Which iPhones Are 5G Compatible?

By Lauren Hannula

Last updated 30 November 2023

In this Guide

5G-Capable iPhones
5G Explained
5G Pros & Cons
5G Phone Plans
Control Apple 5G Settings
5G iPhones: FAQ

The iPhone 12 series was the first suite of iPhones to feature 5G connectivity, bringing Apple squarely into the mix with competitors like Samsung's Galaxy phones. So which iPhones support 5G in 2024?

The iPhone 15, 14, and 13 series, and the 3rd-gen iPhone SE (2022), provide expanded access to your carrier's 5G network, with support for even more bands of 5G signal. Let's compare all of Apple's 5G iPhones to see which one is best for you.

5G-Capable iPhones

Currently, the 5G iPhones available are the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14 series, plus the iPhone SE (2022). All other iPhones are not compatible with 5G.

Specs	iPhone 12 series	iPhone 13 series	iPhone SE (2022)	iPhone 14 series
Starting price	From $849	From $849	From $579	From $1099
5G compatible	Yes	Yes + more bands than the iPhone 12	Yes + more bands than the iPhone 12	Yes + more bands than the iPhone 13
Display	Up to 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display	Up to 6.7-inch 120Hz Super Retina XDR display	4.7-inch Retina HD display	Up to 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display
Camera	iPhone 12/12 mini: 12MP dual-rear iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max: 12MPtriple-rear	iPhone 13/13 mini: 12MP dual-rear iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max: 12MP triple-rear	12MP rear	iPhone 14: 12MP dual-rear iPhone 14 Plus: 12 MP dual-rear iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max: 48MP triple-rear
Processor	A14 Bionic	A15 Bionic	A15 Bionic	A15 Bionic
Internal memory	iPhone 12/12 mini: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB	iPhone 13/13 mini: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	64GB, 128GB, 256GB	iPhone 14: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB iPhone 14 Plus: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Battery life	Video playback: iPhone 12 mini: 15 hours iPhone 12: 17 hours iPhone 12 Pro: 17 hours iPhone 12 Pro Max: 20 hours	Video playback: iPhone 13 mini: 17 hours iPhone 13: 19 hours iPhone 13 Pro: 22 hours iPhone 13 Pro Max: 28 hours	Video playback: Up to 15 hours	Video playback: iPhone 14: 20 hours iPhone 14 Plus: 26 hours iPhone 14 Pro: 23 hours iPhone 13 Pro Max: 29 hours
Water resistance	IP68	IP68	IP68	IP68
Overall rating	85/100	90/100	80/100	90/100

All of the 5G iPhone devices are available for purchase from the big three (Rogers, Bell, Telus), as well as a myriad of flanker brands and regional carriers. Hot tip: the latest iPhones are often at a serious discount via iPhone deals like free trade-in credits or buy one, get one offers.

iPhone 14: Fast speeds

Apple's newest lineup of phones comes with a brand-new modem called the Qualcomm Snapdragon X65, which increases the phone's 5G bands compared to previous iPhone models. The iPhone 14 series includes four device models—the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, all of which support 5G. Like the iPhone 13, the iPhone 14 supports "Goldilocks" C-band 5G (In the U.S.), offering much faster speeds than low-band 5G.

iPhone 14 128GB Plans

Filters

#1	Fido	Fido $15 Basic Plan with 100 Minutes + 250MB 250MB data Outright $15/mth + $1,027 Upfront Go	$15/mth + $1,027 Upfront	Go
#2	Koodo Mobile	Koodo Mobile $15 - No Tab/BYO Plan with 250MB Data 250MB at 3G speed up to 3Mbps Outright $15/mth + $1,037 Upfront Go	$15/mth + $1,037 Upfront	Go
#3	SaskTel	SaskTel Talk and Text + Data 15 250MB 250MB at 3G speed Outright Deal: Receive up to $700 in-store credit when you trade-in your old phone + $100 additional bonus $15/mth + $1,076.99 Upfront Go	$15/mth + $1,076.99 Upfront	Go
#4	Fizz	Fizz Unlimited Quebec Minutes Plan No Data Included Outright $16/mth + $1,014 Upfront Go	$16/mth + $1,014 Upfront	Go
#5	Freedom Mobile	Freedom Mobile Prepaid 1GB + Nationwide Talk & Text Starter plan 1GB at 4G LTE speeds up to 100Mbps $19 Per 1 Month Top-up + $1,009 Upfront Go	$19 Per 1 Month Top-up + $1,009 Upfront	Go
#6	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile)	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile) $19 Plan with 250MB Data and 100 Minutes 250MB at 3G speeds up to 3.1Mbps Outright $19/mth + $1,027.08 Upfront Go	$19/mth + $1,027.08 Upfront	Go
#7	Eastlink	Eastlink $30 Talk & Text Plan No Data Included Outright Deal: Get 3 months free of Apple TV+ when you buy this phone $30/mth + $1,001 Upfront Go	$30/mth + $1,001 Upfront	Go
#8	Videotron	Videotron Canada Talk & Text Plan No Data Included Outright $34/mth + $1,052 Upfront Go	$34/mth + $1,052 Upfront	Go

