Wifi signal on adjacent RPi3's different strengths

[theMusicMan]

Hi all

So I have a RPi3B and an RPi3B+, physically located next to each other on my desk, and both attached to the same WiFi network.

What might be the reason the indicated WiFi signal strength on the RPi3B is showing one bar (sometimes two), and the RPi3B+ is showing full strength 3 bars.

They are both on my desk in the exact same orientation, and the same distance from my WiFi source. Is the 3 known to have a weaker WiFi aerial than the 3B+?

Thanks
John

[pcmanbob]

The 2 versions of the pi3B do use different aerial technologies,

pi3B has this component aerial soldered to the pcb.



were as the pi3B+ has the aerial actually in the pcb, the triangular shape



this will probably account for the difference in wifi signal strength.

[theMusicMan]

The 2 versions of the pi3B do use different aerial technologies,

pi3B has this component aerial soldered to the pcb.

were as the pi3B+ has the aerial actually in the pcb, the triangular shape

this will probably account for the difference in wifi signal strength.

Many thanks for the explanation, Bob. I was curious about why this was the case.

[gkaiseril]

There are different WiFi chips for each board and one chip may be more sensitive than the other for receiving radio signals. Since their antennas are different they too may have different sensitivities to radio wave reception. The orientation to the WiFi atena may also affect reception if the antennas are directional.

The Pi3B+ can also connect to a 5G network.

[davidcoton]

The Pi3B+ can also connect to a 5GHz network.

FTFY. Do not confuse the mobile phone fifth generation technology (5G) with the 5GHz WiFi frequency band.