5G Phones: Best 5G Phones Right Now
5G Phone: These are the best 5G phones you can buy right now
5G Phones: In 2022, the best 5G phone for you won't just be the latest top-price flagship, as it would have been in years past when 5G was still new. Now that most new mid-range phones (and even some budget ones) connect to next-generation cellular networks, there are plenty of options for you. We'll highlight the best ones below.
5G is the next generation of mobile data connectivity, bringing super-fast speeds along with improved reliability and connection stability over 4G, making it great for tasks like online gaming, movie streaming, and downloading large files quickly.
Now that 2022 has shown its smartphone hand, so to speak, the list is likely to remain the same until 2023 - that is, until a last-minute handset appears.
This round-up is not a replica of our standard best smartphone guide. Instead, we have looked at the major uses of 5G and brought you a list that focuses on these key points. The following roundup is broken down into categories to fit the reasons you might be looking to buy a 5G phone.
Each of these entries has a 'best' model and a 'runner-up' which gives you a choice even within categories, which is especially important given that not all of our best phones are available in the US or other regions.
At TechRadar, we test every new 5G phone out there, so we have a good idea of how they all run, work, and compare. We used that knowledge to create this buying guide to help you figure out which 5G phone is best for you.
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1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - Best 5G Phone
A top tier smartphone, and it takes our best crown
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- The best camera zoom
- Mesmerizing design
- Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100
Cons
- No microSD card slot
- Expensive at any level
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check New |
| CPU | Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100 |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB |
| Battery | 5,000mAh |
| Rear camera | 108MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP |
| Front camera | 40MP |
| Release date | January 2021 |
| Weight | 227g |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Screen size | 6.8-inch |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 |
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra tops our list of best smartphones, so being a 5G phone it's the best 5G phone you can buy – but it doesn't come cheap.
Still, you get a decent amount for your money, with a 6.8-inch 1440 x 3200 curved AMOLED screen (which also has a 120Hz refresh rate), a top-end chipset, up to 16GB of RAM, and a quad-lens camera. , with a 108MP main shooter, 12MP ultra-wide, and a pair of 10MP telephoto snappers - allowing for up to 10x optical zoom.
The design also impresses with a stylish matte glass back and edge-to-edge display. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra also has a bigger battery, so you can use 5G (and everything else) for longer, and support for the S Pen stylus, which makes it a better choice for art and productivity than most smartphones. makes it better.
2. OnePlus 9 Pro - Best 5G Phone
Another top Android choice
Pros
- Good Performance
- Fantastic camera quality
- Powerful specs
Cons
- Expensive
- No microSD support
| OnePlus 9 Pro Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check Now |
| CPU | Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 8/12GB |
| Storage | 128/256GB |
| Battery | 4,500mAh |
| Rear camera | 48MP + 50MP + 8MP + 2MP |
| Front camera | 16MP |
| Release date | March 2021 |
| Weight | 197g |
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7mm |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Screen size | 6.7-inch |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3216 |
The latest best OnePlus phone, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a top-tier device that improves upon the previous issues like the weak camera.
In addition to offering that all-important 5G connectivity, it's the best OnePlus camera phone thanks to its 'freeform' ultra-wide lens, which is designed to reduce distortion at the edge of images, plus the partnership with Hasselblad is also.
Elsewhere there are high-end specs in the form of a Snapdragon 888 chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, and a 6.7-inch 1440 x 3216 AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. HDR10+ support means visuals look great too.
65W fast charging and 50W wireless charging sweeten the deal, which means it's an expensive deal when it comes to a highly commended release from OnePlus.
3. OnePlus Nord CE 5G - Best 5G Phone
OnePlus' true budget 5G phone
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- It has a long-lasting battery
- It feels great in the hand
- Snapdragon 732G
Cons
- It misses the traditional OnePlus alert slider
- The camera performance is only okay
- No SSDs
| OnePlus Nord CE 5G Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check Now |
| CPU | Snapdragon 732G |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB |
| Battery | 5,020mAh |
| Rear camera | 108MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP |
| Front camera | 16MP |
| Release date | June 2021 |
| Weight | 170g |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9mm |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Screen size | 6.67-inch |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 |
While OnePlus has a few Nord phones that offer low-cost 5G, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is its only truly affordable offering, with a low price that undercuts a lot of the competition.