iPhone 13: More 5G access

The iPhone 13 series sports a new antenna design that supports more 5G bands. According to Apple, the iPhone 13 can access 5G from over 200 carriers. Like its predecessor, the iPhone 13 series includes four device models, from the iPhone 13 mini through the iPhone 13 Pro Max—all of which support 5G.

iPhone 13 128GB Plans

Filters

#1	Fido	Fido $15 Basic Plan with 100 Minutes + 250MB 250MB data Outright $15/mth + $873.72 Upfront Go	$15/mth + $873.72 Upfront	Go
#2	Koodo Mobile	Koodo Mobile $15 - No Tab/BYO Plan with 250MB Data 250MB at 3G speed up to 3Mbps Outright $15/mth + $883 Upfront Go	$15/mth + $883 Upfront	Go
#3	SaskTel	SaskTel Talk and Text + Data 15 250MB 250MB at 3G speed Outright Deal: Receive up to $700 in-store credit when you trade-in your old phone + $100 additional bonus $15/mth + $922.99 Upfront Go	$15/mth + $922.99 Upfront	Go
#4	Fizz	Fizz Unlimited Quebec Minutes Plan No Data Included Outright $16/mth + $864 Upfront Go	$16/mth + $864 Upfront	Go
#5	Freedom Mobile	Freedom Mobile Prepaid 1GB + Nationwide Talk & Text Starter plan 1GB at 4G LTE speeds up to 100Mbps $19 Per 1 Month Top-up + $859 Upfront Go	$19 Per 1 Month Top-up + $859 Upfront	Go
#6	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile)	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile) $19 Plan with 250MB Data and 100 Minutes 250MB at 3G speeds up to 3.1Mbps Outright $19/mth + $873.72 Upfront Go	$19/mth + $873.72 Upfront	Go
#7	Eastlink	Eastlink $30 Talk & Text Plan No Data Included Outright Deal: Get 3 months free of Apple TV+ when you buy this phone $30/mth + $859 Upfront Go	$30/mth + $859 Upfront	Go
#8	Videotron	Videotron Canada Talk & Text Plan No Data Included Outright $34/mth + $896 Upfront Go	$34/mth + $896 Upfront	Go
#9	Bell	Bell Promo 50 Plan Unlimited 50GB 5G Speeds up to 250Mbps Outright $44/mth + $873.72 Upfront Go	$44/mth + $873.72 Upfront	Go

iPhone SE (2022): 5G iPhone on a budget

The third generation of the pocket-friendly Apple iPhone SE got a major upgrade in the form of 5G connectivity. The iPhone SE 5G antenna supports the same expanded suite of 5G bands as the iPhone 13, but for a fraction of the price. Along with 5G, iPhone SE also features the uber-powerful A15 Bionic chip, meaning you'll get the same performance out of your cheap iPhone as you would from much more expensive models. And at just 4.7 inches, fans of the cult-favourite iPhone 8 will be extremely pleased with the iPhone SE's petite size.

iPhone SE (2022) 128GB Plans

Filters

#1	Koodo Mobile	Koodo Mobile $30 - No Tab/BYO Plan with PPU Data No Data Included Outright $30/mth + $677 Upfront Go	$30/mth + $677 Upfront	Go
#2	Telus	Telus Essential 50 5G 50GB at 5G speeds up to 250Mbps Installments (24 mths) Deal: Get 6 months free of Apple Music + Get $5/mo. bill credit for 24 months with new smartphone activations with Unlimited plan via promo code "PROMO120" $80/mth + $187 Upfront Go	$80/mth (plan + phone) + $187 Upfront	Go
#3	SaskTel	SaskTel Talk and Text + Data 15 250MB 250MB at 3G speed Outright Deal: Receive up to $700 in-store credit when you trade-in your old phone + $100 additional bonus $15/mth + $714.99 Upfront Go	$15/mth + $714.99 Upfront	Go
#4	Fizz	Fizz Unlimited Quebec Minutes Plan No Data Included Outright $16/mth + $664 Upfront Go	$16/mth + $664 Upfront	Go
#5	Videotron	Videotron Canada Talk & Text Plan No Data Included Outright $34/mth + $698 Upfront Go	$34/mth + $698 Upfront	Go

