The Best 5G Phones in 2022, Best 5G Phone, 5G Phone, Phone
The best 5G phones deliver much faster downloads, lower latency, and a lot more
Thanks to technology innovations now come to the best 5G phones in all price ranges. However, this list almost always includes the best phones from top phone makers. But the real story is that less expensive devices now regularly support 5G as well.
Does this mean it's time to make your next phone a 5G-ready device? In many ways, you don't have a choice – most phones at varying prices include 5G, whether you ask for it or not. Buy a phone, and you'll almost certainly have a 5G model to choose from.
The real question is what to expect from the best 5G phone once you've got one to call your own. You'll see faster speeds, of course, if not as fast as 5G supporters were back in 2019 before 5G networks came online. To see when 5G is coming to you, check out our 5G guide.
Again, our favorite 5G phones offer more than just fast downloads. The best 5G phones have excellent cameras, big displays, and super-sized batteries.
Samsung and Google just expanded the pool of 5G phones, and there's a lot more to come — including Apple's latest flagships. However, until those devices arrive, these are the best 5G phones you can get right now.
What are the best 5G phones?
We've tested all of Apple's early 5G phones, as well as the latest Galaxy S21 models, and we've concluded that the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the best 5G phone out there. Not only does it offer an immersive screen, but it also turned in the best battery life of any iPhone 12 model in our testing.
We also like the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12, which offer many of the great features of the Pro Max, including wider 5G support, while also being priced lower. We're also impressed that Apple managed to include 5G support with the compact iPhone 12 mini.
If you prefer Android to iOS devices, we'd recommend the Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Both phones work with all types of 5G networks and sport large OLED displays. However, the S21 Ultra fares slightly better on our battery test. Other Samsung flagships, including the Galaxy S21 Plus, offer 5G compatibility for less than $1,000.
If you want one of the best-performing cameras on a 5G phone, consider the Google Pixel 5a, a new sub-$500 phone from Google that includes 5G connectivity. For an even lower price, check out the Galaxy A32 5G. Both the Pixel 5a 5G and Galaxy A32 5G are back-to-school options, offering 5G speeds without breaking the bank. In the case of Pixel, you also get one of the best camera phones available.
Top 10 best 5G phones you can buy right now
1. iPhone 12 Pro Max - Best 5G Phone
2. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - Best 5G Phone
3. iPhone 12 Pro - Best 5G Phone
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra - Best 5G Phone
5. Google Pixel 5a - Best 5G Phone
6. iPhone 12 mini - Best 5G Phone
7. iPhone 12 - Best 5G Phone
8. OnePlus 9 Pro - Best 5G Phone
9. Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus - Best 5G Phone
10. Galaxy A32 5G - Best 5G Phone
1. iPhone 12 Pro Max - Best 5G Phone
The best 5G phone you can buy
REASONS TO BUY
- Immersive 6.7-inch display
- Superior performance
- Solid battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
- Charger sold separately
- A bit heavy and bulky
Our favorite phone at the 2021 Tom's Guide Awards is also the best 5G phone you can get, and it's not just because the iPhone 12 Pro Max supports a lot of 5G bands. Thanks to the large battery of this phone, you will be able to enjoy those speeds for a long time. In fact, our web surfing on the iPhone 12 Pro Max 5G lasted about 11 hours on the battery test. Apple's Smart Data Mode can also help you save some juice, as it can automatically toggle between 5G and 4G when you're doing less intensive tasks (like streaming music while the screen is off.)
This big-screen phone impresses in other ways, including its stunning and immersive 6.7-inch OLED display that's ideal for streaming video and flaunting the photos you take with the Pro Max's stellar cameras. The main camera boasts 1.7μm pixels that increase low-light performance by up to 87%, and you get 2.5x telephoto zoom to get closer to your subject. Add in a tough Ceramic Shield display that can ward off drops, a seamless MagSafe wireless charging system, and a super-fast A14 Bionic chip, and you have a truly excellent and future-proof 5G phone.
2. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - Best 5G Phone
The best 5G phone from Samsung
REASONS TO BUY
- Dynamic 6.8-inch AMOLED display
- Good battery life
- S Pen support
REASONS TO AVOID
- No charger in the box
- Lacks microSD card slot
The Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup is the first in the US to feature Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 888 system-on-chip, meaning that any of the three new phones - the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 Ultra - will be available every month. Support 5G network. Available in this country. We favor the Galaxy S21 Ultra, not only because it costs $200 less than last year's comparable S20 model, but because it lasts longer on a single charge.
The Galaxy S21 held up for about 11.5 hours on our battery test though that with its screen set to a 60Hz refresh rate. Turning on the setting that lets the phone dynamically adjust its refresh rate draws some power, but even with that mode on, the S21 Ultra still outpaces the average smartphone. This is a good quality in a 5G phone, as is the S21 Ultra's widescreen and S Pen support.
3. iPhone 12 Pro - Best 5G Phone
A less expensive 5G phone from Apple
REASONS TO BUY
- Extensive 5G support
- Best-in-class cameras
- A14 Bionic chip blows away other phones
REASONS TO AVOID
- 5G puts a hit on battery life
- No charger is included with the phone
Apple says it squeezed more 5G bands into last fall's iPhone models (like the iPhone 12 Pro) than any other phone. This allows the iPhone to work with 5G in most places, regardless of what type of 5G network the wireless carrier has created. And that should allow the iPhone 12 Pro to get the best of 5G going forward, making it an excellent choice if you're looking for a 5G phone.
5G connectivity comes at a cost, with the iPhone 12 Pro affecting battery life when connected to fast networks. (When we turned 5G off, the iPhone 12 lasted about 90 minutes longer on our battery test.) But Apple has added several other features that make it a very attractive 5G phone, from a powerful A14 processor that Performs better than any chipset found in it. Android phone with a stunning 6.1-inch OLED screen.
The iPhone 12 Pro also has features that make it a great phone, not just the best 5G phone. The phone's three rear cameras are augmented by a LiDAR sensor, producing some of the best shots we've seen from a smartphone. And the phone's new MagSafe charging system makes it easy to wirelessly power your iPhone 12 Pro's battery.
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra - Best 5G Phone
Great for 5G gaming
REASONS TO BUY
- Streams Xbox games
- Good battery life
- Dynamic 120Hz display
REASONS TO AVOID
- Expensive
- The large camera bump on the back
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is Samsung's most versatile big-screen phone, and that includes its approach to 5G. This 6.9-inch phablet works with every available 5G network, and its dynamic 120Hz display adjusts the refresh rate to squeeze out more battery life while providing smoother scrolling and more immersive gaming.
It is the gaming aspect of the Note 20 Ultra that makes it one of the best 5G phones and not just because it is powered by a powerful Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra works with Microsoft's xCloud game streaming so you can play over 100 Xbox games on your phone. With 5G connectivity, the gameplay should be an enjoyable one.
You'll pay a little more for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra than some of Samsung's other 5G phones, such as the Galaxy S20 Plus. Even the Galaxy S21 Ultra is cheaper at $1,199. But you'll find that it's worth the premium price, especially with Samsung dropping a new Galaxy Note model in 2021.
5. Google Pixel 5a - Best 5G Phone
The best 5G camera phone
REASONS TO BUY
- Stunning display for the price
- Excellent wide/ultrawide cameras
- IP67 water resistance
REASONS TO AVOID
- Older chipset
- No U.K. availability
The price of the 5G phone has dropped, so you'll get a cheaper option than the $449 Pixel 5a. But you won't find many that handle mobile photography as well as Google's latest mid-range phones.
Unlike the Pixel 4a and Pixel 3a, the Pixel 5a has two rear cameras - a 16MP ultrawide lens and a 12.2MP main shooter. This gives the new phone extra flexibility, and, when combined with Google's computational photography prowess, you can be assured of getting some excellent photos out of this sub-$500 phone.
