Most flagship phones in the United States have 5G currently, so it’s worth thinking about buying a 5G phone when it’s time to make the switch.
OnePlus, Samsung, Apple, and a number of other companies are all marketing their 5G phones, yet only approximately 16% of Americans will be getting a 5G device this year, as per information from the GSMA. That’s mainly due to the fact that a majority of people latch on to their phones for about three years. As of now, 5G phones have just emerged.
The more pertinent question is if you should upgrade early or keep your reliable 4G phone for as long as it functions.
There’s no con to purchasing a phone that is 5G-capable if it’s the phone you desire. In the United States, you can’t purchase a flagship phone without 5G! So if a high-end phone’s excellent camera or powerful screen catches your eye, that’s a nice reason to pick it, and 5G connectivity becomes the cherry on the cake.
5G: The HOV Lane of Mobile Networks
There are no new, amazing 5G applications right now; this connectivity primarily improves the speed of existing applications. But we’d still recommend buying a 5G phone since it is essentially the HOV lane of the mobile network. Currently, specific airwaves are designed only for 5G, and there aren’t many 5G phones out there. When 4G networks choke up due to crowding, your 5G connection may still get past it.
T-Mobile: The Time for 5G Is Now
Unlike Verizon and AT&T, 5G on T-Mobile can better both coverage and speed. Part of T-Mobile’s 5G network utilizes a low-frequency band called n71 that provides coverage for small towns and rural areas. A tiny amount of that is saved for 4G, but the better part of it is used for 5G. Hence, performance in those rural areas will possibly get better with a 5G phone.
AT&T and Verizon: Future-Ready With C-Band
AT&T and Verizon also boast of having nationwide 5G coverage. However, they don’t dedicate wide channels to 5G, so their countrywide 5G performance has been a lot like 4G.
Other Brands: Behave Like the Network
Other wireless carrier brands will follow the way of their network provider. So if you are on Mint Mobile, Boost, Metro, or another T-Mobile–based brand, 5G will be useful to you. If you are on a Verizon-based or AT&T-based brand, you want to check out C-band.
