5G is fast, but not perfect. Here's why you might want to turn it off sometimes.

5G network speeds are amazing, but not perfect. Sometimes you may need to turn off 5G, and this article will explain why.

5G network is finally here, and its next generation of connectivity technology can provide download speeds up to about 1 gigabit per second. This may be eight times faster than 4G LTE depending on factors such as network congestion or your distance from your cell phone base station.

Another key advantage of 5G is bandwidth. This technology can process about a thousand times more data than 4G LTE at a time. This means more users can be connected at the same time, so even if you are in a crowded stadium or concert scene, you should not lose signals.

This new platform is a major upgrade to 4G LTE, but since anything is not perfect, 5G also has shortcomings. Its coverage is not as good as 4G LTE, so we need more base stations to cover the same area. Additionally, 5G radios are more powerful and power-consuming than their 4G LTE equivalents, which can cause the phone's battery to run out faster. Apple reportedly expressed concerns about the iPhone 12 before it launched 5G.

[Related: Even without 5G hype, iPhone 12 Pro is a major upgrade]

As 5G networks are still being rolled out gradually, you may sometimes need to turn off the fastest cellular speeds of your phone. This will ensure stable connection and longer battery life. After all, a good 4G LTE connection is still fast enough for most tasks, including streaming video and music.

How to determine if your phone is 5G compatible

You need to be able to get a 5G signal before turning off 5G. In addition to being located in an area with 5G coverage, you also need a device and data package that supports that network. If you are not sure if you have these conditions, a quick search for your phone’s network specifications or calling your carrier should fix this.

New devices and new data packages appear weekly, but at the time of writing, the only Apple devices that support 5G are the latest models of iPhone: iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. If you are using an iPhone SE or iPhone 11, you won't find the same 5G option on your device.

In terms of 5G, there are more choices for Android devices. Many high-end phones launched in 2020 and 2021 can connect to the network, and many mid-range and even entry-level phones can do it. Phones such as Samsung Galaxy S21, OnePlus 9 and Google Pixel 5 are all equipped with 5G capabilities.

All U.S. carriers now offer some form of 5G package, although the details vary between them and will change regularly. Take SIM card as an example. If you activate the SIM card using the 4G LTE plan, the chip may seamlessly switch to 5G when you upgrade your contract. Or maybe not. In this case, you need to replace the SIM card with a newer version. It's all up to your carrier, so if you have any questions, please consult them.

[Related: All information needed to refute 5G conspiracy theories]

Three different frequency bands of 5G need to be considered, but two are the most common. The first is millimeter wave, also known as mmWave, ultra-wideband or high frequency band—which is the fastest. The second type is Sub-6GHz or low-frequency band, which has a smaller upgrade range for 4G LTE, but has a wider coverage. All major carriers offer both options for a variety of names and prices, so make sure you understand what you get before signing up.

We are also starting to see some mid-band packages appear, mainly from T-Mobile, but other companies may follow suit. This is one of the best choices between the low and high bands, and it offers a significant speed boost over 4G LTE without being limited by range and availability as mmWave is currently.

How to turn off 5G

No matter what brand of phone or which carrier you are using, you should see the 5G symbol in the device's status bar when you connect to the network - although its exact appearance will vary depending on your settings. For example, on iPhone, when you connect to the fastest mmWave network type, you will see a little UW (ultra-wideband) next to the 5G symbol.

To turn off 5G on iPhone, turn on Settings, click Cellular Mobile Network, and then click Cellular Mobile Network Data Options. Click on Voice & Data and you will get three options: 5G automatic (your iPhone will switch between 5G and 4G LTE based on speed and availability), 5G on (5G will always be on (if available) even if the connection speed is lower than the available 4G LTE) and LTE (your iPhone will stick with 4G LTE even if 5G is in range).

[Related: Why you want Qualcomm's new Snapdragon chip to include in your next phone]

On Android, you will see quite a difference depending on the phone's brand and model. For example, on the Pixel 5, you can turn off 5G by turning on

Settings and selecting Network and Internet, Mobile Networks and the preferred network type . You should see 5G and 4G LTE as options you can switch (you may even find 3G and 2G are there too). On Samsung Galaxy phone, go from Settings

to

Connect , Mobile Network, and then go to Network Mode. Again, you'll get a list of connectivity options that should include 5G and 4G LTE, so if you want to stick with 4G LTE you can do it here. In addition to your phone and the operating system it runs, your carrier may have some impact on the type of network you can control. Not all carriers allow you to switch between different cellular speeds. If you don't see the options we described above on your smartphone, please contact your carrier to see if they are available.

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