5G iPhones: Which iPhones Support 5G?
Internet with an iPhone via 5G? It’s been possible for a while, because Apple’s latest phones can handle it. But which iPhones have 5G exactly?
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Which iPhones have 5G?
At the beginning of 2020, the first 5G network was rolled out in the Netherlands. All major telecom providers offer the new mobile network. But to use the internet with your smartphone you need a device that supports 5G.
There are now eight iPhones with 5G support. The September 2020 iPhone 12 series is the first to surf the web at 5G speeds. And the latest iPhone 13 models are also equipped with a 5G modem. These iPhones support 5G:
So the iPhone 11 and older do not support 5G. The iPhone SE from 2020 will also not reach the high internet speeds. If you have a suitable iPhone and a 5G subscription, you can switch on the network as follows:
- Open the Settings app;
- Tap on ‘Mobile network’ and choose ‘Mobile data options’;
- Press ‘Calls and data’ and indicate whether 5G should always be on, sometimes or never.
Not the fastest form of 5G
The Dutch iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models have 5G, but not the fastest version. Due to chip shortages, Apple has only equipped American devices with mmWave 5G – and that makes the internet really fast.
The iPhone 12 (Pro) and iPhone 13 (Pro) can only connect at lower frequencies: Sub-6 Hz. This makes mobile internet slower than with 5G. However, the signals travel further, making this form of 5G especially suitable for rural areas.
Do you already benefit from an iPhone with 5G?
The advantage of 5G is limited at the moment. The 5G network is available in the Netherlands, but only with low frequencies: 700, 1400 and 2100 MHz. These are comparable to the existing 4G frequencies, which means that the internet has hardly become faster.
Internet with 5G only becomes noticeably faster if you have an iPhone with mmWave 5G and the 3.5GHz frequency is released. This frequency was initially supposed to be auctioned in April 2022, but this has been postponed. It is not yet known when the frequency will now be auctioned to the telecom companies. The iPhone 14 is probably the first in the Netherlands to support the super-fast mmWave frequencies.
At the moment, the new mobile network is of little use, although an iPhone with 5G support remains welcome. You probably want to go ahead with your device for years to come, and in a year or two you’ll be happy if your iPhone supports the faster and more reliable cellular network.
Are you looking for an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13? In our price comparators you will find the best prices:
