5G iPhones: A Guide to Speed, Coverage, and Cost

The latest 5G iPhones are here, and they're faster than ever. Apple's 5G iPhone 12 series offers download speeds of up to 4.2 Gbps.

If you're considering upgrading to a 5G iPhone, you're probably wondering about coverage. The good news is that 5G networks are expanding rapidly, with major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile investing heavily in their 5G infrastructure.

The cost of a 5G iPhone can be a bit steep, with prices starting at around $599 for the iPhone 12. However, many carriers are offering discounts and promotions, so be sure to shop around.

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You'll want to consider your carrier options when deciding on a 5G iPhone. For AT&T, you'll need a new plan to access 5G, with options starting at $140 a month for four lines.

T-Mobile's 5G plans are more straightforward, allowing any plan to connect to 5G with a 5G device. You can even get unlimited talk, text, and data for $100 a month for four lines.

Verizon's 5G plans are a bit more complicated, requiring a move to an unlimited plan for full access to its millimeter-wave experience.

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5G may seem like a luxury, but it brings immediate benefits for some users. If you're on T-Mobile, 5G improves coverage in more rural areas.

T-Mobile's low-band 5G is a game-changer for those living in rural areas. It allows for a connection where otherwise you might be out of luck.

Verizon's 5G cures congestion, which means if you're experiencing stalls or slowdowns in the network, 5G can help. You'll see bars, but things will start to feel smoother.

AT&T is working on its mid-band 5G, but it's still in the early stages. When it does arrive, it'll be similar to Verizon's, helping to clear up network congestion.

If you're looking for improved poor-signal reception, you'll need to wait for the iPhone 14. That's because it'll be using the new Qualcomm X65 modem, which can handle weak signals better.

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Apple claimed that their iPhone 12 5G can reach a speed of 4Gbps in real-world conditions.

This speed is theoretical, and actual speeds may vary depending on your location and network coverage.

The iPhone 12 range supports a greater number of 5G bands than any other smartphone available at the time of its launch.

The iPhone 13, 14, and 15 ranges support even more 5G bands than their predecessors, enabling these devices to leverage the complete 5G potential of a larger number of networks globally.

The iPhone SE 5G, launched in late 2022, reportedly offers a slightly slower 5G speed, but still provides '5G cellular' connectivity and 4×4 MIMO, which increases the capacity of a connection to a large extent.

To give you a better idea of the 5G speeds you can expect, here's a rough breakdown of the speeds mentioned in the article:

If you're wondering what to expect from your 5G iPhone, let's start with the basics. Your iPhone will display a 5G icon in the status bar when you're in an area with 5G coverage for your carrier and your 5G cellular plan has been activated.

In some areas, you'll see a 5G icon indicating that your carrier's 5G network is available, and your iPhone can connect to the internet over that network. This isn't available in all countries or regions, so keep that in mind if you're traveling.

Your iPhone can also connect to your carrier's 5G+, 5G UW, 5G UC, or 5GA network, which may include their higher frequency version of 5G.

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If you're seeing a 5G icon in the status bar of your iPhone, it means your carrier's 5G network is available and your iPhone can connect to the internet over that network.

The type of 5G icon you see may vary depending on your carrier and the specific 5G network they offer. You might see a 5G icon, 5G+, 5G UW, 5G UC, or 5GA icon.

In areas with 5G coverage, your iPhone can connect to the internet over your carrier's 5G network, but this isn't available in all countries or regions.

With the 5G network on your iPhone, you've got some options to consider for how you want your device to use it.

You can choose to enable Smart Data mode, which automatically switches to LTE when 5G speeds don't provide a noticeably better experience, saving battery life. This is called 5G Auto.

The 5G icon may appear even when 5G coverage is not available, but this is based on the configuration of the carrier network.

If you want to always use the 5G network when it's available, you can choose 5G On, but this might reduce battery life.

Alternatively, you can stick with LTE, which uses only the LTE network, even when 5G is available.

Here are your options in a nutshell:

A 5G iPhone might not be the best choice if you live in a rural area, since many of these areas don't have mmWave, which is a key component of 5G.

Carriers are relying on low-band airwaves to bring faster connectivity to rural areas, but it may take several years or more for them to deploy 5G in more-remote parts of the country.

An estimated 18 million people in the US don't have a broadband connection with download speeds of at least 25 megabits per second, according to a 2020 tally from the Federal Communications Commission.

It's not worth investing in a new iPhone solely for the 5G feature if you live in an area where it's unlikely to work well.

Your 5G iPhone will be fast, but the speed depends on the type of 5G you're accessing. Low-band 5G, favored by T-Mobile and AT&T, isn't much different from 4G speeds.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X55 modem, used in most 5G phones today, lets you download data at up to 7 Gbps and upload information at 3 Gbps. This is similar to what you can expect from mmWave-enabled iPhones.

