I'm really new to IPhones as I've just got one couple days ago (IPhone 3G). I noticed that while on calls the battery seems to drain really fast and looking through the settings I see an Enable 3G option which is turned On by default. It says it drains battery life while on so I'm guessing this is the cause? Is it ok to turn this feature off? What exactly is the 3G option? I've been searching for it online and I can't really find a good detailed explanation. Also, does turning it off/on have any affect on the bill?
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New to IPhones
- Thread starter BigBroly
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3G (indicated by 3G icon at the top) is faster internet speed than edge through the cell network.
its not as widespread throughout the country as EDGE (the E icon at the top), but its faster than edge and does waste more battery
it shouldnt have an effect on your bill
its not as widespread throughout the country as EDGE (the E icon at the top), but its faster than edge and does waste more battery
it shouldnt have an effect on your bill
I've never seen the 3G icon or the E icon before up top, only the Wi-fi icon since I use wi-fi before, but never when calling. Even if the "Enable 3G" is set to On and there's no 3G icon, will it still use so much battery? If I'm just using the phone with wi-fi normally, the battery lasts quite a while and doesn't go down nearly as fast.
The 3G icon will never appear while you are connected to Wi Fi, that's just how the phone's programmed to work. You need to be away from your router or disconnect from Wi Fi to see the 3G icon (providing you have 3G coverage). When you use any of the phone functions it uses either 3G or EDGE (EDGE only if you do not have 3G coverage or if you've disabled 3G).
Hey Ivan, thanks for the info. Even with wi-fi off, I have never seen 3G icon, so I'm assuming I don't have coverage, but should it still drain so much battery if the option to enable 3G is on?
As far as I can see, it only drains real bad when on a call. I've used wi-fi for an hour or 2 and the battery bar moves maybe 1 notch if not any at all, same for listening to music. I have turned off the 3G, but haven't tested a call yet, I'm usually on a call for an hour or 2 so it would drain alot (it would have less than half battery life left if full), is this just normal while on a call?
So I tested a call with the 3G setting off and full battery. I was on call for 4 hours and the battery was halfway after it automatically cut off the call after 4 hours. This seems more reasonable than it used to be with the setting on. My old Razr phone got about the same amount of time on a full battery (2 4 hours sessions). I'm glad it's not a problem with my battery and that it lasts longer with the 3g off.