FAQ
TL;DR: Galaxy S9 can hit 150–230 Mb/s on 3CC, and "external antennas are used if you want to have a stable and optimal connection." A B525 (2CC) lags unless you improve signal or lock bands. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801568]
Why it matters: For anyone comparing a phone hotspot vs a Huawei B525 on LTE1800/2100/2600, this FAQ shows which to pick, how to test, and when an external antenna is essential.
Quick Facts
- Galaxy S9 supports 4CC CA, 4x4 MIMO, and 256‑QAM for higher peak throughput. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801316]
- Huawei B525 is limited to 2CC CA (MIMO 2x2) and lacks 4x4 MIMO and 256‑QAM. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801316]
- A router can force a specific LTE band, enabling more consistent testing and stability. [Elektroda, sosarek, post #17801270]
- At RSRP ≈ −113 dBm on LTE2600, internal antennas underperform; external MIMO antennas improve stability and throughput. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801568]
- 3CC aggregation delivered 150–230 Mb/s; 2CC around 180–200 Mb/s on an unloaded BTS. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801568]
Which gives better LTE speed: Galaxy S9 hotspot or Huawei B525 router?
The Galaxy S9 usually wins. It can aggregate three or more bands, while the B525 is limited to two. On an Orange site with LTE1800/2100/2600, the S9 can use 3CC CA, but the B525 typically does 2600+1800. More aggregated bandwidth yields higher peak speed. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801520]
Does a router have better antennas than a phone?
Not meaningfully here. The B525’s internal antennas offer similar gain to a phone. A 2–3 dBi improvement does not fix an LTE2600 signal near −113 dBm. Use an external MIMO antenna for a real improvement and stability. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801568]
Can I force bands on the B525, and why would I?
Yes. Band locking helps you avoid weak or congested bands and run repeatable tests. As one expert put it, "The router has an advantage... you can force a specific band." Test both devices in the same spot for fairness. [Elektroda, sosarek, post #17801270]
If I lock to LTE2600 only, will the router beat the phone?
No, not with a weak 2600 signal. With RSRP around −113 dBm, both devices struggle on internal antennas. Their antenna gains are similar. Locking 2600 alone wastes potential CA. Add an external MIMO antenna to raise RSRP and SNR before comparing. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801568]
My phone shows RSRP −100 dBm and streams 1080p fine. Will a modem without external antennas match it?
Maybe not. Your phone likely used LTE2100 as the base and aggregated 2600 and 1800. The B525 will at most do 2600+1800. Speeds vary with BTS load. Optimize signal first with an external antenna to reduce variability. "This is a radio," so test to confirm. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801623]
What speeds can I expect with 3CC vs 2CC on this Orange BTS?
Reported results: 3CC delivered about 150–230 Mb/s, while 2CC delivered about 180–200 Mb/s on an unloaded BTS. Actual throughput depends on signal quality and cell load. Stronger RSRP and clean SINR make these figures more attainable. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801568]
Do I need an external antenna at my location?
Yes, if high-band signals are weak. With poor LTE2600 and LTE1800 levels, an external antenna is foundational for stability and speed. As stated, "the external antenna is the basis" in such conditions. Choose proper polarization and alignment. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801496]
How do I fairly compare a phone hotspot and a router?
Use a simple 3-step process:
- Place both devices in the same spot and orientation.
- Lock the router to the target band(s); mirror bands on the phone if possible.
- Run back-to-back speed tests at the same time of day.
This avoids location bias. [Elektroda, sosarek, post #17801270]
Will S9’s 3CC CA still help if LTE2600 is very weak?
Not enough without better signal. With high-band RSRP weak, you cannot fully exploit the site’s capacity, even on a capable phone. Add an external antenna to lift LTE2600 and LTE1800 levels, then CA helps. Indoors alone, expect underperformance. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801496]
Is the Huawei B525 good enough for a tri-band Orange site?
It works, but with limits. It typically aggregates LTE2600+1800 and cannot match a phone’s 3CC speeds. Improving LTE2600 and LTE1800 signal with an external antenna can raise throughput, but the exact gain is uncertain in advance. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801520]
Does BTS load affect results more than my device choice?
Load matters a lot. Speeds vary by time and user count, and load tends to rise. Even a strong device slows on a busy cell. Optimizing signal with an external antenna reduces retransmissions and helps maintain higher rates under load. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801623]
Does a small 2–3 dBi gain or a 10 dB loss matter?
A small 2–3 dBi bump on the B525 barely helps at −113 dBm RSRP. However, a 10 dB deterioration significantly cuts download speed, with an even larger hit to upload. Target a meaningful RSRP and clean SINR using external MIMO. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17801568]
