My iPhone only shows the Wi-Fi symbol even when I'm using data? I noticed when I was checking a notification the other day that even when I was using 4G or LTE data, my phone just showed the Wi-Fi symbol, even when I turned Wi-Fi fully off. I am on an iPhone 5.
I just noticed the same thing. I see the 5 bars then my carrier then where I would normally see LTE, 3G etc I see the wifi symbol. When wifi is turned off that symbol grays out. It used to go away. 
I can no longer tell if I am on LTE or a lesser signal.