is edge still 2g right? so same battery consumption?

Managed to force 2G on my S5 using intelli3g and it reports EDGE mode.

Yep, Edge is superfast GPRS still 2g.

good, voice calls are clearer as well compared to 4g.

Makes no sense as 4G should CSFB to 3G when on a call (my iPhone shows the indicator changes). 3G calls are normally a better codec and if you're calling someone on the same network you get HD Audio which is amazing. No way is a 2G call better quality than 3G - but EE's 2G calls are very similar to non-HD 3G calls.

Also EDGE is a 2.5G data standard running over the 2G voice network. Just for completeness

You can't make voice calls over 4G?

in fairness there is nothing stopping EE Vodafone or O2 from using HDVoice over 2G it can be done some networks have done it as part of there 2G refresh.

Technically EDGE is 3G.

So battery drain will be worse than GPRS?

I will retest tomorrow, but when I used the phone for calls before forcing EDGE, it was lower volume output, as if a weaker signal.

Being pedantic EDGE is 2.75G

GPRS was 2.5G

2G were second generation digital networks replacing the old analogue. In tandem it also meant limited data connection. Obviously this evolved to the standards we have today.

Whilst some will probably challenge that assumption, technically speaking you are right, the launch of "3G" was in effect a direct upgrade from fast EDGE, just the ability to make a call simultaneously while using data is what made it 3G unless I am mistaken.

Whats interesting is the network options in the phone allow 2G only to be set now, whether rooting the phone or installing intelli3g triggered that I dont know.

Well.... It's 2G. Lets not be super technical. It's only 3G in definition but deployed on 2G sites.


You won't notice a difference.

Why are you so obsessed with battery life haha? Why the hell would you buy a Galaxy S5 if you're just going to use it on 2G. Might as well buy a Nokia from the 90's.

Wasnt the move from CS to PS what made the jump from 2G to 3G

I dont use it for mobile data 24/7, phone is still idle when I sleep etc. Battery life is always important. In fact after the novelty has worn off I will likely only be using mobile data a couple of times a month at the most. Rest be wifi or voice only usage.

Why don't you just buy an Alcatel pop C1? Still a smartphone and with minimal use will give 6 or 7 days on a charge. A lot cheaper than a S5...

But all technologies are so because of definition, I don't understand your point here.

What is 2G then, I mean what is that actually called?

It's in the same way that DC-HSPA+ can be classed as 4G.

But I am saying that EDGE is a 3G technology, DC-HSPA+ isn't a 4G technology though.

You won't notice the difference even between 2G to 3G battery wise on a S5 whilst idle unless one has a poorer signal. Rubbish about 4G calls.. As you can't make 4G calls yet in UK and the signal makes no difference to the volume level.

It is according to the ITU.
In the same way that EDGE can be classed under 3G according to the ITU.

EDGE is deployed on 2G base stations
DC-HSPA+ is deployed on 3G base stations.

Yet the ITU defines them differently, EDGE as under 3G and DC-HSPA+ as under 4G.

See, it's confusing. Hence why there is no point being super technical. At the end of the day EDGE is an enhancement to 2G and DC-HSPA+ is an enhancement to 3G.

No but DC-HSPA+ was never classed as a 4G technology, EDGE was classed as 3G though.

DC-HSPA+ is technically classed as 4G.
(but we class it under 3G)

EDGE is a 2G technology at the end of the day. It's in the name.
(even though yes it can technically come under 3G)

Where is it in the name? EDGE = Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution.

The ITU never classed DC-HSPA+ as 4G; they did class EDGE as 3G though.