5G is here. While 4G Phones are now widely available, the imminent upgrades of mobile networks from 4G to 5G will require upgrades in consumer hardware, chief of which are 5G phones. Smartphones with 5G support have already started tricking into the market, here we take a look at some of the best 5G phones that are available right now.
4G is still dominating the smartphone shipments, but this year (2023) is the year that 5G phones shipment is expected to overtake 4G phones for the first time. Indeed, after the introduction of 4G technology as an improvement over the previous 3G networks, the enhanced performance was mind-blowing.
But the field of telecommunication and technological advancement never stagnates. So, the question was, what next? The answer is the next iteration of the mobile network generation – 5G.
The planning for 5G network upgrade has been going on for some time now, although it is still not open for mass commercial use globally.
Before offering it up to the worldwide public, the understanding of the possibilities of this new rollout is still going on. There are areas of improvement still and streamlining the process of unveiling a set of new feature-rich 5G phones is an ongoing phenomenon.
The Best 5G Phones of 2023
So, what are the best 5G phones available today? What are their features and functionalities? Well, to answer these burning questions, we have compiled a list of the best 5G phones and their brief overview below.
1. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the latest iteration of the Galaxy S Series. It is a flagship device with a very brilliant display. This is one of the best 5G phones if you looking for an android based device.
You get a brilliant OLED display with adaptive refresh rate that delivers as little as 1Hz refresh rate to up to 120Hz offering just about the right amount of refreshes for the best rates and better battery management.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Key Specs
- 6.8-inch, Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display, 1440 x 3088 Pixels (500 ppi), 1750 nits
- Adaptive Refresh Rate (1 Hz to 120 Hz)
- Android 12, One UI 4.1
- 8GB or 12GB RAM
- Octa-core Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (USA) / Octa-core Exynos 2200 (Global)
- 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB Built-in Storage
- 108MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP Quad Rear Camera
- 40MP Front Camera
- Integrated S Pen Stylus
- Fingerprint Sensor (Under Display, Ultrasonic)
- 45W Fast Charging
- 15W Wireless Charging
- 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging
- Water and Dust Proof (IP68 certification)
- 5000 mAh Non-Removable Li-ion Battery
 Amazon.com | $759.00 4 new from $759.00 3 used from $714.00 | See It Here |
| Amazon.com | $927.75 3 new from $927.75 1 used from $849.50 | See It Here |
2. iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Pro Max is one of the best 5G phones. You get global 5G support as well as a very smooth performance that Apple is known for. It is the successor of the iPhone 12 Pro Max and offers an improved processor, bigger storage, improved cameras, and a bigger battery.
iPhone 13 Pro Max Key Specs
- 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR OLED Display, 1284 x 2778 Pixels, ~458 PPI, 120 Hz Refresh Rate
- Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
- iOS 15
- 6GB RAM
- 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB Built-in Storage
- 12MP + 12MP + 12MP Triple Rear Cameras
- 12MP Front Camera
- IP68 Splash, Water & Dust Resistance
- MagSafe wireless charging 15W
- Qi magnetic fast wireless charging (7.5W Capacity)
- Fast Wired Charging (20W)
- 4352 mAh Non-Removable Li-ion Battery
| Amazon.com | $888.00 12 new from $888.00 3 used from $840.00 | See It Here |
 Jumia.com.ng | ₦862,000.00 | See It Here |
3. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the latest flagship from Sammy. It features Qualcomm’s top of the line Snapdragon 888 (5nm). However, this processor is only available in models sold in the United States and China. The rest of the world gets an equally capable Exynos 2100 processor (5nm). This is the same processor setup found in the Galaxy S21+ 5G and Galaxy S21 5G.
