Help How do you turn off 4G?

[badiban]

I want to save some battery. How do I turn off 4G?

 

[pantlesspenguin]

Its not like CDMA where you turn 4G off and still get 3G speed. T-Mo's 4G is really just a beefed up 3G network. We already see the same speeds as they do, without sacrificing battery life. If you want to turn 4G off, you'll also be turning off 3G reducing you to EDGE speeds. If this is truly what you want, go to settings, wireless and networks, mobile networks, GSM only.

 

[woodsb123]

I totally agree with the previous post which stated, if you turn off 4G you will also be turning off the 3G data network, which will disconnect all functionality except for making/receiving phone calls. The only other way that I know of turning off the 3G/4G network and still getting data connectivity is to use wifi networks as much as possible. The fastest way to do this is by dragging down the notification bar from the top, selecting Quick Settings, and then unselecting Mobile Network and selecting Wi-Fi. As long as you are in an area where there is wifi available, you can connect to any wifi network and have internet/data connectivity. Hope this helps.

PS: If you are unfamiliar with how to connect to wireless networks, work with someone who might know how - just don't want to go into details on how to properly connect, here in this message.

 

[pantlesspenguin]

I totally agree with the previous post which stated, if you turn off 4G you will also be turning off the 3G data network, which will disconnect all functionality except for making/receiving phone calls.

Slight correction, turning off 4G/3G and reducing speeds to EDGE doesn't DISCONNECT data functionality. It just makes it a pain to use, compared to the 3G/4G speeds we've become accustomed to.

 

[MooseJaw]

Yes, data transfer via edge works marginally on say a BlackBerry, but for the rest of us you will find it like looking at a picture one pixel at a time. Take you valium first.

 

[pantlesspenguin]

Indeed. EDGE is fine for some things, like if you're simply sending IMs/emails, but if you're surfing the net, downloading apps/media, accessing apps, streaming music, etc you'll really notice a difference.

It's hilarious to me that people make fun of T-Mo because they're just using a beefed up 3G network and it's not "true" 4G (even though no carrier currently has TRUE 4G), and yet we get comparable speeds without having to sacrifice battery life at all. I've seen how Sprint does it. You actually have to "turn on" 4G connectivity much like you turn on wifi on your phone. With 4G connected, battery life is severely sacrificed. T-Mo users get the best of both worlds: fast speeds AND good battery life.

 

[colnago]

Indeed. EDGE is fine for some things, like if you're simply sending IMs/emails, but if you're surfing the net, downloading apps/media, accessing apps, streaming music, etc you'll really notice a difference....

...or streaming a dozen Level 2 stock quotes, in addition to 50-60 real-time quotes, over multiple watch lists.




But 8Mbps down and 3Mbps up is fine for my "phone" via HSPA+. Especially for $10/mo on "web2go".

 

[badiban]

Indeed. EDGE is fine for some things, like if you're simply sending IMs/emails, but if you're surfing the net, downloading apps/media, accessing apps, streaming music, etc you'll really notice a difference.

It's hilarious to me that people make fun of T-Mo because they're just using a beefed up 3G network and it's not "true" 4G (even though no carrier currently has TRUE 4G), and yet we get comparable speeds without having to sacrifice battery life at all. I've seen how Sprint does it. You actually have to "turn on" 4G connectivity much like you turn on wifi on your phone. With 4G connected, battery life is severely sacrificed. T-Mo users get the best of both worlds: fast speeds AND good battery life.

So true, I had the EVO 4G, and I almost could never find a 4G connection (and I live in one of the first cities where Wi Max came out), and it ate 5% of battery just for surfing the web for about 2-3 minutes. And it only got speeds of about 2 MBPS. My Sensation can go a full day of moderate usage with 4G speeds of 4-7 MBPS no problem.

 

[pantlesspenguin]

So true, I had the EVO 4G, and I almost could never find a 4G connection (and I live in one of the first cities where Wi Max came out), and it ate 5% of battery just for surfing the web for about 2-3 minutes. And it only got speeds of about 2 MBPS. My Sensation can go a full day of moderate usage with 4G speeds of 4-7 MBPS no problem.

I'm glad you're having a positive experience on T-Mo . T-Mo experienced a LOT of flack when they touted their own 4G network when everyone knew it was just a beefed up 3G network. But, when the speeds are the same shouldn't that be the only thing that matters? Plus, the ability to have great battery life while connected to "4G" is icing on the cake!

 

[colnago]

...But, when the speeds are the same shouldn't that be the only thing that matters?

Price, data limits, and coverage should also factor in. I really miss having my N900 on the $10/mo. "web2go" plan, pulling 7Mbps down and 2Mbps up on T-Mo.

 

[pantlesspenguin]

Price, data limits, and coverage should also factor in. I really miss having my N900 on the $10/mo. "web2go" plan, pulling 7Mbps down and 2Mbps up on T-Mo.

True, but I'm talking about all the backlash T-Mo received by calling their high-speed network "4G."