Aspects of this disclosure relate to variable multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) downlink user equipment. Features are described for dynamically adjusting an operational state of a user equipment to obtain network services (e.g., downlink data traffic) according to different transmission modes. The user equipment may provide reports to a network controller indicating characteristics of the user equipment. The characteristics may indicate service level, quality, or type needed for user equipment operations. The user equipment may receive configuration information to adjust wireless capabilities to best meet the identified needs of the user equipment and the MIMO network.