5G has been the largest and most significant smartphone update over a long period of time, as well, with the 5G network becoming widespread it’s an essential element of all new phones, including the latest iPhones.
If you’re already an iPhone owner or thinking of buying one, you’re probably wondering if the phone you currently own or the one you’re considering buying is compatible with 5G.
The positive side is that, at the moment, either these questions is likely yes, because all current iPhones support 5G including iPhone 14, the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max along with the iPhone SE (2022), as well as many more.
However, not all older models have this feature, and in actual Apple was a bit late to launch smartphones with 5G capabilities which means you don’t need to look far back to locate 4G iPhones (see all the information listed below).
This distinction between 5G and 4G iPhones means that the selection for an iPhone has never been more important but since the introduction of both the iPhone 14 range and the iPhone SE (2022), the variety and number of 5G iPhones is extremely high.
Below are the full specifications regarding Apple’s latest 5G iPhones as well as information on the speed of mobile data on all other current iPhones and a few of the top 5G alternatives phones to think about if you’re not sure about Apple.
Which iPhone models are compatible with 5G?
iPhone Model | 5G Ready |
---|---|
iPhone 14 | Yes |
iPhone 14 Plus | Yes |
iPhone 14 Pro | Yes |
iPhone 14 Pro Max | Yes |
iPhone SE (2022) | Yes |
iPhone 13 | Yes |
iPhone 13 Mini | Yes |
iPhone 13 Pro | Yes |
iPhone 13 Pro Max | Yes |
iPhone 12 | Yes |
iPhone 12 Mini | Yes |
iPhone 12 Pro | Yes |
iPhone 12 Pro Max | Yes |
iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max | No |
iPhone 11 | No |
iPhone SE 2020 | No |
iPhone XS / XS Max | No |
iPhone X / XR | No |
iPhone 8 or 8 Plus | No |
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus | No |
iPhone 14 range, the iPhone 14 range, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 13 range, and iPhone 12 range all support 5G. This means you can connect to 5G on your iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro along with iPhone 12 Pro Max.
None of the earlier iPhone models supports 5G and will never be capable of. This is the case for iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and the iPhone SE 2020.
It’s like the iPhones of the future will come with 5G and the coming model likely to launch an iPhone 15 and its siblings but we’re not expecting to see them until 2023.
The iPhone’s initial 5G smartphones were released a little longer than Android rivals, which may be a bit odd, but here you’ll find a reason the reason and all the other details you need on 5G for the iPhone.
What are the maximum speeds that various iPhones have?
iPhone Model | Max Speeds |
---|---|
iPhone 14 | 5G
Maximum speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone 14 Plus | 5G
Maximum speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone 14 Pro | 5G
Maximum speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone 14 Pro Max | 5G
Maximum speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone SE (2022)
|
5G |
iPhone 13 | 5G
Maximum speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone 13 Mini | 5G
Maximum speeds 4Gbps |
iPhone 13 Pro | 5G
Maximum speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone 13 Pro Max | 5G
Maximum speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone 12 | 5G
Maximum speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone 12 Mini | 5G
Max speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone 12 Pro | 5G
Maximum speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone 12 Pro Max | 5G
Maximum speeds of 4Gbps |
iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max | Cat 19 LTE
Maximum speeds of 1600 Mbit/s |
iPhone 11 | Cat 16 LTE
Max speeds up to 1000 Mbit/s |
iPhone SE 2020 | Cat 16 LTE
Maximum speeds of 1000 Mbit/s |
iPhone XS / XS Max | Cat 16 LTE
Maximum speeds of 1000 Mbit/s |
iPhone X / XR | Cat 12 LTE
Maximum speeds of 600 Mbit/s |
iPhone 8 + 8 Plus | Cat 12 LTE
Maximum speeds of 600 Mbit/s |
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus | Cat 9 LTE
Maximum speeds of 450 Mbit/s |
iPhone 12 range and the iPhone 12 range all support 5G as mentioned in the specifications, with Apple affirming that they can theoretically get speeds as high as 4Gbps in real-world situations. It is also worth noting that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 ranges are also compatible with 5G and are believed to offer the same theoretical speeds however, Apple hasn’t confirmed it at the moment as of this the writing.
Apple added they had found that their iPhone 12 range supported more 5G bands than any other phone at the time of its launch. The iPhone 14 and 13 ranges have even more support which means that these phones will be able to utilize the full potential of 5G from many networks around the globe.
Its iPhone SE (2022) meanwhile is likely to have a the same 5G speeds, but it is a little slower. Apple does not list speeds, but does state that it has connectivity to 5G cell phones and 2×2 MIMO. The other iPhones running 5G come with ‘Superfast 5G mobile’ connectivity as well as four-way MIMO and MIMO being a method that increases the speed of an internet connection. Take a look at our “What does massive MIMO technology in the first place? Guide for more information.