It features a 6.8-inch dynamic OLED display, which happens to be the biggest S21 series. This is probably one of the best 5G phones if you are looking s-pen stylus support. Like other members of the S21 series there is no charger and headphone in the box.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Key Specs
- 6.8-inch, Dynamic AMOLED 2x Display, 1440 x 3200 Pixels (515 PPI), 120Hz Refresh Rate
- Android 11, One UI 3.1
- 12GB / 16GB RAM
- Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (USA) – Octa-core Exynos 2100 (Global)
- 128GB/ 256GB Built-in Storage
- 108MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP Triple Rear Camera
- 40MP Front Camera
- Fingerprint Sensor (Under Display, Ultrasonic)
- 25W Fast Charging
- 15W Wireless Charging
- 4.5W Reverse Charging
- Water and Dust Proof (IP68 certification)
- 5000mAh Non-Removable Li-ion Battery
| Amazon.com | $1,089.97 2 new from $1,089.97 14 used from $461.30 | See It Here |
4. iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Pro Max comes in as the most premium member of the iPhone 12 series of smartphones, which are the first iteration of 5G phones from Apple. It also support a lot of 5G bands making it one of the best 5G phones around.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a brilliant 6.7-inch and one of the best cameras on a smartphone. Expect a smooth operation, thanks to the Apple A14 Bionic and iOS 14.1.
iPhone 12 Pro Max Key Specs
- 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR OLED Display, 1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (458 ppi)
- Apple A14 Bionic (5nm)
- iOS 14.1
- 6GB RAM
- 12GB / 128GB / 256GB / 512GB Built-in Storage
- 12MP + 12MP + 12MP + TOF 3D LiDAR scanner Rear Cameras
- 12MP Front Camera
- Magsafe
- 5G / 4G Connectivity
- Fast Wired Charging (20W)
- Qi Wireless Charging (15W)
- IP68 Water / Dust Resistance
| Amazon.com | $802.84 | See It Here |
| Jumia.com.ng | ₦690,000.00 | See It Here |
5. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G was launched in January 2021 and like most Samsung flagships has quickly taken a place as one of the best 5G phones. With a flagship Exynos 2100 processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 in the US and China) packing octa-core processors (5nm), this Galaxy smartphone is Samsung’s latest flagship in the 5G market.
The smartphone runs on Android 11 OS with One UI 3.1. It has a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with hole-punch notch.
It functions smoothly with an 8GB RAM with inbuilt storage capacity of 256GB or 512GB. The heavy games and augmented reality experiences that you can enjoy with this phone makes it one of the most desirable 5G phones of its class.
Apart from the usual fast charging technology, Samsung Galaxy S21 5G also supports the next-gen wireless charging and power share functionalities. It however, does not offer a charger or headphone in the box. It also dropped the 3.5mm audio jack.
The phone supports 5G non-stand alone (NSA) and Stand alone (SA) with Sub6 and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G bands. Price starts at around $799.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Key Specs
- 6.2-inch, Dynamic AMOLED 2x Display, 1080 x 2400 Pixels (421 PPI), 120Hz Refresh Rate
- Android 11, One UI 3.1
- 8GB RAM
- Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (USA) – Octa-core Exynos 2100 (Global)
- 128GB / 256GB Built-in Storage
- 12MP + 64MP + 12MP Triple Rear Camera and
- 10MP Front Camera
- Fingerprint Sensor (Under Display, Ultrasonic)
- 25W Fast Charging
- 15W Wireless Charging
- 4.5W Reverse Charging
- Water and Dust Proof (IP68 certification)
- 4000 mAh Non-Removable Li-ion Battery
| Amazon.com | $351.65 2 used from $351.65 | See It Here |
6. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G, released in August 2020, is one of the best 5G phones in the market today. With a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, you get a brilliant viewing experience.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G runs very smoothly with 12GB RAM and Exynos 990 processor (Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+ for USA and China). This is the same chipset found in the Galaxy Note 20 5G. You get to pick between 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage.
The smartphone runs on Android 10 with One UI 2.5, similar to the 4G variant of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
It has unique sensors features such as fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass and barometer, while the unique Samsung DeX functionality for desktop experience support.
The smartphone also boasts of a fast-charging capability using USB Power Delivery 3.0 whereas the latest Qi / PMA wireless including the option of reverse wireless charging function is a bonus.
