What you need to know

• Qualcomm's new 5G modem is here, and it could power cellular in the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 chipset.
• The Qualcomm X105 5G Modem-RF offers 5G over satellite support, NB-IoT fallback for messaging, and faster downlink and uplink speeds.
• The chip uses agentic AI to improve performance and there will be APIs for developers that can tap into "predictive intelligence."

Qualcomm provided travel, food, and lodging for my trip to MWC 2026, but had no input on my coverage and didn't see this article before publishing.

Qualcomm is announcing a new flagship modem at MWC 2026, the Qualcomm X105 5G Modem-RF, and the brand thinks it's good enough to warrant skipping a generation. The Qualcomm X105 succeeds the X85 modem, and the new version is built for the "agentic AI era," according to the company. Notably, the new modem supports 5G over satellite with added NR-NTN connectivity, and a clever cellular fallback that can improve connectivity in challenging environments.

It's the first modem compatible with 5G Advanced Release 19, which upgrades connectivity for the AI era and serves as a step on the path to 6G. The new New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) support allows for fast 5G connections over satellite when traditional cell service may be unavailable. The expanded support for 5G data in addition to voice and messaging support makes using satellite an even more viable alternative for end users.

In addition to NR-NTN support, the Qualcomm X105 modem adds support for Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), an emerging cellular network technology that works on existing LTE infrastructure. It's a fallback for when you phone may not be able to connect to traditional networks, such as if there are physical obstructions, like when you are in an elevator or parking garages. As the NB-IoT technology is a low-power and efficient option, this feature is intended for messaging and basic communication rather than data or voice support.

The Qualcomm X105 modem uses agentic AI to improve cellular performance, and there will be APIs for third-party developers to use to provide better experiences with "predictive intelligence," according to the company. Speeds are improved compared to the Qualcomm X85, as the upgraded modem can hit downlink speeds of 14.8Gbps and uplink speeds of 4.2Gbps.

Although we don't know exactly when the Qualcomm X105 will appear in consumer products, its predecessor — the Qualcomm X85 — powered cellular connectivity in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It's possible that the new Qualcomm X105 modem could appear in the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, which might power phones like the OnePlus 16 or the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra.

Android Central's Take

Modems might not be the most exciting smartphone component out there, but they're ones we rely on everyday. After hearing about the Qualcomm X105 modem announcement, I'm most excited for NB-IoT fallback. I just spent over a year living in an apartment next to a parking garage with zero cell service. If the Wi-Fi network went out, I could forget about communicating with friends and family or getting any work done. It sounds like a phone with the Qualcomm X105 would've solved my problems.

This modem is filling the gaps in coverage with 5G over satellite and NB-IoT, so whether you're off-grid or in an elevator, you can still connect with others. That should be something to look forward to on future flagships that include the Qualcomm X105 modem.

What you need to know

• T-Mobile is teaming up with Formula 1 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and customers get exclusive perks.
• All T-Mobile customers will have access to exclusive replays during the race via the F1 Las Vegas app.
• T-Mobile customers can also redeem a free T-Mobile X McLaren F1 hat in the T-Life app starting today.

T-Mobile's cellular network powers much more than your Android phone's connection.

The company partnered with Major League Baseball earlier this year to support the automatic ball-strike system in Spring Training. T-Mobile partnerships usually end up benefiting its customers, too — it offered a free year of MLB.tv access to customers along with the promo. Now, the Un-Carrier is teaming up with Formula 1 ahead of a big race, and T-Mobile customers will benefit once again.

It's the third year T-Mobile will use its 5G network to provide infrastructure for F1's Las Vegas Grand Prix, which takes place this week between Nov. 20 and Nov. 22. There are new technologies in place this year, like a 360-degree camera and live drone feeds of the race. These cameras use T-Mobile's Advanced Network Solutions (ANS) and a private 5G network to transmit the live feeds in real time.

It's the first commercial deployment of T-Mobile's Edge Control system it announced in October 2025. The tech is intended to "slash latency, costs, and security risk." With it, live streams of the race appearing throughout the onsite event.

Additionally, T-Mobile is hosting a first responder communications via its 5G Standalone network. It's also helping with security by operating a 5G-connected drone that will give local law enforcement aerial views of the event.

The partnership between T-Mobile and F1 delivers a few perks for customers and fans. T-Mobile customers with Magenta Status will get exclusive replay access in the F1 Las Vegas app.

If they're onsite in Las Vegas, T-Mobile customers can bring themselves and two guests to Club Magenta at the T-Mobile Zone at Sphere. The event has track views and live performances throughout the race.

Those that aren't attending in-person can redeem a free T-Mobile X McLaren F1 hat. It's redeemable from anywhere in the T-Life app starting today, Nov. 18, and at participating T-Mobile stores near the race.

What you need to know

• Rumors claim T-Mobile is looking to fully end its LTE support, as a leaked document states the company is moving toward 5GSA (standalone).
• The leak states T-Mobile will look to fully end LTE support after by 2035; however, speculation states the majority of this phase-out could happen by 2028.
• The document also alleges that T-Mobile will require all devices activated on its network to support 5GSA by January 1, 2026 to prepare for this future.

There are rumors that T-Mobile is looking into the future and setting in stone its plans to retire LTE support on its network in favor of 5G.

This report comes from an apparent leaked document that The Mobile Report got its hands on, which states T-Mobile will "re-farm" LTE to 5G over the "next few years" (via 9to5Google). Specifically, the document the publication reported highlights the "LTE to 5G standalone transition" plans that T-Mobile has, which will reportedly occur over the next "two-plus years."

Regarding "business impact," the alleged T-Mobile plan claims its LTE contracts will not go beyond 2035, as the "LTE network will be maintained" until that year rolls around. It seems T-Mobile is expecting its LTE network to "degrade" as it puts its transition plan into action.

These issues T-Mobile anticipates include a bottleneck on its LTE network, as well as a hit to performance and service quality for phones, tablets, wearables, and more for LTE and 5G NSA (non-standalone) devices. This is also likely due to T-Mobile seemingly only looking to keep a sole 5MHz LTE channel available to the last remaining vestiges of LTE devices.

As T-Mobile moves into its 5G-only future, it states that by January 1, 2026, devices activated for its network should be 5GSA (standalone) capable, so there's no issue once its LTE spectrum is gone. Going by this report (and document), the publication assumes most of T-Mobile's transition to 5G-only will be done by 2028.

A Change in Service

While the root of this report is that T-Mobile is looking to finally phase out LTE support, as the publication notes, this isn't likely to affect most consumers. Devices nowadays are already capable of that 5G future, so shifting LTE out shouldn't really cause a disturbance. We'll have to see where things go with T-Mobile, such as more confirmed information from the service.

In the name of "exciting" service updates, T-Mobile's T-Satellite network recently made an announcement regarding "Satellite-ready" apps for your phone. The T-Satellite network enables users to remain in contact with the world even without a cell connection, as it uses satellites to do its work. Now, the company is extending that support to apps users frequently use, like WhatsApp, X (Formerly Twitter), AccuWeather, and more.

Users can still check in on social media and make posts on X without a standard cell signal. For WhatsApp, users can text, send pictures, and make regular calls and video calls all on its satellite network. Satellite-ready app access started rolling out to Android and iOS devices on T-Mobile's T-Satellite network on October 1.

Everything you need to know about Samsung Galaxy Tab S11's 5G connectivity

Like clockwork, Samsung has unveiled its next generation of flagship Android tablets. At this year's IFA 2025, the company introduced the Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra. This time, Samsung has dropped the Plus model in favor of the standard 11-inch Tab S11. The new Galaxy Tab S11 lineup brings thinner builds, upgraded internals, and One UI 8 (based on Android 16) out of the box.

