Is 3G Or LTE Better? Difference Between 3G and LTE
You’ve probably heard of 3G, 4G, and LTE if you own a smartphone. Have you ever been confused about is 3G or LTE better? Then you have come to the right place.
As the oldest of the group’s technologies, 3G is slower than LTE. This is how they differ from one another. On the other hand, LTE is a new technology, which is ten times faster than 3G.
Let’s take a closer look at the differences between 3G and LTE.
What is 3G?
Short for “third generation”, 3G is a mobile communication standard. Service provider networks make use of 3G enabled technologies. Because of this, we can use our mobile phones to access the internet.
There was 2G prior to 3G. When websites first started to load, people would often wait for several minutes. It was frustrating. But 3G changed that. It has been in existence ever since its 2001 commercial launch in Japan.
3G is the third evolution of a project launched in the early 80’s. That equates to nearly 21 years of development.
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What is LTE?
LTE is a newer version of 3G. LTE is short for “long term evolution”. From the development of mobile connectivity, it emerged.
LTE represents the culmination of years of development. It is frequently compared to 4G. Nevertheless, the requirements for 4G are higher than what LTE is currently capable of. We’ll discuss speeds in a moment.
First, let’s consider the other distinctions between these two.
Is 3G Or LTE Better? Main Differences Between 3G and LTE
The main variations between 3G and LTE are listed below.
- Advanced mobile phone technologies are referred to as 3G and LTE, respectively.
- 3G can run up to 7.2 At the time, Mbps was a very good speed. On the other hand, LTE can run up to 100 Mbps, which is less speed than 4G.
- 3G can be slow at the time of download. On the other hand, LTE is much faster, and we can also tell that LTE is faster than 3G.
- 3G can be an excellent choice of network for old mobile phones. On the other hand, LTE can be an excellent choice of network for new mobile phones.
- 3G is an old technology that has stable, established servers. LTE, on the other hand, is a recent technology without reliable, well-established servers.
| Parameter of Comparison | 3G | LTE |
| Definition | The first technology that gave users enough speed so they could enjoy respectable speed on a smartphone is known as the third-generation network. | Long-term evolution, or LTE, is the more recent iteration of 3G. Mobile connectivity is the foundation of LTE. It is the culmination of many years of resources and development. |
| Speed | 3G can run up to 7.2 Mbps, making it slower than LTE. | LTE can run up to 100 Mbps, which means it is faster than 3G. |
| Servers | 3G is an old technology that has stable, established servers. | Because LTE is a new technology, it lacks dependable, well-established servers. |
For more information, check our guide on 3G Vs 4G and What is 3G Vs 4G Vs 5G.
Final Words: is 3G Or LTE Better
In short, LTE is the modern newcomer whereas 3G has been around for a while. Although LTE is much faster than 3G, it can be slower in areas with high traffic.
When buying a new smartphone, don’t be fooled by all the marketing hype about 4G and LTE networks. Before you purchase a smartphone, familiarize yourself with the various network technologies that are available and test it out online.
The fastest cellular data network is provided by LTE technology, and there is a significant speed difference between LTE, 4G (HSPA), and 3G.
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FAQs
Is 3G Data Fast Enough?
3G is capable of download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps. While it is technically slower than 4G (it is an older form of technology after all), it is still fast enough for most day-to-day services.
Why is My Phone on 3G Instead of LTE?
It’s happening because whenever the signal quality decreases, your phone searches for an Alternative, with a better quality.
Which is Better LTE Or 4G?
In short, 4G offers a much faster speed, more stability and access to a larger variety of online activities. In comparison to the fourth generation, LTE’s performance suffers because it is halfway between 3G and 4G.