iPhone 12: The OG 5G iPhone

The iPhone 12 series, which debuted with an unprecedented four models, was the first of the Apple iPhones to include 5G capability, for both low-band and mmWave 5G. Low-band 5G uses a similar frequency as 4G LTE and includes more widespread coverage at slower speeds, whereas mmWave is incredibly fast but the towers reach shorter distances. The iPhone 12 suite still packs a serious punch and a now-more-affordable price, since the arrival of the iPhone 13 series, making it an excellent option for a 5G iPhone with (almost) all of the bells and whistles.

iPhone 12 128GB Plans

Filters

#1	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile)	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile) $19 Plan with 250MB Data and 100 Minutes 250MB at 3G speeds up to 3.1Mbps Outright $19/mth + $873.72 Upfront Go	$19/mth + $873.72 Upfront	Go
#2	Bell	Bell Promo 50 Plan Unlimited 50GB 5G Speeds up to 250Mbps Outright $44/mth + $873.72 Upfront Go	$44/mth + $873.72 Upfront	Go
#3	Fido	Fido $54 Data, Talk & Text Plan with 60GB 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Outright $54/mth + $1,047 Upfront Go	$54/mth + $1,047 Upfront	Go

5G Explained

As its name suggests, 5G is the fifth generation of cellular technology. It utilizes a broader range of frequencies than previous generations such as 4G LTE or 3G, resulting in faster, more efficient connections. In fact, 5G is being touted as not only an evolution in cellular technology but a revolution: it has the potential to connect entire ecosystems and even replace standard internet as we know it.

5G consists of three main frequencies: high-band (millimeter wave or mmWave) is the fastest signal, reaching potential mind-blowing speeds of 100X faster than 4G LTE. However, it's also the shortest signal and has trouble penetrating through objects (like walls), resulting in the smallest network footprint.

Low-band 5G has the longest signal and therefore can cover a much broader area. The downside is that it delivers speeds just slightly faster than 4G LTE, leaving it far short of the "true" potential of 5G.

Mid-band 5G is the sweet spot, delivering speeds significantly faster than 4G LTE as well as broader network coverage than mmWave 5G. Mid-band has become the most desirable band of 5G frequencies.

This is just a brief overview of the fascinating (and complicated) story of 5G—hop over to our complete guide to 5G for even more detail.

5G Pros & Cons

Though 5G is undoubtedly the technology of the future, that doesn't necessarily mean you need to hop on the bandwagon today. 5G has a lot going for it: faster speeds, increased bandwidth/capacity, lower latency, and the possibility of eventually supporting entire home systems (maybe even replacing home internet as we know it).

But it's also in its earliest stages, with inconsistency among the major carriers in what kind of 5G they've deployed and where you can access a 5G signal. If you're in a rural area, for example, 5G likely isn't a factor at all for you... so rushing out to purchase an expensive 5G iPhone likely wouldn't make sense. On the other hand, if you live or work in an urban area, having the speeds and connectivity of 5G could make your phone calls (and Zoom calls) that much speedier.x

Strengths

Much faster data speeds
Lower latency (delay)
Bigger network capacity, meaning a lower risk of network congestion
More affordable 5G devices are now available

Weaknesses

Still in its infancy
Carrier coverage is relatively limited
Different network types/speeds for each carrier
Some carriers only offer 5G connectivity with unlimited plans

Best 5G Phone Plans

In order to connect to 5G with your iPhone 14, you’ll need a 5G phone plan. A few carriers, big and small, offer a wide selection of 5G phone plans to suit your needs. Some carriers include 5G connectivity with all of their plans while others limit 5G to their unlimited plans.

There are five carriers in Canada that currently offer 5G networks. The Big Three, which include Rogers, Bell, and Telus, all have large 5G networks. In addition, Videotron and Sasktel also offer 5G compatibility in Canada.