Like most other premium smartphones in its class, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G comes with a solid design. Price starts at $919.99.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G Key Specs
- Android 10, One UI 2.5
- 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED Display, 1440 x 3088, Up to 120Hz Refresh Rate
- Octa-core Exynos 990 (Global)
- Octa-core Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+ (USA)
- 108MP + 12MP + 12MP Triple Rear Camera
- 10MP Front Camera
- 128GB / 256GB / 512GB Built-in Storage, SD-Card Support
- 12GB RAM
- 5G Support
- Fingerprint (Under Display, Ultrasonic)
- Fast Charging (25W Capacity)
- Reverse wireless charging (9W)
- 4500 mAh Non-Removable Li-ion Battery
| Amazon.com | $969.98 45 used from $405.74 | See It Here |
7. iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro comes in as a successor to the iPhone 11 Pro and also a more premium sibling to the iPhone 12. However, unlike the iPhone 11 series, you get 5G connectivity in the iPhone 12 series.
The iPhone 12 Pro has support for a wide range of 5G bands, which makes it one the best 5G phones for widespread support. The camera and 6.1-inch OLED display are brilliant.
Apple has introduced MagSafe to the iPhone 12 Pro, this means you can snap wireless chargers to the back of their iPhones with ease, with help of a circular magnet system.
iPhone 12 Pro Key Specs and Features
- 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED Display, 1170 x 2532 Pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (460 ppi)
- Apple A14 Bionic (5nm)
- iOS 14.1
- 6GB RAM
- 12GB / 128GB / 256GB / 512GB Built-in Storage
- 12MP + 12MP + 12MP + TOF 3D LiDAR scanner Rear Cameras
- 12MP Front Camera
- Magsafe
- 5G / 4G Connectivity
- Fast Wired Charging (20W)
- Qi Wireless Charging (15W)
- IP68 Water / Dust Resistance
| Amazon.co.uk | £992.47 1 used from £992.47 | See It Here |
| Jumia.com.ng | ₦590,000.00 | See It Here |
8. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G is the successor of the Galaxy Fold 5G and Galaxy Fold. It is one of the best 5G phone if you are looking for a foldable smartphone design.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G Specs
- 7.6-inch, Dynamic AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen, 1768 x 2208 Pixels, 120Hz refresh rate 372 PPI (Unfolded Display)
- 6.23 inches Super AMOLED Cover Display, 816 x 2260 Pixels (Cover Display)
- Android 10, One UI 2.5
- 12GB RAM
- Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (7 nm+)
- 256GB Built-in Storage
- 12MP + 12MP + 12MP Triple Rear Camera
- 10MP (Unfolded) Front Camera
- 10MP Cover Camera
- 5G
- Fingerprint Sensor (Side-Mounted)
- 25W Fast Charging Capacity
- 11W Fast Wireless Charging Capacity
- 4,500mAh Non-Removable Li-Po Battery
| Amazon.com | $1,163.99 4 new from $1,163.99 2 used from $872.99 | See It Here |
| Amazon.co.uk | £1,499.00 4 used from £458.97 | See It Here |
9. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G represents the most premium smartphone in the S20 series launched in 2020. It features a blend of good design and beastly specs. The Display is a 6.9 inch Dynamic AMOLED display, with a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, a screen density of 511 ppi and a 120Hz refresh rate.
With the launch of the Galaxy S21, the S20 series will now be available at a bargain, making the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G one of the best 5G phones to look for price drops. You can also track Galaxy S20 5G, the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G, and the Galaxy S20 FE 5G.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G Specs
- 6.9-inch, Dynamic AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 1440 x 3200 Pixels (511 ppi)
- Android 10, One UI 2
- 12GB RAM / 16GB RAM
- Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (USA), Octa-core Exynos 990 (Global)
- 128GB / 256GB / 512GB Built-in Storage, With Support For Storage Expansion Via Micro-SD
- 108MP + 48MP + 12MP + 0.3MP Quad Rear Camera and 40MP Front Camera
- 5G Support
- Fingerprint Sensor (under Display)
- 45W Fast Charging
- Water and Dust Proof (IP68 certification)
- 5000mAh Non-Removable Li-ion Battery
| Amazon.com | $1,033.19 2 used from $1,033.19 | See It Here |
| Amazon.co.uk | £999.00 17 used from £304.00 | See It Here |
10. Huawei Mate 40 Pro Plus
Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ was launched in October 2020 and has quickly established itself as one of the best 5G phones worthy of buying. It shares the same powerful Kirin 9000 5G processor, as the Huawei Mate 40 Pro and Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design.
