Why mobile results change so much
Fixed broadband runs over a cable that only serves you or your street. Cellular capacity is shared by everyone connected to the same cell, and the signal reaching your phone changes as you move. Here is what moves the number most:
- Signal strength. Indoors, behind walls or in a basement, speed can drop sharply. Standing near a window often helps.
- How busy the cell is. At a stadium, a station or a busy downtown at rush hour, capacity is split many ways.
- Network type and band. 5G, 4G LTE and the frequency band your phone uses can all change speed and ping. See our 5G and 4G LTE pages.
- Your plan. Some plans slow you down after a data threshold, or give other customers priority when the network is busy. Many also limit video resolution.
- Your phone. Older or budget phones may support fewer bands and slower modems, and their browsers may not keep up with very high speeds.
How to get a fair mobile result
- Turn WiFi off if you want to test cellular data. Phones switch to WiFi automatically when they can.
- Close apps that may be syncing photos or downloading updates.
- Stay still during the test. Walking can change the cell or signal mid-test.
- Run two or three tests in the same spot, then try a different spot or time.
What mobile speeds can handle
For one person on one phone, modest speeds go a long way. Netflix recommends 5 Mbps for Full HD and YouTube 2.5 Mbps for 720p, which suits most phone screens. Video calls on Zoom need about 1.2 Mbps each way for 720p. Ping matters more than speed for calls and games; mobile ping is usually higher and less steady than a good wired connection.
If you use your phone as a hotspot for a laptop, everything on the laptop shares that one cellular connection, including background updates. Results can drop quickly.
Phone on WiFi slower than expected?
If you are testing your phone on home WiFi, the result reflects your WiFi as much as your internet plan. Compare it with a laptop on a cable, then follow our WiFi testing guide.