3G vs. 4G: Is it Worth the Switch?

Talking about the differences between Android and iPhone and the discussion of 3G vs. 4G during class prompted me to research further. I'm interested in the real differences between 3 and 4G and what the benefits are to switching to a 4G network. Can it really be that much of a difference?

Well, in an article from June 2011, Amy Lee discusses her own findings as well as comments from Verizon/AT&T experts: "3G vs. 4G: What You Should Know Before You Switch"

This article seems, to me, make 4G not seem worth the switch as of right now. 4G, shorthand for 4th Generation Wireless, has been on the tip of mobile users' tongues for a while now, but I haven't seen many people with 4G phones yet. 4G is supposed to be faster, mainly, which allows users to download/stream videos, music, and websites faster.

While it may be faster, studies show that the increased speeds and capabilities will also lead to a higher data usage, which cell companies are starting to charge heavily for. For example, AT&T charges $25/month for 2GB of data with an excess fee of $10 for each GB over the limit.

Benefits to 4G:

• Fast streaming/downloading of media
• Can be up to 10x faster than 3G wireless devices
• Could help broadband access capabilities in rural areas

Downsides to 4G:

• Increased data usage makes it easy to exceed monthly data usage limits
• Faster speeds doesn't equate to fewer dropped calls
• 4G is not currently available everywhere on the map
• Switching to 4G service (on Verizon) is automatic, but switching back to 3G is laggy and battery draining
  

AT&T released data stating that data volumes for customers on their broadband network have increased data usage by 8,000% in the past four years (one GB equal to 35 hours of music or 5 hours of video streaming).

Though consumers seem to be itching for 4G capabilities, experts say that even by 2015, only about 5% of mobile users will be on this faster network. That's opposing what I previously thought, which was that everybody wants to be on 4G. Personally, I think that 3G is good enough for me for now, and until I see real benefits to switching to 4G, I'm sticking with what I have. It's fast enough to do whatever I want without draining my iPhone battery.