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Apple's custom modem for iPhones is likely to see similar speeds to Qualcomm's X55 modem. The exact speeds haven't been specified by Apple.

Qualcomm's next modem, the X60, will be in phones next year, slightly bumping download speeds to 7.5 Gbps, though uploads stay steady at 3 Gbps. This will provide faster average speeds.

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5G is an industry catchall term for a suite of 5th-generation wireless technologies that allow mobile devices to theoretically operate at much higher data transfer speeds on cellular phone networks than the previous 4G LTE standard.

5G can run between 10 and 100 times faster than your typical 4G cellular connection, making downloads and video streaming snappier than ever.

The most noticeable improvement with 5G over what the iPhone offers today is faster connectivity, which Apple has aptly dubbed "Hi, Speed".

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5G is a suite of wireless technologies that allow mobile devices to operate at much higher data transfer speeds than the previous 4G LTE standard.

Theoretically, 5G can enable mobile devices to download data from the internet at much higher rates.

However, the rollout of 5G has been uneven, leading to skepticism from the tech press about its capabilities.

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Millimeter-wave spectrum is the key to unlocking the full potential of 5G. It's the technology that makes 4G seem slow.

This version of 5G offers ultrahigh-speed connectivity, making it a game-changer for the next iPhone. The signals are incredibly fast, running between 10 and 100 times faster than your typical 4G cellular connection.

However, there's a downside to mmWave: the signals have trouble going through walls, and they can get blocked by trees, buildings, and other items. This can limit its effectiveness in certain areas.

Despite this limitation, mmWave is still a crucial part of the 5G experience. It's what will enable new features and services on the next iPhone, such as faster downloads and video streaming.

We can expect to see new augmented reality features that take advantage of 5G's high speeds and low latency. This could include features like remote surgery or Zoom videoconferences that are actually in sync.

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Choosing a 5G iPhone can be a bit overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got you covered.

If you're looking for a 5G iPhone, you should consider the iPhone 12 and later models, as they all support 5G technology. If you're on a budget, the iPhone SE (2022) is a great option, but keep in mind it doesn't support millimeter-wave 5G.

You can also check the table below to see which iPhone models support 5G:

If you're considering getting a 5G iPhone, you should know that the default settings are optimized for battery life and data usage based on your data plan. You can customize these options for when to use 5G and how much data to use in some apps.

To find these options, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options or Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options. If you're using Dual SIM, go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data and choose the number whose options you want to change.

If you don't want a 5G iPhone, there are alternatives available. Apple's $399 iPhone SE, released in April, is a budget-friendly option that still offers some great features. However, it only has one rear camera lens and no Night Mode.

If you want a higher-end phone but don't need 5G, buying a 2019 iPhone 11 could be a safe bet. Apple cut the price of that device by $100 to $599, and it also lowered 2018's iPhone XR by $100 to $499.

There are many other 5G phones available from different manufacturers, including Samsung, OnePlus, and Google. Some of the newest models include the Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, and Google Pixel 7.

Here's a list of some of the most popular 5G phones:

If your iPhone is too old and doesn't include 5G hardware, you'll need to buy a new iPhone that supports 5G to get it. As of April 2022, nine models of iPhone support true 5G cellular connections.

Choosing a good phone is all about considering your carrier's 5G capabilities. AT&T is off to a slower start than T-Mobile and Verizon.

If you're an AT&T subscriber, it's best to wait for the iPhone 14 series to get good 5G coverage. This is because AT&T's mid-band 5G coverage will fill in to cover 200 million people by the end of 2023.

Verizon's mid-band 5G coverage is a different story. If you live in one of the 46 regions of the country, you can expect to get Verizon mid-band UW 5G this year.

Ultimately, the key to choosing a good phone is understanding your carrier's strengths and weaknesses.

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If you're considering buying a new smartphone, think about the future and whether you'll have access to 5G network coverage in your area.

The latest iPhones, including the iPhone 15 series, are a great option if you can afford them. If not, there are more affordable 5G phones like the iPhone 12 5G, iPhone SE 5G, or iPhone 11 5G that still offer the latest features.

You don't necessarily need to break the bank to get a 5G smartphone - there are many affordable options available, such as the OnePlus Nord and Moto G 5G Plus, which can be more affordable than the iPhone SE (2022).

If you're happy with your current 4G network technology, you might want to consider the iPhone SE (2020), which is a more affordable option.

Your current 4G phone won't be obsolete just because 5G is rolling out. In fact, 5G isn't ideal for all situations, and 4G will still be the default connection in most places for a long time.

