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Mobile network operators around the world are sprinting to fortify 5G network deployments to more efficiently serve the increasing number of 5G-comparable phones users and businesses are connecting to mobile networks.

Though smartphones are already ubiquitous, the increased use of mobile broadband adapters, always-connected computers, and consumer and enterprise Internet of Things devices require more data than previous 4G networks could sustainably supply.

SEE: Hiring Kit: 5G Wireless System Engineer (TechRepublic Premium)

Naturally, smartphone manufacturers are eager to continue to incorporate 5G in quality and popular phone offerings.

This cheat sheet for 5G-compatible smartphones is an overview of smartphones marketed as being 5G capable as well as a forecast of when manufacturers will release new devices. This article will be updated periodically as new announcements and products are released.

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Technical details of 5G

5G refers to the fifth generation of cellular mobile communications. Strictly speaking, the industry standard is called 5G NR. Unlike the fourth generation of cellular mobile communications, which had two competing standards — LTE and WiMAX — there is no competing standard to 5G NR. However, the 5G NR standards are designed to be quite versatile in order to accommodate a diverse range of use cases.

5G NR allows for networks to operate on a wider variety of frequencies, recycling frequencies vacated from the decommissioning 2G and 3G networks as well as the digital dividend of spectrum vacated from the transition to digital TV broadcasts, and previously unused extremely high frequency or millimeter wave frequencies, which comprise the 30 to 300 GHz range.

The 5G NR standard allows for speeds up to 20 gigabits per second, though this is a theoretical maximum based on laboratory testing of proof-of-concept hardware. While initial rollouts may only reach speeds already attainable on current 4G networks, 5G is engineered to minimize latency compared to 4G. Further, mature 5G modems are anticipated to have modestly lower power requirements than 4G, thereby extending the battery life of 5G-powered smartphones.

SEE: All of TechRepublic’s cheat sheets and smart person’s guides

It is important to note that 5G is not an incremental or backward-compatible update to existing mobile communications standards. 5G is separate from 4G standards like LTE or WiMAX and cannot be delivered to existing phones, tablets or wireless modems by means of tower upgrades or software updates.

Mobile network operators are deploying upgrades to its LTE infrastructure, including technologies like LTE Advanced and LTE Advanced Pro, which allow for download speeds over one gigabit on smartphones. While these are worthwhile and welcome advances, these are ultimately transitional 4G technologies and do not provide the full range of benefits of 5G NR.

For a technical overview of 5G networks, when and where 5G networks are being deployed, and how businesses and consumers can benefit from 5G technologies, check out TechRepublic’s cheat sheet for 5G networks.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of 5G-compatible smartphones?

The two most obvious benefits of 5G smartphones are reduced latencies compared to 4G networks and resilience against performance degradation in densely packed areas.

Structures that have been historically difficult to serve via cellular networks are often subject to network degradation or service disruption due to the number of devices connected to the available infrastructure. Examples include high-rise office buildings, which are architecturally difficult to serve due to the physics of radio waves, and large stadiums intended to accommodate tens of thousands of spectators.

SEE: 5G: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

As 5G extensively utilizes small cell towers communicating on mmWave frequencies, these towers can more effectively serve customers in these types of structures.

The use of mmWave frequencies is also a significant drawback, as early antenna and modem designs cause excessive heat in smartphones, which can deplete the battery charge quickly. Likewise, for traditional lithium-ion batteries, excessive exposure to elevated temperatures can shorten the lifespan of the battery.

What devices are 5G compatible, and what hardware is needed?

Just about every major phone manufacturer produces 5G compatible phones, including Apple, ASUS, Google, HTC, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, Samsung, Sony, TCL, Xiaomi and ZTE. Below is a forecast of current popular vendor 5G-capable phone offerings from each of these manufacturers as well as when some of their new 5G-capable phones will be released.