Similar to last year's Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and Tab S10 Ultra, Samsung has kept 5G connectivity in the Tab S11 series. Both Galaxy Tab S11 and Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra are available in Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + 5G variants globally. This means you can use Wi-Fi for streaming, downloading apps, and gaming, or get the 5G variant to stay connected on the go without relying on a Wi-Fi network.

Of course, to enjoy 5G on the go, you'll need a separate line or connection for the tablet. Samsung notes that both the Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra support physical SIM cards — unlike some phones like the Pixel 10 that have gone eSIM-only in the U.S. Optionally, you can also configure an eSIM alongside a physical SIM.

As for 5G support, the Galaxy Tab S11 does support 5G out of the box, giving you fast speeds for streaming and downloads. However, Samsung specifies that both the Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra support only sub-6 5G networks.

Sub-6 5G means the Tab S11 can connect to networks below 6GHz, offering wider coverage and better penetration. However, speeds are lower than mmWave 5G. It's worth noting that last year's Galaxy Tab S10+ offered mmWave 5G support, but this year, Samsung has kept it consistent across the board, with both Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra only offering Sub-6 5G.

Another thing to note here is that while Samsung says the Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra support 5G globally, as of writing, 5G models do not appear to be available for direct purchase on Samsung's USA website. For now, only Wi-Fi models are available in the U.S., with no official word on whether Samsung plans to bring the 5G models to the States.

Nevertheless, if you don't wish to spend extra to get 5G or if it's not available in your region, you can always use Wi-Fi to get Internet access on your tablet, whether that's using your home's Wi-Fi network or converting your smartphone, like the Galaxy S25 FE or OnePlus 13R, into a portable hotspot. Just keep an eye on the amount of data you're consuming as per your carrier or plan.

Welcome to Tech Talk, a weekly column about the things we use and how they work. We try to keep it simple here so everyone can understand how and why the gadget in your hand does what it does.

Things may become a little technical at times, as that's the nature of technology — it can be complex and intricate. Together we can break it all down and make it accessible, though!

You might not care how any of this stuff happens, and that's OK, too. Your tech gadgets are personal and should be fun. You never know though, you might just learn something ...

What is 5G Advanced?

Are you ready for 5G Advanced? Do you even know if you're ready, or if you need to be? No worries, let's take a quick look at what the next generation of connectivity looks like, and if you need to start looking for a phone that uses it, the next time you buy.

5G Advanced is a "friendly" name given to the 3GPP Release 18 standards. It's sometimes referred to as 5.5G, and it serves as a bridge between current technology and 6G. It offers (potentially) significant improvements to network speeds, efficiency, and even the network. Yes, that's a thing, too.

It's expected to be commercially deployed (that means the network equipment is ready) by the second half of 2025. Instead of focusing on mobile broadband — achieving a good connection in more places — it has been developed to enhance connectivity options for industrial IoT (Internet of Things) devices and help them become more autonomous.

You might hear people tossing the word Metaverse around, too. In theory, a connection with 10 Gbps throughput and ultra-low latency can help support immersive applications, but it cannot address the existing flaws and lack of direction. It's better to think of the things it can fix on its own, like server-based AI applications, telemedicine, or learning through VR, than lumping everything together.

The standards put forth by the 3GPP (you know them as the people behind Mobile World Congress) provide for a few things to make this a reality: up to 10 Gbps network speeds, network latency as low as 1 millisecond, better intelligent traffic management via AI, support for 100 times more connected devices per square kilometer, and the ability to do all this while reducing energy consumption by 30%.

It's essentially the same type of promises we see year after year from phone makers, claiming that things could be up to X% better.

How do I benefit?

Indirectly, you'll benefit if (and that's a big if) cities harness the tech to become "smart" with network-connected utilities, traffic signals, parking meters, etc. With these working as intended, they will be more convenient for us to use.

You could also save money on your bills. If everything uses 30% less power to do more, those savings could be passed on to consumers. Not only will 5G Advanced help companies meet green energy goals, but it should also lower operating costs.

It's also a really big step towards a realistic fleet of self-driving vehicles. Maybe not like Waymo, but autonomous freight transport needs this kind of tech behind it if it's ever to become a reality.

More directly, it will solve problems in healthcare, especially in rural areas. A high-speed, low-latency network allows the use of AR equipment for training, as well as a clear benefit to the telemedicine industry. Since it's not done over a wire, the equipment can also be used in emergency service vehicles for more urgent applications.

If we had this 30 years ago, I might not be in a wheelchair today. For the sake of the next generation, I hope it pans out.

I know this isn't exactly what you're looking for, and you're wondering if this will improve your next phone or if it's a specification you should look for. Seeing companies crow about their advancements, claiming how important they are without saying exactly why, doesn't help here, either.

The sad fact is that it's very unlikely that any of this makes a difference for consumer electronics outside of very niche cases. You'll be able to stream games faster if you're on a faster network with lower latency. Streaming VR won't be so terrible. Your phone, though, isn't going to be any faster because the current generation of hardware doesn't need the network to be any faster. You can only process so much information, and having it come in faster won't change anything. One day, though.

Some companies claim to have complete U.S. coverage for 5G Advanced soon, and some even claim to have it today, when in reality, they're using numerous older standards and labeling it a "Magenta Spin." This doesn't help nearly as much as telling why this improvement is important, even if it's not going to change your phone.

The TECNO Camon 40 Premier is one of the latest phones from a company you may not have heard of. It's the result of the company's relentless pursuit to bring high-end experiences to lower price points and markets, and it seems to hit the mark.

The phone uses a newer MediaTek chip primed for AI performance, which is smart because the Camon 40 Premier comes with a host of AI features to take advantage of. Beyond the software, the phone has a very capable camera system that incorporates the company's latest imaging advancements, and the battery life and charging specs far surpass those of many flagship phones in North America.

The TECNO Camon 40 Premier 5G feels like a full package despite some shortcomings and questionable (yet understandable) decisions.

TECNO Camon 40 Premier: Price, availability, and specs

The TECNO Camon 40 Premier was announced alongside the rest of the Camon 40 series during MWC 2025 on March 4, 2025.

The phone features a single configuration with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It also comes in black and green colorways.

As for pricing and availability, TECNO hasn't revealed too much at the moment, but the phone is not sold in North America. However, it will be available in other regions, including Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

The Camon 30 Premier started at a price of around ₹29,499, which is just under $350, so it stands to reason the Camon 40 Premier could cost somewhere in the same ballpark and maybe a bit more.

TECNO Camon 40 Premier: What I like

For a phone that costs less than $600, the TECNO Camon 40 Premier has a lot going for it. It sits in a weird but compelling space of phones that come with flagship features and performance but sub-flagship prices. This is a space occupied by phones like the Pixel 9 and OnePlus 13R, and the Camon 40 Premier emulates this fairly well.

The hardware is a big part of what makes this a great phone. The display is a 6.67-inch AMOLED that looks great, although it doesn't blow me away. It's plenty bright, the color profile is nicely tuned so that it's not oversaturated, and the 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smooth as butter.

Part of this has to do with the MediaTek Dimensity 8530 chip powering the phone. While it's an upper-midrange chipset, I have no complaints about performance. Nearly everything you do on this phone is executed quickly and effortlessly, which should come as no surprise for a chip that falls just under the flagship 9000-series chips.

This extends to gaming as well. One of my favorite games to play Honkai: Star Rail, which can be pretty taxing on a phone when played at the higher settings. Usually a phone will default to the settings it thinks it can handle, and the Camon 40 Premier was already set to "High" when I started up the game.

