GSM v 3G Mobile phone content

[Exige77]

I usually have my phone set for 3G but never actually use any of it's features. I was at an exhibition recently and found it hard to get a good 3G signal so switched to GSM network.

My battery would normally alst 1.5 to 2 days Max. Now on GSM i am getteing double if not 5 days.

Can it be true that 3G uses so much more battery ?

Ex77

[bobthemonkey]

Short answer is yes. 3g radio's are battery hogs.

[spikeyhead]

During a call, a GSM phone is transmitting for one eight of the time and receiving for one eight of the time. The processor requirements are about equivalent of a 486DX2.

With 3G the transmitter is running most of the time and the processor requires much more power.