Your Android can not only connect to the Internet via WiFi or mobile data

An ethernet cable is valid for a good part of mobile phones

We often forget that the mobile phone can not only connect to the Internet using wireless WiFi networks , it also supports a wired Ethernet connection . Of course, you need a USB C to RJ-45 adapter : if you try to play in wired mode, you will never be able to do it any other way. And it is not expensive at all.

Arriving home and letting your mobile phone pair with the access point to have instant Internet connection is extremely easy. We don’t even have to do anything, everything is automatic. The problem is: does WiFi take advantage of the maximum capabilities of a fiber plan ? Depending on the contracted speed, it certainly doesn’t: if you have 1 Gbps or higher, it will be difficult for you to download as quickly. Cable will always be faster than WiFi. And with less interference.

Ethernet Cable Mobile Android

The above is under normal conditions and in relation to the limits of the technology, since wireless networks are affected by much more interference than wired networks. I suffered this when I increased the speed of my fiber to 1 Gbps : until I managed to touch the limit from above, I had to carry out many tests.

In theory, WiFi 5, WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E connectivity provide enough bandwidth and transfer rate to take advantage of all the benefits of a contracted fiber network with a speed of 1 Gbps. In practice, it is almost impossible , even after performing speed tests a few meters from the router. WiFi 6E is more capable of meeting the challenge, but it is not as widespread.

After many attempts, after configuring the WiFi 6 network, once I had increased the channel bandwidth to 160 mHz and tested with the latest generation of devices compatible with the most modern wireless networks, I achieved download speeds that were close to 75% of Gbps . So I only had one step left to find out if I could get the speed I had contracted.

Taking advantage of the fact that I have a USB C dock for my laptop that, apart from USB A and HDMI ports, also includes an RJ-45 connector, I plugged the Google Pixel 8 Pro that I am reviewing directly into the router and via cable. And I immediately noticed the enormous difference between the two types of connection: as I already mentioned, interference reduces the effectiveness of the radio frequency; interference that does not affect the wiring .

A cable Internet connection is more stable, faster, has a higher bandwidth and suffers less interference. The cable used is decisive.

While the results are more than visible, connecting a mobile to the Internet using a network cable is not exactly the most comfortable. Even so, there are certain situations in which it is extremely practical. And, by having a dock with several ports, I can connect the wired connection to the mobile through the RJ-45 connector, I plug it into the TV using the HDMI port, I power the mobile with the USB C of the dock and I have the option of adding a mouse and keyboard via USB A to the set. You will have guessed it: the perfect combo for mobile games.

Situations when it is worth connecting your mobile to your router via cable

Through testing, I have been narrowing down the setup until I have found the situations that best take advantage of the Ethernet connection. Having a cable in the middle of the dining room is not worth it, nor is always connecting the phone this way. However, it can be used in the following environments:

As a gaming machine . I already mentioned it: the setup is perfect for those who use their mobile phone for games like PUBG or Genshin Impact. Also to take advantage of services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate : a marvel, I can attest to that.

As a media player . Got an old Android lying around? Turn it into a streaming and local content player, making sure it has the best internet connection possible.

As a mobile modem . It doesn’t work on all phones, but yours may support it: as in my case, Android supports sharing the connection via the ethernet port. So you just have to connect the phone to the router via cable and configure the WAN there. It’s perfect for covering your holiday home with WiFi, for example.