I decided that wasn't enough, so I turned things up to the highest graphics settings and at 60fps instead of the default 30fps. Surprisingly (or not), the phone is able to keep up just fine, and I did not notice much in the way of stuttering or massive frame rate drops.

The software experience overall is pretty solid, even if HiOS isn't my favorite Android skin. It runs Android 15 out of the box, and you'll get some of the more common Android flourishes that we see in phones these days, such as the separated notification shade and quick panel.

The smart panel is great for multitasking, while the Dynamic Port gives you a Dynamic Island-like (albeit fairly limited) experience.

However, I can't really talk about a new phone in 2025 without mentioning AI, especially as it's a big focus for this phone. TECNO recently announced its grand plans for TECNO AI, its suite of features that it's bringing to its smartphone portfolio to help bridge the gap between the $1000 phones of the world and the more affordable and accessible phones. What's great is that TECNO makes its AI very present for people who want to use it.

When you first turn on the Camon 40 Premier, you're taken through the setup process via TECNO's AI assistant, Ella. It's an early introduction to the phone's relationship with AI and gets you prepared for what's to come.

Once set up, swiping to the left of the home screen will unveil an AI hub of sorts called Zero Screen, where you can access a suite of TECNO AI features. Up top is Ella Briefing. Not to be confused with Samsung's Now Brief (although at least part of the idea is similar), it's a helpful "brief" up top to summarize and remind you of calendar events, notifications, and more.

There's also quite an abundance of AI tools you have access to, and while you'll easily find a lot of them throughout the UI, like AI Studio in the Gallery app, the Zero Screen puts them all pretty much at your fingertips and makes it easy for you to find use cases for them.

This includes creating AI-generated art using texts or drawings, translating from images or while in a conversation, summarizing documents or creating them from photos, and more.

For the most part, these features are pretty well-baked, and TECNO's AI feels like a pretty mature offering. Accessing the settings for TECNO AI feels very comparable to Galaxy AI on a Samsung phone, and many features are quite similar.

Going back to the idea of easy access, TECNO has implemented an Action Button of sorts called the One-Tap Button. Interestingly, tapping it once doesn't actually do anything, but you can customize the double-tap to open any app or perform certain functions like muting the ringer.

A long press of the button will evoke the Ella assistant, which is a nice alternative to using the power button, something that other Android OEMs (looking at you, Samsung) have defaulted to. I love the added functionality of the button, and I hope to see something more like this on other Android phones.

AI also makes its way into the camera, and the 50MP triple camera system is surprisingly good. TECNO has tuned the camera so that it can take better images in low-light conditions and also better reproduce more skin tones. In my experience, I've been able to take plenty of respectable photos. It's not the best, but it's quite good for this price range, and I doubt anyone would be disappointed in the camera.

I love that the Camon 40 Premier has a telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, something I feel is still pretty uncommon at this price point. It does well during the day, with photos taken at 6x coming out pretty crisp, although the sensor struggles a bit at night.

You can also take images at a moment's notice with FlashSnap, which can capture photos with a very high shutter speed while keeping the image crisp with reduced noise. So not only can it keep you from missing a moment, but it can also capture moments automatically based on the scene, which is pretty useful.

Finally, you'll be happy to know that battery life is superb. The 5,100mAh battery keeps the phone going all day, and I've been able to average about 7 hours or more of screen-on time. The 70W charging can also top up the phone in no time at all, with the phone going from 1-100% in just over 30 minutes. Take that, Samsung!

TECNO Camon 40 Premier: What I don't like

The TECNO Camon 40 Premier is a pretty solid phone, thanks to its IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance ratings. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel as solid as it is. The back panel, which has a fairly uninspired design despite the brightly colored green, feels pretty cheap in hand. I often just stick to the included case, which is much grippier and still features the same color.

I also found myself a bit put off by the amount of bloatware on the phone after setting it up. You'll likely spend quite a bit of time uninstalling various apps you may or may not have heard of or just don't want on your phone.

And speaking of things you may not want on your phone, TECNO's AI is mostly pretty well-rounded, but Ella feels like a lesser version of Gemini. Don't get me wrong, I think it's commendable that Ella even exists, as one of the biggest benefits of using Ella over other assistants is that it uses more local languages for better accessibility among developing and developed regions.

That said, despite Ella being integrated with Gemini, it just feels slower and doesn't display information in the same coherent way I would get with Gemini. For example, I asked Ella and Gemini about measles symptoms and if I should be concerned about contracting it due to the recent outbreak. Ella slowly spat out the information at me while Gemini relayed the information in a very clean manner, even creating clear lists within the app.

Also, TECNO has decided to integrate DeepSeek R1 into Ella, which is a curious decision. As a Chinese-based company, it makes sense to use the newest AI model, especially after it recently went pretty viral. However, given the privacy concerns, anyone outside of China may want to refrain from using it.

Fortunately, TECNO lets you choose when to use DeepSeek R1. When opening Ella, there's a very prominent DeepSeek R1 button that you can press to toggle the model on or off. It's nice that the option is there, even if I don't plan to use it.

Even better, you still have the option to use Gemini instead of Ella if you prefer. Unfortunately, that doesn't apply to the Ella One-Tap Button shortcut, but you can still set Gemini as the double-tap option to open the app (although it doesn't automatically enable voice input).

A more minor issue I have with the TECNO Camon 40 Premier is the lack of wireless charging. It's not a particularly big deal, as wireless charging is still not commonly found on midrange phones. Plus, the 70W charging more than makes up for its absence, but it is always nice to have the option.

Lastly, the in-display fingerprint sensor works quickly, but like the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 and Honor 200 Pro it's just way too low on the display, making it a bit awkward to use unless you're holding the phone in a specific way. Not a deal breaker, but definitely an annoyance.

TECNO Camon 40 Premier: Competition

For a phone at this price point, there are a number of similarly-priced cheap Android phones. The Pixel 9a is still very much new and only $499 despite its flagship-level Tensor G4 chipset. It is capable of many of the same AI features as the flagship Pixel 9 series, just at a fraction of the cost. That said, its hardware specs aren't nearly as robust, with slower charging, less RAM, and a lower refresh rate display. Plus, as of writing, the phone isn't on store shelves yet after it was delayed.

The Moto G Power 2025 is another contender in a similar price bracket as the Camon 40 Premier. It offers great value for the price and is a beautifully designed phone that features a vegan leather finish, great battery life, wireless charging, and an IP68/69 rating for protection. However, it has a less impressive MediaTek chip and is lacking int he AI department, making this a much less exciting phone than the Camon.

TECNO Camon 40 Premier: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

• You're looking for an affordable phone.
• You want a phone with fast charging.
• You want a good camera that can quickly capture moments.

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You live in North America.
• You need wireless charging.
• You don't want to deal with bloatware.

The Camon 40 Premier 5G is feels like it's TECNO's version of a Pixel. It's a fantastic midrange phone that has all the makings of a good flagship. The MediaTek chip is more than enough for what the phone is trying to accomplish, and the AI suite feels very comprehensive, even if some of its implementation could be improved.

Despite the lack of wireless charging and questionable choices with fingerprint sensor placement and selection of AI models, battery life and great camera quality make up for any shortcomings the phone may have, of which there are few. And while it's not sold in North America, the TECNO Camon 40 Premier 5G is a phone you should consider buying if it's in your market.

Apple is now offering a new budget iPhone with something really cool inside of it. I'm not talking about Apple's AI features; the iPhone 16e and its binned SoC prove that Apple could offer more features to older phones if it wanted to do it. I'm talking about something most people don't care about — the modem.