The smartphone supports fast wireless charging and superfast charging of its 4400 mAh Li-Po battery. Its unique array of charging features includes 66W Huawei SuperCharge, 50W Wireless Huawei SuperCharge, and 5W Huawei Reverse Charge, which helps charge the phone anytime anywhere.
With Super Sensing camera functionality, it allows to record and watch 4K videos on the phone. This is a five camera setup consisting of a 50MP wide-angle camera, a 12MP telephoto camera, an 8MP periscope telephoto camera, a 20MP ultra wide angle camera, and a TOF 3D depth camera.
The Huawei Mate 40 5G is an affordable option.
Huawei Mate 40 Pro Plus Specs
- 6.76 inch OLED Display, 1344 x 2772 Pixels (456 PPI), 90Hz Refresh Rate, HDR10
- Android 10; EMUI 11, no Google Play Services
- Octa-core Kirin 9000 5G (5nm)
- 12GB RAM
- 256GB Built-in Storage
- 50MP + 12MP + +8MP + 20MP + TOF 3D, (depth) Rear Cameras
- 13MP + TOF 3D Front cameras
- 5G Support
- IP68 Dust / Water Resistant
- 66W Fast Charging Capacity
- Fast Wireless Charging 50W
- Reverse Wireless Charging 5W
- 4400 mAh Li-Po Non-Removable Battery
| Amazon.com | $689.99 5 new from $689.99 1 used from $999.00 | See It Here |
| Amazon.co.uk | £999.99 2 used from £600.00 | See It Here |
11. OnePlus 8 Pro
Like many other smartphone foraying into the new 5G technology-enabled phone market, OnePlus 8 Pro is also a contender for the best 5G phones currently launched for public use.
Available since April 2020, the phone comes with 128GB built-in storage and 8GB RAM or 256GB built-in storage and 12GB. It runs on Android 10 with OxygenOS 11 and is upgradeable to Android 11.
The immersive 6.78-inch Fluid AMOLED display with an excellent resolution of 1440 x 3168 pixels (~513 PPI density) and 120Hz refresh rate gives a great viewing experience.
This is one of the best 5G phones to consider if you are looking for value for money. For its price in really packs a lot of punch. You can also consider the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8T.
OnePlus 8 Pro Key Specs
- 6.78-inch Fluid AMOLED Display, 1440 x 3168 pixels, (513 PPI)
- Android 10.0; OxygenOS 10.0
- Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (7 nm+) Processor
- 8GB / 12GB RAM
- 128GB / 256GB Inbuilt Storage
- 48MP + 8MP + 48MP + 5MP Quad Rear Camera
- 16MP Front Camera
- Fingerprint Sensor (Under Display, Optical)
- IP68 Dust / Water-Resistant
- 4510 mAh Non-Removable Li-Po Battery
 Aliexpress | $399.00 | See It Here |
| Amazon.co.uk | £339.95 2 used from £339.95 | See It Here |
| Amazon.com | $640.80 5 used from $499.99 | See It Here |
12. iPhone 12
This standard version of the latest iteration of the iPhone offers some pricing advantage over the Pro and Pro Max editions. You still get the same Apple A14 Bionic processor with 5G connectivity in the iPhone 12 as the more premium variants.
iPhone 12 Key Specs
- 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED Display, 1170 x 2532 Pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (460 PPI)
- Apple A14 Bionic (5nm)
- iOS 14.1
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB / 128GB / 256GB Built-in Storage
- 12MP + 12MP Dual Rear Cameras
- 12MP Front Camera
- Magsafe
- 5G
- Fast Wired Charging (20W)
- Qi Wireless Charging (15W)
| Amazon.com | $749.94 | See It Here |
| Amazon.co.uk | £644.00 5 used from £576.86 | See It Here |
13. iPhone 12 Mini
The iPhone 12 Mini is the most affordable 5G phone from Apple. You still get the same processor (A14 Bionic), but in a more compact package. However, its lower price makes it an attractive option if you are looking for an affordable 5G phone from Apple.
