After 4G succeeded 3G a few years back, now 5G has come to the scene to succeed 4G or LTE. As the network infrastructure and mobile phones are becoming 5G compatible, you can now enjoy faster-browsing speed, download speeds and several other 5G benefits. So, how fast is a 5G connection? What are the best 5G compatible phones available in the market? These are the questions people often think of while planning a 5G mobile handset.
The speed and connectivity of a 5G mobile phone depend on various factors like your device location and network. But, eventually you will see improvements in the real world. Imagine your 4K movies getting downloaded within a minute or two! Wouldn’t that be great?
In this blog, we have got you the list of the best 5G compatible phones to buy in 2020. Have a look and decide your best buy.
Best 5G Compatible Phones
1. Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus
The first name in our list of best 5G compatible phones is Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus. This model from Samsung supports all the 5G networks, Its Snapdragon 865 processor makes it possible to be compatible with 5G networks. It helps deliver better performance that can be similar to most Android mobile phones.
One thing that knocks down this Samsung model, Galaxy S20 is its high price. If you are on a budget, you may not find it to be a good choice. But, see the larger side – its features and specifications offered against the price. There’s the QHD AMOLED screen that offers a refresh rate of 120Hz making scrolling down the screen smoother than other smartphones. It is a perfect choice for gaming enthusiasts. In this model, there’s an improvement in the rear camera. It has 4 rear cameras having 64MP telephoto lens helping in the super-sharp zoom shots.
The only downside of the phone is the high refresh rate drains the battery faster. If you are on a budget, the price might also be a concern for you.
Specifications
- 7inches screen
- Snapdragon 865 processor
- 37X2.9X0.3inches in dimensions
- 56 ounces in weight
- Battery life of 10 hours 20 minutes
- AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint 5G networks
Features
- Amazing 64MP telephoto lens
- 120Hz refresh rate screen features
- Supports all kinds of 5G networks
- The refresh rate affects battery life
- Expensive
Pros
- Best for gamers
- Amazing rear cameras with 64MP telephoto lens
- Compatible with all 5G networks
Cons
- Not-so-good battery life
- Not budget-friendly
2. OnePlus 8 Pro
The next on the list is OnePlus 8 Pro, which is one of the best Android mobile phones at this price. However, it offers limited options when it comes to 5G networks. The model is only offered unlocked, which indicates you can’t purchase it through a particular wireless carrier. This addition to the One Plus series works only on sub-6Hz-based 5G networks. As such, they do not provide many benefits from the higher speeds of mmWave based 5G networks. SO, if you are a Verizon customer, you might have to look for another model as your carrier relies heavily on mmWave based.
There’s nothing to be disappointed mate. You can have this One Plus model if your 5G network carrier depends primarily on mid-band and low-band spectrum, such as Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile, the OnePlus 8 Pro is your perfect choice. It works fine with these 5G network carriers and offers high performance. Talking about its amazing specifications and features, it comes with a smooth and vibrant 120Hz screen, amazing quad cameras and fast charging speed.
Specifications
- Screen size of 6.78 inches
- Snapdragon 865 processor
- Unlocked 5G networks
- 5X2.9X0.33 in dimensions
- & ounces in weight
- Battery life of 11 hours 5 minutes
Features
- Beautiful and bright 120Hz display
- Amazing quad cameras
- Supports both wired and wireless charging
- Superfast charging
- No mmWave 5G support
Pros
- Supports wireless charging
- Superfast charging
- Good quad cameras
Cons
- Doesn’t support mmWave-based %G networks
3. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
After Samsung S20, we have got the Samsung S20 Ultra model of the brand in our list of best %G compatible phones. If money is not your concern when investing in gadgets like mobile phones, this model from Samsung is the perfect choice for you. With a 6.9inch OLED display screen, S20 Ultra boasts a myriad of features for its price.
The display screen has a 120Hz refresh rate that offers a smoother and impressive experience while scrolling through the pictures, content or gaming. Yes, a great option for the gaming freaks out there!
It has got quad lens rear cameras that support for clicking superb pictures and has got a powerful 10x Space Zoom. S20 Ultra comes with a 5000mAh battery that means you can easily get through the day on a single charge.
The best part about this model in the S20 series is it supports all kinds of %G networks, such as At&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. So, you need not worry about finding it compatible with your 5G network carrier. So, if you decide to invest in buying this model from Samsung, you will not be disappointed.
Specifications
- 9 inches screen size
- Supports almost all 5G networks
- 6X2.7X0.34 in dimension
- 7 ounces in weight
- Snapdragon 865 processor
- Battery life of 11 hours 58 minutes
Features
- Fantastic 120Hz display
- Superb cameras
- 5000mAh battery
- A little expensive
Pros
- 10x Space Zoom
- Quad camera clicks amazing pictures
- Supports all kinds of 5G networks
- 5000mAh battery
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Motorola Edge Plus
4. Motorola Edge Plus
The next on the list of 5G compatible phones is the Motorola Edge Plus. The model is exclusively built for Verizon users to fly on their mmWave network. It will also support the sub-6GHz deployment of BigRed, which will be launched later in the year 2020.