The 16e is the first iPhone that uses Apple's new in-house C1 5G modem, which the company developed after a lot of expensive R&D and buying out Intel's 5G business. It's a modem that doesn't match up very well with Qualcomm's, at least on paper.

This is a bigger deal than you might think because Apple's C1 has no support for millimeter-wave 5G frequencies. That means two things — it will never get the hyper-fast 5G speeds we were promised and you might have seen yourself, and the network coverage in many places will be sub-par or fallback to LTE (4G).

This is because most of the technology to power a millimeter-wave modem is from Qualcomm. The company invented or re-invented it and marketed it in a way that it has become almost mandatory in North America. A lot of network tech is Qualcomm's and I imagine Apple has liscensed a good bit of it for its in-house offering, but it either declined to pay for better millimeter-wave support or Qualcomm is unwilling to license it at a cost Apple finds fair.

I have no special affinity for Apple products but I don't like what I'm seeing here. On one hand, you might think that this proves Apple doesn't need Qualcomm so other manufacturers might not need the company, either. That's true if you're OK with a sub-par product with missing features found in many devices at all price ranges.

What I see is that even Apple, a company with more than enough resources to do almost anything it imagines, couldn't break the grip Qualcomm has in North America.

We have no details about the process or licensing agreements (and probably never will) so we don't know exactly why Apple decided to forgo millimeter-wave 5G but I'm sure it's a decision that wasn't made lightly. Apple does not want its "budget" phone to be worse than a $300 OnePlus Nord when it comes to network performance, but it will in places like New York or Chicago.

Apple says it has plans to expand the C1's usage to other models in its lineup. I'm betting it will find a way to integrate millimeter-wave technology before that happens.

What I know for sure is that Apple and Qualcomm have a long-standing love-hate relationship and this almost certainly factored its way into the decision-making process. Qualcomm does have competitors like Samsung and its Exynos 5G modems and there is more to a cellular modem than millimeter-wave support. There's also no denying that Qualcomm does it better. A lot better.

Qualcomm makes a great line of products, there is no denying that. It's just disheartening to see one company have such a strong grip that it can stifle competitors or charge exorbitant fees for patented IPs. If Intel couldn't do it, and Apple can't do it, can anyone?

Update (March 25, 5:30 p.m. ET): T-Mobile's offer of free MLB.tv access through the 2025 season is available now in the T-Life app. Subscribers of T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Home Internet and Small Business plans can claim the promotion through the end of March.

You can read the original article below.

What you need to know

• T-Mobile is using a private 5G network to power Major League Baseball's ABS system in Spring Training this year.
• Free MLB.tv access is available for T-Mobile customers for the 10th straight MLB season.
• You can claim your season-long MLB.tv subscription for free in the T-Life app late next month.

For the first time, Major League Baseball players in Spring Training will be able to challenge a ball or strike call on a thrown pitch using an automatic ball-strike (ABS) system. It won't impact the 2025 regular season — the ABS system is currently in the testing stage at Spring Training for about 60% of games — but it is a big deal for the sport. As it turns out, the ABS system is powered by a private T-Mobile 5G network, as the carrier announced today, Feb. 21.

T-Mobile is the official wireless parter of MLB, and thus it's using a private network under its Advanced Network Solution (ANS) umbrella to provide a 5G connection for the ABS system. Hawk-Eye cameras set up by MLB are positioned around Spring Training stadiums to "triangulate" the strike zone, T-Mobile says. From there, the private ANS network from T-Mobile transmits data to and from parts of the ABS system over 5G.

Corporate use cases like this one are part of the reason 5G exists. The technology can elicit fast, secure connections between wireless devices. Recently, T-Mobile announced plans to use another private ANS system to power a self-driving car project in Jacksonville, Florida. Now, a similar 5G network will facilitate the ABS system at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, starting today.

For T-Mobile customers and baseball fans, the more exciting announcement might be that MLB.tv is free for the 10th straight season. Subscribers of T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Home Internet and Small Business plans will be able to redeem season-long MLB.tv access in the T-Life app. Keep your eye out, because a MLB.tv plan typically costs $150 and you can only claim it between March 25 and March 31.

Of course, the MLB.tv subscription doesn't offer most in-market games due to blackouts. You'll still need cable for that, but MLB.tv will work with all out-of-market games during the 2025 season. Considering it's free with your T-Mobile cellular or internet plan, there's no downside to claiming it. And one of the best VPN apps for Android might just solve that blackout problem.

According to T-Mobile, MLB.tv access is one of the most popular free perks offered by the carrier. It says T-Mobile customers streamed 58 million hours of live baseball during the 2024 season, which is a record.

Update (Feb. 19, 3:20 p.m. ET): Added statement from Qualcomm spokesperson.

What you need to know

• Apple today announced the iPhone 16e, a $599 midrange smartphone with an A18 system-on-a-chip and an Apple C1 modem.
• The C1 modem is the first-ever Apple 5G modem, which required years of research and development — plus a big acquisition — to complete.
• What does this mean for Android? It's proof that if Google and Samsung make in-house modems and SoCs well enough, they can ditch Qualcomm entirely for better performance and efficiency.

Apple today announced the iPhone 16e, a $599 spiritual successor to the iPhone SE with a 6.1-inch screen and an A18 chip. There's a lot to like about this midrange smartphone, and it has the potential to shake up the market — potentially disrupting phones like the Google Pixel 8a and the OnePlus 13R. However, Android users should only be worried about one iPhone 16e specification, and that's the Apple C1 modem.

5G modems are one of the rare mobile device components that only a few companies on the planet have created with success. Qualcomm, MediaTek, Samsung, and Huawei are a few of them, and that's basically the end of the list. The iPhone 16e represents a breakthrough for Apple because it's the first device to use an Apple-designed modem, called the C1.

Just like how Apple developed its own in-house silicon and phased out Intel for its Mac processors, you can expect future iPhones to eventually use Apple C-series modems exclusively. The company told Reuters that Apple will roll out its own modems across all of its products, though the exact timeline for that rollout is unclear.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineups use Qualcomm modems, which have, to date, been faster and more reliable than anything Apple has been able to develop on its own. For $1 billion, the company bought "the majority" of Intel's modem business in 2019. It wanted to make its own modems, but as of 2023, a Wall Street Journal report detailed Apple's struggles — and thus we got iPhones with Qualcomm modems for two more years.

Now, it seems the company is finally on the right track to ditch Qualcomm in favor of its own 5G hardware. The Apple C1 chip features a baseband modem fabricated using the 4-nanometer process and a 7nm transceiver, per Reuters. It lacks millimeter-wave 5G support, but Apple says it offers "industry-leading efficiency" that leads to better battery life.

Meanwhile, Qualcomm believes it's still the industry leader in cellular technologies.

"The best commercial smartphones currently feature our leading 5G-Advanced modem-RF system, which uses AI to optimize for the fastest and highest-capacity networks in every country," a Qualcomm spokesperson told Android Central. "We'll soon be unveiling the future of connectivity at MWC Barcelona."

Apple has no plans to sell C-series modems externally, and that's unlikely to change. So, why should Android fans care? The iPhone 16e and the C1 modem matter because they outline the blueprint for large Android OEMs to ditch Qualcomm themselves for their own in-house chips. Following the precedent Apple just set, it's possible that one day we could see Samsung use Exynos chips for both mobile processors and modems, which would be huge for the Android market.

