiFi on an iPhone consumes less power as well rather than 3G (yes I know the TP2 isn't an iPhone, but I figured this could still prove a valid point)

ajamer · #9 (**permalink**) 02-14-2010, 12:25 AM

Wifi uses about 40-50% less battery than EVDO:

http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=611

Apple iPhone 3G Total web browsing time 3G vs Wifi 218 minutes/400 minutes

Palm Pre 219 minutes/351 minutes

I'll still try running those apps and see what it's like on the TP2

**Eschelon** · #10 (**permalink**) 02-14-2010, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajamer

Wifi uses about 40-50% less battery than EVDO:

http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=611

Apple iPhone 3G Total web browsing time 3G vs Wifi 218 minutes/400 minutes

Palm Pre 219 minutes/351 minutes

I'll still try running those apps and see what it's like on the TP2

The iphone and the pre don't have the same hardware we do. You're essentially saying that a toyota prius gets 50 mpg, so, by default, your ford pickup should too

Look, do whatever you want. But you asked our opinion... and you got it