Coming to its impressive features, the phone delivers ultimate performance, has headphone jack and powerful speakers and display screen. However, its battery life and charging capacity is not up-to-mark with a 5000mAh battery. And, the model is not for everyone as it exclusively supports Verizon
But, if you want a 5G mobile phone for your Verizon carrier, it is one of the best options you have to date. It is cheaper than Samsung S20 and S20 Ultra models. The call is yours!
Specifications
- Snapdragon 865 processor
- 7 inches screen size
- 16 ounces in weight
- 34X2.81X0.37 inches in dimension
- 19 hours 58 minutes of battery life
Features
- Supports Verizon 5G network
- Fantastic performance
- Booming audio
- Comes with a headphone jack
- Exclusive to Verizon
- Has murky software update schedule
Pros
- Delivers high performance
- Amazing 5G experience for Verizon users
Cons
- Not-so-good charging capability
5. LG V60 ThinQ 5G
This one on the list is from LG, a different take on 5G compatible phones. The LG model comes with a 6.8inch OLED screen in such form that it is even larger than the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. Is that enough screen for you? Well you get an attachment of a second screen of 6.8 inches of display. In case you do not wish to have the second screen, you can save $100 on the phone. There have been some quirks found while testing the second screen display, but it is still considered a unique approach to smartphones. It will attract people who believe the concept – the more screen, the better.
Considering its battery life, LG has gone big as compared to the other 5G compatible mobile handsets. The battery lasts around 13 hours in web surfing over 5G. The only downside is its camera. The three rear cameras lack the telephoto lens and fail to click good pictures.
However, overall the LG V60 ThinQ is a good option for people who want a versatile 5G mobile phone.
Specifications
- 8inches of screen size
- Snapdragon 865 processor
- 6.7X3.06X0.35inches
- 69 ounces in weight
- 12 hours 46 minutes of battery life
- Supports 5G carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
Features
- Big in size
- Has a dual-screen attachment
- Long-lasting battery
- Not available unlocked
Pros
- Dual screen attachment
- Good battery life
- Available at a discounted price when bought with the second screen attachment
Cons
- No telephoto lens
6. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G
Another Samsung model that found a place on our list of best 5G compatible phones is Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G.
Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G from Samsung has almost all the features the same as the Mote 10 Plus model, except its weight. The 5G model is slightly heavier than Note 10 Plus as it has a 5G modem included in the handset. As soon as it was launched back in 2019 in the United States, the phone got very popular. However, now people give it a second thought considering its price. Samsung has not made any changes in the handset’s price, even when there are other 5G compatible phones in the market.
One of the most loved features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G model is that its S Pen. It is the multifaceted stylus that comes with all Galaxy Note models. So, if you are okay with the price of this 5G compatible phone, you can purchase it to experience uninterrupted web surfing over 5G.
Specifications
- Samsung Exynos 9 Octa 9825 processor
- Screen size of 6.8 inches
- 7 ounces in weight
- 10MP front camera
- 4X3.0X0.31 inches in dimension
- 4300mAh battery
Features
- Available with S pen
- 3 rear cameras
- Has a large display screen
- A bit expensive
Pros
- Comes with an S pen
- Good battery life
Cons
- A little expensive
7. Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G
Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G mobile has so much to offers its users. It comes with a non-removable 4500mAh battery with 27W wireless charging and 40W wired charging. It also supports reverse wireless charging. Now, this makes it one of the best picks for a 5G compatible phone.
Talking about its camera, it has got an impressive rear camera setup – 40MP RYYB main camera, 8MP 3x telephoto sensor and 40MP ultra-wide sensor. Its dual LED flash allows you to take perfect pictures, regardless of the time of the day.
The only downside of the Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G is the iffy waterfall display, which led to ditching the physical volume keys. Well, the lack of Google support is also a problem with this model, but manageable.
Specifications
- Screen size of 6.53inches
- Non-removable Li-Po 4500 mAh battery
- 40MP quad camera
- Dual selfie camera
- 22 x 2.88 x 0.35inches in dimension
- 98 ounces in weight
- OLED capacitive touchscreen display
- Kirin 990 chipset
- 128GB of internal storage
- 8GB RAM
- 86GHz octa-core processor
Features
- Fast charging
- Supports both wired and wireless charging
- Impressive rear and front camera setup
Pros
- Supports reverse charging
- Comes with quad rear camera and dual front camera
- Fast charging battery
Cons
- Iffy waterfall display
- Lacks Google support
8. Oppo Find X2 Pro
Oppo Find X2 Pro is similar to the Galaxy S20 series by Samsung. It comes with the same Snapdragon 856 silicon, an impressive Quad HD+OLED panel and a 120 Hz refresh rate of the screen. The best part is you can run the 120Hz refresh rate at the highest resolution possible and have the experience of both worlds in the best way.
