iPhone 12 Pro 5G uses more battery than LTE

[Rafagon]

I understand that 5G uses more battery than LTE. Does anyone have any idea just how much more? If you keep your iPhone 12 Pro on 5G all day long, will it noticeably affect battery life? Or is the difference too small to tell?

Also, can we expect that 5G on the iPhone 13 will be more energy-efficient than it is on the 12?

Thanks for any info.

 

[now i see it]

Qualcomm 5G modem in iPhone 12 series uses significantly more power than LTE. That's why there's a setting to automatically switch to LTE when circumstances warrant it.
iPhone 13 will get the next generation Qualcomm 5G modem which will be less of an energy hog

 

[max2]

Qualcomm 5G modem in iPhone 12 series uses significantly more power than LTE. That's why there's a setting to automatically switch to LTE when circumstances warrant it.
iPhone 13 will get the next generation Qualcomm 5G modem which will be less of an energy hog

Cool!

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have my 12 mini 5G set to be on all the time. It does use more battery than LTE. At the same time, that amount varies depending on signal strength just like it does for LTE.

 

[pw5a29]

iOS 14.5 said to have brought better algorithms to Smart Data mode, see if its better?

As the above mentioned, might have to wait till the next iPhone with qualcomm x60 to have better battery on 5G

 

[1rottenapple]

I have my 12 mini 5G set to be on all the time. It does use more battery than LTE. At the same time, that amount varies depending on signal strength just like it does for LTE.

How much more do you think? I can’t really tell since I usually stick to lte.

 

[taneff]

I have it on "5G auto" all the time. I travel a lot through good and bad signal areas. And I don't feel a MASSIVE battery drain. Yes, it consumes more battery. But to be honest 5G is available, or better it shows 5G which doesn't mean it uses it at that time, in low signal areas where I would have 2G/3G and note LTE instead which makes it way more usable here than "LTE only". Btw I live in Europe not USA, worth reception and signal overall.

So I didn't test it anymore the last few months but compared it in the first few months of owning thew 12 Mini. And, of course always depending on signal quality, I maybe lost 10% more battery each day at a rough estimate, having it on "5G auto" instead of "LTE only". Maybe it has become even better through SW updates, haven't compared both settings anymore since back then.

And don't forget I own the 12 Mini, so on the bigger 12 series with better battery life it maybe even less noticeable.

Can't wait for the 13 Mini with more battery saving 5G modem.