5G

5G is the fifth generation technology standard for  s, which  began deploying worldwide in late 2018, and is the successor to the 4G networks which provide connectivity to most current s. Like its predecessors, the service areas of 5G networks are divided into smaller geographical areas called cells. All 5G wireless devices in a cell are connected to the Internet and by s through a local  in the cell. The main advantage of the new networks is that they will have greater, giving higher s, eventually up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbit/s). Due to the increased bandwidth, it is expected that the new networks will not just serve cellphones like existing cellular networks, but also be used as general s for laptops and desktop computers, competing with existing ISPs such as, and also will make possible new applications in (IoT) and  areas. Current 4G cellphones will not be able to use the new networks, which will require new 5G enabled wireless devices.

Technology
The increased speed is achieved partly by using higher- radio waves than current cellular networks. However, higher-frequency radio waves have a shorter range than the frequencies used by previous cell phone towers, requiring smaller cells. To ensure wide service, 5G networks operate on up to three frequency bands, low, medium, and high. A 5G network will be composed of networks of up to 3 different types of cells, each requiring different antennas, each type giving a different tradeoff of download speed vs. distance and service area. 5G cellphones and wireless devices will connect to the network through the highest speed antenna within range at their location:

Low-band 5G uses a similar frequency range to current 4G cellphones, 600-700 MHz, giving download speeds a little higher than 4G: 30-250 megabits per second (Mbit/s).
 * Low-band s will have a range and coverage area similar to existing 4G towers.
 * Mid-band 5G uses microwaves of 2.5-3.7 GHz, currently allowing speeds of 100-900 Mbit/s, with each cell tower providing service up to several miles in radius. This level of service is the most widely deployed, and became available in many metropolitan areas in 2020. Some countries are not implementing low-band, making this the minimum service level.
 * High-band 5G currently uses frequencies of 25–39 GHz, near the bottom of the millimeter wave band, with the potential for higher frequencies in the future. It often achieves download speeds of a gigabit per second (Gbit/s), comparable to cable internet. However, s (mmWave or mmW) have a more limited range, requiring many small cells. They have trouble passing through some types of walls and windows.  Due to their higher costs, current plans are to deploy these cells only in dense urban environments and areas where crowds of people congregate such as sports stadiums and convention centers. The above speeds are those achieved in actual tests in 2020, and speeds are expected to increase during rollout.

The industry consortium setting standards for 5G is the (3GPP). It defines any system using  (5G New Radio) software as "5G", a definition that came into general use by late 2018. Minimum standards are set by the (ITU). Previously, some reserved the term 5G for systems that deliver download speeds of 20 Gbit/s as specified in the ITU's document.

Deployment
Preliminary deployments before the 5G NR standard include: 5G-SIG, developed by for use at the, and 5GTF developed by  for  in 2019. In early 2019, was criticized for marketing improvements to existing low-band 4G LTE infrastructure as "5G Evolution" or "5G E ", though no other carriers had done so.

During an Apple special event on October 13, 2020 in which the iPhone 12 line was launched, CEO  stated that "5G just got real" with a major expansion of its 5G network, available to 200 million people in American cities. This was made possible through "dynamic spectrum sharing" (DSS) of low and mid-band 5G signals (sub-6GHz) on its existing 4G LTE network.

Support in Apple devices
iPhone 12 series and cellular-enabled 5th-generation iPad Pro models contain the necessary hardware to access the following :
 * Low and mid-bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79
 * High-bands: (mmWave) n260, n261

The iPhone 13 series later added band n48 and mmWave band n258. The cellular-enabled 6th-generation iPad mini also added band n48, but did not include support for high-frequency mmWave bands.

5G radio signals consume more power than preceding technologies, such as 4G LTE. If the full available bandwidth is not needed, Smart Data Mode allows supported iPhone models to automatically switch down to a lower frequency (including 4G LTE) to conserve battery life.