Very newbie question... Wifi vs 3G

[PaulQ]

I am under the impression that WiFi is faster than 3G... true?

If true, do you only really need WiFi if you are doing particularly data intensive activities such as browsing the web or opening large email attachments?

Regular email doesn't really benefit from WiFi?

I ask all this because I am trying to determine if and how often I should have WiFi on.

Thanks for your patience.

 

[happenstance314]

As often as you can, IMO if you're near a hotspot.
If you can keep it charged and WiFi is available, keep WiFi up.
If you're on the go, keep it off as much as possible unless you're using Maps.
After all, you kind of have to be near a WiFi spot for WiFi to be useful outside of Maps.

 

[nursereese]

It's my understanding that Wifi uses less battery power than 3G so anytime Wifi is available I'd
have it on. When not around a Wifi connection I turn Wifi off so my phone isn't searching for an open connection.
Sent from my DROIDX using DroidForums App

 

[PaulQ]

Now I'm confused... I thought WiFi was the bigger power drain.

I have an Incredible which isn't know for great battery longevity.

I am often in a WiFi zone. I work at a university. It sounds like it's better to have it on?

 

[happenstance314]

It's my understanding that Wifi uses less battery power than 3G so anytime Wifi is available I'd
have it on. When not around a Wifi connection I turn Wifi off so my phone isn't searching for an open connection.
Sent from my DROIDX using DroidForums App

WiFi uses 5% of your resources on average any time it is enabled.

That's 5% you can't have back.

If you can keep your phone charged, keep it on, by all means, if not, keep it off.

As a rule, I almost always have my WiFi on.

There's also an app called JuiceDefender if you are rooted that will power 3G and WiFi off automatically on screen off, or any other time you set it to be off.
Pretty handy if you're looking for energy conservation.

 

[dezymond]

Wifi, depending on connection, is much faster than 3g, especially during data intensive activity. Videos on youtube will load much faster for example.

If i know i'm going to be doing alot of web surfing or youtube, i use wifi whenever it's available.

As for battery drain, it uses more when it's finding a connection. once connected i believe it uses less than 3g? I could be wrong, but i know for a fact, at least for me, it's much faster than 3g.

 

[dezymond]

Now I'm confused... I thought WiFi was the bigger power drain.

I have an Incredible which isn't know for great battery longevity.

I am often in a WiFi zone. I work at a university. It sounds like it's better to have it on?

when i'm at school i tend to turn it on when i need it as if i move from building to building i lose connection and connect to a different router on campus. my campus is strange like that....always gotta sign back in

 

[rage813]

Only turn it on when in a hotspot and you will save battery

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