iPhone 12 Mini Key Specs
- 5.4 inch Super Retina XDR OLED Display, 1080 x 2340 Pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (476 PPI)
- Apple A14 Bionic (5nm)
- iOS 14.1
- 64GB / 128GB / 256GB Built-in Storage
- 12MP + 12MP Dual Rear Cameras
- 12MP Front Camera
- Magsafe
- 5G
- Fast Wired Charging (20W)
- Qi Wireless Charging (15W)
- IP68 Dust/Water-Resistant
| Amazon.co.uk | £659.72 3 used from £659.72 | See It Here |
14. LG V60 ThinQ 5G
LG V60 ThinQ 5G was launched in March 2020 as the company’s flagship 5G phone. It comes with a brilliant 6.8-inch P-OLED touchscreen with a sharp resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels at a pixel density of 395 pixels per inch (PPI).
LG V60 ThinQ 5G runs on Android 10 with Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor to facilitate the 5G network connection. With an internal storage capacity of 128GB or 256GB and 8GB RAM, it runs smoothly and can multitask with ease.
The triple camera system on the rear is home to a 64MP primary camera, a 13MP ultrawide camera and a 0.3MP depth camera with a time of flight sensor.
The battery features of this LG phone model can compete with the best 5G phones currently available and sports similar features to them such as wireless charging and quick charging, while some users have lauded its waterproof technology as a useful functionality.
LG V60 ThinQ 5G Key Specs & Features
- 6.8-inch P-OLED Display, 1080 x 2400 Pixels (395 ppi)
- Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Processor (7 nm+)
- Android 10.0
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB Built-in Storage, with Memory Card Support
- 64MP + 13MP + 0.3MP Triple Rear Cameras
- 10MP Front Camera
- Fingerprint Sensor (Under Display)
- IP68 Dust/Water-Resistant
- Non-Removable 5000 mAh Li-Po Battery
| Amazon.com | $249.00 3 used from $249.00 | See It Here |
15. Samsung Galaxy A90 5G
Samsung Galaxy A90 5G is the next generation phone with ultra-speed and quick charge features which making this model not only one of the company’s top phones but also a top buy in today’s 5G phone market since its launch in September 2019.
With long-lasting battery and triple ultra-wide camera, users are treated with an immersive phone experience and can view the images using an ultra-wide angle.
Users can also record videos like a pro-level action camera utilising the ultra-wide camera and advanced software. It produces super-steady live videos without any motion sickness with live focus.
In line with the best 5G phones, Samsung Galaxy A90 5G comes with octa-core processor and Super AMOLED main display design and has enjoyed smooth multitasking using 6GB/ 8GB RAM variants.
It also has multiple sensors such as Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, and Proximity Sensor which features in most of Samsung’s flagship phones in this class. Interestingly, in spite of being feature-rich, the model is a lightweight phone which is easy and comfortable for carrying.
Further, with its pre-loaded Samsung Pay function, it allows to make very smooth and secure payment. Among other features that set Samsung Galaxy A90 5G apart from other top 5G phones, is the unique Bixby functionality which can reduce the blue light and turn on Night mode to get your eyes ready for bed.
Bixby also adds multiple features and can be customised according to the needs and preferences of the users.
Samsung Galaxy A90 5G Key Specs
- 6.7 inch Super AMOLED infinity-U Display, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio (~393 ppi)
- Android 9.0 (Pie); One UI
- Octa-core Qualcomm SDM855 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
- 6GB RAM or 8GB RAM
- 48MP + 8MP + 5MP Triple Camera
- 32MP Selfie Camera
- 128GB Built-in Storage
- up to 512 GB microSD support (6GB model only)
- 5G Network Support (5G band 41(2500), 78(3500)), NSA / Sub6
- Fingerprint Sensor (Under Screen)
- 25W Fast Charging Capacity
- 4500 mAh Non-removable Li-Po Battery
| Amazon.co.uk | £147.98 4 used from £147.98 | See It Here |
16. ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G
ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G is the company’s flagship 5G phone available since March 2020. It is one of the best gaming phones around with a power processor and a sophisticated active air-cooling system that is paired with a spinning fan with a heat-sink chamber, which the maker claims can bring down the CPU temperature by up to 18°C.
