iPhone Models That Support 5G! Should You Buy A 5G iPhone? 

5G is considered the biggest smartphone and network coverage upgrade in recent years. It helps to unlock a world of possibilities. With 5G coverage available in most areas, 5G compatibility has become a significant feature of the latest phones, including iPhones.  

Whether you own an iPhone already or planning to have one, you may be curious to know if your phone or the one you’re about to buy is 5G compatible. You’ll be surprised to know that all the latest models after iPhone 12 Pro Max support 5G. 

Is iPhone 11 5G?  

It is important to note that Apple was relatively late to introduce 5G iPhone as compared to Android. iPhone 12 series launched in November 2020 saw the incorporation of 5G in iPhones. So, iPhone 11 is not 5G, but iPhone 12 is 5G compatible.  

The upgradation from 4G to 5G means selecting an iPhone for you has never mattered more. With the introduction of the iPhone 15 series and the iPhone SE (2022), the number and range of 5G handsets has significantly increased. 

Interesting Read: The Evolution of Smartphones: History of iPhone

Here’s a list to tell you which iPhones come with 5G and which support 4G. 

Which iPhone Models Support 5G, and Which don’t? 

Simply saying, iPhone 12 supports 5G. Moreover, all other models launched after 13th November 2020 support 5G. Models preceding the iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Mini, and iPhone 12 supported 4G. 

One obvious thing is that all future models from Apple will be 5G. The next 5G iPhone series – iPhone 15 and its other sets included in the range – is expected no sooner than late 2023. As mentioned above, Apple was quite late in adopting 5G as compared to their Android rivals.  

We’ve explained in the below section as to why iPhones came second in this race and other important information regarding the 5G iPhone.  

Max Speed Supported by Various iPhone Models 

Apple’s Claim About 5G Speeds 

On the launch of iPhone 12 5G, Apple claimed they could reach a speed of 4Gbps in real-world conditions. Three of the following series, including iPhone 13,14, and 15, also support 5G functionality and are said to have the same theoretical speeds.  

According to Apple, the iPhone 12 range boasted support for a greater number of 5G bands than any other smartphone available at the time of its launch. Moreover, the iPhone 15, 14, and 13 ranges support even more 5G bands than their predecessors, thus enabling these devices to leverage the complete 5G potential of a larger number of networks globally. 

The iPhone SE 5G, launched in late 2022, reportedly offers a slightly slower 5G. Although Apple doesn’t mention the speed or range of speeds, it does state that it comes with ‘5G cellular’ connectivity and 4×4 MIMO. MIMO is a tech that increases the capacity of a connection to large extent.  

Older iPhone Models’ Inability to Support 5G 

Regarding older models, none of them are compatible with 5G technology. However, the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max support Gigabit LTE, a high-speed version of 4G that utilizes 4×4 MIMO (a larger quantity of antennas compared to standard 4G) and can attain maximum download speeds of 1.6Gbps or 1,600Mbps.  

Although the iPhone 11, XS, and XS Max are technically capable of achieving comparable speeds, Apple has implemented additional enhancements for the 11 Pro models, including transitioning from Cat 16 (which reaches a maximum of 1Gbps) to Cat 19. 

The iPhone 11 Pro range boasts a theoretical speed that is considerably faster than that of the iPhone XS range and the iPhone SE (2020), which also features Cat 16 LTE. In comparison, the iPhone X and iPhone XR are equipped with inferior Cat 12 LTE modems.  

While this increased performance brings the iPhones closer to 5G speeds, real-world speeds are still significantly lower than these devices’ maximum theoretical speeds and even lower than current 5G speeds.  

iPhone’s Latest Series and 5G: A Perfect Match 

5G speeds are currently several times faster than expected from the iPhone 11 Pro. Furthermore, it is expected that 5G speeds will continue to improve over time as infrastructure and networks acquire more 5G spectrum at auction, widening the gap between 5G and current LTE speeds. 