Apple's reasons for using its own C-series modems are quite clear. For one, they're likely cheaper. Apple spent a billion dollars buying part of Intel's 5G business and maybe more on research and development, but it also pays a fortune to Qualcomm for the licensing of its technologies and the use of its modems. Based on napkin math and build-of-materials estimates from WCCF Tech, Apple could pay Qualcomm over $2.5 billion dollars if it meets its sales targets for the iPhone 16 lineup.

Aside from cash considerations, in-house modems allow Apple to tightly integrate its modems, processors, and software for greater efficiency.

Android phones could use a lower BOM and more efficiency, too

The good news? There's absolutely no reason why Android phones from Samsung or Google couldn't also benefit from a lower build-of-materials cost and greater efficiency. If one of those companies managed to build an SoC and modem good enough, it could leave Qualcomm behind once and for all — result in Android phones with better battery life and potentially a lower price tag.

Android phones are a bit trickier than iPhones, because modems are typically integrated at the SoC level. For instance, because the Samsung Galaxy S25 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, it also uses a Qualcomm modem. Apple and Samsung would both love to use their own in-house modems, but they're working in reverse. Apple made its processors first, then worked on modems. By comparison, Samsung already has the Exynos Modem 5400 ready — it's inside the Google Pixel 9 series — but it can't quite get its Exynos processors up to par.

Apple's strategy is simple. Start with cheaper, lower-stakes phones to iron out any potential issues with the Apple C1 modem without tweaking flagship iPhones before its 5G technology is ready for primetime. And in a way, Samsung is already employing this strategy. Plenty of Samsung devices already use Exynos processors and modems as the company desperately tries to ramp up its chipmaking quality.

All that's left is for Samsung to make an Exynos chip that can go toe-to-toe with Qualcomm's best. When it does, Samsung will be able to leave Qualcomm behind, having near complete control over the processors, modems, and software in its devices for peak efficiency.

Apple is officially proof that it's possible. However, if recent yield estimates for Exynos chips are any indication, Samsung has a long way to go.

You might have heard T-Mobile and TCL telling us about the new 5G RedCap device being offered. It's the first of its kind, and it can be used to bring a 5G connection to almost any device with a USB-C port. In the large picture of a connected world, it's pretty important.

Most people see something like this and immediately wonder if it's something they need. Like a lot of things, RedCap devices like the TCL LINKPORT IK511 are built for people who already know they need it because it's either the best solution or the only solution.

It's not the only way RedCap will come to the market; it's just the first way. One day we will probably see things like a wearable built using RedCap tech for its 5G connection (Qualcomm is already working on it) via the internal hardware of the device itself. For now, though, RedCap probably isn't something you need to buy into.

So, what exactly is it?

I love Telnor's overview of the technology because it's a just-the-facts synopsis:

5G RedCap is a new 5G standard that is designed to address the use cases in between the high speed Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), the ultra-reliable low latency communications (uRLLC) and the low throughput and battery efficient Massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC) technologies. 5G RedCap is well-suited for a wide range of IoT applications and will probably play an important role in future IoT deployments. For the time being, LTE Cat 1 and Cat 4 are the most suitable for those IoT scenarios.

For most people, this doesn't mean much, but it actually says it all. 5G RedCap is a bridge between the robust 5G deployments we have now and the limited needs of some devices. The clue is in the name, which stands for REDuced CAPacity because it can deliver what some devices need without all the extra fluff.

It's built for IoT devices, both consumer and industrial. RedCap is a great solution for a camera surveillance system guarding your home or a network of sensors that control autonomous loaders at a factory that manufactures cardboard. These sorts of things don't need the full capabilities of an expensive 5G network so planning one out and then spending the money on it isn't very wise. Before RedCap came into the picture, this was the only choice once 4G goes away.

Here's the meat of the issue for normal people who just like their gadgets—you don't really need to worry about it. If you need a connection for your laptop because you're somewhere with no Wi-Fi, just use your phone instead of buying a dongle from T-Mobile. If you regularly find yourself in this situation, you already know if RedCap is going to work for your needs.

When RedCap hardware appears inside things like smart rings or cameras, you won't have to do anything to use it. You might save some money, but knowing how companies like to operate, probably not. Making sure it "just works" will be figured out long before you can buy the devices.

The tech is cool, I'm not going to lie. I'm a manufacturing nerd and can think of a million ways this tech could be used on a factory floor, provided it's cheap and someone wants to build the things. I can also see how it would be good for the camera system at Walmart, which has the means to build out a dedicated network to use it right now.

We're in the hype-building phase, just like we saw for LTE and 5G itself. Once the tech is ready for wide adoption, it will just happen, and you don't have to think about it at all.

What you need to know

• A company in Jacksonville, Florida will use a private 5G network from T-Mobile to operate autonomous vehicles.
• The shuttles will run on a loop between EverBank Stadium and a new waterfront, fitting into the existing Jacksonville public transit network.
• Due to limitations with Wi-Fi and cellular, 5G is needed to ensure that fleets of autonomous vehicles are reliable and scalable.

5G was billed as the future of mobile connectivity, but it hasn't quite lived up to expectations. Now, T-Mobile is looking to showcase one of the key applications of 5G by bringing autonomous vehicles to Jacksonville, Florida. 

T-Mobile announced in a press release that it's working with Miller Electric Company to bring fully autonomous shuttles to a three-mile strip in Jacksonville. These bus-shaped shuttles will use T-Mobile's Advanced Network Solutions (ANS) to connect to a private 5G network, as the companies say that existing standards, such as Wi-Fi, aren't as reliable or scalable as 5G. 

“5G is the key that will unlock the autonomous vehicle future that science fiction has teased us with for years,” said Mishka Dehghan, an SVP at T-Mobile Business Group, in the release.

In this specific project, self-driving shuttles will connect the EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville to the new waterfront project, and they are set to hit the streets in mid-2025. The private 5G network will require new infrastructure, but it will be designed in tandem with existing power and fiber plans that are set to become part of the waterfront project. They fit into the city's "Ultimate Urban Circulator" plan and are just the first phase. Eventually, Jacksonville wants self-driving shuttles to connect neighborhoods. 

The private 5G network supported by T-Mobile "will deliver highly secure, reliable two-way communications between the shuttles and the command center." It will also share "real-time telemetry data from onboard sensors as well as audio and video feeds to connect employees with passengers."

It's possible that this Jacksonville project is just the start of new plans supported by the speeds and reliability of 5G. At least, that's what T-Mobile is hoping for. The company ends its press release by directing cities and government departments interested in similar projects to its enterprise site. If 5G isn't the technology that makes our phones faster, could it be the standard that makes self-driving cars a reality? We'll have to wait until mid-2025 to find out. 

Take my money, Motorola: Prime Day 2024 ends tonight, so if you were hoping to grab a sweet Motorola Edge Plus (2023) deal, now's your last chance. The beloved Moto phone is currently sitting with a 38% discount, which means you're getting a flagship phone for the price of a mid-ranger. Sweet!

Amazon Prime Day is full of great phone deals, and the deal for this Android phone is no different. The Motorola Edge Plus (2023) gives Bluetooth 5.3, 5G,  and Android 13 out of the box but upgraded to Android 14. 

• Amazon Prime 30-day FREE trial: Most deals are Prime-exclusive 
• See all the Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India
• Android Central Prime Day deals: phones | wearables | tablets | TVs 
• Rival sales: Best Buy | Walmart | Dell | Newegg | HP | Target 

✅Recommended if: You have an older Android phone and are looking to upgrade to a great but affordable option. If you need to upgrade to a flagship phone but can't afford to pay the asking price and like using a phone that sticks with using a near-stock version of Android.

