5G is the next big thing in mobile technology. Many countries, such as the U.S, Canada, China, India, U.K, South Africa, Japan, and South Korea, are starting to use 5G networks. Three major network providers here in Australia are establishing 5G networks as well. They are investing in this technology because it surpasses the capabilities of the 4G network, and this could open up a lot of business opportunities for them. 

The current NBN offerings can deliver a connection speed of 80-90 Mbps. On the other hand, the 5G network can theoretically have a rate of about 20GBps. 

Moreover, 5G has lower latency than 4G networks. That means there will be a shorter time for data to travel between its original source and its destination. Many industry experts expect that the low latency of the 5G network can be the key to unlock the full potential of IoT or Internet of Things. 

The 5G network can indeed open a lot of possibilities even to simple Internet users. But to get most of its benefits, you should use a device that supports 5G radio frequencies. 

Can your smartphone get the best of the 5G network? Let's find that out. In this article, we will talk about how to know if your phone is 5G capable. 

Different Ways to Check Your Phone's 5G Capability 

There are only a few phones in the market that fully support 5G. Some 4G phones can indeed make use of a 5G spectrum, but they can't entirely give you the best of the 5G network. 

To help you know if you can get the best of the 5G network,  here are some ways to check if your smartphone is 5G capable: 

Check the 5G Logo 

Smartphone manufacturers like Samsung and Huawei are starting to roll out and market their flagship 5G-enabled phones. Usually, you can tell if those flagship phones support 5G because they bear a 5G logo.  

However, keep in mind that there are also 5G-enabled phones without a 5G logo. If this is the case, you can check the smartphone's specifications online to see whether it supports 5G or not. 

Do a Speed Test

You can tell if your phone supports 5G by doing a speed test. To do that, download the SpeedTest app by Ookla. It's available on both Google Play and the App Store.  

If you're using WiFi, disconnect it first. After that, turn on your mobile data and start the speed test. More often than not, you'll get high results if your phone supports 5G. 

Currently, Telstra is the leading operator in Australia regarding 5G download rates. Records show that its 5G network has an average download speed of 231.8 Mbps. 

Check the Smartphone's Price 

The cost of your smartphone can also tell if it supports 5G. Usually, 5G-enabled phones are part of the flagship phones. Also, they are usually more expensive than standard models. For example, the 5G variant of the Samsung S10 is costlier than its standard version. So if you're paying a little more for a device, there's a chance that it's for additional features like 5G capability. 

You should be wary if the phone flaunts a '5G E' logo because some manufacturers and carriers use it to deceive consumers. 5G E is not really 5G; it is only a better version of 4G LTE. 

Inspect the Wireless Connectivity 

You can tell if a smartphone is 5G capable by checking its wireless connectivity specs. Go to phone settings and find WiFi 5, WiFi 5G, or 802.11ac. 

Apart from that, you can also check if 5G is available on your phone's supported network. Assuming that your phone runs on Android, you can find it on Settings > Network and Internet > Mobile Network > Preferred Network Type. Once you're there, you can see several Mobile Network technologies, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G. If 5G is listed, then your phone supports it. 

List of 5G-capable Phones

In case your phone doesn't support 5G, you have over a dozen choices. Many of the biggest smartphone manufacturers are already selling devices capable of 5G. To give you an idea, here are some of the most popular 5G capable flagship phones: 

• Samsung Galaxy S20 series
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10 5G / Plus 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A71 5G
• OnePlus 8 series
• OnePlus Nord
• LG V60 ThinQ
• Sony Xperia 1 II
• Oppo Find X2 Pro
• Xiaomi Mi 10 series
• Realme X50 Pro 5G
• Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G
• Vivo IQoo 3 5G
• Redmi K30 5G

After buying a 5G phone or if you already have one, the next thing to do is check the Internet availability in your area. Doing this will help you guarantee that you will get the best of the 5G network. 

The reason for that is because not all network providers offer 5G. Some of them are still using 4G or might be starting to build infrastructures for the 5G network. If your current carrier doesn't support 5G, you can then check this article about mobile broadband plans and other options. This article can help you choose the right mobile plan that will suit your needs. 

You can also call us at 1300 106 571 to know the best 5G and Internet deals you can get.