Five years ago 5G was a premium feature that cost extra. Today nearly every handset we list supports it and most plans include it at no additional charge. So the question has shifted from "should I pay for 5G?" to "does it matter when choosing?"
What 5G actually gives you
Speed, mostly. On a good 5G signal you can see download speeds several times faster than 4G, and more importantly, capacity: a busy 4G cell slows to a crawl when a stadium empties or a train fills, while 5G copes better with lots of users at once. Latency — the delay before data starts moving — is lower too, which matters for gaming and video calls more than for browsing.
What it does not give you is better coverage. 5G is being built out on top of 4G, mostly in towns and along major roads. In rural areas you will still be on 4G most of the time, and the phone will drop back to it seamlessly.
When it matters
- You regularly use your phone somewhere crowded — a commute, a city centre, events.
- You tether a laptop or use your phone as home broadband.
- You stream high-quality video on the move or play online games.
When it does not
- You are on Wi-Fi most of the day and use mobile data for messaging, maps and the odd video.
- You live and work somewhere the 5G coverage map shows nothing anyway.
Two practical points
First, 5G uses more battery when the signal is weak, because the phone works harder to hold it. If you notice poor battery life in a marginal area, switching the phone to 4G-only in settings often helps. Second, some cheaper SIM-only brands still sell 4G-only plans, or cap 5G speeds on their lowest tiers. If 5G matters to you, check the plan says it, not just the phone.
Our deal cards show a 5G tag where the retailer's data confirms the plan and handset support it. Filter 5G handsets or browse SIM-only plans and look for the tag.