The best 5G phones you can buy right now

5G networks are popping up all over the map, with many regions offering the next-generation cellular standard. Those looking for faster cellular speeds should consider getting a 5G phone. This is why we’ve done the legwork to bring you a list of the best 5G phones.

The good news? We had to sift through loads of devices, showing us just how far 5G has come. It’s also worth noting that 5G devices aren’t just for 5G networks, as they’ll work just fine on 4G LTE networks too. This is ideal if your area is not a 5G market yet, but you want to get ahead and get ready for prime time.

What is 5G, anyway?

Before showing you the best 5G phones you can currently get, let’s talk about 5G technology. 5G is the next step in cellular connectivity, in the same way that 4G followed 3G. This mobile connectivity standard delivers faster downloads than 4G LTE, although top speeds vary with the specific 5G technology used — more on this later.

5G also enables lower latency, which is ideal for VoIP calls, video conferencing, and online gaming. Essentially any real-time activity where lag can be of concern.

Finally, 5G networks bring reduced congestion compared to 4G. This means you shouldn’t have as much trouble holding a connection at concert venues, stadiums, busy cities, and other places with a ton of people.

Many carriers in Africa, China, Europe, Korea, the Middle East, and the US offer 5G. India is one of the biggest markets without 5G right now, but hopefully, the standard will launch soon.

This is just a brief overview of what 5G is. To learn more about the technology, check out the dedicated post using the link below.

Here: What is 5G, and what can we expect from it?

Is 5G safe?

We’ve seen several alleged 5G dangers in recent years, with one persistent claim being that 5G causes cancer. These claims have been doing the rounds with 2G, 3G, and 4G. Nevertheless, the evidence generally points to this not being the case.

Another popular conspiracy theory is that 5G is somehow responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Simply put, cellular radio waves don’t create viruses or weaken the immune system. So, please don’t burn down towers.

The 5G/coronavirus conspiracy theory also doesn’t hold water when the likes of India and Iran — two nations with loads of COVID-19 cases — don’t have 5G networks right now.

All signs point to 5G being safe or just as safe as 4G and other technologies. The internet is full of nonsense myths about 5G tech, a lot of which our very own Gary Sims debunked in a video you can check out above.

mmWave versus sub-6Ghz: What’s the difference?

5G is divided into two standards, much like HSPA+ and LTE are two 4G standards. These two 5G standards are mmWave and sub-6GHz.

mmWave 5G is the faster of the two standards right now, with a 2021 OpenSignal survey noting that Verizon’s mmWave 5G network offers average download speeds of almost 700Mbps. But this standard is more unreliable than sub-6Ghz and legacy 4G, making it suitable for much smaller pockets of coverage.

Meanwhile, sub-6Ghz 5G isn’t much faster than gigabit LTE. In fact, the survey above showed speeds varying from 238Mbps by Korea’s LG U+ down to 47Mbps for T-Mobile in the US. Nevertheless, sub-6Ghz 5G offers blanket coverage much like legacy 4G tech, and you’re still benefiting from reduced network congestion and lower latency.

The best 5G phones

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best 5G phones as new devices launch or are announced.

Samsung Galaxy S22 series

Samsung’s flagship phones have generally enjoyed plenty of features and widespread availability, which rings true in the 5G phone era. The Galaxy S22 series delivers 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X screens, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 processors, wireless charging, and IP68 water resistance.

Of course, the S22 Ultra is the star of the show — it packs a QHD+ screen, a crazy rear camera setup (108MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 10X periscope, 10MP 3X telephoto), and a 5,000mAh battery. It even includes an S Pen, which can be docked right into the device. This essentially makes it a Galaxy Note replacement.

More options: The best Samsung phones available

Otherwise, the S22 and S22 Plus have to settle for FHD+ displays and a lesser (while still excellent) camera system. They also have smaller batteries. Either way, you’re still getting powerful, feature-packed devices that are among the best 5G phones around.

If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. It’s not as premium as the S22 series, but it comes with compelling specs, offers a great experience, has a more accessible price point, and has 5G support.

