5G iPhone: Now Available

 The iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, the first iPhones to support 5G connectivity, were unveiled by Apple in October 2020. All four of Apple's iPhone 12 models support 5G networks, and both mmWave and Sub-6GHz 5G, which are the two forms of 5G, operate with the 5G modems in the smartphones.

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5G Explained

5G is the fifth cellular wireless generation and the successor to 4G. They're talking about mmWave, or millimetre wave spectrum, as most individuals talk about 5G connectivity.

Millimeter wave technology provides a lot of open bandwidth for blazing fast data transmission rates, but it is highly susceptible to interference from houses, trees, and other obstacles, stopping telecommunications companies who have historically concentrated on low-band and mid-band cell spectrums from taking advantage of it.

5gspectrum
Due to technical advances such as Massive MIMO, adaptable beamforming, and miniaturisation of complex antenna processing functions, access to mmWave spectrum has only become possible over the last few years.

In all regions, not all 5G networks can use mmWave technology because it is better suited to denser urban locations. In rural and suburban areas, mid-band and low-band 5G technology called sub-6GHz 5G, will be used. It's still quicker, but not as fast as mmWave, than 4G.

So when 5G comes out, mmWave technology will have some areas where data transfer rates, combined with other areas that are similar to 4G LTE speeds, will be lightning fast. Low-band and mid-band 5G speeds can also get much better over time, but note that most of the 5G talk focuses on the more narrow mmWave range.

Be sure to check out our dedicated guide on the subject for more on the variations between mmWave 5G and Sub-6GHz 5G.

Types of 5G Networks

MmWave 5G networks are the fastest 5G networks, but mmWave is short-range and can be blocked by buildings, trees, and other barriers, so its use is restricted to major cities and metropolitan areas, as well as venues such as concerts, airports, and other locations where many people meet.

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In metropolitan, suburban and rural areas throughout the United States and other countries, sub-6GHz 5G is much more common and accessible. For the most part, you'll be using Sub-6GHz 5G when you use a 5G network. It's normally better than LTE and will increase performance as the technology progresses, but it's not the super fast 5G you would anticipate.
In the United States, the latest iPhones support both mmWave and Sub-6GHz networks, but mmWave access in other countries is not available. The mmWave antenna on the side is not eligible for iPhones purchased outside the United States and cannot connect to mmWave networks. This decision was taken by Apple because most nations do not have mmWave 5G networks available.

Qualcomm's X55 Modem

The iPhone 12 models use Qualcomm's X55 modem, but Apple developed custom antennas and radio components to boost compatibility, and Apple says that apps would be able to benefit from 5G without using extra power or affecting battery life through device optimization.


qualcommx55

5G Benefits

5G technology facilitates quicker download and upload rates, accelerating everything from loading websites to uploading movies and TV shows.

It also improves streaming service capacity so you can view in higher resolution, and it brings better efficiency of FaceTime calling. FaceTime calls run at 1080p over 5G or WiFi.

5G frees up bandwidth in places where LTE rates are sluggish due to the sheer number of individuals and eliminates congestion for higher usage speeds.

5G Battery Drain

Battery tests show that when connected to 5G networks, the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro see much quicker drainage of batteries compared to when connected to LTE networks.

The ⁇ iPhone 12 ⁇ lasted 8 hours and 25 minutes in a test using the same criteria, while the iPhone 12 Pro lasted nine hours and six minutes when connected to 5G.

The iPhone 12 lasted 1 hour and 23 minutes when linked to LTE, while the iPhone 12 Pro lasted 11 hours and 24 minutes.

5G Bands

iPhones in the United States support up to 20 5G bands.

  • Sub-6GHz: 5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79)
  • mmWave: 5G NR mmWave (Bands n260, n261)

LTE Bands

Along with 5G, the ‌iPhone 12‌ models also support Gigabit LTE, so you can still connect to LTE networks when 5G networks aren't available. The following bands are supported:
  • FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71)
  • TD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48)

Data Saver Mode

Data Saver Mode is a feature that switches the link of the iPhone to LTE in order to conserve battery life when 5 G speeds are not needed.

As an example, when the iPhone is modified in the background, it uses LTE because super fast speeds are not required, but the iPhone 12 models will turn to 5G in instances where speed matters, such as downloading a display. Instead of using the automatic Data Saver Mode, there is also a setting for using 5G whenever it is available.

Carriers with 5G Networks

In the United States, all four of the main carriers - Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint - are focusing on 5G technology, and 5G networks have already begun to roll out. 5G networks are also being developed by other providers around the world. Both U.S. carriers are offering 10 to 20 times faster than LTE for optimum communication speeds.
Verizon - In the areas of Atlanta, Boise, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, New York, Omaha, Panama City, Phoenix, Providence, St. Paul, and Washington DC, Verizon has launched its 5 G LTE network with plans to extend into additional cities in the future. Verizon concentrates heavily on the spectrum of mmWave, but has also carried out a network of sub-6 GHz across the United States.
AT&T - AT&T confusingly brands its 5G networks in several forms, naming "5GE" its enhanced 4G LTE and "5G+." its mmWave coverage. 5G+ is the actual real 5G mmWave network of AT&T, and is available in select city areas, including Los Angeles, Orlando, Atlanta, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Austin, and more.
T-Mobile - T-Mobile (which is also Sprint now) takes a realistic 5G approach and first focuses on the 600MHz spectrum, since that's what most consumers are going to connect to. This spectrum is quicker than LTE, but slower than mmWave, as described above, and will provide better coverage. In the summer of 2020, T-Mobile deployed its 5G network.

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