❌Skip this deal if: You recently upgraded to a flagship phone or need one with various years of software updates since the Motorola Edge+2023 only offers three years of OS updates and four years of security updates and doesn't specify when those updates will arrive. 

Nokia has demonstrated the first spatial audio phone call over a cellular network. Spatial audio uses the Immersive Video and Audio Services (IVAS) codec, part of the next-generation 3GPP standards. While we've all heard spatial audio before, doing it over a cellular connection is an industry first.

Nokia is a big contributor to the IVAS codec standards, which are part of 5G Advanced—the next generation of 5G that companies and researchers are hashing out to give us even more capability when it comes to using both our phones and other products like VR and gaming devices.

I'll admit, I think things like this are cool because I love seeing what smart people with huge budgets can come up with. But this is also the kind of news that needs a bit of explaining.

What is spatial audio?

You've probably heard or read about spatial audio. You've also experienced it even if you didn't know it at the time.

The easy way to describe spatial audio is by giving an example—you've almost certainly listened to music through a pair of headphones and have noticed different sounds coming from each ear. That's an example of spatial audio at work.

Spatial audio is multidirectional sound that lets your brain think sound is coming from a certain direction, and we see it in movies or games. It's well supported by Apple, Microsoft, and Google, so almost any device you buy can do it. Google is adding the feature to Chromebooks, too. 

Some communications software already uses spatial audio, like Google Meet or Microsoft Teams. As long as you have hardware that supports it and software that can deliver it, things can sound like they are coming from the proper direction in real time.

Right now, the supporting "software" isn't available for use over a phone's voice connection. You might be able to experience it via apps like Meet mentioned above, but those use your phone's data connection, not the regular voice channel.

Incorporating the IVAS codec into the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standards means every phone on every network can use spatial audio in both voice calls and "standard" video calls through your phone provider.

Do we really need this? Why is this important?

Do we need this? No. We also don't need 4K displays on phones, expensive smartwatches, or phones that fold in half. Just like you may want to use one of these things, someone else can want to use spatial audio over a phone call.

Spatial audio in a phone call does sound like an unnecessary gimmick. Do you need to know which direction a passing car is coming from when someone is calling you, or do my coworkers need to know which shoulder my screaming parrot is sitting on? Nope. But it could be handy in conference calls where more than one person is in the room or in some other imaginary scenario that probably isn't going to happen.

But that's not why this is being worked on or why it might matter. 

Think back to before we had 5G and all the promises we heard. 5G isn't just about your phone. 5G is about the Internet of Things.

I hate that phrase as much as you do, but just because it gets abused and thrown around until we're sick of hearing it doesn't mean it's not a real thing. Plenty of the products we use now could benefit from spatial audio over 5G, like a security camera with audio enabled. Other things could just be a little cooler with it enabled, like a gaming handheld that uses a SIM card. 

With a standard in place, we wouldn't have to depend on support from the people who make the products and the software that powers them. As long as they follow accepted worldwide standards, it will work.

I'm not going to get hyped over a spatial audio call like The Finnish Ambassador of Digitalization and New Technologies did because I don't feel a need for immersive and rich phone calls. Maybe I'm old-fashioned that way.

I do look forward to seeing the next cool stuff tech companies can invent, and the more tech available for them to leverage, the better. Bring on the immersion!

This week saw the debut of broadband "nutrition labels" to help you understand what you're paying for when you buy into a high-speed internet plan. You can find them posted in stores or online from companies like T-Mobile or Comcast, and any wired or wireless provider with over 100,000 customers is required to post them.

This got me thinking about the state of high-speed internet in North America — specifically how some of the biggest issues are still the same as they were years ago. 

There are two real problems: unavailability and overcrowding. I'm sure industry experts have fancy names for them, but in the end, many people have limited or no access to high-speed internet because of these issues.

In rural areas, there just isn't enough to go around. It costs a lot of money to bring service to an area, and service providers are reluctant to make it happen without enough customers to pay for it (and then provide huge profits). You have to remember that businesses are in it to get rich, not provide a service.

The flip side is in places where there are too many people. Fast, reliable service has a user cap, and when it's exceeded, the quality starts to go downhill. Usually, it's just an inconvenience at certain times of the day or on certain days, but internet providers are like airlines and will sell, sell, sell, regardless of actual capacity.

Nutrition labels aren't going to fix this. Maybe nothing can fix this. We can't let that stop us from demanding more from the companies that send us a hefty bill every month, though.

Rural areas are still screwed

In rural parts of North America, there are two types of internet service — poor and none. In 2024, it's almost impossible to take advantage of the technology age or the latest new phone when internet is in the state it's in.

It is getting better, but just barely. Take where I live, for example. I'm in one of those weird areas where rural isn't really rural — I live in the mountains 43 miles from Washington, DC. It's a cool place to live but it used to be the place where the internet went to die.

Up until a few years ago, "high-speed" just wasn't a thing. In 2012, the Obama administration started an initiative to make high-speed internet access along all federal highways feasible. That has trickled away from the highway, and now I have 5G wireless and fiber internet at the same address that I had to pay for Comcast to bring cable to in 2007. 

Not everyone, especially those away from any major city, is so lucky. There are areas with no internet service of any kind, but those are few and far between. The issue becomes clear when you look for high-speed coverage.

Companies like Starlink make things better, but Starlink is expensive and requires a lot of maintenance. It's not like DirecTV, where it just works. 

I understand the problem — there just aren't enough people to justify it. But this is not what we were led to believe high-speed wireless would be like in 2024.

Too many people can be just as bad

Everyone has heard stories about how bad connectivity is at a place like Google I/O or a New York Giants football game. When you cram that many people into one place at one time, it's very difficult to provide service to them all.

The thing is, it doesn't take a major tech conference or football game to make service bad. All it takes is just one user beyond what the total capacity can handle.

I'll use another anecdotal example here. I have some friends who live in DC, and at lunchtime through the week and all day Saturday and Sunday, their service slows to a crawl. This happens because everyone checks their phone at lunch and on the weekend a million extra people are in DC to see the sights. 

AT&T provided the infrastructure based on the people who actually live there. Quadruple that number, and things get bad. This can made better using portable cell towers for things like ball games or during DC's Cherry Blossom Festival when the crowds are huge, so more infrastructure is the fix.

Nutrition labels are fine for telling how the service we're paying for is supposed to work. The only way to fix anything is to throw money at the problem, though. 

You probably don't see these issues — I admit they are fringe cases. However, they are the same fringe cases that have affected the same users for a decade. Before we move on to 6G, they must be addressed, or North America will fall further behind when it comes to high-speed connectivity.

5G is now pretty much commonplace in most parts of the world, and this means that all the recently launched phones support this high-speed network.

If you want to make the most of your phone plan and network, there's no better way than investing in one of the devices below. In addition to 5G compatibility, every phone on this list comes packed with great performance, battery life, and the Android Central seal of approval.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro earned the top spot for its expert blend of 5G support and some of the most advanced AI hardware on the market, but it's far from the only option worth considering. No matter which phone you choose, you can rest assured you'll be enjoying excellent 5G coverage wherever you go.

At a glance

Best overall

For several years now, Google has produced flagship phones that expertly balance premium specs and cutting-edge features, and this continues with the Pixel 9 Pro series. For the first time, we have two sizes for the Pro models. The 9 Pro now has similar dimensions as the Pixel 9, only with all the Pro features like the telephoto camera, high-res display, more RAM, and quicker charging. The 9 Pro XL is for those who want a large screen size like the XL Pixel models of the past.