You can't buy a 5G iPhone that doesn't also have 4G connectivity, as phones will fall back to 4G connections when 5G isn't available. This is similar to how your 4G phone still connects to 3G networks in areas where 4G isn't available.

4G will still account for about 56% of all connections by 2025, even though 5G networks are expected to become more widespread. This means you can hold onto your 4G phone for a while without worrying about it becoming useless.

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The move from 4G to 5G is different from past network upgrades, as 5G is building on 4G LTE, using updated radios and software. This will allow 5G to complement rather than replace 4G.

More people on 5G networks means 4G will be less congested, which could result in faster 4G speeds with the phone you already have. This is a win-win situation, as you can enjoy faster speeds on your 4G phone while also having the option to upgrade to a 5G model in the future.

5G standalone networks, which will enable features like much lower latency, won't be rolled out until late 2021 or early 2022. This means that for now, your 4G phone will still be a reliable option.

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You can choose how your iPhone uses the 5G network, which can affect battery life. This can be done by selecting from three options: 5G Auto, 5G On, or LTE.

If your carrier doesn't support 5G roaming, you can get cellular data through 4G or LTE networks or obtain a local SIM card or eSIM with 5G where available.

To use 5G on your iPhone, you'll need to have an iPhone 12 model or later, a carrier that supports 5G, and a 5G cellular plan. In some cases, you may need to contact your carrier to set up the SIM card from your previous iPhone for use with a 5G network.

Here are the details you'll need to check with your carrier:

Many countries around the globe offer 5G service, particularly China and the US. In the US, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have all turned on their 5G networks, with T-Mobile having the most extensive coverage, covering over 225 million people.

Data roaming is an essential aspect of using your 5G phone abroad. Many carriers support 5G roaming worldwide, but it's crucial to check if your carrier is one of them.

If your carrier doesn't support 5G roaming, you can still get cellular data through 4G or LTE networks. This is a reliable backup option for staying connected while traveling.

You can also obtain a local SIM card or eSIM with 5G where available, which can be a cost-effective solution for data roaming.

To use a 5G iPhone, you'll need a carrier that supports 5G and a 5G cellular plan.

Your carrier plan might not be compatible with 5G, depending on who your carrier is. For example, if you're with AT&T, you'll need a new plan to access their 5G network. But if you're with T-Mobile, you can stick with your current plan.

Verizon's situation is a bit more complicated. If you want to use their low-band nationwide 5G network, you can stay on your older plan. But if you want the full Verizon 5G millimeter-wave experience, you'll need to move to one of their unlimited plans.

Here's a quick rundown of what you need to know about carrier plans and 5G:

It's worth noting that AT&T and Verizon also let you mix plans, so you could have one line on a family plan with the highest unlimited offering, while the others subscribe to the lowest.

You can get 5G service for your iPhone 12 in many countries, particularly in China and the US.

T-Mobile has a big 5G footprint, covering over 225 million people, and its nationwide network went live in December. It's also the first carrier to have 5G coverage in all 50 states.

AT&T's 5G service covers over 205 million people, and its low-band network went nationwide in late July. The company also has deployed millimeter-wave 5G in 36 cities around the country.

Verizon has turned on its low-band, nationwide network, but its coverage is only available in certain parts of cities it's in, which is currently 55 cities around the US.

If you're on AT&T, you'll need a new plan to access its 5G network, but with T-Mobile, you can stick with your current plan if you have a 5G device.

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The iPhone models that support 5G are numerous, but not all of them support the fastest millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G technology. As of April 2022, nine models of iPhone support true 5G cellular connections, including the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 13 series.

Here are some of the iPhone models that support 5G:

All iPhone models launched after November 13th, 2020, also support 5G, except for the iPhone 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone SE 2020, iPhone XS / XS Max, iPhone X / XR, iPhone 8 / 8 Plus, and iPhone 7 / 7 Plus, which only support 4G.

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The max speed supported by various iPhone models is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a 5G iPhone. If you're looking for the fastest wireless data speeds, you'll want to opt for an iPhone model that supports millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G technology. Currently, only the U.S. models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 families support mmWave 5G technology.

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The iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series can reach max speeds of 4Gbps, making them ideal for heavy users who need fast data speeds. However, if you're looking for a more affordable option, the iPhone SE (3rd Generation) is a great choice, despite not supporting mmWave 5G technology.

Here's a breakdown of the max speeds supported by various iPhone models:

The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max support Gigabit LTE, a high-speed version of 4G that can attain maximum download speeds of 1.6Gbps or 1,600Mbps.

The iPhone 11 Pro range boasts a theoretical speed that is considerably faster than that of the iPhone XS range and the iPhone SE (2020), which also features Cat 16 LTE.

In contrast, the iPhone X and iPhone XR are equipped with inferior Cat 12 LTE modems, resulting in significantly lower speeds compared to the iPhone 11 Pro range.