It looks and feels great, whether you're looking at its colorful back or swiping through its menus. We also found that its battery life was pretty impressive, something you can't say about many 5G phones and that many of its other specs are good for the price.
It's not the perfect phone - especially in the camera department - but no matter what you're paying, it's our top pick if you want a cheap 5G phone.
4. Realme 8 5G - Best 5G Phone
An incredibly cheap 5G phone
Pros
- Good Performance
- Its screen is large and bright
- It's very affordable
Cons
- Slow at times
- Some redundant rear cameras
| Realme 8 5G Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check Now |
| CPU | Dimensity 700 5G |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB |
| Storage | 64/128GB |
| Battery | 5,000mAh |
| Rear camera | 48MP + 2MP + 2MP |
| Front camera | 16MP |
| Release date | April 2021 |
| Weight | 185g |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5mm |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Screen size | 6.5-inch |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 |
Probably the cheapest 5G phone in the market right now is the Realme 8 5G, which is part of the eighth generation budget devices from the Chinese brand Realme.
The smartphone is the epitome of 'cheap and cheesy' - its design and cameras aren't exactly great, but its screen is big, the processor is good for the price and the battery lasts a long time.
It's a great option if you need a 5G phone but don't want all the bells and whistles of top-notch camera features, fast charging, and processing power, and we probably won't see 5G phones that are cheap enough for a long time.
5. Lenovo Legion Phone Duel - Best 5G Phone
The best gaming phone right now
Pros
- Good Performance
- Super-fast charging
- Great for gaming
Cons
- Software issues
- High price
| Lenovo Legion Phone Duel Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check Now |
| CPU | Snapdragon 865 Plus |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256/512GB |
| Battery | 5,000mAh |
| Rear camera | 64MP + 16MP |
| Front camera | 20MP |
| Release date | October 2020 |
| Weight | 239g |
| Dimensions | 169.2 x 78.5 x 9.9mm |
| OS | Android 10 |
| Screen size | 6.65-inch |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 |
The Lenovo Legion Phone Dual is a powerful 5G phone for gaming, with a top-notch processor, plenty of RAM, side trigger, and a dedicated gaming mode, so it's a great option if you're a mobile gamer.
It's a good phone outside of the gaming realm, though with its incredibly fast 90W charging, a pop-up camera for selfies, software that works well horizontally (unlike most phones), and clean software.
We found some software issues in our review, but the only major downside is the phone's appearance, as is the case for all gaming phones, it has a fairly divisive appearance, with a big red 'Y' on the back and some There are LEDs at the back.
6. Nubia Red Magic 5G - Best 5G Phone
Magic on the gaming front
Pros
- Good Performance
- Great 144Hz display
- Handy shoulder triggers
Cons
- Software bugs
- OS lacks customization options
| Nubia Red Magic 5G Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check Now |
| CPU | Snapdragon 865 |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB/16GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 4,500mAh |
| Rear camera | 64MP + 8MP + 2MP |
| Front camera | 8MP |
| Release date | March 2020 |
| Weight | 218g |
| Dimensions | 168.6 x 78 x 9.8mm |
| OS | Android 10 |
| Screen size | 6.65-inch |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 |
The Nubia Red Magic 5G has everything you could want from a gaming phone - an FHD+ AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, a top-notch processor with plenty of RAM, and a long-lasting battery life with fast charging capabilities. There is the battery.
You won't be able to pick up the Red Magic 5G in all regions, but if you can get it, and you're looking for a 5G gaming phone, this should be your first choice.
We found a few software issues with the phone, but if you're a mobile gamer, it'll handle anything you throw at it with ease, especially if you want to play online games in and around the outdoors (thanks to 5G connectivity) ).
