Yes, 5G rollout affects older phones, primarily because they lack the necessary hardware (like a 5G modem) to use 5G networks, meaning they will only access 4G or older, and more significantly, the shutdown of older 3G networks (to make way for 4G/5G) can stop some older 4G/3G devices from making calls or connecting if they don't support Voice over LTE (VoLTE). So, while a 4G phone won't get 5G speeds, the phasing out of 3G can make some older devices completely unusable, requiring an upgrade to a newer, compatible phone.
A 4G phone does not have the necessary hardware to access 5G speeds, meaning that while the 5G SIM card can still function in your 4G device, you'll only be able to connect to 4G networks.
Will my 3G or 4G phone work with 5G? No, you'll need a new phone as older phones can't be updated to support 5G because they require a 5G chipset and modem. If you have a 3G or 4G phone it will still work on 5G plans, but you'll only get 3G or 4G speeds.
4G is not being phased out in the U.S. anytime soon, but it's anticipated to phase out starting in 2030. Mobile carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, have committed to maintaining their 4G networks for years to come, even as they expand their 5G infrastructure.
5G also uses advanced communication protocols called 5G New Radio (5G NR). Older devices simply don't have the internal components to use these signals.
No, 4G is not being phased out in 2025 or anytime soon. Based on historical patterns from 3G's lifecycle, 4G networks will likely remain operational until around 2030 or later. No major carriers have announced plans to shut down 4G infrastructure.
Is a 4G phone still worth buying in 2025? Yes, absolutely. For most users, 4G network speeds are perfectly adequate for all daily tasks. High-end 4G phones deliver top-tier performance, cameras, and battery life, often at a better price than their 5G counterparts, making them an excellent value proposition.
The good news is that 4G LTE will be available for at least a decade to come, and will co-exist with 5G networks. In this post, we'll provide updates on the sunsetting of 2G and 3G networks and the outlook for 4G LTE and 5G networks, to support those who are planning their migration path.
Upgrading to 5G may be worth it for users who need faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance for high-demand tasks like streaming or gaming.
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.
He says that even with the "standalone 5G" service, your phone can still drop down to 4G if a faster connection is not available. He says that for most people, "standalone 5G isn't worth it as it's not very good value for money because the contracts are expensive".
In order to use 5G, you'll first need a 5G-ready phone or mobile device. After this, you'll need to be connected to a mobile network and plan that provides 5G1.
The iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max do not support 5G connectivity. Samsung Galaxy S20 series While powerful, the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra lack 5G support. Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 series The Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 5 and Pixel 5a are examples of Google phones that do not offer 5G capabilities.
Will a 5G device work with my current sim? Yes, your 5G device will be able to use a 4G sim to receive 4G/3G/2G coverage whenever it needs to.
You may still see a 3G signal in some places for a short period in early 2026, but the network will soon be switched off. If you're still using a 3G-only handset, please visit a Phone Shop to upgrade as soon as possible.
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.
After Australia's 3G shutdown (completed late 2024), phones that won't work are older 3G-only devices (like iPhone 4/5, Galaxy S5) and some newer 4G/5G phones (especially imported/grey market models) that lack Voice over LTE (VoLTE) or Emergency VoLTE (eVoLTE) capability, meaning they can't make calls, send messages, or reach 000 on 4G/5G networks. Common impacted examples include Google Pixel 2, older iPhones (5, 5C, 5S), Samsung Galaxy S5, and some Oppo A57/F1s, plus many smartwatches, tablets, and medical alarms relying on 3G.
5g offers significantly faster data speeds compared to 4g, enabling instant downloads and HD video streaming. In Australia, Optus' network has an average download 5g speed over what's 100 Mbps, approximately 239.6Mbps.
Disadvantages of 5G Technology:
4G phones cannot access 5G speeds but will continue functioning on existing 4G networks for several years, likely until 2030 or beyond.
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.
Factors such as network congestion, signal strength and coverage, device limitations, background apps, data throttling, and SIM card issues all play a role in your 4G experience.
Bill Gates has predicted that the smartphone era is nearing its end, suggesting that electronic tattoos will replace smartphones. Thoughts? - Red In Da City. He also said 640KB ought to be enough for any computer.
If your device is compatible, you need to make sure 4G Calling is switched on in your device settings. You can find out how to do this on our device support page. If it's not compatible, you can still send and receive texts and use 4G data, but you won't be able to make or receive calls using 4G.