And it also means that 4G phones are still relevant and are here to stay. Keep reading as I give you a few reasons why you can still buy a 4G smartphone in 2022 and it's perfectly fine.
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.
If you see 4G, LTE, or 4G LTE, your phone is safe and will continue to work after the 3G networks are shut down.
Will 4G phones work on a 5G network? You must have a 5G-capable phone to access a 5G network. Older 4G devices without 5G radios will not connect to 5G networks.
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.
5G can be significantly faster than 4G, delivering up to 20 Gigabits-per-second (Gbps) peak data rates and 100+ Megabits-per-second (Mbps) average data rates. 5G has more capacity than 4G. 5G is designed to support a 100x increase in traffic capacity and network efficiency. 5G has lower latency than 4G.
Google Pixel/stock Android phones
Open Settings> Network & Internet> SIMs> Preferred network type>Choose 5G.
Sometimes, LTE not working is the fault of the phone's modem, Android OS updates, or hardware. If you've recently dropped your device, that could have damaged the antenna or other internal components. Take it to an authorized repair shop to get it checked out or consult our guide on common Android issues.
Check If Mobile Data Is Turned On
One of the most common reasons why your phone can't seem to connect to the 4G network is that mobile data on your Android phone is turned off. If you´re not familiar with the technical part of your phone, you might not realize this.
While 5G will succeed 4G, it will not replace it. 4G and 5G networks will exist simultaneously, and 3G networks will keep kicking around for some time. Telstra is currently the only telco to have provided an end date for 3G, and plans to keep the network active until June 2024.
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.
By the year 2024, only half of Americans will actually own a 5G phone or other devices. No, 4G LTE shutdown will not be happening for atleast a decade. Therefore, the thing to remember is that 4G will not be going away anytime soon, regardless of how fast the 5G network grows.
Some people have estimated that it will be phased out within the next 10 years (so around the year 2032/2033), and others say that it could be 20 or even 25 years from now before 4G is completely phased out.
Can We Use 5G SIM in 4G phone? If the question has to be answered in one word, then it is “Yes”. However, there is a catch to it. While a 5G SIM card can be used in 4G mobile, it would still be providing you with 4G networks as one of the major requirements to use the 5G technology is having a 5G-powered device.
The Apple iPhone 7 has now been configured for use of 4G networks.
Your mobile phone will show E instead of 3G, H, H+, 4G, 4G+, LTE or LTE+ if you are in an area with poor cellular coverage, forcing your phone to search for signals from 2G GSM mobile network. A phone shows E (EDGE) in locations secluded from population centres or areas with poor indoor coverage.
On many Android phones, you can go to Settings to access a section called either Connections or Wi-Fi and Internet. Choose Mobile Network or SIM & Network, or something similar. There should be a network mode option that allows you to select between 5G, 4G, 3G, or even 2G.
Will a 5G device work with my current sim? Yes, your 5G device will be able to use a 4G sim to receive 4G/3G/2G coverage whenever it needs to. But if you want to use our 5G network, you'll need to swap to a 5G sim.
Therefore, to conclude, we would like to reassure you by saying that you do not have to get a new SIM card to get 5G. The 4G SIM that we provide is more than capable of handling 5G and all your 5G related needs. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy 5G to the fullest.
The answer is, no. You do not require a new SIM to access 5G services.
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.
Similar to the legendary switch from wired dialup to high-speed broadband, we will rethink what mobile data can do. That said, there is one major downside keeping 4G from being entirely replaced right now: 5G is hard to install and deploy. More transmitters are needed to cover the same area as current 4G networks.
Disadvantages of 5G Technology
Many of the old devices would not be competent to 5G, hence, all of them need to be replaced with new one — expensive deal. Developing infrastructure needs high cost. Security and privacy issue yet to be solved.