Best 5G phones 2021 lists cannot be complete without three big ones: the Apple iPhone 12, the Samsung Galaxy S21, and the Google Pixel 5. These are three of the fastest smartphones out there when it comes to raw 5G speed, but which of them is the fastest, really?
(Photo : Getty Images)
Read on, because these three flagship smartphones will be duking it out 5G-style in this rendition of our Gadget Battle series. Which specific phone model is right for your 5G needs?
Best 5G Phones 2021: Why Should 5G Make You Excited?
5G technology is something that a lot of modern smartphones these days have, especially the top-end models. But why should you be excited about it?
Simply put, Verizon defines 5G as the fifth generation of wireless technology. It’s currently the fastest, most sophisticated, and feature-rich iteration of wireless tech. Its main goal is to significantly increase overall speed, decrease lag, and make sure that wireless communication is more streamlined than ever before.
Also, you might notice that when it comes to testing 5G speeds, a lot of reviewers focus on download and upload speed. If there’s one thing you should know about these two parameters, they depend on many factors, such as file size, server load times, and most especially, the ISP. At the end of the day, download/upload speeds vary greatly and cannot be standardized in any way.
TLDR: if you want the fastest wireless communication functions available, go for any phone that offers 5G.
Now, onto the phone comparisons.
Read also: Pixel 5 vs. Pixel 4A 5G Advanced Review: Camera, Processor and More! Which One is Better?
Apple iPhone 12 5G Performance
Since Apple hasn’t released the iPhone 13 yet, we are going to take a look at their most recent handset, which is the iPhone 12. And in terms of overall 5G speed, this phone is nothing to scoff at. According to Gadgets360, the iPhone 12 is capable of an average download speed of 44.5 Mbps.
(Photo : Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – 2021/06/06: In this photo illustration, Apples iPhone 12 seen placed on a MacBook Pro.
The average itself is quite respectable, and it also shows how far Apple’s wireless tech has gone. Compared to the speed of previous-generation 4G, Apple’s 5G iteration was around 2.3 times better. For those who can manage to upgrade to the newer iPhone, the overall wireless experience is much faster, and it shows. No wonder the iPhone 12 deserves to crack any Best 5G Phones 2021 list with these numbers.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Performance
Now, onto the current flagship phone from Samsung. The Galaxy S21’s 5G performance is more or less what you’d expect from a top-of-the-line Android phone. It’s also one of the best in this department, at least according to OpenSignal.
Their data shows that the Samsung Galaxy S21 tops the competition in terms of average 5G download speed, at around 56 Mbps. This is the highest average download speed in the United States, one of Samsung’s biggest markets and where the competition with Apple can be particularly fierce. Topping the leaderboards for average speed is a surefire way for the Galaxy S21 to make the Best 5G Phones 2021 list for any tech reviewer.
(Photo : Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
UKRAINE – 2021/01/14: In this photo illustration, Samsung Galaxy S21 and Samsung Galaxy S21+ pre-order information is seen on Samsung website displayed on a mobile phone in front of Samsung logo.
Google Pixel 5 5G Performance
The Google Pixel 5 might not be on a lot of people’s radars when it comes to smartphone purchases, but it does compete well in the 5G speed department. It’s also among the most affordable smartphones that are 5G-capable (at least according to Google), since the latest wireless tech tends only to be offered on high-end models.
Among the three combatants in this Gadget Battle, however, the Google Pixel 5’s 5G speed seems to vary the most. It performs extremely well if you only use certain ISPs, such as Verizon. In this YouTube video, tech reviewer Stetson Doggett tested the Pixel 5 on Verizon’s mmWave network and recorded averages of over 1000 Mbps (download) and around 40 Mbps (upload).
(Photo : Toru Hanai/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
A Google Inc. Pixel 5 smartphone is held for an arranged photograph taken in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. The Pixel 5 is an assembly of established technologies topped off with the marketing must-have of 5G wireless connectivity and an important reduction in price to $699.
But on other carriers, the speeds can go as low as 13 Mbps (download) and around 8 Mbps (upload), as shown in another YouTube video, this time by tech reviewer Liron Segev. This stark contrast shows how the Google Pixel 5’s 5G speeds can be quite temperamental. But based on these tests, maybe make sure that you get Verizon as a carrier if you want top 5G performance on your Pixel 5.
Which One Is Right for You?
Each of the three participants in this Gadget Battle has their own strengths and weaknesses. So, we’re going to have to go with a very cliche answer: pick the one that fits your needs, wants, and most importantly, your budget. At the end of the day, all of these phones offer 5G, and that alone doesn’t mean you lose as a consumer.
Related: Verizon and T-Mobile Prepare to Roll Out Expensive 5G Plans
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Written by RJ Pierce
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