In the case of older models, none are compatible with 5G. However, those running the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max can support Gigabit LTE which is a speedy form of 4G that in this case, makes use of 4×4 MIMO (meaning more quantity of antennas than normal 4G) and can be capable of reaching maximum download speeds of 1.6Gbps which is 1,600Mbps.
Technically, the iPhone 11, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are capable of the same, but Apple has also made speed improvements to iPhone eleven Pro models, after moving over to Cat 16 (which tops out at 1Gbps) to Cat 19.
This means that this iPhone 11 Pro range theoretically much more efficient that it’s predecessor, the iPhone XS range, as in addition to iPhone SE (2020). iPhone SE (2020) – which is Cat 16 – and several times more efficient over it. iPhone X and iPhone XR both of which come with less Cat 12 LTE modems.
This performance boost is beginning to move into the realm of 5G. However, actual speeds are typically less than the theoretical speeds that are offered by these iPhones as well as the current 5G speeds.
In addition, the speed of 5G is predicted to increase in the future as the infrastructure gets better and networks are able to acquire additional 5G spectrum through auctions. 5G will currently be several times faster than the speeds you’ll get with iPhone 11 Pro. iPhone 11 Pro, as our 5G speed guide provides, and in future, the gap between 5G and 4G will only get bigger.
If you are looking for truly high-end performance, you’ll need to choose one of the following models: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro as well as iPhone 12 Pro Max.
What is the reason Apple delay so long to release the 5G iPhone?
The delay in launching the 5G iPhone until the latter half of 2020 isn’t a surprise. Although Apple frequently leads the way with its innovative design but it’s notoriously slow in adopt new third-party connectivity standards. The company has a tendency to wait until standards are fairly advanced and in the process of mass-market acceptance before deciding to implement them.
Apple’s approach to the transition into 3G and 4G has ample proof of this. Apple didn’t provide with the very initially released iPhone with 3G capabilities when it first launched in 2007 even though the first commercially-available 3G networks had been launched worldwide between 2002 and 2003. It wasn’t until the release of the appropriately titled iPhone 3G in 2008 that Apple began to adopt the established standards for mobile networks.
Apple was also in the dark in the area of 4G. At the time that it was announced that the phone would be 4G ready iPhone 5 hit the market in 2012, the market had already been through 2 years worth of 4G Android phone launches.
The iPhone XS with its Cat 16 Gigabit LTE support came out about a year and quarter of a year after Samsung Galaxy S8 did likewise as well. iPhone 11 Pro hasn’t pushed things much further.
In addition, Apple spent much of 2018 and into 2019 fighting legal battles with Qualcomm which is the company that produces the 5G modems used in the first 5G iPhones. It’s now settled however it could delay the process. The coronavirus pandemic.
Which other phones with 5G do you have?
Although there are only three phones in iPhone 14 range, iPhone 14 range, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 13 range, and iPhone 12 range support 5G There’s a plethora of 5G Android phones, with new models coming out every day.
This includes these include the Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S22, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, OnePlus 11, OnePlus 10 Pro, OnePlus Nord 2, Huawei Mate 40 Pro Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Google Pixel 7, Google Pixel 7 Pro, Google Pixel 6, Sony Xperia 1 IV, Sony Xperia 5 IV, Sony Xperia 1 III, Sony Xperia 5 III, Motorola Edge 20 Pro, Moto G 5G Plus, Oppo Find X5, Oppo Find X5 Pro and many more – which include some of the older, less expensive and more niche phones that are not listed in the above examples.
In reality, the majority of mid-range and premium Android phones have now come with 5G connectivity and a few low-cost ones have it, and so it’s becoming a common feature in the latest phones.
New phones are arriving with 5G on a regular basis as well.
Should I purchase an iPhone with 5G?
If you’re a big fan of iPhone and you have coverage for 5G in the area where you work or live, then you should definitely. Even in the event that you don’t have 5G coverage where you live and you’re considering an upgrade to the 5G version of your phone to be assured of future security, and with the newest iPhones with 5G support, they’re an best option to upgrade.
The only valid reasons to not purchase an iPhone with 5G iPhone are if your happy with Android and are content with 4G or for a lower price.
There are a lot of great 5G Android phones, as we’ve mentioned above, which means you’re left with plenty of alternatives if you’re interested in these phones. Some are less expensive than iPhone SE. iPhone SE (2022) – we’re considering phones similar to that of the OnePlus Nord and Moto G 5G Plus, and they’re likely to help in the savings department.
If you’re happy with 4G connectivity you might want to look at the reasonably priced iPhone SE (2020), however, the majority of flagships and mid-range models are now equipped with 5G. So whether you’re purchasing Apple or Android it’s not necessary to shell out more money to acquire it.
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