Talking about its camera, Oppo’s model is packed with a 48MP ultra-wide camera, 48MP main camera and 13MP 5x periscope camera. Above all, the best feature of Find X2 Pro still remains to be its 4260mAh battery that comes with 65W charging. The phone gets 92% charged within a time of 30 minutes!
Other interesting features of this 5G compatible phone include a ceramic or faux leather design, 12GB RAM and IP68 water/dust resistance. Like every other mobile handsets, this one also comes with some downsides like the lack of mmWave support, wireless charging and 8K recording.
Specifications
- 7inches screen size
- Quad HD display
- Snapdragon 865 processor
- 256/512GB internal storage
- 12Gb RAM
- 4260mAh battery
- 32MP front camera
- 48MP+48MP+13MP rear camera
Features
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Fast charging feature
- On-screen fingerprint sensor
- Light sensor
- Proximity sensor
- Quad+OLED display
Pros
- Extremely fast charging
- IP68 water/dust resistant
Cons
- Lacks mmWave support
- Lacks wireless charging
9. Xiaomi MI MIX 3 5G
This one on the list of 5G compatible phones is one of the cheapest options you will have. The Xiaomi MI Mix 3 5G was launched in May 2019 (yet to be launched in India). It comes with powerful internal hardware specifications. It is a strong device with a sleek bezel-less screen design, a magnetically sliding 6.39inch OLED display and more. Talking about its amazing features, it comes with a 10GB Ram, 256GB internal storage, a dual rear camera, etc.
One of the best features of this model is its price. It is among the most affordable phone on this list. You do not have to burn your pockets to buy this 5G mobile handset from Xiaomi.
Specifications
- Screen size of 6.39inches
- Android 9.0 OS
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor
- 3800mAh battery
- 1080X2340pixels resolution
- 6GB Ram
- 64GB/128GB internal storage
- 94 ounces in weight
- 22 x 2.94 x 0.37inches in dimension
- 12MP+12MP rear camera
- 24MP+2MP front camera
Features
- Ambient light sensor
- Proximity sensor
- Supports face unlock
- Fast charging
Pros
- Affordable price
- Unusual slide-out mechanism
- Powerful internal hardware specifications
Cons
- Camera quality not so good
10. Moto Z3
The last on the list of 5G compatible phones is Moto Z3. If you are looking for a mid-range 5G compatible phone, Moto Z3 can be your best pick. This model has been around for a while now, but is only capable of 5G speeds with the 5G Moto Mod.
Yes, you need to buy the 5G Moto Mod along with Moto Z3 to use its 5G feature. Another important thing to note is that it supports only Verizon users in the United States, living in the areas where 5G is supported.
Considering its significant features, it comes with a decent screen size of 6.01inches, 6GB RAM and a Snapdragon 835 processor. It has got a dual-LED dual-tone flash with its dual rear camera setup. It has a 3000mAh battery that supports a decent running time.
Specifications
- 6.01inches screen size
- 1080X2160pixels resolution
- 16 x 3.01 x 0.27inches in dimension
- 05 ounces in weight
- 3000mAh battery
Features
- Supports 5G Verizon users
- Lights sensor
- Fingerprint sensor
- Dual LED dual-tone flash
Pros
- An affordable 5G handset
- Mid-range specifications
Cons
- Need to buy 5G Moto Mod for 5G support
Buying guide for purchasing the best 5G compatible phones
As 5G is not so prevalent yet across the world, you need to make sure which wireless carrier will provide you the 5G network before purchasing a 5G compatible phone. There are different %G service providers with different approaches of the network rollouts,
Here are the different kinds of 5G you must know about:
Prior to buying a 5G mobile handset, you should understand the different kinds of 5G networks. There are four basic types – low-5G, middle-5G, high-band 5G and DSS 5G. The low kind offers a high coverage feature, but fail to offer much speed. The middle and high-band offer decent coverage and extremely fast speed.
Talking about the fourth kind, DSS, it refers to a method of sharing airwaves between 4G and 5G. It will allow the carries to slowly reduce its 4G network capacity as 5G flourishes around. This will work as an advantage for people having 5G phones. However, it can be a trouble for the one’s not having a 5G compatible mobile handset.
Below-mentioned networks are the different carriers and their type of 5G network support:
Note: Sprint and T-mobile are described as ‘New T-Mobile’ as they are merging.
AT&T: Lots of low bands, but slow speed; high-band in small areas of around 35 cities; no mid-band; DSS to be added.
New T-Mobile: Lots of low-band; a lot of mid-band; little high-band; No DSS available.
Verizon: high-band available everywhere; DSS to be launched soon
Other than the 5G networks, you need to focus on the specifications and features of the phone that you are wishing to purchase. Look for a phone with a good display screen, processor, impressive camera setting and other features as per your preference. However, make sure you check the battery life before making the purchase as 5G draws a lot of power and not all mobile phones can handle the added demands.
Conclusion
We hope the list of 5G compatible phones helps you find the desired type of mobile handset based on your service provider. Tell us which one suits you best from the above models.
