Key takeaways
- The main difference between 4G and 5G is speed and capacity. In recent UK tests, 5G download speeds averaged 90 to 187 Mbps, depending on the network, while all connections combined (4G included) averaged 33 to 53 Mbps.
- 5G is not always faster than 4G. Signal strength, location and network congestion matter more than the label, and 4G still covers more of the UK than 5G.
- To use 5G, you need a 5G phone, a plan that includes 5G and 5G coverage where you are. Without all three, your phone uses 4G, which is plenty for messaging, maps, music and everyday video.
Every phone advert seems to treat 5G as essential, as if 4G had quietly been switched off. It hasn't.
Both do the same basic job: they connect your phone to the internet. 5G is the newer one, and in the right place it can be much faster. The catch is that "in the right place" is doing a lot of work in that sentence.
Here's what actually changes day to day, and whether it's worth caring about.
4G vs 5G at a glance
| What differs | 4G | 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Download speed in recent UK tests | All connections combined, 4G included, averaged about 33 to 53 Mbps depending on the network, so 4G on its own sits below that | Averaged about 90 to 187 Mbps depending on the network |
| Response time | Quick enough for calls, video and most games | Quicker still, which helps with online gaming and video calls but is rarely noticeable elsewhere |
| Busy places | Can slow down when lots of people use the same mast | Built with more capacity, so it usually copes better in crowds |
| Share of UK land area covered | Around 90% per network | Roughly 9% to 49% per network |
The table above measures land area. Count homes and businesses instead, and 5G looks much better: each network reaches roughly 64% to 89% of them outdoors, and around 97% are covered by at least one network.
Is 5G better than 4G?
Here's how 4G and 5G compare on speed and response time.
| 4G | 5G | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | About 33 to 53 Mbps, averaged across all connections | About 90 to 187 Mbps |
| Response time | About 35 to 58 ms | About 15 to 21 ms |
What that looks like in real life:
- Watching in 4K. Netflix recommends about 15 Mbps for 4K. Average 4G speeds meet that, so 4K plays fine on either, as long as your signal is decent.
- Downloading something big. A 1GB game or app update takes about 3 minutes on 4G and about 1 minute on 5G. Long enough to make a cuppa, or not.
- Standing in a packed station or at a match. 4G can crawl when everyone's online. 5G has more capacity, so it usually copes better.
These are averages. Your own speed depends on your signal, where you are and how busy the network is.
Streaming in 4K looks great on either, but it can eat through data. Our guide to how much data YouTube, Netflix and Spotify use shows how quickly it adds up.
Why 5G is sometimes no faster than 4G
The 5G icon shows which type of connection you're on, not how strong it is. A weak 5G signal indoors can easily be slower than a strong 4G one.
It usually comes from three things:
- Distance and walls. The further from a mast, and the more walls in the way, the weaker the signal.
- Type of 5G. Some reach far but aren't much quicker than 4G. The really fast kind covers less distance and struggles indoors.
- A busy mast. Everyone on it shares the speed, on 4G or 5G.
Do you need 5G?
If your phone and plan already support 5G, there's no reason to switch it off. Leave it on and let your phone choose. If they don't, you're not missing out on much.
4G is probably fine if:
- Your phone is 4G only and works well for you.
- You mostly message, browse, use maps, listen to music or watch video.
- Most of your time is spent somewhere without 5G coverage.
5G is worth having if:
- You often download large files, games or updates on mobile data.
- You're regularly in crowded places like stations, stadiums or city centres.
- You use video calls or online games on the move.
- You're upgrading your phone anyway, since most modern phones support 5G.
What we wouldn't do is pay extra for a phone or plan just for the 5G badge. Check whether any of the points above apply to you first.
Not sure how much data you actually need? Our guide to how much data you need helps you work it out.
5G on SMARTY
Every SMARTY plan includes 5G. No add-on, no extra charge, no hunting through the small print. If you've got a 5G phone and 5G coverage where you are, your phone will use it. Our 5G page has the details, and our coverage checker shows what to expect for your postcode.
FAQs
Does 5G use more data than 4G?
No, not by itself. A file of a given size uses the same amount of data on 4G or 5G. On a faster connection, though, video apps often automatically select a higher quality, which is where extra data use can creep in.
Can I use a 4G phone on a 5G network?
Yes. A 4G phone works on a 5G network as normal, but it connects using 4G, so it won't get 5G speeds. To use 5G you need a 5G-compatible phone.
Is 5G available everywhere in the UK?
Not yet. Ofcom's latest figures show that around 97% of UK homes and businesses are covered outdoors by at least one network, but each network reaches only roughly 64% to 89% of them, and far fewer in the countryside. In rural areas, phones often still use 4G, so check your provider's coverage checker for your postcode.
