4G Android handset users are pretty upset over their not so 4G upload speeds. This past month, AT&T rolled out their first pair of 4G phones which operate on the carrier’s 4G HSPA+ network. Even though AT&T has upgraded their entire network to HSPA+, it is only available in areas that have the new backhaul to support it.
How fast are these 4G devices? AT&T is claiming that in areas where 4G is lit up, they are seeing download speeds of up to 6 Mbps. There is no mention of upload speed. But Android users are flocking to web forums, claiming their 4G phones are losing to 3G iPhones in data speed tests….
Multiple sources are claiming that even though they are getting impressive download speeds, they never see upload speeds over 300 Kbps. iPhone 4 users regularly see about 1.5 Mbps upload speeds, so do the math. What in the world is causing a 4G phone to lose to a 3G phone, in anything network-speed related?
9to5mac is reporting that AT&T has not enabled the higher HSDPA upload speeds, thus capping the 4G customers at 300Kbps. Well then how come the Apple iPhone 4 is seeing the higher upload speeds? That’s easy, Apple controls the firmware.
Smart money is on AT&T pushing out some sort of update to fix the issue. Early 4G Android adopters are already threatening to return their phones in outrage. I would be too if my 4G, dual core smart phone couldn’t upload a video to Facebook as fast as a single core 3G smartphone.
I’m constantly challenging my Android friends to speed tests and winning, does anyone have any victory stories? What’s your average upload speed? Tell us below!