7. iPhone 13 Pro Max - Best 5G Phone
The biggest iPhone with a great display
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- Great screen
- Powerful camera
Cons
- Almost too large
- Most expensive iPhone
| iPhone 13 Pro Max Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check Now |
| CPU | A15 Bionic |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Battery | 4,352mAh |
| Rear camera | 12MP + 12MP + 12MP + TOF |
| Front camera | 12MP |
| Release date | September 2021 |
| Weight | 240g |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7mm |
| OS | iOS 15 |
| Screen size | 6.7-inch |
| Resolution | 1284 x 2778 |
The iPhone 13 Pro Max inherits the acclaimed performance of its predecessor, so it's no surprise that the newest and greatest Apple phone makes its way to our 5G phone list in the 'screen' category.
With its large 6.7-inch OLED screen, great contrast, and sharp visuals, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is great whether you're using Apple's services like Apple TV Plus or any other streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu. It's also great for watching YouTube, checking out TikTok, or anything that benefits from so much screen real estate.
The phone also has a better battery life than its predecessors, so watching shows while you go to work won't stop you from being able to stream them on the way back. The presence of 5G also makes it extremely easy to download movies on the go.
8. Sony Xperia 1 III - Best 5G Phone
A truly exceptional display
Pros
- Good Performance
- Great battery life
- Incredible display
Cons
- Tricky to handle for some users
| Sony Xperia 1 III Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check Now |
| CPU | Snapdragon 888 5G |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB |
| Battery | 4,500mAh |
| Rear camera | 12MP+12MP+12MP+0.3MP |
| Front camera | 8MP |
| Release date | August 2021 |
| Weight | 186g |
| Dimensions | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Screen size | 6.5-inch |
| Resolution | 1644 x 3840 |
With a 4K 120Hz display, Sony has achieved a world-first here for a smartphone and it looks gorgeous. The Sony Xperia 1 III is the phone you need if you plan on watching a lot of content on the go, with the option of Image Quality Mode ensuring that you get a great resolution as well as great color reproduction.
The phone is nowhere else to come back either with a 3.5mm headphone jack, great performance from the Snapdragon 888 processor, as well as a decent quality camera. Everything about the Sony Xperia 1 III is clear. Just keep in mind that you will have to pay for the privilege and some users may find the 21:9 aspect ratio a bit difficult to hold.
9. iPhone 12 mini - Best 5G Phone
The most pocketable 5G phone around
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- Fantastic display
- The smaller design looks great
Cons
- Wireless charging is slow
- Middling battery life
| iPhone 12 mini Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check Now |
| CPU | A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 2,227mAh |
| Rear camera | 12MP + 12MP |
| Front camera | 12MP |
| Release date | November 2020 |
| Weight | 135g |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm |
| OS | iOS 14 |
| Screen size | 5.4-inch |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 |
Its smallest line, the iPhone 12 Mini, has a relatively small 5.4-inch display. It is easily portable, fits easily in your pocket or hand.
The phone gets most of the specs of its bigger iPhone 12 sibling, though including the same processor, camera, 5G, and MagSafe technology. It's a real powerhouse, so you shouldn't judge it by its size.
That pretty design presents an issue or two, especially in the battery department – battery life isn't great and wireless charging is a touch on the slow side. Overall, though, if you're looking for a smaller 5G phone, this is a good fit for you.
10. Google Pixel 5 - Best 5G Phone
Small by modern phone standards
Pros
- Good Performance
- Great camera software
- Clean Android interface
Cons
- No telephoto camera
- Middling night photography
| Google Pixel 5 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check Now |
| CPU | Snapdragon 765G |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Battery | 4,080mAh |
| Rear camera | 12.2MP + 16MP |
| Front camera | 8MP |
| Release date | October 2020 |
| Weight | 151g |
| Dimensions | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Screen size | 6-inch |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 |
Google Pixel phones tend to be smaller than your average flagship, and that's certainly the case with the Pixel 5, as its 6-inch display is noticeably smaller than most 5G phones.
That makes it easy to carry and use, and that's just one reason to choose it – it also has a nice clean Android interface, a metal design that's fresh compared to loads of plastic or glass rivals, and great camera software. What Google is known for.
Like all phones, it's not perfect with moderate camera hardware, and it's not even the smallest 5G phone, as the iPhone 12 mini is quite small. Still, if you're a fan of Android and want a mini phone, this is your best bet.
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