While many devices are being labeled as 4G capable, it’s worth noting that there are several 4G networks around such as Sprint’s WiMAX, Verizon’s LTE and T-Mobile’s HSPA+, just to name a few. The folks over at MSNBC took a few 4G devices such as the (pre-release) T-Mobile Galaxy S 4G, myTouch 4G, AT&T Inspire 4G and Sprint HTC EVO Shift 4G, not to mention AT&T’s iPhone 4 (though that phone runs on 3G networks and isn’t a 4G phone) and put them through a download speed test using the Speedtest app. In the simple test, the two T-Mobile devices came out tops, with the Galaxy S 4G getting a 10.34Mbps peak speed while AT&T’s iPhone 4 and Inspire 4G came out at the bottom.
The TV network stressed that the test was far from scientific and was meant to educate buyers that not all 4G networks and hardware are made equal. With Mobile World Congress just around the corner, you can expect an explosion of 4G devices, so it’s probably a good time to start thinking about what you’d expect from a 4G phone.
