I keep seeing ‘5G+’ pop up on my phone, and I’m not sure what it means exactly. Can someone explain how 5G+ differs from regular 5G and why my device shows it? I’d appreciate any insights on this.
5G+ on your phone basically means you’re connected to a faster version of 5G. It’s like saying “regular 5G, but on steroids.” Standard 5G uses low-band frequencies, which are good for broader coverage but not super fast. 5G+ usually refers to mid-band or mmWave frequencies, which give you blazingly fast speeds but only if you’re close to a compatible tower. So if you’re seeing 5G+, you’re likely in an area with upgraded infrastructure for higher speeds.
But here’s the kicker: just because your phone shows 5G+ doesn’t mean you’ll actually feel the difference. Speeds depend on your device, your carrier’s network congestion, and, sometimes, whether the wind’s blowing in the right direction (I’m joking… mostly). Some carriers slap “5G+” on their display as more of a marketing flex than a tech guarantee. If your phone suddenly feels like dial-up, even with that fancy 5G+ icon, that’s your network provider trolling you.
TLDR: 5G+ means faster 5G tech like mid-band/mmWave, but performance can vary. Enjoy those milliseconds of speed—if you can actually notice them.
5G+ is kind of a funny little marketing flex in a lot of ways, but let’s break it down. Basically, it’s like when a coffee shop writes “artisan” on your cup—it means something, but whether you’ll notice it is a whole other thing.
What’s actually happening? 5G+ indicates you’re connected to a higher-frequency part of the 5G spectrum, typically either mid-band or mmWave. These bands are faster and have lower latency than your run-of-the-mill 5G (which often uses low-band frequencies). But the catch—oh, there’s always a catch—is that this performance depends on a few tricky factors: how close you are to a compatible tower, how congested the network is, and sometimes whether Mercury is in retrograde (kidding, obviously… or am I?).
As @mike34 mentioned, not all 5G+ experiences are created equal. Some carriers love to slap that “+” on there for marketing reasons, even if your connection isn’t exactly warp speed. It’s like your phone saying, “Look at me, I’m fancy,” while the speed test says, “LOL nope.”
To put it bluntly: your phone showing 5G+ just means you’re in a coverage area that supports it, not that you’re necessarily reaping all the benefits. It’s cool for bragging rights—until you try to load a video and it buffers for eternity. So, enjoy the illusion of high-tech greatness while it lasts.
Alright, let’s dive into this without overcomplicating it: 5G+ is essentially your phone flexing that it’s connected to a more advanced flavor of 5G. While @stellacadente and @mike34 gave solid breakdowns (especially on the marketing gimmick angle), let me simplify things further—or maybe complicate them, depending on how you look at it.
5G+ typically refers to two types of frequency bands: mid-band and mmWave (millimeter wave). For context:
- Low-band 5G: Decent range but meh speed improvements over 4G. Think ‘cover everything but nothing fancy.’
- Mid-band 5G (often 5G+): Sweet spot! Better speed (~100-900 Mbps achievable in real-world conditions) and decent range. This is where most carriers are focusing.
- mmWave 5G (also 5G+): Blazing fast—1Gbps+ speeds—but laughably short range. Blink, and it disconnects if you’re too far from the tower or behind a wall.
Now, pros and cons of this ‘fancy’ 5G+ label:
Pros:
- Potential for faster speeds: Mid-band and mmWave can make streaming, downloading, and gaming feel buttery smooth—if conditions align.
- Lower latency: Great if you’re into real-time gaming or remote work requiring high responsiveness.
- Spreads out network congestion (in theory): More capacity to handle multiple connections.
Cons:
- Coverage gaps: Especially with mmWave, it’s almost comical how often you lose the signal. Mid-band is improving but still not flawless.
- You might not even NOTICE the difference: Like @mike34 joked, it’s not always a game-changer when, say, Netflix was already streaming fine on typical 5G.
- Battery drain: MmWave especially can slurp your battery faster than you can say ‘high bandwidth.’
Here’s where I beg to differ slightly from @stellacadente: mid-band 5G+ actually does feel significantly better than regular ol’ low-band 5G, particularly in urban and suburban areas. The real frustration comes with expecting that kind of performance everywhere, which isn’t realistic.
So, why does your phone show 5G+? It’s mostly an indicator you’re within range of that snazzy higher-bandwidth network. Whether you see a tangible boost depends on:
- The phone model (older devices might not fully use 5G+ tech).
- Network load: More users can throttle speeds.
- Obstacles: Especially for mmWave, even passing foliage or glass can wreck your signal.
TL;DR: 5G+ is real and can be fantastic under ideal conditions (emphasis on ideal), but don’t fall for the marketing hype entirely. It’s progress, not wizardry.