Beam selection in handheld wireless communications devices

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. An example method includes performing transmission or receive beam measurements at two or more wireless antennas of a wireless device, selecting a serving beam pair based at least in part on the transmission or receive beam measurements, and presenting an indication at the wireless device corresponding to the selected serving beam pair. The method may further include detecting user obstruction of part of the selected serving beam pair. The method may also include determining that a transmission power restriction applies to a first antenna associated with the selected transmission beam based at least in part on the transmission or receive beam measurements. Other example methods may further include detecting a change in an orientation of the wireless device and performing the transmission or receive beam measurements in response to detecting the change in the orientation of the wireless device.