This disclosure generally relates to systems, devices, apparatuses, products, and methods for wireless communication. For example, a user equipment (UE) device within a wireless communication system may select a desired number of antenna elements for receiving a communication from another device based on a channel quality determination. The UE receives a first signal from a transmitting device using a first beam. The UE determines a channel quality metric and compares the channel quality metric with a channel quality threshold. The UE adjusts a number of antenna elements used for beamformed wireless communication between the transmitting device and the UE based on the comparison between the channel quality metric and the channel quality threshold. Based on this adjustment, the UE receives a second signal from the transmitting device using a second beam that has a different number of antenna elements than the first beam.