We tested the Epic 4G’s throughput over 4G, 3G, and Wi-Fi connections. The HTC Incredible was tested only over a Wi-Fi connection. The Dell Streak and iPhone 3GS were testing over both 3G and Wi-Fi connections. Both the Dell Streak and iPhone 3GS were tested using an AT&T Wireless 3G MicroCell signal booster, so they both were tested with very strong signals (full bars). The Epic 4G is on the Sprint network and we did not have a comparable device. This means that the 3G throughput results below are admittedly unfair. That said, you are always going to be limited by the signal strength at whatever location you happen to be in. So as to the network testing, you can regard the results below as what you would experience if you happened to be in the exact location we did our testing. All the Wi-Fi testing, however, was conducted under identical circumstances, so the Wi-Fi results are directly comparable.
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| Throughput testing |
| Android and iPhone throughput testing |
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On all four tests, the Epic 4G consistently had the speediest Wi-Fi upload and download speeds; although the Dell Streak wasn’t far behind it on some of the tests. As to data throughput over the mobile Internet providers' networks, the Epic 4G’s 4G connection easily had the fastest download and upload throughput across the board. The Epic 4G brought up the rear in terms of 3G download throughput, but it had the disadvantage here, as both the Dell Streak and iPhone 3GS were able to take advantage of the 3G MicroCell signal booster. Despite the 3G MicroCell signal booster, however, the Epic 4G still pulled in faster 3G upload speeds than both the Dell Streak and iPhone 3GS.