SEE: Mobile Device Security Policy (TechRepublic Premium)

Apple

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
iPhone 146.16GB128GB–1TB
iPhone 14 Pro6.16GB128GB–1TB
iPhone 14 Max6.76GB128GB–1TB
iPhone 14 Pro Max6.76GB128GB–1TB
iPhone 135.4" / 6.1"4GB128–512GB
iPhone 13 Pro6.1"6GB128GB–1TB
iPhone 13 Pro Max6.7"6GB128GB–1TB
iPhone 13 Mini5.4"4GB128–512GB
iPhone SE4.7"4GB64–256GB
iPhone 12 6.16GB64-128-256GB

ASUS

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
ROG Phone 5s6.78"12–18GB128–256GB
ROG Phone 5s Pro6.78"18GB512GB
Zenfone 76.67"6–8GB128GB
Zenfone 7 Pro6.67"8GB256GB
Zenfone 85.9"6GB128GB
Zenfone 8 Flip6.67"8GB128–256GB
Zenfone 95.9"16GB256GB
ROG Phone 66.788–16GB512GB
ROG Phone 6 Pro6.7818GB512GB

Google

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
Pixel 66.4"6GB128–256GB
Pixel 6 Pro6.7"12GB128–512GB
Pixel 6a6.1"6GB128GB
Pixel 76.38GB128–256GB
Pixel 7 Pro6.712 GB256–512GB

HTC

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
HTC Desire 21 Pro6.7"8GB128GB
HTC Desire 22 Pro6.6"8GB128GB
HTC U206.8"6–8GB256GB
HTC U12 Plus6"6GB64–128GB

Huawei

As a major vendor of networking equipment to network operators, as well as manufacturing its own Kirin SoCs for use in smartphones, Huawei would have theoretically been well-positioned to be among the first vendors to release 5G-capable products. However, due to sanctions from the U.S. government, which are still in place, Huawei phones are not sold in the U.S. and thus are not covered by this article.

LG

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
Wing6.8"8GB256GB
K926.7"6GB128GB
V50S ThinQ6.4"8GB256GB
V60 ThinQ6.8"8GB128GB
Velvet6.8"6GB128GB

Motorola

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
Edge 20206.7"12GB256GB
Edge 20216.8"8GB256GB
Moto G6.56GB256GB
Moto G Stylus6.8"6GB128GB
Razr6.2"8GB256GB
Edge 306.5"6–8GB128–256GB
Edge 30 Pro6.7"8–12GB128–256GB
One6.7"4GB128GB
One Ace6.7"4–6GB64–128GB
One UW Ace6.7"4GB64GB
Moto Raz6.7"8–12GB128–512GB
Moto G326.54–6GB64–128GB

Upcoming devices

As of January 2023, Motorola has announced several 5G compatible phones expected to be released into the market early in the year.

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
Moto Edge 40 Pro6.7"8–12GB128-512 GB
Moto G736.58GB128–256GB
Moto G53 5G6.54GB128GB
Moto G236.58GB128GB
Moto G136.58GB128GB

Nokia

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
X1006.67"6GB128GB
G3006.62"4GB64GB
XR206.67"4GB64GB
X106.67"4–6GB64–128GB
X206.67"6–8GB128GB
G106.52"3–4GB32–64GB
8.36.81"6–8GB64–128GB
8 V6.81"6GB64GB
G506.82"4–6GB64–128GB
G400 5G6.58"4GB64GB

Upcoming devices

Nokia is expected to release these upcoming phones; the first two are “coming soon” while the XR21 is projected to ship in mid-2023.

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
X116.67"6GB128GB
X216.52"4GB64–256GB
XR216.67"8GB128GB

OnePlus (Oppo)

Current devices

The 10T and the Nord N20 SE were just released in August 2022.

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
Nord N106.49"6GB128GB
Nord N20 SE6.56"4GB64GB
Nord CE2 Lite6.59"6–8GB128GB
Nord 2T6.43"8–12GB128–256GB
96.44"8–12GB128–256GB
9 Pro6.7"8–12GB128–256GB
9RT6.62"8–12GB128–256GB
10R6.7"8–12GB128–256GB
10T6.7"8–12GB128–256GB
10R 150W6.7"12GB256GB

Samsung

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
Galaxy Z Flip36.7"8GB128–256GB
Galaxy Z Fold37.6"12GB256–512GB
Galaxy S216.2"8GB128GB
Galaxy S21 FE6.4"6–8GB128–256GB
Galaxy S226.1"8GB128–256GB
Galaxy S21 Ultra6.8"12–16GB128–512GB
Galaxy S22 Ultra6.8"8–12GB128GB–1TB
Galaxy Note206.7"8GB256GB
Galaxy Note20 Ultra6.9"8–12GB128–512GB
Galaxy A326.5"4–8GB64–128GB
Galaxy Z Flip46.7"8GB128–512GB
Galaxy Z Fold46.2"12GB256GB–1TB