Samsung Galaxy S22 specs:

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus specs:

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra specs:

Asus ROG Phone 5s series

The Asus ROG Phone 5s comes as a slight improvement to the ROG Phone 5, and it adds two options to the list of the best 5G phones. The Asus ROG Phone 5s and 5s Pro come with 5G support, but that is hardly the only thing to get excited about.

Both devices feature truly impressive specs. They come with a Snapdragon 888+ processor and up to a blistering 18GB of RAM, ensuring fantastic performance and long sessions of high-end gaming. The 6.78-inch AMOLED display is stunning and sports a 144Hz refresh rate. The batteries are also pretty huge at 6,000mAh.

More: The best gaming phones you can find

Users can also enjoy excellent gaming features like shoulder triggers and the Asus Armoury Crate app. Not to mention the addition of advanced features like Wi-Fi 6e, available accessories, triple-camera setups, and stereo speakers. These are true gaming beasts.

Asus ROG Phone 5s specs:

Asus ROG Phone 5s Pro specs:

Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

Google’s devices are often known as the industry standard for what Google should be. While not all Pixel releases are perfect, Google went all out with the Pixel 6 series. The Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are great 5G phones. Not only because of their fast data speeds, but because they are excellent overall handsets.

Google took another approach at design this time around, playing with looks to make these phones stand out from the crowd. Their playful colors are fun, build quality meets premium standards, and the overall design is flattering.

Also read: These are the best Android phones available

Specs are worthy of a true flagship, too. Both phones come with a Google Tensor chipset, which competes with the best alternatives. Along with 8GB-12GB of RAM, these devices won’t fall behind in performance. The large AMOLED screens also feature a Full HD+ or QHD+ resolution and 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates.

Google Pixel 6 specs:

Google Pixel 6 Pro specs:

Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro

First launched in China, we didn’t recommend the Xiaomi 12 series for some time. However, the due of 5G phones has been making its way to other markets, including Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. They aren’t planned to come to the USA, but it’s easier for everyone to get them now that they are in more countries.

The Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro are outstanding 5G phones, featuring premium designs, high-end specs, and overall great experiences. While Xiaomi is known for its affordable prices, these are not cheap, with prices starting at €999 for the Xiaomi 12 and €1,099 for the Pro variant.

Both come with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 8-12GB of RAM, 128-256GB of storage, and AMOLED screens with a 120Hz refresh rate. Differences between both phones aren’t too significant. The Pro has a slightly larger 6.73-inch display with a QHD+ screen. The Xiaomi 12 has a 6.28-inch Full HD+ panel. The larger device also has a slightly bigger 4,600mAh battery instead of 4,500mAh.

Xiaomi Mi 12 specs:

Xiaomi Mi 12 Pro specs:

OnePlus 10 Pro

Another phone first launched in China is the OnePlus 10 Pro. It has since been launched globally, including in North America, and it’s definitely among the best 5G phones around. It’s one of the first phones launched in collaboration with Oppo, something you can tell by looking at the new design, which suits it well.

The OnePlus 10 Pro offers a premium design and build quality. Sporting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and as much as 12GB of RAM, performance is also high-end. The screen is large at 6.7 inches, and it looks incredible thanks to the AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Pricing isn’t low, but this device competes very well against the competition, considering the $900 MSRP. You also get an IP68 rating, a large 5,000mAh battery, and 80W fast charging (65W in the USA).

OnePlus 10 Pro specs:

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3

Those looking for a foldable 5G phone have a couple of great options from Samsung. While the other Samsung flagships might have an edge in certain respects, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3‘s lure is that it can be folded in half, much like a classic flip phone. Unfolding the device will showcase a sharp 6.7-inch 2640 x 1080 AMOLED display.

It finally packs near-flagship level internals, but the Z Flip 3 is still a little light in the battery department. Features include a Snapdragon 888 processor, up to 256GB of internal storage, and a 3,300mAh battery.

Also: The best foldable phones in existence

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 may be the best foldable smartphone made to date and certainly the most affordable. Even if the clamshell-style form factor isn’t as beneficial as something like the Galaxy Z Fold 3, the quality of the hinge and improved display outweigh the negatives.

