In 2022, a 5G phone wasn't strictly necessary for most users, as 4G LTE was still robust, but it was becoming a smart choice for future-proofing and better performance in crowded areas, offering faster speeds and lower latency for heavy users in areas with good 5G coverage, though it added cost and potential battery drain. The need depended on your location, usage (gaming, streaming vs. basic browsing), budget, and how long you keep phones; getting one was a good way to ensure compatibility as networks evolved.
Here's the honest answer: It depends on you. Owning a 5G smartphone comes with perks—faster downloads, smoother streaming, better gaming—but whether it's worth the upgrade really boils down to a few personal factors: your location, how you use your phone, and how long you plan to keep it.
Theoretically, it's a hundred times faster than existing 4G technology, but this depends on your choice of network, your location, the type of connection you have, and your device, among other factors. But for most customers, expect speeds faster than 4G mobile and some NBN plans.
Without a 5G modem inside, a 4G phone simply isn't built to access or benefit from 5G networks. To actually use 5G data, your device needs to be 5G-capable.
It depends on your needs, budget, and 5G coverage in your area. If you live in a city with strong 5G networks, upgrading provides faster speeds, lower latency, and smoother performance for HD streaming, gaming, or large downloads. For everyday tasks like calls, messaging, and browsing, 4G is usually sufficient.
While 5G's algorithms are even more comprehensive than its predecessors, users are still vulnerable to cyberattacks. One area of concern is encryption. While apps on 5G networks are encrypted, the 5G NR standard doesn't have end-to-end encryption, leaving it open to certain kinds of attacks.
4G is not disappearing anytime soon. If you don't have a 5G phone, that's fine. You can still access super-fast and extensive 4G coverage on the Telstra network until you're ready for a new 5G device.
The biggest difference between 4G and 5G is the speed. 5G has the potential to be up to 10 times faster, because the way 5G works means that it uses smaller wavelengths and much higher frequencies which can support far more simultaneous connections than 4G.
5G networks are not being designed to replace 4G, rather they are designed to work in conjunction with 4G networks. Therefore, no one really knows when 4G will be phased out because cell phones that are 5G-capable will still be using 4G technology for quite some time to come.
In most cases, you will not need to change your SIM card to use 5G. Most 4G SIM cards are backward compatible with 5G networks. The reason is that 5G networks often require a specific type of SIM card called a 5G SIM or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC).
While 4G typically tops at around 1 Gbps download speeds with 50-100ms latency, 5G can reach theoretical speeds of 10-20 Gbps and latency as low as 1-4ms. This means smoother 4K streaming, faster large-file downloads, and more reliable performance for gaming and video calls.
Optus remains in first place for 5G Download Speed
Optus wins the 5G Download Speed award outright for the sixth consecutive time. Optus wins with a score of 208.7Mbps, comfortably ahead of Telstra and Vodafone, which place in second and third, respectively.
You can use your existing SIM card on your new 5G phone. However, if you want to enjoy the fast speed that 5G has to offer, you need to make sure your SIM card is 5G compatible! All you need to do is to contact your network provider for a 5G-ready SIM card and make sure your data plan has 5G coverage.
The 4G network is still a reliable option for mobile connectivity, supporting activities such as streaming videos, browsing the internet, using apps and making calls. While 5G offers faster speeds and lower latency, 4G remains the backbone of mobile communication globally and is sufficient for most daily tasks.
If you're a light user or live in an area with limited 5G coverage, a 4G phone is still a reliable and cost-effective choice. If you want faster speeds, future-proof performance, and already have good 5G coverage, then a 5G phone is the smarter investment.
Turning off 5G really extends your battery life.
Switching 5G off saves battery because, when connected to a 5G signal, your cell phone is basically connecting to a bunch of different, smaller networks all at once. This rapid loss of charge may also cause your phone to heat up.
Disadvantages of 5G Technology:
Yes, 5G smartphones can work on 4G networks. While 2G and 3G networks are now being phased out globally, both 4G and 5G networks continue to coexist. If a 5G network isn't available, the phone will automatically connect to a 4G network, or possibly an earlier network service, depending on availability.
A modern 4G phone in 2025 can still provide an excellent mobile experience for most daily tasks. You can expect: Reliable internet browsing and social media use. Smooth video streaming in HD.
5G can connect more devices than 4G
5G solves this issue by intelligently transmitting to each device, with high precision – which enables it to handle as much as 1 million devices per square kilometer. This precision reduces the noise in 5G, so that it is easier to connect many devices.
Yes, cellular networks like 5G will always consume more battery than Wi-Fi. The reason is simple: the further you are from a 5G tower, the harder your phone has to work to maintain a connection.
In some regions, 5G speeds and reliability rival or even exceed traditional broadband options. In these situations, a 5G router could be an excellent primary Internet solution. But if wired broadband in your area offers similar or better performance at a lower cost, it might be the better choice.
(But if you were to build a brand new network today, you would likely use 5G only.) They won't even starting thinking about 4G obsolescence until 6G is established, in the early 2030s.
It depends on your needs. If you live in an area with strong 5G coverage and regularly stream, game, or download large files, upgrading can deliver noticeably faster speeds and lower latency. If coverage in your area is limited or you're happy with 4G, you may prefer to wait.
While 5G can deliver dramatically faster speeds in ideal conditions, 4G provides reliable, consistent performance that meets most users' needs for streaming, video calls, social media, and web browsing.