It turns out the most expensive smartphones have the worst signal

Expensive smartphones, built with premium unibody metal designs, can struggle to pickup signal

FLAGSHIP smartphones struggle to perform the most basic function of a mobile phone, new research has found.

 

Dropped signal is one of the most frustrating problems with smartphones. And according to Ofcom, the trouble is directly related to how much money to splash-out on your new handset.

Research from the telecoms regulatory body shows that high-end materials – including metal and glass – negatively affects your mobile signal.

As a result – the most expensive flagship devices need a signal nine times stronger than plastic non-smart mobiles.

 

While premium materials like glass and aluminium make for a more attractive and enjoyable smartphone it does make the device more susceptible to dropped calls.

Ofcom conducted its research in controlled lab conditions with a number of high-end and cheaper, plastic phones.

Under these conditions, the cheaper mobiles consistently performed better at picking up signal.

 

Sharon White, the Chief Executive of Ofcom, the body that conducted the research

Speaking to The Telegraph, a spokesman for Ofcom said: "We tested a very small number of mobile phones, not for ranking but to understand how handsets performed in different situations. 

"As no one device consistently outperformed the others we chose not to list the handsets."

Mobile firms are increasingly under pressure to ensure their coverage is better, especially in rural areas.

However the latest research from Ofcom could also indicate that mobile phone manufacturers need to invest in improving signal quality within handsets, or move away from materials like glass and metal.

 

In the controlled Ofcom tests, flagship smartphones required a signal at least seven times stronger than an older non-smartphone to connect to a 2G network.

To connect to 3G, high-end smartphones required a signal nine times stronger than the minimum level recommended by the GSMA, the standards body for the mobile industry.

And it was a similar story with super-fast 4G networks, with the worst performing modern smartphone needing a signal some seven times stronger to send and receive data.

But if you still fancy picking up the largest flagship smartphone – why not check out our breakdown of the best smartphones of the year?