If you’re into foldable phones and don’t mind paying much more for a smartphone/tablet hybrid, you should also look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. It’s a beast of a device and also supports 5G speeds. The main difference is that, while the Z Flip 3 folds in, the Z Fold 3 is more like a regular-sized smartphone that folds out into a tablet form factor. Specs are also high-end, and the experience is nothing short of what you can expect from a premium handset device.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 specs:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 specs:

Apple iPhone 13 series

The Cupertino company may have been late to the 5G party last year, but the iPhone 13 family is full of worthy upgrades. There’s easily an iPhone for everyone between the iPhone 13 Mini, standard iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

All the phones deliver OLED screens, water resistance, wireless charging, and Apple’s blazing-fast A15 processor. But fans of small phones will be glad to see the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 Mini offer plenty of upgrades. It finally packs better battery life, so you can use your Mini all day long. Of course, there’s also the standard iPhone 13 that’s still not quite on the large side.

Other options: The best iPhone 13 alternatives

Aside from offering bigger batteries, the Pro and Pro Max models also provide a triple rear camera setup compared to the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini’s dual rear cameras. So the Pro models might be worth considering if you value endurance and photography flexibility.

One thing you won’t find on these iPhones is a fingerprint scanner, as Apple is still reliant on Face ID. This isn’t exactly ideal in today’s mask-wearing world.

Apple iPhone 13 Mini specs:

Apple iPhone 13 specs:

Apple iPhone 13 Pro specs:

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max specs:

Sony Xperia 1 III and 5 III

Sony has been delivering creator-ready phones in its Xperia line for a few years, and the latest Xperia 1 III is the best of the bunch. There’s also the 6.1-inch Sony Xperia 5 III for budget-conscious users, which isn’t cheap, but it doesn’t cost as much as the premium Xperia 1 III. Both models come 5G-ready, so it’s up to you to decide on your needs.

Here: Other great camera phones to consider

Either way, you’ll get a Snapdragon 888 chipset, an IP68 rating, and a headphone jack to unleash your creativity. The Xperia 1 III tops out at 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, while the Xperia 5 III sticks to 8GB and 256GB respectively. Both devices also offer 4,500mAh batteries, though the Xperia 1 III has an edge with wireless and reverse wireless charging.

Sony Xperia 1 III specs:

Sony Xperia 5 III specs:

Oppo Find X5 Pro

The Oppo Find X5 Pro is a gorgeous-looking device with a sleek design, even if it’s quite the fingerprint magnet. Looks aren’t all, though, and the phone’s internals are even more impressive. It also helps that you get the full power of 5G connectivity.

Specs include a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset (Dimensity 9000 in China), up to 12GB of RAM, and an IP68 rating. Additionally, you’ll get a sizeable 5,000mAh battery. The triple-camera setup is competent, and the QHD+ AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate is gorgeous.

Oppo’s camera bump is one of the most unique we’ve seen in a while, and it seems to melt into the device itself. It stars a pair of 50MP shooters along with a 13MP telephoto lens. You’ll have some problems with fingerprints due to the high-gloss finish, so be ready to clean often.

Oppo Find X5 Pro specs:

Google Pixel 5a 5G

Those looking to get one of the best 5G phones on the cheaper side of the spectrum should look at the Pixel 5a. It keeps the best features and functionality you find on the standard Pixel 5, but with a much lower price tag and minimal sacrifices.

You get a nice 6.34-inch OLED screen with a Full HD resolution. The chipset and RAM packages aren’t stunning, but the Snapdragon 765G and 6GB of RAM make for a very satisfactory experience for casual users. The 4,680mAh battery is also sizeable for a budget device.

Next: The best budget camera phones

If you’re into photography, Pixel handsets are known for their excellent photo quality, and the Pixel 5a is no exception. This device will take amazing photos, and you get a couple of cameras to play with.

Google Pixel 5a 5G specs:

These are our picks for the best 5G phones you can buy now or will be able to soon, but plenty of other suitable devices didn’t make the cut. We’ll update this list with new models as soon as they launch. In the meantime, you should check out our list of the best cellphone plans to find the right 5G provider for your needs.