#1	Freedom Mobile	Freedom Mobile $50 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan Unlimited 100GB full-speed data at 5G Deal: Student Deal! Get $10/mo. off for 24 months when you activate on $50/mo. plan after Digital Discount + 3rd line Offer: $10/mo. credit when you activate a 3rd line with this plan $30/mth + $45 Upfront Go	$30/mth + $45 Upfront	Go
#2	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $34 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 50GB Unlimited 50GB at 5G full speeds up to 250Mbps Deal: Get $1.70/mo. in points value with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $34 + $10 Upfront Go	$34 + $10 Upfront	Go
#3	Rogers	Rogers Infinite Extra Canada+US Plan Unlimited 75GB at speeds up to 1Gbps Deal: Get $15/mo. off this plan for 24 months when you bring your own phone $50/mth Go	$50/mth	Go
#4	PC Mobile	PC Mobile $29 Unlimited Talk & Text + 20GB Data 28GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Deal: Receive 8GB bonus data for 6 months with Auto-Allowance and new activation on this plan + 20,000 PC Optimum points after 2 months of service $29 Per 1 Month Top-up + $10 Upfront Go	$29 Per 1 Month Top-up + $10 Upfront	Go
#5	Telus	Telus Unlimited 150 5G+ Can-US Unlimited 150GB at 5G+ speeds up to 2Gbps $100/mth Go	$100/mth	Go
#6	Bell	Bell Promo 75 Unlimited 75GB 5G speeds up to 250Mbps Deal: Save $5/mo. with new activation and phone upgrades on this plan $60/mth Go	$60/mth	Go
#7	SaskTel	SaskTel totalSHARE Nationwide Unlimited Full speed data Deal: Receive $20/mo. off your bill when you bring your own phone or buy a phone at full price + $5/mo. off for 24 months when you sign up $65/mth + $50 Upfront Go	$65/mth + $50 Upfront	Go
#8	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile)	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile) $55 Plan with 75GB 5G Data and Unlimited Minutes Unlimited 75GB Full Speed 5G data up to 250Mbps $55/mth Go	$55/mth	Go
#9	Videotron	Videotron 55GB All-Inclusive Canada-US Cell Phone Plan Unlimited data Deal: Get $5/mo. off when you bring your own device + Receive an additional 5GB/mo. data with compatible phone only $65/mth + $50 Upfront Go	$65/mth + $50 Upfront	Go

Do I have 5G coverage near me?

There’s no point in getting a 5G phone if you don’t have 5G coverage in your area. Before buying the iPhone 14 or an Android 5G phone, you’ll want to check to see if you get 5G near you. You can do that by using our coverage check tool—all you have to do is enter your address where it says “Address” then click “Search 23 Carriers.” If 5G is available near you, you will see a banner that says “Your area has 5G coverage,” followed by which networks cover you.

Below that banner, you will see several tabs for plans offered in your area: All, No Contract, Contract, Prepaid, and 5G Plans. Click “5G Plans,” and you will be able to view which 5G phone plans cover your area.

Control Apple 5G Settings

You can choose whether or not you want your iPhone to use 5G when it's available. You may want the zippy speeds when you're trying to connect in a crowded area, for example, but wish to save your battery in other situations. So how do you turn 5G on and off on your iPhone?

Your iPhone's 5G default setting is “5G Auto,” which is optimized for data usage and battery life. But you can customize your 5G settings for both voice and data use. These settings designate when you use 5G and how much 5G data you use. Here’s how to customize your 5G settings on your Apple iPhone:

Navigate to “Settings.”
Select “Cellular.”
Tap “Cellular Data Options.”

From that screen, you can choose either “Voice & Data” or “Data Mode.”

Voice & data 5G settings

From the Voice & Data screen, you can choose how your iPhone 14 uses your carrier’s 5G network, which affects battery life.

5G On: Always uses 5G when it’s available, which may use up battery more quickly.
5G Auto: Your iPhone 14 automatically switches to 4G LTE when the 5G speeds in your area aren’t noticeably faster. This saves your battery life.
LTE: Uses only your carrier’s 4G LTE network.

Data mode

From the Data Mode screen, you can choose how much 5G data your phone is using. This is particularly important for customers on a limited data plan or an unlimited data plan with a low data deprioritization threshold (such as 25GB or lower).

Allow More Data on 5G: Enables high-data settings on apps, such as HD video quality on Apple TV and Apple Music and higher-quality FaceTime calls. You will use up your data more quickly on this setting.
Standard: Uses standard quality settings for FaceTime and streaming apps and allows background tasks and automatic updates on cellular data.
Low Data Mode: This setting decreases data usage by not allowing background apps to run and pausing automatic updates. This can be helpful if you’re trying to stretch your data further.