At the same time, it's important to remember that 5G speeds and coverage will vary depending on your carrier. And 4G phones will continue to function for years to come.
Within the U.S., it's reasonable to assume that by the end of 2022 there will not be a single major carrier supporting 2G. The same fate awaits 3G. 4G LTE operates under a different scenario, and we can confidently say that 4G will be around for at least another decade.
The growth of 5G networks doesn't mean 4G is going away. Mobile carriers will use existing 4G LTE networks to provide their customers' cell service well into the next decade. 5G networks will work with 4G — not outright replace it. The upshot is that 5G-capable cell phones will still use 4G technology.
Is it OK to buy a 4G phone in 2023? 4G phones still work on 4G LTE networks for now, but eventually they will become obsolete. Consider how long you plan to keep your phone; if you plan to keep your phone for longer than a year or so, it might be a good idea to get a phone that is 5G compatible.
Do I need to change my SIM card from 4G to 5G? No, 4G SIM cards are forward compatible with 5G networks. You can use 5G services with your existing 4G SIM. That said, if your mobile carrier requests you to get a 5G SIM, you should switch to a new SIM as it will improve speed and indoor coverage.
4G phone will work on 5G networks, but they won't receive the enhanced 5G speed. So, if you want to experience the full potential of the next-gen network, then it is a good idea to upgrade.
Eventually, in an estimated 15 to 20 years when there are few 4G LTE devices in use, most if not all of the spectrum will be used for 5G. Dynamic spectrum sharing lets carriers use the same spectrum band for both 4G and 5G.
So, if you have a 3G phone, you won't have access to the 4G network. On the CDMA network, a 3G phone can access the 3G network, a 4G phone can access the regular 4G network and an LTE phone can access the 4G LTE network.
To turn off 5G on your Android phone, navigate to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks and select Network mode. You can now choose which 5G option you want or switch to LTE or 4G.
A 4GB data plan will allow you to browse the internet for around 48 hours, to stream 800 songs or to watch 8 hours of standard-definition video. Nowadays, the key difference between mobile phone price plans is how many gigabytes of data it comes with.
Call your network service provider
If at this point, your phone is still not showing or connecting to a 4G network, you need to contact your network service provider. There may be a network outage in your area, something is wrong with your line, or perhaps your carrier is having a network upgrade.
Seeing as the majority of 5G plans are the same as 4G plans, and most new smartphones are 5G-ready, it's a no-brainer to say that yes, 5G is worth it. In most cases, if you're getting a new handset or deal, you'll probably get 5G included at no extra cost, and then you'll get connected to superfast download speeds.
With 5G, you can expect higher download speeds when using mobile data, lower latency (the time it takes for a device to respond to information or an action), increased reliability and more network capacity. Basically, 5G is faster and more stable than 4G, and it's capable of connecting a lot more devices.
In the right conditions 5G download speeds can reach 10 gigabits per second. That's up to 100 times faster than 4G – and certainly the level of performance needed for an increasingly connected society.
5G vs 4G: What Speeds You May Get? Most telecom experts will tell you that the 5G network will deliver faster data speeds than 4G on devices. So, if you are getting speeds up to 1Gbps on a 4G network, they claim 5G networks can offer a speed of 20Gbps with low latency of less than 5 MS, which is quite impressive.
Yes, a 4G SIM card will work in a 3G phone. The difference between 4G and 3G is that 4G has a faster data connection than 3G. 4G SIM cards have the ability to receive all signals such as 2G, 3G and 4G. Undoubtedly, when you use a 4G SIM card in a 2G or 3G phone, you will be able to get 2G or 3G speed.
"As a result, many older cellphones will be unable to make or receive calls and texts, including calls to 911, or use data services. This will affect 3G mobile phones and certain older 4G mobile phones that do not support Voice over LTE (VoLTE or HD Voice)," the FCC said.
If 4G or LTE is available from your provider, you can switch to a 4G network in your cellular or mobile settings. If you don't see the 4G or LTE option on your Android and are sure your phone is compatible, dial #*#4636#*#* to enable the feature. Some carriers do not allow you to change your network type.
If you don't have a 5G phone, that's fine. You can still access super-fast and extensive 4G coverage on the Telstra network until you're ready for a new 5G device. The 3G network will be decommissioned in 2024.
Check to make sure your phone will work in Australia
Australia uses 850MHz, 900MHz, and 2100Mhz for 3G networks and B1, B3, B5, B7, B7, and B28 for 4G bands. If you unlock your phone by calling the carrier, the service representative maybe able to tell you if your phone meets this criteria.
Can a 4G SIM Work in 5G Phone? The short and simple answer to your question is Yes, you can. A 4G SIM can surely work in 5G-powered phones. However, you also need to keep in mind that you wouldn't be able to leverage the 5G capabilities to the fullest.
5G Auto switches between 4G and 5G automatically. If you want to rely on 4G at all times, tap on LTE/4G. If you'd rather use 5G always (assuming you have 5G coverage), tap 5G On. You can alternatively pick 3G if you're reminiscing about the previous decade.