Why do different phones have different internet speeds when connected to a Wi-Fi router?

Have you ever noticed a strange situation: two people in the same room are connected to the same network, but one person's video loads instantly, while the other's constantly buffers? This is a common problem that often confuses users who assume the router distributes the internet equally to all connected devices. However, the reality is that connection speed depends not only on the provider, but also on the characteristics of the smartphones themselves.

Speed ​​differences can be colossal—from tens of megabits to barely functioning Edge. This is due to the complex interaction of hardware, software algorithms, and the physical properties of the radio signal. In this article, we'll examine in detail the technical reasons for this inequity and ways to equalize network performance.

Hardware differences: antennas and communication modules

The fundamental difference lies inside the device's body. Smartphone manufacturers save on space and component costs by installing less powerful ones in budget models. Wi-Fi modulesWhile a flagship device is equipped with an advanced MIMO antenna system, a budget device may only have a single antenna, which physically limits channel throughput.

Furthermore, the quality of the soldering and the placement of the antenna module within the case play a crucial role. In some phones, the antenna is positioned so that it's blocked by the palm when held vertically, while in others, it's optimized for operation in any position. This is why one phone receives a signal at its limit, while another shows full reception.

• 📡 Number of antennas: Support for MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology allows you to transmit multiple data streams simultaneously, doubling or tripling the speed.
• 📶 Receiver sensitivity: More expensive chipsets are better at picking up weak signals and filtering out noise, providing a stable connection where others lose network coverage.
• 💾 Module class: Different standards (b/g/n/ac/ax) determine the maximum theoretical speed that a module can deliver.

It's important to understand that even if your router supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, an older smartphone simply won't be able to take advantage of its benefits. It will automatically switch to the fastest protocol supported by its hardware, but this will be significantly slower than your neighbor's connection with a newer device.

Impact of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands

Modern routers often operate in two bands, and this is where the confusion often lies. Band 2.4 GHz has high penetrating power, but low speed and high noise level. Range 5 GHz Provides high speed, but penetrates walls worse and has a shorter range.

If one phone is connected to a 5 GHz network, and the other, perhaps due to settings or distance, has dropped to 2.4 GHz, the speed difference will be tenfold. Many users don't notice that their device automatically switches to the slower band when leaving the coverage area of ​​a high-speed network.

⚠️ Attention: Some older or budget phone models don't physically support the 5 GHz band. They simply won't see this network in the list of available ones, even if the router is broadcasting it.

It's also worth considering the "neighborhood effect." In apartment buildings, the 2.4 GHz band is often clogged with signals from dozens of neighboring routers, creating a welter of interference. A phone with a good processor and noise-canceling algorithms will be able to break through this interference, but a weaker device will constantly lose data packets, reducing actual speed.

Wi-Fi Standards Support and Equipment Generation

Wireless technologies are advancing rapidly. If your router supports the standard 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), and the phone was released several years ago and only knows 802.11n, the speed will be limited by the phone's capabilities. The network always operates on the "lowest common denominator" principle for a specific client.

However, modern routers are smart: they don't slow down everyone's speed just because of one old device. Each connection is unique. But if you have older devices in your home that only support single-stream data transfer, even a powerful router won't be able to achieve amazing speeds on these devices.

The difference between generations isn't just in speed figures. New standards handle multiple simultaneous connections more efficiently, using technologies like OFDMA. This means that in a network of 20 devices, a Wi-Fi 6 phone will perform better than a Wi-Fi 4 phone, even if their maximum speeds are technically similar.

Software limitations and background processes

Software shouldn't be discounted. A phone's operating system can aggressively conserve battery power by limiting Wi-Fi power or suspending background network activity. One phone might have a "power-saving mode" that throttles speed, while another runs at maximum performance.

Furthermore, background app updates, photo syncing to the cloud, or navigating can silently consume bandwidth. If one device only has a browser open while another is downloading a heavy system update, the internet speed on the first device will drop as the router distributes the bandwidth among all clients.

• 📱 OS version: New versions of Android and iOS often contain optimizations for network stacks that improve connection stability.
• 🔄 Background activity: Check which apps have network access and are running in the background. Social media and messaging apps are often the culprits.
• 🛡️ Antiviruses and VPN: An enabled VPN or a heavy antivirus traffic scanner can significantly reduce the speed of data packets.

System "garbage" can also play a role. An overflowing DNS cache or network settings errors can cause the phone to take a long time to establish a connection or to lose packets. Resetting network settings often helps fix software glitches that interfere with normal operation.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting network settings will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings. Be prepared to re-enter them afterward.

The influence of covers and the physical environment

The material your phone's case is made of can shield the signal. Cases with metal inserts, magnetic closures, or simply very thick rubber bumpers can weaken the signal by several decibels. This can be enough to cause the phone to switch to a lower data rate or lose connection to the long-range 5 GHz band.

In addition to the case, the room's geometry is important. A Wi-Fi signal is a radio wave, and it is reflected, absorbed, and bends around obstacles. If one phone is lying flat on a table and the other is standing vertically in a stand, the antenna orientation relative to the router will be different. Some phone models have antennas located around the perimeter, and covering a certain area with your hand can completely jam the signal.

Router Settings: QoS and Traffic Prioritization

Many modern routers have a function QoS (Quality of Service)This technology allows you to prioritize traffic for specific devices or application types. If a gaming laptop or smart TV is prioritized in the router settings, other devices (such as guest phones) will receive internet on a residual basis.

Check your router settings. One of your phones may have its speed artificially limited (Bandwidth Control), or it may be connected to a guest network with reduced bandwidth. The router may also automatically detect the device type and prioritize it based on its MAC address or device name.

192.168.0.1 -> Advanced Settings -> QoS -> Device Priority

Here you can see a list of connected clients and their status. If you see that a device is set to Limit or Low priority, this is the cause of the slow performance. Changing the settings takes effect immediately, but may require the device to reconnect to the network.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)