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I'm having a similar problem - but only when LTE is enabled... and I have spotty LTE coverage. When I'm in "the city" - LTE coverage is great and I get amazing battery life. As soon as my phone starts switching between 4G and LTE... my battery drains super-fast.

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Your issue is a known issue with LTE. In spotty areas the phone keeps switching from LTE to 4G, and then when in 4G searches for LTE. The searching process, which requires powering separate radios for each protocol, is expensive power-wise. If you keep bouncing in and out of LTE this is bound to happen.

Is there any long-term fix for this? Or do I just have to wait for improved LTE coverage (or keep LTE turned off in those areas)?

It doesn't seem like a software issue to me, so I'd guess no fix will come aside from LTE coverage improving in your area.

It's just the cold hard facts of where the state of cellular radio technology is today. It's pretty amazing as is that the iPhone 5 can be so much thinner, lighter, support a larger hi-res screen, be twice as fast, and support LTE. The spotty LTE issue is just one of those compromises that I don't think much can be done about.

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