Sony

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
Xperia PRO6.5"12GB512GB
Xperia PRO-I6.5"12GB512GB
Xperia 1 III6.5"12GB256–512GB
Xperia 1 IV6.5"12GB256–512GB
Xperia 5 II6.1"8GB128–256GB
Xperia 5 III6.1"8GB128–256GB
Xperia 10 III6"6GB128–256GB
Xperia 10 III Lite6"6GB64GB
Xperia 10 IV6"6GB128GB

TCL (Alcatel)

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
TCL 106.53"6GB128GB
TCL 206.67"6GB256GB
TCL 20R6.52"4GB64–128GB
TCL 306.7"4GB64–128GB
TCL 30 XE6.52"4GB64GB
TCL 30 V6.67"4GB128GB

Xiaomi

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
11i HyperCharge6.67"6–8GB128–256GB
11 Lite6.55"6–8GB128–256GB
126.28"8–12GB128–256GB
12 Lite6.55"6–8GB128–256GB
12 Pro6.73"8–12GB128–256GB
12 S6.28"8–12GB128–512GB
12 S Pro6.73"8–12GB128–512GB
12 S Ultra6.73"8–12GB128–512GB
12 X6.28"8–12GB128–256GB
Mi 9 Pro6.39"8–12GB128–512GB
Mi 106.67"8–12GB128–256GB
Mi 10i6.67"8–12GB128GB
Mi 10 Lite6.57"6–8GB64–256GB
Mi 10 Pro6.67"8–12GB256GB–1TB
Mi 10 Youth6.57"6–8GB64–256GB
Mi 10T6.67"6–8GB128GB
Mi 10T Lite6.67"6GB64–256GB
Mi 10T Pro6.67"8GB128–256GB
Mi 11 Lite6.55"6–8GB64–256GB
Mi Mix 36.39"6GB64–128GB
Poco F46.67"6–12GB128–256GB
Poco M3 Pro6.5"4–6GB64–128GB
Poco X4 Pro6.67"6–8GB64–256GB
Redmi 10X6.57"6–8GB64–256GB
Redmi 10X Pro6.57"8GB128GB
Redmi K306.67"6–8GB64–256GB
Redmi K30i6.67"6–8GB128–256GB
Redmi K50i6.6"6–8GB128–256GB
Redmi Note 96.53"4–6GB64–256GB
Redmi Note 9 Pro6.67"6–8GB128–256GB
Redmi Note 106.5"4–8GB64–256GB
Redmi Note 10G6.5"4–6GB64–128GB
Redmi Note 11 Pro6.7"6–8GB128–256GB
Redmi Note 11S6.6"4–6GB64–128GB
Redmi Note 11T6.6"4–8GB64–128GB
Redmi 10 6.54-6GB128 GB

ZTE

Current devices

ModelScreenMemoryStorage
Axon 10 Pro6.47"6–12GB128–256GB
Axon 10 S Pro6.47"6–12GB128–256GB
Axon 116.47"6–8GB128–256GB
Axon 11 SE6.53"6GB128GB
Axon 206.92"6–8GB128–256GB
Axon 20 Extreme6.92"12GB128GB–1TB
Axon 306.92"6–12GB128–256GB
Axon 30 Pro6.67"6–8GB128–256GB
Axon 30 Ultra6.67"8–16GB128GB
Blade 206.52"6GB128GB
Blade 20 Pro6.47"8GB128GB
Blade X16.5"6GB128GB
Blade V20206.53"6GB128GB
Nubia6.65"8–16GB128–256GB
Nubia Lite6.65"8GB256GB
Nubia X6.26"6–8GB64–512GB

Editor’s note: The original reporting for this article was by James Sanders and was later updated by Brandon Vigliarolo and Scott Matteson to include the latest information on 5G smartphones. The most recent update was completed by Ray Fernandez to include the latest updates on 5G smartphone models and upcoming releases.

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