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.
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.
“Anything that doesn't support 4G or 5G will just quit working once those networks are phased out,” said cellular technology expert David Burgess. He said 3G is being phased out because it's less spectrally efficient than 4G or 5G.
Q: How will 5G affect me? A: 5G is designed to do a variety of things that can transform our lives, including giving us faster download speeds, low latency, and more capacity and connectivity for billions of devices—especially in the areas of virtual reality (VR), the IoT, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Truth is 5G is a new technology that can use more battery on your smartphone due to its higher power consumption and heat generation. It's not as energy-efficient as 4G LTE. The issue of battery drain is more pronounced with non-standalone (NSA) 5G networks, which rely on existing 4G infrastructure.
5G up to 100 times faster than 4G
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.
With its lower latency, greater network capacity and faster download speeds, 5G represents a massive improvement over the 4G network standard. But while major Aussie telcos have already started rolling out 5G mobile networks across the country, this new tech is still getting out of the starting blocks.
A T-Mobile website suggests toggling between LTE and 5G to save battery life on Samsung Galaxy S20 5G phones. “In particular, the super-fast mmWave flavor has shown that battery life drains down quicker when tapping those higher power frequencies,” said Luna.
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.
Emerging 5G networks feature lower latency, higher capacity, and increased bandwidth compared to 4G.
You might know that a 5G network uses what's called small cells, but what does that mean? The cell tower is an essential part of a mobile network. Like any network infrastructure, certain equipment is needed to relay information between devices, which is exactly why a 5G tower is needed for 5G networks.
Yes, cellular technologies like 5G will always drain your battery faster than Wi-Fi.
With your 5GB of data, you'll be able to browse the internet for approximately 60 hours per month, to stream 1,000 songs online or to watch 10 hours of online video in standard definition.
Though 5G is typically the fastest mobile Internet connection, reliability can be a challenge. WiFi offers a faster, more reliable Internet connection when combined with a reliable router and a reliable Internet plan.
The G in 5G means “generation”, while the G in 10G means “gigabit”, and although the technologies are different, they will both be used in tandem to provide faster and more reliable broadband.
Turning off 5G really extends your battery life.
Switching 5G off saves battery because, when connected to a 5G signal, your cell phone is basically connecting to a bunch of different, smaller networks all at once. This rapid loss of charge may also cause your phone to heat up.
What may be happening is that your phone is set to default to 5G, even when that's not the best option. To change this, you can go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Mode. Then you can select LTE/3G/2G (Auto), LTE/CDMA, or one of the other 4G/LTE options to prevent the phone from using 5G.
The Transition from 4G to 5G
DSS provides improved coverage for 5G devices and greater longevity for 4G LTE devices. The first 4G LTE sunset announcements are expected after 2030, which means that companies can safely invest in 4G-based IoT solutions today and for the foreseeable future.