In simpler words, if you require blistering fast internet speed, you should invest in the iPhone 14 series, the iPhone 13 series, iPhone SE 5G (2022), and any handset from its 12 series.  

Why Was Apple so Late in Launching the 5G iPhone? 

The first 5G iPhone was launched in 2020 when almost all Android manufacturers had released it. Apple did take a long time before launching a 5G iPhone.  

It is worth mentioning that Apple is on the frontline when it comes to design innovations and firsts. However, the tech giant in Cupertino is quite slow in adopting third-party connection standards.  

If you follow Apple and its products, you must be aware that the company almost always waits for new standards until they become a norm in the market before adopting them. Apple’s history of adopting new mobile network standards is marked by delays.  

For instance, the first iPhone released in 2007 didn’t come with 3G connectivity, even though 3G networks had been available worldwide since 2002 and 2003. It wasn’t until 2008 that Apple introduced the iPhone 3, which supported 3G.  

Similarly, the iPhone 5, which came out in 2012, was the first iPhone to support 4G, by which time consumers had already had access to 4G Android phones for about two years.  

Even the iPhone models, such as the XS and 11 Pro, were behind their Android counterparts when it came to LTE speeds. In addition, Apple’s legal disputes with Qualcomm over 5G modems for the initial 5G iPhones and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may have caused further delays. 

Other 5G Phones Rivalling iPhones 

We know that only Apple leverages iOS while all other smartphone manufacturers, like Samsung, LG, Sony, Huawei, etc., bank on Android. Only the latest 3 iPhone series, including iPhone 15 range, iPhone 14 iPhone 13 range, iPhone 12 and iPhone SE (2022), are 5G compatible.  

On the other hand, there’s always a plethora of 5G Android phones available while a lot of them are about to hit the market.  

Apart from 5G iPhone smartphones, some of the most popular phones that sell like hotcakes are: 

• Samsung Galaxy S24 
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 
• 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 

These were some of the newest models from different manufacturers. There are many other phones, including old handsets, that support 5G. Almost all high-range and mid-range Android phones come with 5G compatibility. Currently, 5G functionality has become a standard feature, and companies are heeding it.  

Should You Buy a 5G iPhone? 

If you are one of the millions of fans of the iPhone and there is 5G coverage in your area, we suggest you go for a 5G iPhone. Even if there’s no 5G network coverage in your area, think of the future. Sooner or later, there will be.  

Also, if you plan to upgrade your smartphone, it is better to go for the latest phone with 5G reception. By buying a 5G iPhone or Android handset, you are future-proofing yourself. And with everyone around you carrying a 5G handset, not upgrading to the latest technology may result in you suffering from an inferiority complex.  

One reason behind not upgrading your phone could be your budget. Not everyone can afford the latest iPhones. If you can afford the latest 5G iPhone, the only apparent reason not to go for it could be that you are satisfied with the performance of your Android handset or love using these phones instead of Apple gadgets.  

If you think the latest iPhone 15 series doesn’t fit in your budget, you can try the more affordable 5G phones, including iPhone 12 5G, iPhone SE 5G, or iPhone 11 5G. These phones are not that expensive but still come with the latest features, and above all, they’ll let you experience the thrill of 5G.  

As mentioned earlier, numerous excellent Android phones support 5G technology. Therefore, if you’re willing to consider other options, you’ll have a wide variety of smartphones and manufacturers to pick from.

Some of these alternatives, such as the OnePlus Nord and Moto G 5G Plus, can be more affordable than even the iPhone SE (2022), so they could assist you in saving money as well. 

If you’re content with using 4G network technology, you might want to consider the iPhone SE (2020), which is comparatively affordable. However, nowadays, most high-end smartphones and several mid-range ones come equipped with 5G capabilities. Therefore, whether you opt for Apple or Android, you don’t necessarily have to pay extra to enjoy 5G network speeds.