4G vs 5G vs 6G: Which phone is right for you?
International Telecommunications Union sets goal of rolling out final 6G standards
Most telecommunications carriers offer multiple varieties of 4G and 5G connectivity today.
To take advantage of that, you need a 4G and 5G-capable smartphone.
Many of the smartphones out today hooked up to LTE (long-term evolution) are also 4G capable – the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), defines 4G as needing speeds of 100 Mbps for mobile users and speeds of 1 Gbps for stationary users.
When did LTE become part of 4G?
Early LTE (2009-2010) was considered a “pre-4G” technology because it didn't fully meet 4G speed requirements.
LTE-Advanced (2013 onward) introduced “carrier aggregation”, improved speeds, and officially met 4G standards.
What about 5G?
It can be a challenge to sort out which phone is compatible with which 5G. By definition, 5G supports both sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G.
Generally, most phones over $300 to $400 offer at least some form of 5G, as per PC Magazine, a popular tech review site.
Leading 5G smartphones
As of March 2025, numerous smartphone models across various brands offer 5G connectivity. Here's a selection of notable devices:
Samsung
Galaxy S23 Series (Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra, equipped with advanced Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipsets)
Galaxy A Series (Galaxy A36 5G, Galaxy A26 5G, Galaxy A15 5G)
Galaxy Z Series: Samsung's foldable phones (Flip6 and Z Fold6)
Apple
iPhone 16e (A18 processor)
iPhone 14/15/16
Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
Pixel 6a
Pixel 9
OnePlus
OnePlus 11 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor)
OnePlus Nord Series (Nord 2T and Nord CE 2 Lite)
Xiaomi
Xiaomi 13 Series
Redmi Note 11 Series
Oppo
Find X6 Pro (Octa-core CPU, 8/12GB RAM, 256/512GB storage)
Reno8 T 5G
Realme
GT Neo 5
GT Neo 5 240W
Motorola
Moto G Stylus 5G
Moto G Power 5G
Nokia
Nokia X30 5G
Nokia G50
Nothing
Phone (1)
Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus
Phone (3a), and Phone (3a) Pro
Also Read: A brief history of the telephone
Are there 6G phones available now?
No, there are no 6G phones available yet.
Reason: 6G technology is still in development. It is expected to roll out around 2028 or later.
Why isn’t 6G available yet?
6G standards are not finalised – Researchers are still defining how 6G networks will work.
No 6G infrastructure – Telecom companies have not yet built 6G towers or networks.
Chip and hardware development – Phones need new chipsets, antennas, and modems to support 6G’s extreme speeds (potentially 1 Tbps).
When can we expect 6G Phones?
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) published the "IMT-2030 Framework," in December 2023. This outlines the development of standards and radio interface technologies for 6G mobile systems.
It identifies key capabilities for 6G technology, including:
Immersive communication
Hyper-reliable low-latency communication
Enhanced ubiquitous connectivity
Massive communication
Integration with artificial intelligence,
Multi-dimensional sensing.
The ITU's Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) will now focus on defining technical requirements, submission processes, and evaluation criteria for potential 6G radio interface technologies.
6G timeline:
Early testing and prototypes are expected within the 2028-2030 period. From about 2030 to 2035, the first commercial 6G phones and networks could initially rollout, with full 6G rollout worldwide beyond 2035.
Takeaways:
4G: Best for basic smartphone users.
5G: Recommended if you need faster speeds, low latency, and future-proofing.
6G: Not relevant for now; expect game-changing features in the future.
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