5G: The Greatest Show on Earth!

Vol 6: Unplugged!

09/09/2019 | 47 pages
Price: $795.00

SRG just completed its sixth 5G NR benchmark study, this time with a focus on energy efficiency. For this study we used a Galaxy S10 smartphone in the Verizon Wireless 5G NR (millimeter wave) and LTE networks located in and around Minneapolis, MN.

Highlights of the Report include the following:

Our Thanks.  We did this study in collaboration with Accuver Americas and Spirent Communications who provided us with their respective test equipment and platforms, which we identify in the report. SRG did all the testing and analysis of the data and we are solely responsible for the commentary in the report.

Our Methodology.  We measured basic network parameters with XCAL-Solo and then separately measured real-time battery current while transmitting various bit rates (maximum possible, 30 Mbps and 5 Mbps) with the Umetrix data platform. We included two 5G NR radio conditions and multiple LTE radio conditions, including 2CCA and 3CCA configurations.

5G NR has better Energy Efficiency than LTE.  Although 5G NR generates higher current drain than LTE, it can also be meaningfully more energy efficient than LTE when transmitting maximum possible bit rates. This finding is true, even with relatively modest 5G NR data speeds and LTE speeds that are substantially higher than most U.S. consumers observe, on average.

LTE has better Energy Efficiency than 5G NR.  With low bit rate transfers, such as what would occur with web browsing and video chat applications, for example, LTE has better energy efficiency than 5G NR.

It Doesn’t Matter.  Ironically, the energy efficiencies and inefficiencies of 5G NR do not have a major impact on the battery life since other phone usage (backlight, VoLTE, etc.) can have a much bigger influence on the battery life. If anything, a faster data connection generally means the phone’s display is turned off sooner.

A Day in the Life.  Using real-world data and varying assumptions regarding daily mobile data usage, voice calls, and other phone-related activities, we calculate the expected battery life. Although it is theoretically possible to deplete a phone battery (4400 mAh) during a normal work day, it takes some extreme conditions and aggressive user behavior for it to occur.