These older models are not compatible with 5G technology, but they do offer faster 4G speeds than some of their predecessors.

Here's a quick rundown of the LTE modems used in some older iPhone models:

The most noticeable improvement with 5G over what the iPhone offers today is faster connectivity, making downloads and video streaming snappier than ever.

Faster connectivity means you'll experience downloads that are 10 to 100 times faster than your typical 4G cellular connection.

5G's latency is much faster than what 4G and even Wi-Fi provide, enabling things like remote surgery or Zoom videoconferences that are actually in sync.

With 5G, you'll be able to do things you could never do before on a mobile device, and do them nearly instantaneously.

New augmented reality features are possible with 5G's high speeds and low latency, which could be integrated into future iPhone models.

The 5G iPhone battery life is a concern for many, but Apple has implemented a feature to help conserve power. Apple created a smart switching system called Smart Data Mode to prevent battery problems.

Early 5G phones had big issues with short battery life and overheating. This new system automatically switches between 4G and 5G networks to save battery power.

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The iPhone 12 models can move between 4G and 5G to conserve battery power. If the screen is off, the device assumes you're probably streaming music or running apps in the background that don't need 5G.

The iPhone 12 lineup considers many factors to determine which network to use. It looks at how data is delivered over the network to decide if you need 5G or if a lower quality stream requires only 4G.

Smart Data Mode doesn't distinguish by specific apps, but instead examines the kind of data flowing into the iPhone. This means you can't disable it for individual apps, but you can disable the feature altogether if you want to use 5G all the time.

Using 5G all the time will likely drain your battery much faster. Apple isn't charging more for mmWave connectivity, and it's automatically enabled in all US iPhone 12 models.

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If you're not sold on a 5G iPhone, there are still some great options available. Apple's $399 iPhone SE is a budget-friendly choice that's "one of the best budget phones you can currently buy", according to CNET.

If you're willing to spend a bit more, you could consider last year's iPhone 11, which Apple has cut the price of to $599. This device will still work on 4G networks, and you can even tap into faster 4G connectivity than before.

Alternatively, you could consider one of the many other 5G Android phones available, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 or the Google Pixel 7. Both of these devices offer 5G compatibility and a range of other features that might make them a good fit for you.

Here are some other 5G Android phones to consider:

One trade-off of the iPhone SE is that it only has one rear camera lens and no Night Mode, but this might not matter to you if you're looking for a cheaper device. The iPhone 11 is another option, which was priced at $599 after a $100 cut.

You can also consider buying a new 5G iPhone and just not access 5G networks or pay for 5G service, which will still allow you to use the device on 4G networks. This way, you can tap into even faster 4G connectivity than before.

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If you're looking for 5G iPhone alternatives, you've got plenty of options. Many Android phone manufacturers offer 5G compatible devices.

Samsung is a notable example, with their Galaxy S series being a popular choice. The latest models, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, are all 5G compatible.

Other Android phone manufacturers like OnePlus, Huawei, and Xiaomi also offer 5G compatible devices. For instance, the OnePlus 11, OnePlus 10 Pro, and OnePlus Nord 2 are all 5G capable.

The Google Pixel series is another option, with the Google Pixel 7, Google Pixel 7 Pro, and Google Pixel 6 all supporting 5G. Sony's Xperia series is also worth considering, with models like the Sony Xperia 1 IV and Sony Xperia 5 IV being 5G compatible.

Here are some of the newest 5G Android phones available:

These are just a few examples of the many 5G Android phones available. With so many options, you're sure to find a device that meets your needs and budget.

Apple's history of adopting new mobile network standards is marked by delays. The company's first iPhone, released in 2007, didn't come with 3G connectivity, even though 3G networks had been available worldwide since 2002 and 2003.

The iPhone 3, which came out in 2008, was the first iPhone to support 3G. This was two years after 3G networks had become widespread.

The iPhone 5, released in 2012, was the first iPhone to support 4G. However, consumers had already had access to 4G Android phones for about two years by then.

Even the iPhone models, such as the XS and 11 Pro, were behind their Android counterparts when it came to LTE speeds.

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The 5G iPhone Comparison is a crucial aspect to consider when choosing the right phone for you. The Apple iPhone 12 series offers three different models: the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

The iPhone 12 model starts at 64GB of storage, while the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max offer up to 512GB of storage.

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The iPhone 12 model features a dual-camera setup with a 12MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera, while the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max have a triple-camera setup with a 12MP main camera, a 12MP telephoto camera, and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera.

The iPhone 12 model has a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max have a 5.8-inch and 6.7-inch display, respectively.

The battery life of the iPhone 12 model is up to 10 hours, while the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max offer up to 12 hours of battery life.

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