GSM auto (PRL) vs. WCDMA preferred

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mcgoo99

mcgoo99

Senior Member
Nov 15, 2009
220
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what is the difference between these two settings on my N1? i get 3G/H with either setting, and they both switch to Edge around the same coverage areas too. PRL seems to have ever-so-slightly better dBm power readings, anyone else seen this? both seem to have similar network performance too (based on download speeds), should i stick with one or another? which gives better battery life?

TIA!
 
craigacgomez

craigacgomez

Senior Member
Jan 29, 2010
2,215
3,924
Tustin
Hope this helps!!!

GSM Only - Only uses in G/E and never switches to 3G/H. Should have minimal battery usage.

GSM Auto (PRL) - Automatically switches between G/E/3G/H based on the PRL (Preferred Roaming List) for a provider on your phone. Not supported by all providers and may not be supported in certain regions. Should have moderate battery usage since it uses a predefined list to switch.

WCDMA Preferred - Automatically switches between G/E/3G/H based on the best/strongest signal available and is supported by all providers. Has high battery usage since it constantly scans the network for the strongest signal to switch.

WCDMA Only - Only uses HSDPA and will not switch to G/E/3G even if the HSPDA signal is too low. Use this only if you use your phone in a area with good coverage. Should have moderate battery usage.
 
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mcgoo99

mcgoo99

Senior Member
Nov 15, 2009
220
6
craigacgomez said:
Hope this helps!!!

GSM Only - Only uses in G/E and never switches to 3G/H. Should have minimal battery usage.

GSM Auto (PRL) - Automatically switches between G/E/3G/H based on the PRL (Preferred Roaming List) for a provider on your phone. Not supported by all providers and may not be supported in certain regions. Should have moderate battery usage since it uses a predefined list to switch.

WCDMA Preferred - Automatically switches between G/E/3G/H based on the best/strongest signal available and is supported by all providers. Has high battery usage since it constantly scans the network for the strongest signal to switch.

WCDMA Only - Only uses HSDPA and will not switch to G/E/3G even if the HSPDA signal is too low. Use this only if you use your phone in a area with good coverage. Should have moderate battery usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

thank you!! where'd you find this info?
 
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R

RogerPodacter

Senior Member
Apr 12, 2010
5,654
425
Los Angeles, CA
There's a huge thread on this already. Gsm auto (PRL) gives me much better battery life over wcdma preferred but we really don't know exactly why. Both give you 3g and edge access.
 
mcgoo99

mcgoo99

Senior Member
Nov 15, 2009
220
6
RogerPodacter said:
There's a huge thread on this already. Gsm auto (PRL) gives me much better battery life over wcdma preferred but we really don't know exactly why. Both give you 3g and edge access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

i'm discovering the much better battery life as well, pleasantly surprised to be at 70% after coming off charger 11 hours ago!

do you have a link to that thread? i searched before I posted but couldn't find anything of value. xda is a great resource, but sometimes info is difficult to retrieve from old threads. thanks!
 
J

jblazea50

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2010
2,309
472
Beltsville
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craigacgomez

craigacgomez

Senior Member
Jan 29, 2010
2,215
3,924
Tustin
RogerPodacter said:
There's a huge thread on this already. Gsm auto (PRL) gives me much better battery life over wcdma preferred but we really don't know exactly why. Both give you 3g and edge access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I believe the fact that GSM Auto (PRL) uses a predetermined PRL to switch between G/E/3G/H vs. the phone constantly scanning to find the best signal in the case of WCDMA Preferred is the reason for the better battery life.
 
Last edited:
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H

haksam

Senior Member
Mar 1, 2009
211
7
craigacgomez said:
Hope this helps!!!

GSM Only - Only uses in G/E and never switches to 3G/H. Should have minimal battery usage.

GSM Auto (PRL) - Automatically switches between G/E/3G/H based on the PRL (Preferred Roaming List) for a provider on your phone. Not supported by all providers and may not be supported in certain regions. Should have moderate battery usage since it uses a predefined list to switch.

WCDMA Preferred - Automatically switches between G/E/3G/H based on the best/strongest signal available and is supported by all providers. Has high battery usage since it constantly scans the network for the strongest signal to switch.

WCDMA Only - Only uses HSDPA and will not switch to G/E/3G even if the HSPDA signal is too low. Use this only if you use your phone in a area with good coverage. Should have moderate battery usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

does anyone know what gsm disconnects: =====DATA=====

mean?

my network keeps disconnecting and reconnecting :/
 
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    craigacgomez
    craigacgomez
    Hope this helps!!!

    GSM Only - Only uses in G/E and never switches to 3G/H. Should have minimal battery usage.

    GSM Auto (PRL) - Automatically switches between G/E/3G/H based on the PRL (Preferred Roaming List) for a provider on your phone. Not supported by all providers and may not be supported in certain regions. Should have moderate battery usage since it uses a predefined list to switch.

    WCDMA Preferred - Automatically switches between G/E/3G/H based on the best/strongest signal available and is supported by all providers. Has high battery usage since it constantly scans the network for the strongest signal to switch.

    WCDMA Only - Only uses HSDPA and will not switch to G/E/3G even if the HSPDA signal is too low. Use this only if you use your phone in a area with good coverage. Should have moderate battery usage.
    View
    1
    J
    jblazea50
    mcgoo99 said:
    i'm discovering the much better battery life as well, pleasantly surprised to be at 70% after coming off charger 11 hours ago!

    do you have a link to that thread? i searched before I posted but couldn't find anything of value. xda is a great resource, but sometimes info is difficult to retrieve from old threads. thanks!
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=675136&highlight=improve+battery
    View
    1
    craigacgomez
    craigacgomez
    RogerPodacter said:
    There's a huge thread on this already. Gsm auto (PRL) gives me much better battery life over wcdma preferred but we really don't know exactly why. Both give you 3g and edge access.
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    I believe the fact that GSM Auto (PRL) uses a predetermined PRL to switch between G/E/3G/H vs. the phone constantly scanning to find the best signal in the case of WCDMA Preferred is the reason for the better battery life.
    View

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