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G features a 6.65-inch AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate accompanied by 240Hz touch-sensing ensuring buttery-smooth interaction and gaming on supported titles.
ZTE is also offering multiple models sporting 8GB, 12GB or 16GB RAM to suit your preferences or system requirements, depending on how much multitasking or heavy game playing you plan to do with the phone.
The 2.84GHz Qualcomm 855 Snapdragon chipset are in line with industry standards, but popular features like waterproof or dustproof technologies that many of the other best 5G phones offer is missing with this model.
The phone does not also support wireless charging. Price starts at around $699. Other more affordable ZTE Nubia Red Magic 5G Lite and ZTE Nubia Red Magic 5S
ZTE Nubia Red Magic 5G Key Specs & Features
- 6.65 inches AMOLED Display, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi)
- 240Hz Touch-Sensing
- Android 10.0; Redmagic 3.0
- Octa-core Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865
- 8GB / 12GB / 16GB RAM
- 128GB / 256GB Built-in Storage
- 64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Rear Cameras
- 8 MP Front Camera
- RGB light panel
- Pressure Sensitive Zones (300Hz touch-sensing)
- Built-in Cooling Fan
- Fingerprint (under display, optical)
- 4G LTE Network
- 5G Network
- Fast charging 55W
- Non-removable Li-Po 4500 mAh Battery
| Amazon.com | $899.00 | See It Here |
17. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G
The Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G is the advanced version of Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G. The device shares the same body design and some specifications in common with the later. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro sports a 6.67-inch display and a tri-camera setup on the back that includes an impressive 108MP camera.
The smartphone runs on Android 10 OS with MIUI 12 on top, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor. Its performance and battery life, thanks to a 5000 mAh battery, makes it one of the best 5G phones. Price starts at around $675. Other options in the series include the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G and Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G Key Specs & Features
- 6.67 inches IPS LCD Display, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi)
- Android 10, MIUI 12
- Octa-core Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 (7 nm+)
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB, 256GB Built-in Storage
- 108 MP + 13 MP + 5 MP Triple Rear Cameras
- 20 MP Front Camera
- Fingerprint Scanner (Side)
- 4G LTE Network
- 5G Network
- Power Delivery 3.0
- Fast charging 33W
- Non-Removable Li-Po 5000 mAh Battery
| Amazon.co.uk | £291.94 1 used from £291.94 | See It Here |
| Amazon.com | $359.50 1 used from $269.50 | See It Here |
18. OnePlus Nord N10 5G
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G is an affordable 5G phone from Oneplus. It was launched alongside the Non-5G OnePlus Nord N100.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G Key Specs & Features
- 6.49-inch IPS LCD Display, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 90Hz Refresh Rate (405 PPI)
- Android 10.0; OxygenOS 10.0
- Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 (8nm) Processor
- 6GB RAM
- 128GB Inbuilt Storage, with SD-Card support up to 256GB
- 64MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP Quad Rear Cameras
- 16MP Front Camera
- 5G Network
- Fingerprint Sensor (Rear Mounted)
- 4300 mAh Non-Removable Li-Po Battery
- Warp Charge 30T (30W Fast Charge Capacity)
| Amazon.com | $229.18 2 new from $203.72 5 used from $120.00 | See It Here |
| Amazon.co.uk | £229.00 1 used from £176.00 | See It Here |
19. Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G
One of the new-age smartphone company, Oppo, has a Reno4 Pro 5G in the market, though the Reno5 series have been announced and will available in markets soon. So, also be in the lookout for the Oppo Reno5 5G, Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G, and Oppo Reno5 Pro+ 5G.
The smartphone sports 6.55-inch AMOLED display. It however comes with what can only be described as a mid-range processor in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G. You however gets the option of 8GB or 12GB RAM.
