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The featured products are independently selected by our editorial team and we can earn a commission for purchases made from our links; the retailer may also receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
If you rely on your smartphone as your primary internet access point, one of the most important features to consider before upgrading is whether your new phone is 5G-capable.
What is 5G?
5G is the next generation of cellular internet connectivity that replaces 4G LTE. In the right circumstances, 5G-enabled phones can get faster speeds than most home internet connections, allowing you to download a season of Netflix shows in a minute or two. In large, densely populated areas (think sports stadiums), 5G antennas are being installed, which will allow tens of thousands of people to use the internet without massive slowdowns.
However, what I just described is only possible in select locations. 5G is a new technology, and while the top three US carriers – Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile – support it, it will still take a year or two for 5G to go mainstream. Another factor to consider is that you will need an unlimited data plan to access your operator’s 5G network because it is possible to burn data incredibly fast.
These are serious caveats, but getting a 5G phone now will allow you to take advantage of these new networks as they roll out in your area. Meanwhile, you will get a 4G LTE connection. If you don’t update your phone frequently, getting one that is 5G compatible is an important part of preparing for the future. Consider it a major investment in your personal technology future.
What are the best 5G phones?
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best 5G phone for you; Below are the most important ones, which we considered as we researched this list.
OS: We have selected Android phones, which run Android and an iPhone, which runs iOS. Both operating systems can run tens of thousands of applications and are regularly updated with new features and security updates.
Screen size: The phones we’ve chosen have a six-inch or larger screen, which is ideal whether you’re watching movies, taking pictures, or reading.
Screen resolution: The 5G phones in our guide have an HD display (or better), so text, images, and videos will be very clear.
Storage: All the 5G phones in our guide are available in different storage tiers. If you shoot a lot of videos or download a lot of music and movies, you should get a phone with more storage space. If you’re primarily streaming your media, you’ll be fine with a base model.
Cameras: All the phones in this guide can take high resolution photos and HD (or 4K) videos. There will still be differences in camera quality, but you will get great shots for Instagram or videos for TikTok.
Unlocked phone: The 5G phones below are all “unlocked,” meaning you can use them with any carrier. If you want to change your phone or pay in installments, we recommend that you check with your operator to find out what offers they may be running.
1. BEST OVERALL: iPhone 12
Apple
The iPhone 12 is Apple’s first 5G phone and it’s the best you can get right now. The phone runs on iOS 14, the latest version of Apple’s operating system, and should receive regular software updates for about four to five years. This is a huge advantage over Android phones, which are generally not supported for that long.
The iPhone 12 has a 6.1-inch screen with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, so everything you see will look large and sharp. It comes with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage and is available in four colors: black, blue, green, and red. Apple changed the design this year, flattening the edges of the iPhone 12 to accommodate a large screen on a phone that is physically smaller and lighter than previous models.
Apple equipped the iPhone 12 with a pair of 12MP (megapixel) rear cameras that can record 4K video at up to 60fps (frames per second). This is complemented by a 12MP front camera that can also record 4K video and is an important component of Apple’s FaceID security system. FaceID allows you to unlock your phone by scanning your face using a combination of infrared lights and a physical camera.
The iPhone 12 is an excellent “all-around” phone whose new design, robust camera system, and high-resolution display earned it first place in our guide. If you want a 5G phone, and you want a phone that will still feel snappy for several years, this is the one to get.
iPhone 12, starting at $ 799, available at Best Buy
2. BEST VALUE: Google Pixel 5
Best Buy
Google’s newly launched Pixel 5 gives you a lot of phone for your money.
It runs Android 11, the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system, and has a 6-inch screen with a 2340 x 1080 resolution (better than HD). Google has committed to backing the Pixel 5 with major software updates for three years, which means you won’t have to worry about missing new features or critical security updates.
Google Pixel 5 is only available with 128GB of internal storage, which is enough to store thousands of photos, hundreds of songs, and dozens of hours of HD video. This level of storage hits a good sweet spot, but think twice if you’re not heavily reliant on cloud storage for your data.
Google equipped the Pixel 5 with a 12MP telephoto lens and a 16.6MP wide-angle lens, both of which can record 4K video at 60fps. Its front camera features an 8MP lens that can record 1080P videos at 30fps. The Pixel 5 doesn’t support facial recognition, but it does have a fingerprint reader on the back, allowing you to unlock the phone without entering a password.
The Pixel 5 offers many attractive features at a much lower price than most 5G phones. If you want an Android phone that receives regular software updates and agrees with the 128GB storage limit, it should be your best option.
Google Pixel 5, starting at $ 699, available at Best Buy
3. BEST 5G ANDROID PHONE: Samsung Galaxy S20
Best Buy
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 is a premium Android phone, and its impressive technical specs make it a serious competitor for the best 5G phone period.
The S20 has a 6.2-inch screen with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels, which is closer to 4K than any of our other options. It comes with either 128GB or 512GB of storage, but you can add more by putting in a MicroSD card, a feature not available on the other 5G phones we recommend. It runs Android 10, and Samsung phones generally support new software updates for a few years, but there are no guarantees.
Samsung added an amazing camera system to the S20. Its rear-facing camera system features two 12MP cameras in addition to a super impressive 64MP camera. The 64MP camera allows you to get very clear shots from afar. These cameras allow the S20 to record video at up to 8K at 24 fps or 4K at 60 fps. The S20’s front camera system is equally impressive. It has a 10MP camera that can record 4K videos at 60fps. The front camera cannot be used to unlock the phone via facial recognition, but the S20 does have an in-display fingerprint reader.
You can’t avoid the fact that the Galaxy S20 is a technical marvel, and it’s the one to get if you want an uncompromising 5G Android phone.
Samsung Galaxy S20, starting at $ 749, available at Best Buy
4. BEST 5G FOLDABLE PHONE: Moto Razr
Best Buy
If you want to be on the cutting edge of technology, you won’t find a more futuristic phone than the Moto Razr.
The smartphone, which runs on Google’s Android 10 operating system, but there is no timeline for how long it will receive software updates. The Razr has a 6.2-inch screen with a resolution of 2142 x 876. The ultra-tall screen is necessary because the Razr folds in half using a hinge system. When folded, its outer display has a 600 x 800 resolution.
Flip phones are new and all the problems with this technology have yet to be solved, but the Razr is a step in the right direction. It comes with 128GB of non-upgradeable storage, which should only be a concern if you like to store a large amount of media locally on your device.
Motorola built the Razr with a single 48MP rear camera that can record 4K video at up to 30fps. The lack of a second or third camera is a bit disappointing, but something had to give since Motorola decided to make the Razr so slim. Its 20MP front camera can record 1080P videos at 60fps, which is more competitive with contemporary smartphones. The front camera cannot be used to unlock the phone, but the Razr has a fingerprint scanner on the back, which can be used for this purpose.
If you want to test the future and don’t mind making some sacrifices in camera quality to get there, the Moto Razr is the 5G phone to get.
Moto Razr, $ 1,349.99, available at Best Buy
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