Is My Phone 5G? How To Check If You Have 5G

With its promise of faster speeds and more reliable mobile network connectivity, the arrival of 5G has been a game-changer and is quickly becoming the preferred network type. 

With all the buzz around 5G technology, you might be wondering if your phone supports it. Here’s how to tell if your phone has 5G compatibility.

How Can You Check If Your Phone Has 5G?

The 5G revolution is here, but how do you know if your phone supports this type of connectivity? Here's a simple, step-by-step guide to help you find out:

Step 1. Check Your Phone’s Specs

The first step is to open your phone's settings and find your model details:

• If you own an Android phone, navigate to your settings app, then tap on About Phone, and finally, Model.
• If you own an Apple iPhone, you can find the same information following this path: Settings > General > About > Model.

Once you have your phone model, do some research by typing it into your browser’s search bar, followed by the word "specs." Your best information will come from your phone’s brand site. Under the specifications list you find, look for a "network" or "connectivity" section. If your phone supports 5G bands, it should be mentioned here.

Step 2. Look for 5G Symbols

Another easy way to check if your phone is 5G-compatible is to look for a 5G icon at the top of your screen. However, this will only appear if you're in a 5G coverage area, so the absence of it doesn’t necessarily mean that your phone is not 5G-compatible. Depending on your carrier, the exact symbol might vary — it could be 5G, 5G+, 5G E, or 5G UW.

Step 3. Check With Your Carrier

For a definitive answer, you can always contact your carrier. They can confirm if your phone model supports 5G connectivity. They can also answer your questions regarding whether your current plan even includes 5G mobile data options. 

Which Phones Support 5G?

As 5G technology continues to roll out across the globe, more and more smartphone manufacturers are releasing 5G-compatible devices. These phones come equipped with the necessary hardware to connect to 5G networks. 

Depending on how old your cell phone is, it may not have 5G compatibility. For example, smartphones manufactured before 2019 are not likely to be 5G compatible. If you’re in the market for a new cell 5G-compatible phone and want to find the best deal, check out the list below of 5G phones spanning a wide range of brands, price points, and generations—then use our free, unbiased Phone Deal Finder to find the best offers you qualify for at your current carrier compared to other carriers. 

Here’s a sampling of popular phones that support 5G:

• Apple iPhone 15/Plus/Pro/Pro Max
• Apple iPhone 14/Plus/Pro/Pro Max
• Apple iPhone 13/Plus/Pro/Pro Max
• Samsung Galaxy S23/Plus/Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S22/Plus/Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S21/Plus/Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and 5
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 and 5
• Google Pixel 8/Pro
• Google Pixel 7/Pro
• Motorola Edge Plus
• Motorola Moto G Stylus
• Nokia X100
• Nokia G400

Can a 4G Phone Use 5G?

The simple answer to whether a 4G phone can use a 5G network is no. 4G phones cannot use 5G. The reason is that 4G phones lack the necessary hardware, specifically a 5G modem, to connect to 5G networks. Meanwhile, 5G phones are compatible with both 4G and 5G networks.

Which Carriers Offer 5G?

Several carriers in the United States have their own 5G networks, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and UScellular. All four of these carriers are actively growing and expanding their 5G coverage. In most areas where 5G is not available, these providers offer 4G LTE coverage. Wireless carriers that don’t own their networks like Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile, for example, rent 5G network access from other providers.

Is 5G Worth It?

Considering the speed, capacity, and efficiency, 5G is definitely worth it for the majority of phone owners. You get faster download and upload speeds and lower latency compared to LTE networks, as well as the ability to connect more devices at once. These features can greatly enhance your mobile experience, especially if you're a heavy data user.

What Are Some Tips and Tricks To Maximize Your 5G Experience?

Having a 5G smartphone is just the beginning. You’ll also need to make a few adjustments to ensure you’re enjoying all the benefits of this incredible technology. In this section, we’ll share some crucial tips and tricks to help you make the most of 5G. 

Plus, we'll guide you through troubleshooting common 5G issues to ensure a smooth and seamless experience.

Tip 1: Optimize Your Settings

Your phone's settings play a crucial role in 5G performance. A small tweak here and there can significantly enhance your overall 5G experience.

Navigate to your phone's network settings and select the cellular data option that gives priority to 5G networks. This ensures that whenever 5G is available, your phone will choose it over other network types. Also, keep your apps and phone software up to date. Developers often release updates to optimize app performance for new technologies like 5G.

By optimizing your settings, you'll enjoy faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved performance from your apps, making everything from video streaming to online gaming more enjoyable.

Tip 2: Monitor Your Data Usage

5G's high-speed connectivity can quickly lead to increased data consumption. Monitoring your data usage can help you avoid exceeding your plan's limit and incurring additional charges.

Use your phone's built-in data usage monitor or download a trusted third-party app. These tools can provide real-time data usage stats and allow you to set warnings and limits to keep your usage in check.

Regularly monitoring your data usage can help you manage your data effectively, ensuring you get the most out of your 5G plan without any unpleasant surprises on your bill.

Tip 3: Use Wi-Fi When Available

Despite the speed of 5G, Wi-Fi can be very useful for saving your mobile data for when you need it most. It’s best to enable Wi-Fi in your device settings and connect to trusted networks whenever possible. 5G is great for connecting to the internet on the go, but using Wi-Fi when possible can help lower your data usage and save you money if your plan has data limits.

Tip 4: Dealing With Slow 5G Speeds

Even with 5G, you may occasionally experience slow internet speeds. This could be due to network congestion during peak times, physical obstructions like buildings or trees, or being on the edge of a 5G coverage area.

If you're experiencing slow 5G speeds, try moving to a different location, closer to a window, or a higher floor. If the problem persists, contact your carrier to report the issue — there may be network problems they're not aware of. 

Tip 5: Handling 5G Connectivity Issues

Sometimes, you may face issues connecting to 5G, even when you're within a 5G coverage area on a 5G-compatible device. This could be due to temporary network issues or settings on your cell phone.

If you're struggling to connect to 5G, try restarting your phone or toggling airplane mode on and off. This can often reset your phone's network connection. If these steps don't work, check your network settings to ensure your phone is set to connect to 5G networks. If you're still having trouble, reach out to your carrier for further assistance.

The Bottom Line

Unlike other technology trends that come and go, 5G is here to stay— and upgrading to a 5G phone can provide faster speeds and a better overall mobile experience. However, with so many options on the market, finding the right phone and plan can feel overwhelming.

That's where Navi comes in. If you're ready for an upgrade but not sure where to start, let Navi do the heavy lifting for you with our Phone Deal Finder. We compare thousands of phone deals in seconds to show you the best offers you qualify for at your current carrier compared to other carriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my phone is 5G?

To check if your phone supports 5G, look in your device's settings under "Mobile Network" or "Cellular" for 5G options, or check the network status bar for a 5G icon when you're in an area with 5G coverage.

How do you turn on 5G on an iPhone?

To turn on 5G on an iPhone, go to Settings>Cellular>Cellular Data Options>Voice & Data, then select 5G Auto to enable 5G when available, or 5G On to always use 5G.

Are LTE and 5G the same?

No, LTE and 5G are not the same. LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is a 4G technology offering fast speeds, while 5G is the next-generation network that provides significantly faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved capacity for more connected devices.