To boost its claim as one of the best 5G phones, Oppo guarantees its 5G connectivity to allow smooth and lag-free mobile internet running as per operator’s service so that streaming of high-resolution content and cloud gaming become effortless. You can also consider the Oppo Reno4 5G.
Oppo Reno 4 Pro 5G Key Specs and Features
- 6.55-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels (402 PPI)
- Android 10; ColorOS 7.2
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 (7 nm)
- 8GB RAM / 12GB
- 128GB / 256GB Built-in Storage
- 48MP + 13MP + 12MP Triple Rear Cameras
- 32MP Front Camera
- Fingerprint Sensor (Under display)
- Fast Charging (65W Capacity)
- 4000mAh Non-Removable Li-Po Battery
| Amazon.co.uk | £599.00 | See It Here |
20. Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G
Samsung’s foray into foldable feature-enabled 5G phones became a reality when it announced in February 2019 about Galaxy Fold 5G and the product came into the market later in September.
The primary display of the phone is a large 7.30-inch touchscreen with a super-sharp 1536 x 2152 resolution, while the secondary display isn’t far behind sporting a handsome 4.60-inch touchscreen and 720×1680 resolution.
The multitasking functionalities of Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G are well-supported by the humongous 12GB RAM, a 2.84GHz octa-core processor using Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 855, and smooth running of its hardware and software is ensured by Android Pie 9 OS in One UI.
Other usual features that the best 5G phones of today include, such as face unlock function and wireless charging in addition to the regular fast charging with USB Type-C, are also available with this model.
Flexible 5G phones being a novelty still, and with Huawei Mate X yet to come out for public use, Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G scores some sizzling positive reviews from users. The feel of holding the unfolded phone has been compared in some circles to an iPad Mini with an option to fold and carry comfortably.
As imperative with foldable touchscreen phones, Samsung has beefed up the phone protection around its Infinity Flex screen, and with a sleeker look and design improvement compared to the earlier iterations of Fold models, this is possibly one of the best 5G phones available in the market today. Price start at around $2,199.
Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G Key Specs
- 7.3 inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED Display, 1536 x 2152 pixels (362 ppi), HDR10+
- 4.6 inch Super AMOLED Display, 720 x 1680 pixels, 21:9 aspect ratio
- Android 9.0 Pie, 12GB RAM
- Octa-core Qualcomm SDM855 Snapdragon 855
- 16 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP Triple Rear Camera
- 10 MP + 8 MP Front Camera
- 10 MP Cover Camera
- Fingerprint Scanner (Side)
- 512GB inbuilt Storage
- 5G Network Support (5G band 41(2500), 78(3500); NSA/Sub6)
- 4G LTE
- Fast Charging (15W Capacity)
- 15W Fast Wireless Charging
- 4235 mAh Non-Removable Li-Po Battery
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5G is Faster than 4G
Even so, the basics of 5G USP is understood, and the implications are staggering. Lightning quick speed of internet connectivity is a driving functionality, and if you thought that your current 4G phones are fast, wait till you try one of the new 5G phones.
The difference is between 10 and 100 times faster than its predecessor. With a lag time of merely one millisecond (should average around 20ms), 5G connectivity once again scores big over 4G, which records a rock-bottom latency of only 20 milliseconds (should average around 50ms).
The question that naturally comes up now is when can one lay hand on a 5G phone and unlock its potentials. The answer is you can do so now.
While it’s true that the spectrum and band availability are very specific to 5G and can only work with certain limitations using the currently available 4G networks, there are still several 5G phones in the market that utilises the nascent technology as it stands today.
With Sprint and Verizon in the US, EE in the UK and Telstra in Australia among the top service providers offering the fastest 5G network currently available worldwide, there is still a gap between the performance and potential of 5G, but it’s a proven fact that even now, the speed is superior to 4G.
That is our lineup of best 5G phones. More phones are bound to join the list this year as 2023 is the year 5G phones are expected to lead the smartphone market by overtaking 4G phone shipment for the first time.
5G smartphones were just 1% of global smartphone sales in 2019, but it rose to 18% of global smartphone shipment in 2020 and is expected to account for about 69% of the market this year (2023). So, expect to hear a lot more about 5G phones this year with more affordable options joining the ranks.
