What's the difference between 4G LTE and 5G? Do you actually need 5G coverage? You may not realize it, but these questions matter when picking a phone plan. Your network connection type determines the most important aspects of your plan, including your coverage area and top data speeds.
5G networks are the most recent connectivity types and offer the fastest speeds. Most customers will want a phone plan with access to a fast 5G network. However, the strongest 5G coverage stays around urban areas. The 4G LTE networks still offer the gold standard for widespread connectivity and coverage. Finally, 3G networks were shut down in 2022 and no longer work.
Whether you're wondering how cellular networks work or choosing between different carriers for your next plan, we've got you covered. Read on to learn how the different generations of wireless technology have evolved, the top speeds offered by each, and which network is best for your needs.
What are cellular networks?
Cellular networks use transceivers and radio waves to enable smartphones or other devices to place phone calls or connect wirelessly to the internet. These networks create large overlapping areas of coverage with cellular towers. Each tower transmits and receives signals, allowing phones to seamlessly switch among them as they move, maintaining constant connectivity.
Essentially, you rely on cellular networks for the voice service, text messaging, and data connectivity of your phone plan. Major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer their own cellular networks. That said, not every network is created equal.
As new technology emerges to increase the power of cellular networks, carriers are constantly updating and expanding their coverage. Each major update to a cellular network is called a "generation," which is shortened to "G" for official labels. When considering 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks, you're simply talking about the third, fourth, and fifth generations of cellular networks.
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of cellular networks. It's currently the fastest network type, but it's also the smallest network for most carriers. And despite what some claim, it's just as safe as past generations. The main difference between 5G and 4G LTE is that 5G offers the fastest data speeds while 4G LTE offers a larger coverage area.
You'll generally find the best 5G service in urban areas and scant 5G coverage in rural towns. There are also several types of 5G coverage, depending on which carrier you're looking at and the frequency bands being used. Theoretically, 5G speeds can reach up to 20Gbps. But with the current infrastructure, the average 5G download speeds sit around 250Mbps.
Should you upgrade to 5G? In most cases, you probably already have. 5G is the new standard connectivity type for virtually all carriers in the United States. It's included for free in most plans, and virtually all smartphones made in the past five years have built-in 5G connectivity. If you do have an older phone that can't connect to 5G—and you don't love your 4G LTE speeds—it's probably time to upgrade.
Comparing the 5G networks, T-Mobile has the largest 5G network and the fastest data speeds in most areas. It covers 53.79% of the country, while AT&T and Verizon cover 29.52% and 12.77% of the nation, respectively.
Wondering about the 6G network? It's coming, but it's several years out. Carriers still haven't fully rolled out their 5G networks yet, so 6G will have to wait.
Best 5G plans
Virtually every carrier has access to a 5G network these days. While you can pick a plan from a major carrier like T-Mobile, you can save money by selecting a 5G plan from a smaller carrier like Mint Mobile, Visible, or US Mobile. These smaller carriers—called MVNOs—offer discounted service on the 5G networks from T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. Here are some of the best 5G plans:
|
Tello
Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data Plan
$25.00/mo
|
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US Mobile
Unlimited Starter Plan
$25.00/mo
$20/mo. for 6 months; $25/mo. thereafter
|
|
Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
|
Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
T-Mobile
Prepaid Unlimited Plan
$45.00
Per 1 Month Refill
with AutoPay - Taxes & Fees NOT included
+ $10 Upfront
|
What is 4G LTE?
4G is the fourth generation of wireless networks. 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a specific type of 4G connectivity. While it's not the fastest, it is an important network for customers to think about because it keeps them connected in more places than 5G.
Theoretically, 4G speeds could reach up to 1,000Mbps. However, most networks don't come close to that because the fastest speeds don't travel far. Instead, most 4G networks rely on LTE technology to produce fairly fast speeds that can cover wide distances. Think of 4G LTE as the halfway point between 4G and 5G. Its speeds average around 50Mbps, which is still fast enough for most smartphone tasks and allows for a large coverage area.
