If you’ve been tinkering around with your iPhone and you find that it’s showing you a message that says “5G uc” when you try to use it, you may be wondering what this actually means. Essentially, 5G means that your device is compatible with a new technology, which is faster than the current mid-band or mmWave wireless technology. Fortunately, you can still use your phone without using 5G, even if you’re not near a network with access to it. But if you want to try using the new mmWave technology, you will need to make sure you have a carrier that supports it.
mmWave 5G is faster than mid-band 5G
If you’re interested in purchasing a new iPhone, you may have noticed that some of them support millimeter wave 5G. This type of 5G is a real 5G network, and it’s much faster than mid-band 5G. However, not all phones that support mmWave are available in the U.S., and it’s not the same for all models of the iPhone. Rather, a few models have been approved by Apple to use mmWave, and others won’t. Let’s take a look at the differences between mmWave and mid-band 5G, and what that means for you.
Currently, all carriers in China are using mid-band to support 5G. Mid-band has a longer wavelength than millimeter wave, and is therefore less likely to be blocked by obstructions. In addition, it offers more coverage than mmWave. While millimeter wave is capable of 3000Mbps speeds, mid-band has average speeds of around 929Mbps.
T-Mobile is the only mobile service provider in the United States that has dedicated 5G spectrum on both low- and mid-bands. It is also the only provider that has a nationwide 5G network, and it has plans to cover more than 100 million people by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Verizon has plans to offer an unlimited high-speed hotspot, similar to LinkNYC. But it’s unclear whether it’s a real unlimited plan or just a prepaid plan. You’ll have to check with your service provider to find out more.
A case-add-on modem is an option that provides an additional 80 percent of coverage from AT&T towers. This includes a WiFi hotspot, dual simultaneous cellular radios, and high gain antennas. The case must be compatible with both the Connected and FirstNet Data Sim.
mmWave 5G is not supported on all 5G-enabled iPhones
While it’s not the fastest, mmWave 5G is a real 5G network, and you don’t have to miss out. This is especially true if you live in a city with Verizon. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to have a smartphone to enjoy it. In fact, many existing 4G base stations are able to be upgraded to low-frequency 5G.
The first thing to know is that mmWave 5G is not supported on all 5G-enabled iPhones. These include models with a display greater than 100. Instead, they are connected to common 257-262 frequencies.
This means that you’ll have to be in a clear line of sight to your antenna in order to use mmWave. You also have to be outside in order to fully benefit from mmWave’s capabilities. It’s not as fast as regular 5G, and the range is rather limited. To make it even worse, the actual coverage is not that great.
There are two types of 5G available, low-frequency and mid-band. Both are faster than standard 4G, but the latter’s speeds are often not as impressive. Below we’ll look at the differences between each type of 5G and see what it has to offer.
The intermediate frequency, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for those looking for a wide coverage area and a longer wavelength than millimeter wave. If you’re lucky enough to live in a city with this option, you’ll be rewarded with faster download speeds than you would have gotten on a mid-band network. Plus, you’ll have the added advantage of being able to get a better connection in an environment that is less likely to be blocked by obstacles.
Shrewd Information Mode decreases Wi-Fi and cellular-data utilization on the iPhone 12 Professional Max
The iPhone 13 Professional Max is the latest and greatest iteration of Apple’s venerable handset, and it comes with a 5G network to boot. While 5G may seem like a no brainer based on the sheer number of devices and applications on the network, it may not have the same performance or battery life as a 4G or even a 3G cellular connection. Fortunately, Apple is here to help, and the company has rolled out the Shrewd Information Mode, an all-in-one smart-phone application that enables your iPhone to switch between 4G and 5G based on your activity. This mode can be activated in three easy steps, and will enable you to use the network you know and love – and maybe not.
Not content with just letting you savor the perks of being in the network, Apple has also included the aforementioned Shrewd Information Mode on the cellular side, so you’ll always have an up and running mobile broadband connection when you’re not at home or in the office. With a combined maximum speed of 200 Mbps, you’ll be able to download and upload data at a blazing fast rate.
Switching off 5G doesn’t have to stay off forever
Switching off 5G is a good thing to do if you want to get better battery life from your iPhone 12. In addition to helping improve your battery performance, it also limits the amount of data that is used when you are not actively using your phone. However, switching off doesn’t have to be an indefinite process. If you ever need to use it again, just turn it on. It’s easy to do!
To switch off your phone’s 5G, simply go to Settings – General – Cellular. From there, you can tap on the “5G” button, which will then display a menu. Click on the tab that says, “Settings.” You will see that you can change the time your phone stays on 5G, and you can toggle it off as well. By setting the time, you can avoid draining your battery when you don’t need it.