5G is the mobile network standard that most modern phones now run on, offering faster speeds and more reliable coverage than 4G. If you are shopping for a phone and want to know which models support it, or you are wondering whether 5G is worth paying for at all, this guide covers both. We explain what 5G is, whether you really need it, and exactly which iPhones and other phones support it.
What is 5G?
5G stands for fifth-generation wireless technology, the successor to 4G. Each generation of mobile network has moved things on, from 1G analogue voice in the 1980s, to 2G digital voice, 3G mobile data, 4G mobile broadband, and now 5G. In everyday use, 5G is significantly faster than 4G, with lower latency, so pages load quicker, video streams without buffering, and downloads finish sooner. It was designed to handle the busiest areas and the growing number of connected devices.
Unlike the jump from 3G to 4G, 5G was added as an extra layer on top of the existing network rather than a straight replacement, so a 5G phone will still fall back to 4G where 5G is not available.
Do you really need 5G?
For most people buying a phone today, 5G comes as standard, so it is less a question of paying extra and more a question of coverage. It is genuinely useful if you stream or download on the go, rely on your phone during a commute, or find slow loading frustrating. If you mostly use your phone on home Wi-Fi and rarely stream on mobile data, you will notice it less.
Two things decide whether you will actually get 5G. First, your phone has to support it, which every model below does. Second, your mobile plan has to include 5G and you need to be in a 5G coverage area. Most UK networks, including EE and Vodafone, have coverage checkers on their websites, so it is worth a quick look for your area before you decide it matters to you.
Which iPhones support 5G?
5G arrived on the iPhone with the iPhone 12 in 2020. The simple answer is that every iPhone from the iPhone 12 onward supports 5G. If you are buying an iPhone 12 or newer, refurbished or not, you are getting a 5G phone. That includes:
- iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e
- iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air
- iPhone SE (2022)
The only iPhones that do not support 5G are the iPhone 11 and older, along with the first and second-generation iPhone SE. If 5G matters to you, the iPhone 12 is the oldest model to aim for, and it remains great value refurbished.
Which other phones support 5G?
5G is not just an Apple feature. If you are open to Android, the choice is just as wide. Samsung’s modern Galaxy range supports 5G across the board, from the Galaxy S and Z Flip and Fold lines through to the mid-range models, so any recent refurbished Samsung phone will have it. The same is true of Google’s refurbished Pixel range, where every recent model is 5G-ready.
As a rule of thumb, any flagship or mid-range phone from Apple, Samsung or Google released in the last few years supports 5G. You can also browse our full range of refurbished phones with 5G in one place.
Will I need a 5G plan?
Yes. A 5G phone on its own is not enough. Your mobile plan has to include 5G, and you need to be within a 5G coverage area to see the benefit. Most current SIM-only and pay-monthly plans include 5G at no extra cost, but it is worth checking your plan and your network’s coverage map so you know what to expect. Outside of 5G areas, your phone will simply use 4G as normal.
Why buy your 5G phone refurbished from The iOutlet
You do not need to pay flagship prices to get a fast, 5G-ready phone. Every phone we sell is fully tested, unlocked, checked against lost and stolen databases, and comes with a 12-month warranty and free UK delivery. Buying refurbished also keeps a working device out of landfill, and for every day we trade we plant a tree through our partnership with One Tree Planted. You can read more about how we test and grade every device in our guide to refurbished grades, or on our why choose The iOutlet page.
Ready to upgrade? Browse all of our refurbished iPhones, or see the full range of 5G-ready refurbished phones to find the right one for you.
Frequently asked questions
Which iPhones have 5G?
Every iPhone from the iPhone 12 (2020) onward, including the iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 ranges, the iPhone 16e and the iPhone SE (2022). The iPhone 11 and older do not support 5G.
Is 5G much faster than 4G?
Yes. In real-world use 5G is noticeably faster than 4G with lower latency, which means quicker downloads and smoother streaming. Actual speeds depend on your network and location, but it is a clear step up where coverage is good.
Do I need a special plan to use 5G?
Your mobile plan needs to include 5G and you need to be in a 5G coverage area. Most modern plans include it at no extra cost. Check your network’s coverage map to see what is available where you live and work.
Is it worth paying more for a 5G phone?
These days almost all new and recent phones include 5G as standard, so you rarely pay a premium for it. Buying refurbished means you get a 5G phone for a fraction of the original price, so the value question largely takes care of itself.
