4G vs. 5G: What's the Difference?
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5G, the fifth generation of mobile networks, offers much higher peak speeds, lower latency and room for far more connected devices than 4G (LTE), the fourth generation. It achieves this with wider radio channels, new frequency bands including millimetre waves, and antenna arrays that aim beams at individual users. 4G remains the widely available fallback, especially in rural areas.
At a glance
| 4G | 5G | |
|---|---|---|
| Peak speed | Up to about 1 Gbps (LTE-Advanced) | Designed for peaks of up to 20 Gbps |
| Typical latency | Roughly 30 to 50 milliseconds | Can fall below 10 milliseconds |
| Frequency bands | Mostly below 3 GHz | Sub-6 GHz bands plus millimetre waves above 24 GHz |
| Coverage | Wide, mature coverage | Still growing; millimetre-wave cells reach only short range |
| Device density | Far fewer devices per square kilometre | Designed for about 1 million devices per km² |
Which should you use?
4G is enough for messaging, social media, HD video streaming and video calls, and it is often the only option in rural areas or on older phones without a 5G modem.
5G suits crowded places and data-heavy uses, such as downloading large files in seconds at a packed stadium, and connected factory machines that need very short delays.