Smartphones and WiFi Repeaters: Decoding the Features and Capabilities
Smartphones today are packed with a variety of features that enhance their usability and connectivity in different scenarios. One such feature that has been integrated into modern smartphones, particularly in high-end models like the Samsung Galaxy-S7 and onwards, is the 'WiFi sharing' feature. This functionality allows your smartphone to essentially act as a WiFi repeater, extending the reach of a wireless network and enabling multiple devices to connect to the internet. Let's delve deeper into this concept to understand what exactly a smartphone can do in terms of WiFi capabilities.
WiFi Sharing on High-End Smartphones
High-end smartphones, such as those from Samsung (notably the Galaxy S7 and onwards), come equipped with a feature called 'WiFi sharing.' This feature, also known as a 'WiFi repeater' in some contexts, allows your device to create and distribute internet access, essentially acting as a wireless router for other devices. This is particularly useful in scenarios where the existing WiFi network coverage is weak, or when you need to connect multiple devices to the internet.
Real Simultaneous Dual Band (RSDB) Technology
The capability of turning a smartphone into a WiFi hotspot is heavily dependent on the advanced technology called Real Simultaneous Dual Band (RSDB) technology. This technology enables your smartphone to connect to a WiFi router in the 5 GHz band while simultaneously broadcasting a 2.4 GHz WiFi signal. This dual-band capability not only enhances the speed and reliability of the connection but also extends the range of the WiFi network, allowing more devices to connect and share the internet connection without any significant performance degradation.
Understanding WiFi Repeaters and Hotspots
It is crucial to clarify the distinction between using your smartphone as a WiFi hotspot and as a WiFi repeater. If your intention is to extend the range of your existing WiFi network by creating a hotspot that enables other devices to connect using the cellular data of your smartphone, then the answer is yes. However, if you are referring to the concept of a WiFi repeater, which connects to an existing WiFi network and broadcasts the signal to a greater distance, then the answer is no.
Phone as a WiFi Hotspot vs. WiFi Client
Generally, a smartphone with its WiFi hotspot function acts as a wireless router that allows a number of devices to connect to the Wi-Fi network. It creates its own IP subnet and provides DHCP services to assign IP addresses to connected devices. On the other hand, a WiFi repeater connects to an existing WiFi network and broadcasts a separate network. Unlike a router, all devices on the extended network retain the IP addresses that pass across the primary Wi-Fi network.
Advanced Smartphone Capabilities
A smartphone can certainly serve as an access point, receiving its connection to the internet over the cellular signal and then broadcasting a wireless WiFi internet signal within a limited range. However, the concept of using a smartphone to re-broadcast an external WiFi signal to an extended range is less common. The WiFi technology in a smartphone is designed to either act as a client to a network or as a wireless router, but not both simultaneously in a typical scenario.
Conclusion
While smartphones are extremely versatile devices and come equipped with a variety of advanced features, the direct act of serving as a WiFi repeater in the traditional sense is not something that is widely available or supported. Nevertheless, the 'WiFi sharing' feature available on high-end smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy-S7 can significantly enhance your WiFi network's coverage and allow for more devices to connect efficiently. For users seeking to extend the reach of their WiFi network, the capabilities of these devices offer a viable and practical solution.