munnlete

Q: Airport Express-- speed test slower on iPhone vs iPad

Using the same Speed Test app, connected to the same network, sitting beside each other, my iPad consistently hits the paid-for 80 mbps, while the Iphone generally only hits 35. All computers also hit 70+.  I've definitely tried many combinations of restarting the router,  resetting the phone.  Any tips on getting the iPhone to hit a higher speed?  iPhone is on 8.4.1, because that's how much I hate the podcasts app in ios 9.

 

Router: Airport Express. 

iPad Air 2

iPhone 6

iPhone 6, iOS 8.4

Posted on Mar 13, 2016 5:23 AM

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Q: Airport Express-- speed test slower on iPhone vs iPad

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 13, 2016 7:11 AM in response to munnlete
    Level 10 (105,443 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 13, 2016 7:11 AM in response to munnlete

    This is not an AirPort Express issue.

     

    The iPhone is not known for its speed, probably as a result of a smaller antenna than the iPad uses, so you might not want to spend much time or be too concerned about this. By comparison, your iPhone is doing better than mine.

     

    Please post in the iPhone support forum if you would like more specific information about the iPhone. The link is just below. Good luck!

     

    Using iPhone

  • by spyder683,

    spyder683 spyder683 May 18, 2016 3:49 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (19 points)
    May 18, 2016 3:49 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I've had the same exact issue and contacted Apple, to no avail. Something is up with the way the iPhone 6 connects with the Airport Express. My iPhone 6 can get 200mbps+ on Wi-Fi at work and above 60+mbps when connected to other home wifi routers plugged into cable Internet modems. But for some reason, my iPhone 6 connected to Airport Express tops out at 35mbps, always.

     

    I looked at the Wireless Clients connected to the Airport Express through Airport Utility app and it says the Date Rate for my iPhone is 150Mb/s. All other devices have a Data Rate of 300Mb/s. My iPhone 5 before didn't have this cap when connected to the Airport Express and achieved speeds higher than 35mbps. There's something unique about the iPhone 6 and Airport Express that doesn't exist when the iPhone connects to other routers.

  • by oskar101,

    oskar101 oskar101 Jun 6, 2016 12:54 PM in response to spyder683
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 6, 2016 12:54 PM in response to spyder683

    I also have this problem. I get the impression it is an issue with the Aiport Express (I have two and both show the same issue).

     

    Internet connection is 150/15.

    Wired Ethernet connected I get about 150.5mbps  and 15.5mbps, so full speed.

     

    Wireless is a different story.

     

    Connected via the router, a Synology rt1900ac, I get almost 150mbps and 15mbps for most devices. So good very good speeds.

     

    Behind this router there are two Aiport Expresses that extend the wireless of the router (only main wireless as the synology router does not support assigning vlan 1003 to its wireless guest, so can't extend guest).

     

    Anyway summary:

     

    iPhone 6 connecting to the airport express shows it links at 120mbps, and 802.11a/n, but actual download speed is around 35mbps. Connecting the same iPhone 6 wireless to my router it gives me almost the full 150mbps download speed I have from my provider.

     

    Iphone SE is the same as the  iPhone 6.  links to the AE at 120mbps, 802.11a/n, but download speed is around 35mbps max. iPhone SE to the router gives me 150mbps download speed.

     

    Ipad Air 2 connected to the airport express links at 300mbps, 802.11a/n, and gives me a speed of 95mbps (almost the max of 100mbit as the Ethernet of the airport is only 100mbps). iPad Air 2 connected to the router gives me almost the full 150mbps download speed.

     

    Ipad 4 connected to the airport express links at 300mbps, 802.11a/n and gives me a speed of 95mbps (also almost the max of 100bmit of the ethernet connected airport). iPad 4 connected to the router gives me around 110mbps.

     

    Did all tests with speedtest.

    On the airport express I distinct between the link speed and real down load speed.

    Real download speed came from speedtest.


    if I can get 150mbps with the iPhones via the router (wireless) then 35mbps via the Airport Express to me would indicate a problem on the airport express.

  • by yuriiabc,

    yuriiabc yuriiabc Sep 30, 2016 5:12 PM in response to oskar101
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 30, 2016 5:12 PM in response to oskar101

    Hi, I have the same problem with my AirPort Express MC414LL/A with iPhone 6 (Gold, Space Gray). My internet speed 100 Mbit/s.

    AirPort Express & iPhone 6: 5GHz channel - max download speed 30-35Mbit/s, upload speed ~92Mbit/s

    AirPort Express & MacBook Pro 15 (2011): 5GHz channel - download speed ~92Mbit/s, upload speed ~92Mbit/s

    AirPort Express & iPad Air: 5GHz channel - download speed ~92Mbit/s, upload speed ~92Mbit/s

     

    Time Capsule (ME177LL/A)

    Time Capsule & iPhone 6: 5GHz channel - download speed ~92Mbit/s, upload speed ~92Mbit/s

    Time Capsule & MacBook Pro 15 (2011): 5GHz channel - download speed ~92Mbit/s, upload speed ~92Mbit/s

    Time Capsule & iPad Air: 5GHz channel - download speed ~92Mbit/s, upload speed ~92Mbit/s

    What happens with AirPort Express and iPhone 6 on 5GHz channel? What the f*ck? I checked all methods and settings, nothing helped!