One of the main aspects we worked on in version 3.50 was the improvement of the speed characteristics of the product (the analysis of the characteristics of SymSMB v2.00 appeared
here). It appears we’ve been able to achieve something. In short, the main highlights are:
1) SymSMB v3.50 is faster then SymSMB v2.00 on average by 34%;
2) The improvements of SymSMB v3.50 become apparent better on newer phones;
3) On the latest models of Nokia phones SymSMB v3.50, working over WiFi, beats USB!
We have come to these conclusions based on a series of tests. The test conditions were:
- PC: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz; Memory (RAM) – 3582 MB; OS – MS Vista Ultimate (32-bit);
- WiFi router: Linksys Wireless-G 2.4 GHz Broadband router;
- only the phone is connected to the router;
- average distance between the router and tested phone ~ 1m;
- copying a sample file with 30 MB size was used for measuring the speed;
- measurements were made while copying the file from/to Mass Storage drive.
We began by comparing speed shown by SymSMB versions 2.00 and 3.50.
For each tested phone we performed 4 tests:
1) Client side – phone. Copying file from computer onto the phone;
2) Client side – phone. Copying file from phone to the computer;
3) Client side – computer. Copying the file from computer onto the phone;
4) Client side – computer. Copying file from phone onto computer;
Here are the results for N91 8GB (all numbers for this case and all cases below are done in KB/s units):
The improvements are clear. Simply aggregating all 4 results, there is a ~33% improvement.
Here are the results for N81 8GB:
It is clear that the absolute results shown by both versions of SymSMB on N81 are significantly faster than the results for N91. It should be noted that SW working on N91 and N81 is the same. Therefore, this means that Nokia phones are continuing to develop in both HW and improvement of base SW for the common benefit of the maker, consumer and third party developer.
Returning to the comparison between 2.00 and 3.50, N81 shows an aggregated improvement of ~ 34% (which is almost identical to improvements in N91 case).
As an extra, it’s interesting to see how SymSMB 3.50 compares to USB. Since when working with Mass Storage only PC can be on the client side, only the following 2 tests were performed when comparing USB with SymSMB v3.50:
1) Copying file from computer to the phone;
2) Copying file from the phone to the computer;
Here are the results for N91:
Yet the more modern N81 has great results (which given the HW & SW maturity of this phone is to be actually expected):
Thus, for latest and future phones, SymSMB v3.50 running over Nokia WiFi beats Nokia USB by 24% on average!
It looks like it is time to forget about cables in the mobile business…