Adaptive channel estimation technique selection for coordinated multipoint (CoMP) cellular communication in a wireless user equipment (UE) device. A channel estimation technique according to which to perform channel estimation may be determined, from at least two possible channel estimation techniques, for each respective cell of a plurality of cells. Channel estimation may be performed on each respective cell of the plurality of cells according to the determined channel estimation technique for the respective cell. Multipoint channel state information may be generated based on the channel estimates for the plurality of cells. The multipoint channel state information may be transmitted to a first cell in a wireless manner. The multipoint channel state information may be used to select a CoMP joint transmission cluster for the UE.