Pixel 5a's US The version works with both sub-6GHz and mmWave-based 5G, so you should be able to use the phone on any network. And Google has included a sturdier battery so you last longer between charges than on previous Pixel models.
6. iPhone 12 mini - Best 5G Phone
The most compact 5G phone
REASONS TO BUY
- Perfect for small phone lovers
- Capable dual cameras
- Comprehensive 5G support
REASONS TO AVOID
- Shortest battery life of any iPhone 12 model
- Only 64GB storage to start
A 5G phone doesn't have to be humble to have all the antennas you need to connect you to a next-generation network. The iPhone 12 Mini has a compact 5.4-inch OLED panel, and even though the phone is actually smaller than Apple's own iPhone SE, it can still connect to every type of 5G network—even Verizon's mmWave- Also from 5G towers based.
You'll get Apple's class-leading A14 Bionic processor with the iPhone 12 Mini, as well as the same camera setup on the iPhone 12. That means you can expect great photos from Apple's smallest iPhone. The battery inside the iPhone 12 Mini is heavily taxed by 5G connectivity, but the relatively low $699 starting price means you can experience 5G without paying for the privilege.
7. iPhone 12 - Best 5G Phone
A more affordable 5G iPhone
REASONS TO BUY
- Comprehensive 5G coverage
- Excellent design with a 6.1-inch screen
- Impressive performance
REASONS TO AVOID
- Only 64GB of storage in the base model
- 5G can impact battery life
If you don't want to pay for a 5G phone, the iPhone 12 is an attractive proposition, starting at $799. That's $200 less than the iPhone 12 Pro, though you're still getting many of the features that make Apple's Pro model so attractive — a faster A14 Bionic processor, a 6.1-inch OLED screen, and 5G connectivity with any network Whatever you can do. Thinking.
Like the iPhone 12 Pro, 5G connectivity puts a strain on the iPhone 12's battery, as we noticed when we switched 5G off and saw an improvement in battery life of about two hours in the battery test. The iPhone 12 features a Smart Data Mode to intelligently switch between LTE and 5G, depending on whether the device really needs the extra speed.
8. OnePlus 9 Pro - Best 5G Phone
Fastest-charging 5G phone
REASONS TO BUY
- Beautiful 120Hz display
- Excellent performance
- Crazy fast wired and wireless charging
REASONS TO AVOID
- Won't work with AT&T 5G
The OnePlus 9 Pro has two features that generally constrain the phone's battery life - 5G connectivity and a display that can offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and more immersive games. Both can consume a lot of battery, but that was not the case when we tested the OnePlus 9 Pro and its 4,500mAh battery. The phone lasted for over 10.5 hours, even with its high screen refresh rate turned on.
That's because the OnePlus 9 Pro has a dynamically refreshed display that perfectly adjusts its speed to 1Hz for stationary activities, only hitting 120Hz when you benefit from a fast refresh screen. And when it comes time to charge, the OnePlus 9 Pro sets the standard for quick recharging with both wireless and wired connections.
A Snapdragon 888 chipset and plenty of RAM mean the OnePlus 9 Pro can match any Android phone for performance. The phone is coming to T-Mobile, where it will work with Uncarrier's 5G network. Verizon has also certified the OnePlus 9 Pro for its 5G network, with the phone being able to use Verizon's nationwide and ultra-wideband networks; The cheaper OnePlus 9 only works with nationwide 5G and not the faster ultra-wideband connection.
The OnePlus 9 Pro starts at $969, but currently, the only variant available in the US is the $1,069 version that packs in more RAM and storage (12GB/256GB) than the 8GB/128GB base model.
9. Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus - Best 5G Phone
A great Samsung 5G phone for under $1,000
REASONS TO BUY
- The screen features a 120Hz refresh rate
- Impressive zoom feature
- Supports all 5G network types
- Beautiful design
REASONS TO AVOID
- So-so battery life
The Galaxy S21 Plus that was released earlier this year came along and surprised everyone. For $200 less than its predecessor, the S21 Plus checks a lot of boxes. It's a big, beautiful phone with a gorgeous 120Hz display and the best Qualcomm processor yet, the Snapdragon 888.
Starting at $999 for the 128GB model, the Galaxy S21 Plus is a force to be reckoned with, even if it lacks some of the bigger features of the Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, as a 5G phone, you have the latest Qualcomm X60 5G modem and can access whatever, 5G bands, you want. Any of the three carriers will work, including Verizon's mmWave network.
If you want a smaller phone, the regular Galaxy S21 is also a great pick. It's basically the Galaxy S21 Plus in a more compact frame for $799.
10. Galaxy A32 5G - Best 5G Phone
The best budget 5G phone right now
REASONS TO BUY
- Very low price
- Four years of security patches
- Great battery life
- 90Hz refresh rate
REASONS TO AVOID
- Subpar HD+ display
5G is available for less than $300. One such device is the Galaxy A32 5G, a small phone that you can take to any carrier and has sub-6 GHz support. You can buy the Galaxy A32 through AT&T or T-Mobile, or bring an unlocked model to Verizon. And at $280, you might be tempted to do so.
If we had to file a major complaint against the Galaxy A32, we'd knock it for its subpar 720p LCD. At 6.5 inches, it has a low pixel density and you can see it clearly if you look close enough. But the two main cameras work great for something at this price point, much better than the A32's direct competitor, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G.
If you need the cheapest 5G phone then grab the Galaxy A32. It won't impress you at all, but it gets the job done.
How To Choose The Best 5G Phone for You
When looking for a 5G phone, you'll want to consider which wireless carrier will provide your cell phone service. Different service providers are adopting different approaches for their 5G rollout.
For example, Verizon initially emphasized mmWave-based technology, so if you plan to get your phone service from Big Red, you made sure your 5G phone connects to mmWave towers. able to. Similarly, while T-Mobile and AT&T have some mmWave deployments, the majority of their networks rely on sub-6GHz technology for initial coverage. It's not as fast as mmWave, but it covers a wider area. A report by OpenSignal on 5G network performance found that Verizon had the fastest 5G speeds but the lowest 5G availability. T-Mobile has the widest 5G reach, although its speeds are only slightly faster than LTE.
Apart from what 5G networks a phone supports, the criteria for choosing a 5G phone is almost the same as for any handset. Consider the processor, screen size, cameras, and other features. The battery is especially important – 5G can draw some serious power, and you want a phone that can handle the extra demands on its battery.
Price remains an important distinguishing factor, and it's going to be higher as low-cost 5G phones roll out later this year. In 2019, you'll have to pay anywhere from $850 to $1,299 for a 5G phone. Even as the Galaxy Z Fold 2 costs $2,000 — a price that exceeds its 5G support with its foldable design — the 5G phone's price range started to drop slightly, led by the $699 OnePlus 8. Is. We are expecting to see more 5G phones under $500 as the devices use Qualcomm's low-cost Snapdragon 7 and 6 series chipsets which now include 5G modems.
How Do We Test 5G Phones?
To test phones with 5G connectivity, we take them to the field to measure download speeds with the Speedtest.net app. When possible, we compare that speed to a comparable phone on the same wireless network and try to measure the improvement that 5G offers. We also note how the phone performs when 5G coverage is not available.
Because so much of that 5G performance depends on the wireless network and not the phone itself, however, we tend to overestimate the criteria by which we judge all phones. We ran an array of benchmarks on every phone — synthetic benchmarks as well as real-world tests like transcoding 4K video to 1080p and how long it takes. Our lab also measures the brightness and color accuracy of each phone's display. Our proprietary battery test determines longevity on a charge by endlessly streaming web pages over LTE networks; Then we recharge the tested phones to see how quickly they charge in a span of 15 minutes.
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