on the T-Mobile network and can be distinguished by a '5G UC' sign in the status bar on smartphones. The sign lets s know that they are on T-Mobile's 5G UC network instead of the regular 5G network.
The 5G UC icon refers to T-Mobile's Ultra Capacity 5G network, which indicates that s are connected to either mid-band or millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G. It is more likely to be mid-band, as this makes up the bulk of the carrier's faster 5G network. It offers the best balance between speed and coverage, making it a much sought-after resource by carriers in the U.S. and around the world. Mid-band (C-band) was earlier used by the military and has only been available for commercial telecom networks over the past few years. Verizon and AT&T have also rolled out C-band networks for their customers.
5G UC Vs. 5G UW Vs. 5G+: What's The Difference?
As for mmWave, it is the fastest type of 5G commercially available, but it's found in select locations. It uses a much higher frequency than prior cellular networks and allows blazing-fast connections. However, it struggles when covering distances or penetrating building walls and other obstacles, rendering it essentially useless outside some 5G-equipped stadiums, airports, and arenas.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is low-band 5G, which T-Mobile calls 5G Extended Range. This is the foundation for the nationwide 5G offerings of all three major carriers. It offers far better range, and is available in both cities and rural areas. However, the speeds are much slower than mmWave and C-band networks.
For people wondering about 5G UW or Ultra Wideband, it is Verizon's way of denoting its millimeter-wave and C-band 5G networks. It is the same as T-Mobile's 5G UC, as both mean the fastest 5G connection offered by the respective carriers. Do note that Verizon's 5G UW network could also be denoted by 5G UWB on specific devices, but it's essentially the same 5G Ultra Wideband network and the same frequencies. As for AT&T, it also offers 5G in two types – 5G and 5G Plus. It also has a 5GE (5G Evolution) network, but that's not 5G at all. It is just a 4G network that the carrier brands as 5G for some reason, further confusing things for everyone.
Which Phones 5G UC On T-Mobile's Network?
T-Mobile's website lists several models that are compatible with its 5G network. Among the iPhones, this includes the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series. The iPhone SE 3 launched earlier this year is also compatible with 5G networks. The older iPhone 12 series also s 5G UC.
Among the Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S22 series 5G. The Galaxy S21 series (including the S21 FE), Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Fold 4 are also included, as is the older Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. A few mid-range Samsung phones also 5G, including the Galaxy A54 5G, Galaxy A53 5G, Galaxy A32 5G, Galaxy A13 5G, and Galaxy A71 5G. Among the Pixel devices, the Pixel 4a, Pixel 5, Pixel 6, and Pixel 7 series are 5G compatible. Buyers interested in switching to 5G on T-Mobile can also pick up options from OnePlus and Motorola.
How Does T-Mobile 5G Compare To The Competition?
T-Mobile consistently comes out on top in Ookla's 5G reports, and the results for Q1 2023 aren't all that different. When it comes to 5G performance, T-Mobile offers the fastest median 5G speeds of 220.7 Mbps. In comparison, Verizon offers 132.72 Mbps and AT&T offers 86.46 Mbps speeds. T-Mobile also has the highest 5G availability in the U.S., covering 71.1 percent of the market. This is followed closely by AT&T at 68.7 percent, with Verizon covering just 37.6 percent.
Given that T-Mobile is far ahead of the other carriers when it comes to 5G speeds, s are likely to experience fast s and s even if they're on the low-band 5G Extended Range network. It's worth noting that even if s have a 5G compatible device, they will still have access to 4G networks in places where T-Mobile's 5G network has no coverage.