Nearly every Android smartphone worth buying today uses a Qualcomm modem. How hardware makers decide to integrate that modem into their devices results in different performance levels from different pieces of hardware. Signals Research recently tested five Android devices using their own equipment in their own anechoic chamber. Each of the five devices were assaulted with nearly 860 different tests, resulting in roughly 14.5 hours of testing per device.
What was the conclusion?
The Moto X is leaps and bounds better than the Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Note II, HTC One, and LG G2. It downloaded data about 35% faster on average compared to the competition, and it was able to maintain a signal at levels 9 dB lower than everyone else. Considering that Motorola invented the mobile phone and prides themselves on knowing the hard sciences inside and out, I’m not surprised to see them spanking everyone, but 35% faster throughput is just incredible.
Why can’t Samsung or HTC deliver the same kind of performance? Take a look at each of these company’s history. Like I just said, Motorola has a rich heritage in radio technology. Samsung is known for manufacturing screens and chips. And HTC is known for high design combined with rapid turn around times. When you take all that into account, this all kind of makes sense, no?
Here’s hoping Qualcomm releases some sort of “best practices” instruction manual so that other companies can deliver the same kind of performance that Motorola has managed to squeeze out of their chips.
