How Does 5G Work on My iPhone?

If you’re here then you’ve likely purchased one of the latest iPhone 12-models (or you’re contemplating the possibility of buying one). If you’ve got an iPhone with 5G connectivity, you could be wondering: What is the actual meaning of that? What are the possibilities with a 5G iPhone isn’t possible do with older iPhones? What is the way 5G will operate?

Here’s everything you need be aware of.

How does 5G work OnMy iPhone?

Let’s begin by going through an introduction to 5G. It’s an electromagnetic energy that’s hard to see and runs at higher speeds than other technology for communication, such as 3G or 4G. When frequencies are higher in the spectrum of electromagnetic energy, waves are stronger and denser.

3G and 4G are located in those in the 1-to-6 gigahertz spectrum in the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation according to experts, 5G is more in the band of the range of 24 as well as 90 gigahertz. That explains why 5G can download media at a rapid speed. In comparison 1G networks run between the 850–900-megahertz range.

The creation of 5G doesn’t happen in the same way, however. Certain types of 5G with lower frequencies aren’t that much faster than 4G. Apple is, however, more inclined to expand the capabilities of the iPhone 12 at the extreme ends of the spectrum for 5G. This is called millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency-5G as well Verizon is currently ahead of the field when it comes providing this type of speed.

How Much Faster Is 5G?

According to a Qualcomm model of the network that was conducted, download speeds increased from 56 megabits per second (Mbps) for the average 4G user, to more than 490 Mbps in the case of the median 5G user, a 900 percent jump!

So, you can see why Apple partnered up with Verizon for its iPhone 12 launch event. Verizon’s “5G Ultra-Wideband,” as the company markets the service, includes 28 and 39 gigahertz mmWave bands. That may seem a bit broad, but as Verizon puts it in a 2019 blog post, “the wider the spectrum, the more data that is able to transfer among those waves.”

What Is the Tech Behind 5G?

For a rapid and reliable service, devices must be able to gather 5G’s energy waves. That’s done by tiny frequency antennas that can be incorporated into the smartphone.

There are already many of these antennas in every smartphone. They assist in switching between different networks and frequency (4G to LTE and then to WIFI and finally to Bluetooth and on). However, these background tasks consume processing power and reduce battery’s life. This is why Apple created solutions using the hardware as well as software.

“We don’t use any off-the-shelf parts that are available to other companies,” Vitor Silva, iPhone product manager for the iPhone World Wide Product Marketing Team tells PopMech. “We design our own antennas, we design our own 5G components to make sure that it fits our iPhone design, but also provide the performance that our customers are expecting to get from iPhone.”

The new device is part an integrated system that includes an overhauled software stack. To maximize your 5G experience, without damaging battery life or power, Apple analyzed everything from applications, to firmware and even iOS frameworks, Arun Mathias, vice-president for wireless technology and ecosystems at the company’s October 2020 event.

“We can be very space efficient, while also including the most 5G bands in a single phone, to work on 5G in more places than any other smartphone,” said the man.

How Do I Know If I’m Currently Using 5G?

With your iPhone changing between 5G, 3G, 4G and LTE every minute it’s important to know which one you’re using at any given moment in the present. This information can be found in the status bar in the upper right.

If you’re in an area with 5G service, you’ll see the 5G symbol in the status bar in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. If you don’t see it, 5G isn’t available at the moment. If you see a 5G symbol with a plus sign or “UW” next to it, that means your carrier’s upgraded, higher-frequency 5G service is available. This is the fastest you can get.

Keep in your mind that just because you see the symbol 5G, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re connected with 5G service. This symbol is merely an indicator of the top feasible service that is available, not what you’re actually using.

What Is Smart Data Mode?

Do you want to be more in control of the use of 5G? Review your settings under Smart Data Mode, Apple’s software that automatically switches between 5G and less advanced communication standards.

In essence, if you find that your iPhone does not require the 5G speed then it immediately switches to LTE service to conserve battery life. However, when speed is essential then your iPhone will be able to use 5G.

If your screen isn’t on it’s likely that you’re not looking at a downloaded application you’d like to download right now and your iPhone will turn off LTE. However, once you turn it back on and begin using the device, it will increase speed. In the case of streaming audio but you’re not able to play it faster, and your iPhone will likely switch to LTE.

See More How To Enable And Use 5G On Your iPhone 13