We know how important antenna reception is for smartphone users, so we prepared a list of 7 smartphones with the best antenna reception: 2016 models. Picking one of these smartphones will guarantee you will be able to make your calls no matter the location.
The strength of your cell signal depends on various elements: quality and strength of an antenna, cell tower distance, telecom service provider, the number of users on the network, etc. Location and surroundings (tall trees and buildings) are also major factors to be considered. These are the things that don’t necessarily depend on the user.
However, there are some things that you can do to ensure a better cell signal. For example, the protective case on your phone can be one of the reasons you have a bad reception. Depending on the material of the case, the case itself can lower the quality of your signal, which can be solved by removing the case or getting a protective case that is made to boost it. Also, there is a good chance that you will have a bad reception when your battery is low. When the battery drops to a certain level, the reception can get worse and the solution, of course, is to recharge your phone. You can also try refreshing your signal by rebooting the phone..
FotoTravel/Shutterstock.com
The cell signal can also be affected by the software of the phone and the number of apps installed. If your operating system is outdated or you have a bunch of unnecessary applications, you are in for a bad reception. Many smartphone users try to fix their reception problems with cell signal boosting applications that became very common recently and are advertised as something that will fix all of your signal problems. The thing is that these applications will provide little help if you are hoping for a permanent fix. If cell signal isn’t your priority, but good call quality is, check out our list of 7 smartphones with the best call quality.
As the source for our list, we used a study conducted by Professor Gert Frølund Pedersen from Aalborg University, one of the leading experts in studying the smartphone antennas. This study investigated antenna performance of 26 smartphones including models from 2014 to 2016. The study included testing antenna reception for data service, and voice service while holding the smartphone with left and right hand. According to the study, the design of the antenna and the way smartphone user holds the phone (left hand – right hand) are among the most important elements when it comes to antenna performance.
Antenna performance for voice service was evaluated in Total Radiated Power (TRP), which was given in dBm values (dBm or decibel-milliwatt is an electrical power unit in decibels – dB, referenced to 1 milliwatt – mW). The higher the TPR value was, the better antenna reception for voice service smartphone had.
Antenna performance for data service was evaluated in Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS), which was also given in dBm values. The lower the TIS value was, the better antenna reception for data service smartphone had. Note that TIS is always a negative number, so -92.4 dBm is better than -90.1 dBm.
Results in the study for voice service were given for 4 GSM frequency bands (cellular frequencies designated by the ITU for the operation of GSM mobile phones.), but we only took in consideration ones for GSM 900. GSM 900 is the most commonly used and the most widespread frequency band. The same case was with the data service, where we took LTE800 results as the most relevant ones.
To compile our list of 7 smartphones with the best antenna reception: 2016 models, we only took 2016 models into consideration and gave points for all three performances. After summing up the total score for each smartphone, we compiled our list. Take a look!
7. Huawei P9
Among the 26 tested smartphones, Huawei P9 had the lowest dBm value of 8.3 when used with the right hand. Luckily for P9, other two performances managed to put it on our list. The left hand performance was valued at 15.0 dBm, and data service was at -89.7 dBm. So if you are a righty, you should consider skipping this one. Nevertheless, when it comes to other specification of this smartphone, they can be quite tempting as it offers a 5.2 inch screen, Octa-core (4×2.5 GHz & 4×1.8 GHz) processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Alongside a dual 12 MP back camera, P9 is packed with 8MP front camera as well.
6. HTC 10
The best way to use HTC 10 which ranks 6th on our list of smartphones with the best antenna reception: 2016 models is with your left hand because TPR value of 18.2 dBm was among the top in 2016 models. With that being said, the other two values were among the worse. The Right hand performance was at 14.0 dBm while data service was at -84.9 dBm. HTC 10 shares some similar characteristics like Huawei P9, having a 5.2 inch screen, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, but has a weaker Quad – core processor. When it comes to cameras, it is equipped with 12MP back camera and 5MP front camera. It is also worth mentioning that HTC 10 is praised for having one of the best audio quality on the market.
5. LG G5
LG G5 ranks 5th on our list of smartphones with the best antenna reception: 2016 models. It gave the best performance when it was used with the right hand, and if it wasn’t for that, it would be out of this list. TRP while using the right hand was at 18.4 dBm while the left hand using gave value of 12.2 dBm. Data service performance was -88.4 dBm. This phone was also the top choice on our list of 6 smartphones with best front and back cameras, so you can be sure that with it all of your selfies and other photos will be Instagram ready. It has a slightly larger screen than the previous smartphones on the list, coming at 5.3 inches, has a Quad-core (2×2.15 GHz & 2×1.6 GHz) processor, 4GB of RAM and 32GB storage.
4. Xiaomi Mi5
We are continuing our list of smartphones with the best antenna reception: 2016 models with Xiaomi Mi5 which had results for the right and left hand using of 18.6 dBm and 20.0 dBm, respectively. Unfortunately, the performance of data service wasn’t measured, so we had to give Mi5 1 point for the effort. This smartphone comes in various versions so that you can choose between 3GB and 4GB of RAM and 32GB to 128GB of storage. All versions come with Quad-core processor, 5.15 inch screen, 12MP back and 4MP front camera. One thing that sets aside Mi5 is a lower price.
3. Samsung Galaxy S7
Of course, any list would be incomplete without Samsung smartphones! Among 2016 models, Samsung Galaxy S7 showed average results for voice service. TRP with using right hand was 18.0 dBm while TRP with using left hand was 15.5 dBm. The thing that launched S7 so high was the exceptional result in data service, with the value standing at -91.9 dBm. Overall, Galaxy S7 is praised as one of the best smartphones available on the market. Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz & 4×1.6 GHz) processor alongside 4GB of RAM makes it run incredibly smoothly, while 64GB of storage will answer any demand. The 5.1 inch screen, 12MP back and 5MP front cameras are high quality as well and give Galaxy S7 an extra value over the competition.
2. Microsoft Lumia 650
Among 2016 models, Microsoft Lumia 650 had the best left hand performance with the value of 21.1 dBm, well ahead of other smartphones on the list of smartphones with the best antenna reception: 2016 models. The right hand performance of 19.3 dBm was second best, trailing the top-ranked by only 0.1 dBm. TIS value was -91.4. If you consider antenna reception and price as the most important deciding factors for choosing which smartphone to buy, you should go with Lumia 650. If not, then the rest of its qualities will disappoint you, as it falls behind with other specifications, having a 5.0 inch screen, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, Quad-core processor, 8MP back and 5MP front cameras.
1. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
The top spot on our list of 7 smartphones with the best antenna reception: 2016 models takes Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. It performed very well in all antenna reception testing considering all 26 models and was on top among the 2016 models when it comes to the right hand voice service performance and data service performance. TRP value for voice service antenna reception when using right hand was 19.4 dBm, while TRP value for voice service antenna reception when using left hand was 19.6 dBm. TIS value for data service antenna performance was -92 dBm. Galaxy S7 Edge is considered one of the Samsung’s leading smartphones and comes with 5.5 inch screen, Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz & 4×1.6) processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, 12MP back and 5MP front cameras. Hence, if you want a big phone with impressive specifications, topped with the best antenna reception, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is your pick!
