Embodiments include methods, performed by a user equipment (UE), for uplink (UL) transmission in a wireless network. Such methods include receiving a configuration associated with an UL transmission to a network node in the wireless network. Such methods include, for each of a plurality of combinations of the UE's available antennas and transmitters, determining metrics based on the UE performing the UL transmission using the particular combination. The metrics include a quality metric associated with reception of the UL transmission by the network node, and a UE energy consumption metric. Such methods include selecting one of the plurality of combinations of the available antennas and transmitters based on the respective quality metrics and the respective UE power consumption metrics, and performing the UL transmission according to the configuration and using the selected combination of available antennas and transmitters. Other embodiments include UEs configured to perform such methods.