Smartphones have become an essential part of our daily life. We can manage almost everything with just a smartphone in hand. We can quickly check emails and the latest updates on Instagram and Twitter. We can play video games, watch YouTube and stream Netflix on our phones. We can also enjoy online shopping and much more. But if your smartphone has poor phone reception, then none of the above is possible.

Unsurprisingly, consumers worldwide are ready to pay steep prices for their smartphones.  To win the competition, the phone companies work tirelessly trying to enhance smartphone features such as cameras, touch screens, and batteries. A phone antenna is one of the key smartphone features too. Its performance is crucial when it comes to phone reception, including phone calls and data speed, in areas with poor mobile signal. So consumers from rural areas often pay close attention to the phone antenna specs. Avid 5G users would also want to opt for smartphones with the best antenna reception to get the most out of their 5G signal.

How were the smartphones tested?

Professor Pedersen at Aalborg University in Denmark understands the importance of antenna performance in smartphones. For your convenience, the team at Aalborg university thoroughly tested 18 most popular smartphones in their labs and rated them based on phone reception. Prof. Pedersen’s team recently tested antenna performance in the selected smartphones on both voice and data services including 5G.

Phone reception is defined by an uplink and a downlink signal. Uplink is a signal that your mobile phone sends to the nearest base station (while making voice calls). Downlink is a signal that the base station sends back to your phone (while using mobile data). The team at Aalborg University tested both uplink and downlink signals for the selected phones. For the uplink signal the engineers measured TRP values (Total Transmitted Power, dBm). For the downlink signal they measured TIS values (Total Isotropic Sensitivity, dBm). The higher the TRP, the better the phone’s uplink signal. The lower the TIS, the better the phone’s reception in poor network coverage areas and the better its data service. 

The selected smartphones were tested separately in the following modes. 

• In the right handheld mode next to a dummy head (for voice calls)
• In the left handheld mode next to a dummy head (for voice calls)
• In the right handheld mode (for data services)
• In the left handheld mode (for data services)
• In the free space with no objects next to the phone (for both voice and data services).

Smartphones with the best phone reception for voice calls.

The selected smartphones were tested in the right handheld mode next to a dummy head. This mode is the most common real life scenario. Basically, it’s the same as when you have a phone call while holding your phone in the right hand next to your head.

In the table below you can find the test results for five frequencies 700, 900, 1800, 2100 and 3500MHz. The researchers at Aalborg University ranked the smartphones based on the phone’s reception results for LTE700. It is the lowest frequency and it is able to travel longer distances. Therefore, 700 MHz is the most crucial frequency for users living in rural areas and areas with poor network coverage. OnePlus 10 Pro performed best at 700MHz. Sony Xperia 5 III showed the best results at 900, 1800 and 2100MHz.

Smartphones with the best phone reception for mobile data.

Data reception was tested in the selected smartphones in the right handheld mode. It was done to replicate a real life scenario when a user holds her phone in her hand while browsing or streaming videos.

The engineers at Aalborg University primarily focused on 4G and 5G data services. In the table below you can find the test results for five frequencies 700, 900, 1800, 2100 and 3500MHz. 

When it comes to 5G, you would want to pay close attention to the results for 700 and 3500MHz. These two frequencies are used for 5G services across Europe. So the best smartphones for 5G data services are iPhone 13 (at 700MHz) and OnePlus 10 Pro (at 3500MHz). 

4G services were tested at 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz. OnePlus 10 Pro showed top results for 4G data services at 1800 and 2100MHz. Samsung Galaxy S22 performed best at 900MHz.

In order to get the very best from your mobile signal and 5G data at home we recommend installing a mobile phone repeater Classic R5. Our best selling product Classic R5 is installed in homes throughout the UK. It is a cost effective solution with excellent quality. For your convenience, we provide the full installation kit with step-by-step instructions which are easy to follow. All our repeaters amplify all European mobile operators – O2, Vodofone, Three etc. and all frequencies: GSM, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G.