The Pixel 9 Pro ships with Google’s very own Tensor G4 chipset, an ultra-efficient processor that handily powers the phone's AI-powered camera features, and supports both sub-6 and mmWave. This phone also works with Wi-Fi 7 so it can make the most of the latest routers.  If you’re looking for a phone that will work great on just about any carrier’s 5G network, the Pixel 9 Pro is a great place to start.

It's not perfect though, as the 9 Pro continues to have the same pains as before. The processor is still not great for competitive gaming, the display has one of the lowest PWM dimming rates, 128GB is still the base storage, and to top it all, it's now more expensive. Having said that, it's not all doom and gloom. The Pixel 9 Pro and the 9 Pro XL have some of the best AI features around, the new design is striking and comfortable in the hand, the cameras have gotten even better, and charging speeds have gotten a boost too.

Best premium pick

If you’re someone who likes to play everything from Fortnite to Genshin Impact on their phone without compromising on framerates or quality, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is exactly what you’re looking for. It can keep games locked at 60 FPS and running buttery smooth all without making you feel like you’re holding a hot brick.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra pairs the super-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, with a large 5,000mAh battery to deliver outstanding performance, whether you’re gaming, streaming, or surfing the web. You still get the vibrant 6.8-inch AMOLED  display with an integrated stylus, plus the robust camera system with a 200MP resolution main camera.

As we noted in our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review, the phone is also set to receive updates for the next seven years, which is probably longer than you'd typically be using it for. Usually retailing for well over a $1,000, the S24 Ultra is far from cheap, but if you want the most powerful 5G phone that money can buy in 2024, this is it.

Best value

With a starting price of just under $500, the OnePlus 12R gets you a flagship processor, premium design and build quality, a brilliant AMOLED display, and the quickest charging ever in this segment.

The 12R is the first in OnePlus' R series of phones to finally get a US launch. These phones are typically known for their aggressive specs and low price. We're talking Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display, and 100W wired charging. If that's not enough to get you excited, the 12R follows the same design as the flagship 12.

In our review, we simply loved how the 12R felt every bit as powerful as the OnePlus 12. The main camera really stood out, delivering flagship-grade performance in daylight and low light. The software is also smooth-as-butter, and you're guaranteed to get three software updates. Overall, there's very little to be disappointed about, especially when you consider how much you're paying.

Best mid-range

The Pixel 8a is Google's best budget smartphone yet, thanks to specs like the Google Tensor G3 chipset (the same processor found in the more-expensive Pixel 8 Pro), superb haptics, and camera tech that rivals much more expensive Android phones. In fact, we found that the Pixel 8a performed just as well as the base model Pixel 8 in our review.

You also get Android 14 with all of the usual Pixel-exclusive features straight out of the box, plus seven years of Pixel updates guaranteed. The phone also offers an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and it looks slim and stylish, and sports a punchy 6.1-inch Actua OLED display with support for HDR playback and a 120Hz refresh rate. Saldy, this isn't the best display for PWM-sensitive users as we noticed a lot of flicker at lower brightness levels, and there's no built-in solution for this.  

The 8a is available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and Aloe colors, which looks stylish and cool. The slightly larger 4,492mAh built-in battery offers decent battery life, and you even get wireless charging support up to 7.5W. The cameras are probably the main reason to get this though, as this phone captures truly stunning images and videos.

Best foldable

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is not as intimidating as the more expensive Galaxy Z Fold 6, which makes it a good balance for someone looking to enter the world of foldables. The Motorola Razr Plus (2024) is perhaps this phone's biggest rival, but between the two, we'd advise picking the Galaxy for its more robust software update history, and better performance.

Part of the phone’s novelty also lies in its cover screen. The larger and more functional (albeit, still limited) display lets you view notifications without having to open your phone and reply to messages. You also get customizable widgets for the usual standards such as weather and alarms. The Z Flip 6 is incredibly pocketable when closed, making it very easy to carry in your pocket or a little handbag. One of the main praises in our review was its 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, which offered good levels of brightness and gorgeous color vibrancy.

The Z Flip 6 is also aesthetically pleasing as it comes in flashy White, Peach, and Crafted Black colors, and Samsung has some funky first-party accessories for it too. Overall, this foldable offers a lot of functional value and is available with all the main 5G carriers in the US.

Best on a budget

The Phone 2a is Nothing's first-ever budget smartphone, and it carries the same quirky DNA as its pricier siblings. It features a transparent back panel, has meticulous attention to detail, and the Glyph lights on the back are some of the unique features.

The Phone 2a has an efficient 5,000mAh battery with fast charging. The camera specs on paper are also quite good, and from what we've tested so far, they perform very well compared to the other phones of its class. The only catch with the Phone 2a is that you can't buy it outright in the US. However,  you can try your luck getting it via Nothing's developer program from its website for $349.

In our brief time using the phone, we're already mighty impressed at what the company has pulled off here. You get fewer LEDs around the camera module for the Glyph lights, but the functionality is still solid. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is lovely and bright, and colors and brightness levels are satisfactory. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC, which is more than sufficient for most use cases. Overall, you get all the main quality-of-life features, reliable performance, and good 5G connectivity at a fantastic price.

If you need a more powerful processor for gaming and don't want to spend a whole lot more, you can check out the Nothing Phone 2a Plus.

• Back to the top ^

How to choose

Choosing a 5G smartphone should be pretty easy these days considering most of the new launches come with 5G support by default. Many manufacturers still use '5G' in the name of their products so you can easily identify if a phone supports 5G or not. In order to get the best 5G experience, it's important to understand how the 5G spectrum is split up, so you can check if your phone can support it or not. 

• mmWave or high-band 5G: These bands lie in the 24GHz and above frequency range, and can handle very high-speed 5G data. Premium and flagship Android phones often support these bands. The downside is that these bands can't carry 5G data over long distances, which means carriers need to install more cell towers for good coverage and your phone needs to be within a couple of hundered meters from the tower to get the desired speeds. Also, obstacles like buildings or sign posts can easily affect the signal negatively, thus reducing your 5G speeds. n260, n261, n257 are some of the popular bands in this spectrum.
• C-band or mid-band 5G: Often reffered to as the 'sub-6' specturm, these are all the bands below 6GHz. In the U.S., carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile have significantly increased the use these bands on their networks, as they provide the best balance of speed and range. Bands like n77 and n41 are commonlhy used in U.S.
• Low band 5G: Low band frequencies offer the best range and are useful when trying to provide 5G network in areas where cell towers are not easy to install. Data rates are obviously compromised, which are only slightly better than 4G speeds. These bands are supported by default in every 5G phone.

The best 5G phones aren't just for enthusiasts anymore

5G coverage is widespread in the US, and you'll find good network coverage from all the major carriers. In order to take full advantage of this, all of them have phased out 4G phones with all 5G models, across the price range. Whether you're getting your next phone through your carrier or simply buying it unlocked, it's important to have a good 5G smartphone to benefit from fast data connectivity.

The Pixel 9 Pro is an excellent all-round option as it balances price and features beautifully. You'll also be getting Android updates straight from Google, so your device will be the first to get new features and patches. On a similar note, we've chosen the Pixel 8a as our best mid-range offering, as it has flagship-level features, the same priority attention from Google for updates, brilliant cameras, and is one of the best cheap phones you'll find. 

If you want the best network speeds and you can afford the $1,000+ price tag, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a clear winner, thanks to its impressive hardware design and support for 5G on every carrier. Samsung's commitment to software updates also helps buyers feel confident that they'll be able to use this phone for years to come. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is our pick for the best 5G folding phone. It's easier to live with as it's more compact than the Z Fold 6, and cheaper as well. 

