Should I Buy a 5G Phone Now or Wait?

pcmag.com:

Every flagship phone in America has 5G now, so it's worth asking: Should you upgrade?

According to Counterpoint Research, 73% of US phones sold(Opens in a new window) were 5G as of January 2022. But the percentage of Americans with 5G phones is lower overall because most people hang on to phones for about three years(Opens in a new window), and 5G phones aren't even three years old. The real question is whether it's worth upgrading early or keeping your reliable 4G phone for as long as it works.

5G devices improve every year, so it might seem like you should hold off as long as you can before picking up a 5G phone. Depending on your carrier, though, it may be a good time to jump in now. If you intend to keep your next phone for another three years, getting a 5G device is smart. You just need to get the right one for your carrier and your needs.

There's no downside to getting a phone that happens to have 5G if it's the phone you want for other reasons. In the US, you can't buy a flagship phone without 5G! So, if a high-end phone's powerful camera or amazing screen attracts you, that's a great reason to buy it; 5G connectivity is the cherry on top.

There are no killer new 5G applications yet; it primarily makes existing applications faster. But I'd still suggest getting a 5G phone, because it's the HOV lane of the mobile network. Right now, certain airwaves are designated only for 5G, and there aren't a lot of 5G phones out there. In crowded conditions, when 4G networks choke up, your 5G connection may still be clear. That can give you much more of a speed boost than you'd expect.

T-Mobile has spent the past two years blanketing the country with 5G. That's why the carrier won our Fastest Mobile Network award for the first