Verizon offers the largest 4G LTE network in the nation with a 70% coverage area. AT&T and T-Mobile are not far behind, covering 68% and 62% of the United States, respectively.
What is 3G?
3G was the third generation of wireless networks. Carriers shut down 3G networks in the United States in 2022 and they no longer work domestically, but you may still find 3G networks when traveling abroad.
3G was the first wireless network to expand mobile internet connectivity and turn cell phones into smartphones. However, the network offered incredibly slow speeds ranging from around 1–5 Mbps. While this was fine for the era when 3G existed, it would render today's smartphones almost unusable.
Compare 5G vs. 4G vs. 3G network speeds and latency
When it comes to networks, most customers should consider mobile data speeds when deciding which carrier they want. While 5G is the fastest connection type for all the major networks, remember that 4G LTE is the most widespread network. So check coverage areas before you plan on 5G speeds.
You can see how each mobile network generation compares in speeds below, just keep in mind that the 2G and 3G networks no longer operate in the U.S.
Compare mobile network generation speeds
| Generation | Top Speed | Average Speed |
|---|---|---|
| 2G | 0.3Mbps | 0.1Mbps |
| 3G (HSPA+) | 42Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| 4G LTE (ADV CAT-16) | 1Gbps | 50Mbps |
| 5G | 20Gbps | 250Mbps |
Note: This table represents the theoretical top and average speeds of each network's best version. Your individual experience depends on the carrier you select and your location.
The other major 5G development is latency, which is the measurement of time between your request for data to a server (like when you click on something on a website) and the return of that data (when what you click loads on your screen). Lower latency allows for faster responses and a smoother online experience. It's crucial for things like mobile gaming and video calls.
Compare mobile network generation latency
| Network | Latency (milliseconds) |
|---|---|
| 2G | 300–1,000 ms |
| 3G | 100–500 ms |
| 4G | 50–100 ms |
| 5G | 1–10 ms |
How much faster is 5G than 4G LTE?
Image: Angelo Ilumba
During our testing of each major network's coverage, we've seen 5G speeds range from 200Mbps to over 600Mbps. On the other hand, 4G LTE speeds average around 50Mbps or slower. If you live in an area with access to T-Mobile's 5G UC, Verizon's 5G UW, or AT&T's 5G+ networks, you can expect speeds over double or triple the average speeds of 4G LTE networks.
Why is my phone still slow even if it says 5G?
Your phone can still have slow data speeds when connected to the 5G network. The most common reason is deprioritization, which is when a carrier slows your speeds due to network congestion.
You may also be too far away from a cell tower, meaning it's more difficult for your phone to maintain a connection.
Finally, the network may have connectivity problems. Consider toggling your 5G settings to see if the connection will reset and restore your speed.
Which network should you use?
Whether gaming, streaming, or downloading apps, the 5G network is generally the network you should use. It offers the fastest data speeds, lowest latency, and it's incredibly reliable.
However, 4G LTE still stands out in one area: coverage. When traveling between urban areas, 4G LTE will still do most of the heavy lifting to keep you on the grid.
Which network is best for gaming?
A 5G network is best for gaming because of its incredibly fast download speeds and low latency times. When playing online mobile games like PUBG: Mobile, a 5G connection helps you stay in the action with very little lag or buffering.
Which network is best for coverage?
A 4G LTE network is best for coverage. While offering slower speeds, 4G LTE coverage waves can travel over longer distances than 5G signals can. This range means that in rural areas, you'll generally still need a 4G LTE network to stay connected.
Which network is best for streaming?
A 5G network is best for streaming because it offers incredibly fast data speeds and wide network bandwidth. In fact, premium phone plans from carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T can include up to 4K UHD (ultra-high definition) streaming compatibility. You can still stream on 4G LTE networks, but you may be limited to SD (standard definition) quality.
Which network is best for downloading apps?
A 5G network is best for downloading apps and files because of its fast speeds and low latency. Your 5G speed is measured in how quickly it downloads files per second. Using the average 5G network speed of 250Mbps, a 1GB app would take less than 5 seconds to download. The same 1GB app on a 4G LTE network with a 50Mbps speed would take almost 20 seconds.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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