Last week my mom confused her iPhone 4 with 4G. I explained to her that the iPhone 4 is a 4th generation Apple phone, while 4G is completely different and relating to the cellular service.

In the midst of my explanation, I realized how little we really understand about 4G, and how easily we can fall for new technology simply because it’s new.

What is 4G?

4G is the 4th generation of cellular wireless standards. In plain-English, this is a faster, improved successor of past generations of service (2G & 3G). The 4G network claims to be capable of download speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps). That’s enough speed to download an average high-definition movie in about three minutes.

The problem with 4G

Well, it turns out that most 4G users are not really experiencing these fast speeds explained above. Location, as you can probably imagine, is key. Since 4G networks are relatively new, mobile carriers have yet to make these download speeds available to the masses.

Cellphone speed is also largely dependent on the type of phone you have. Numerous phones perform significantly better than others on any network.

(image via Metrico)

Battery life could also be a concern. Since 4G improves the service on your phone, it tends to eat up your battery much faster than 3G.

Should upgrade to 4G?

It depends. if you have an upgrade coming, and don’t mind buying a new device, then you don’t have much to lose. If you don’t do too much downloading or internet browsing, you may not even notice the difference in speed with 4G. It really depends on your particular situation including the status of your wireless contract, your location, and the type of phone you’re looking at.

About a week ago, Metrico released a study on which mobile network is faster, AT&T or Verizon. Surprisingly, AT&T performed about 30% better on average. This tells us that not all 4G networks are created equal.

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether or not to upgrade. Be sure to do some research before making a decision.

______________________________

Still unsure about 4G? Give us a call at (877) MAKEITWork or (877) 625-3489 to find out more about if 4G is right for you.

 

—-

If you enjoy learning about new trending tech topics, gadgets, toys, and other digital creative fun stuff, you won’t want to miss out on our monthly Stress-Free Digital Lifestyle Newsletter!

We cover Tech Tips & Tricks, Creative Software, Important Security Updates, and the tech news stories you want to know about.

It’s FUN, it’s FREE, and it takes less than 10 seconds to sign up. Now that’s fast!