If you don't mind shopping outside your carrier's portfolio for the best unlocked phone, the OnePlus 12R is an excellent value proposition. You get exceptional performance, a superb main camera, a premium design, and 100W wired charging which is hard to beat at its price. Another great budget option that you should get (if you can) is the Nothing Phone 2a. It punches well above its weight, has all the current features that you'd need, and flaunts a design that's from the future. 

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

What you need to know

• AT&T suffered a major outage last Thursday that caused more than 73,000 people to lose service. 
• Despite rumors that the outage was caused by solar flares or cyberattacks, the company said it was "due to the application and execution of an incorrect process used while working to expand our network."
• As compensation, AT&T wants to give users a $5 credit for the inconvenience.

If you're an AT&T customer that was affected by last week's service outage, your bill for next month or the following month might be a bit cheaper. Five dollars cheaper to be exact, because AT&T wants "make it right" by giving customers a $5 credit on their cell phone bill. 

An issue caused more than 73,000 AT&T users to lose service for hours starting early Thursday morning on Feb. 22. Some suspected recent solar flares or a potential cyberattack as the culprit. However, AT&T explained late Thursday that this wasn't the case. 

"Our initial review of the cause of Thursday’s outage indicates it was due to the application and execution of an incorrect process used while working to expand our network, not a cyber attack," the company said in a new FAQ page. "We have not seen any evidence and have no reason to believe the Feb. 22 outage involved a third-party or that customer data was compromised during the event."

AT&T says that the $5 credit will be automatically added to the bill of customers that may have been impacted by the outage. The denomination represents "the average cost of a full day of service," according to the company. 

AT&T also reached out to potentially affected customers with an SMS message over the weekend. "We apologize for Thursday's outage, which may have impacted your ability to connect with others," the message said. "We value you as a customer and continue to doing better."

However, not all AT&T customers were satisfied by the company's attempt at compensation. Some social media users, specifically business owners, described losses due to the outage that exceeded the $5 offered by AT&T. The credit does not apply to AT&T Business Enterprise and Platinum accounts, and subscribers to those plans will be compensated separately. 

"For the portion of consumer and small business customers most impacted by the outage, we are automatically applying an account credit to compensate them for the inconvenience they experienced," the company said. "We are also working closely with our Business customers and will address their concerns as those discussions take place."

No action is required by users, but it may take a billing cycle or two for the statement credit to appear. AT&T reminds users to stay vigilant with regard to phishing scams because any message asking users to claim their $5 credit is not real.  

What you need to know

• Samsung is launching a new batch of tablets as part of its Fan Edition lineup.
• The Galaxy Tab S9 FE features a 10.9-inch LCD, a 12MP front camera and 8MP rear camera, and comes in Wi-Fi and 5G variants.
• The Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus has a 12.4-inch LCD, dual rear 8MP cameras, and a 10,090mAh battery.
• The Galaxy Tab S9 FE series powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The tablets have IP68 water and dust resistance.
• Pricing starts at $449 and the tablets will go on sale October 10.

Along with the brand new Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, Tuesday's announcement also included new Fan Edition tablets. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE series arrives just a couple of months after the flagship Galaxy Tab S9 series to give consumers a much more affordable option for anyone looking to buy a tablet this holiday season.

The devices look very similar to their flagship counterparts and are made with pre-consumer recycled aluminum. The smaller Tab S9 FE features a 10.9-inch LCD, while the S9 FE Plus comes with a 12.4-inch panel, both at a 90Hz refresh rate. They also feature IP68 water and dust resistance, similar to their flagship counterparts.

Under the hood, the tablets are powered by Samsung's mid-range Exynos 1380 chipset. It's not a bad chip, per se, and it performed quite well in our Galaxy A54 review. That said, it won't really hold a candle to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powering the flagship Galaxy Tab S9 series, but something had to give at this price point. Still, you get up to 8GB of RAM with the Tab S9 FE 5G and 12GB with the Tab S9 FE Plus, which should be plenty for handling tasks.

Imaging and video are handled by the front-facing 12MP ultrawide camera and 8MP rear sensor. The Plus also gets an additional 8MP ultrawide camera at the back.

Battery capacity for the Tab S9 FE and S9 FE Plus sits at 8,000mAh and 10,090mAh, respectively. Samsung says the Plus model should last up to 20 hours with video playback and fast charging supports up to 45W.

The tablets run One UI 5 based on Android 13 and will receive four OS upgrades and five years of security updates. They also come with an S Pen in the box for added productivity.

Both Fan Edition tablets will be available on October 10, starting at $449, and are offered in Gray, Lavender, Silver, and Mint colorways. The Tab S9 FE will come in both Wi-Fi and 5G variants, whereas the Plus will only have a Wi-Fi model.

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What you need to know

• Samsung's Galaxy S22 makes its first 5G satellite call from an unmodified phone with the help of AT&T.
• The connection was established by AST SpaceMobile through its BlueWalker 3 Satellite.
• The company also launched a broadband connection with a 14Mbps data rate in space.

AST SpaceMobile is a telecommunication company building a space-based broadband network for mobile phones. As part of a significant milestone, the company has announced that it has successfully managed to establish the first-ever 5G connection for voice and data between a conventional smartphone and a satellite in space.

The conventional smartphone is Samsung's Galaxy S22 paired with AT&T spectrum alongside AST SpaceMobile's BlueWalker 3 (BW3), which is the company test satellite placed in low Earth orbit.

The 5G call was established on September 8, 2023, through an "unmodified Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone located near Hana, HI, in a wireless dead zone," the company notes in a press release. From Hana, the call was placed to a Vodafone engineer in Madrid. The 5G connectivity was also confirmed by the company's partners Vodafone, AT&T, and Nokia.

In April, the company successfully completed the first-ever two-way voice calls with the help of BW3 satellite. The company utilized a Samsung Galaxy S22 (unmodified) for the call, and the call was made from the Texas area to Japan backed by AT&T spectrum.

"Once again, we have achieved a significant technological advancement that represents a paradigm shift in access to information," said Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AST SpaceMobile. "Since the launch of BlueWalker 3, we have achieved full compatibility with phones made by all major manufacturers and support for 2G, 4G LTE, and now 5G."

"We are more confident than ever that space-based cellular broadband can help transform internet connectivity across the globe by filling in gaps and connecting the unconnected."

With the help of AST SpaceMobile's BW3 satellite, the company has established space-based cellular broadband data sessions with a download rate of 14Mbps. While not particularly speedy, it is still a big achievement, breaking the company's previous record of 10Mbps, which happened in June this year.

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What you need to know

• Huawei silently launched the Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro, with many online suspecting it features 5G connectivity, though the brand has yet to confirm.
• The Mate 60 Pro delivers a 6.8-inch FHD+ LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 50MP primary lens, and a 5,000mAh battery.
• The base Mate 60 is slightly watered down, delivering a 6.6-inch non-curved display and a 4,750mAh battery.

Huawei's latest flagship phone launch snuck in without a word as the company launches the Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro in China.

According to Huawei, the Mate 60 Pro features a 6.8-inch FHD+ LTPO display with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. The brand has curved the display at its four corners for "comfort" while also improving its Immersive display technology for "professional" colors and precise touch inputs.

The Mate 60 Pro delivers a circular triple camera array consisting of a 50MP primary sensor with OIS (optical image stabilization), a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a 48MP telephoto sensor with OIS. Furthermore, users can record videos at 4K resolution while its front-facing selfie camera offers 13MP.

The Mate 60 Pro utilizes the Ark multimedia engine to power mobile gamers through some intensive sessions. Huawei states the Ark engine helps to "instantly" load games and provide a smoother graphical experience.

Powering all of this is the Mate 60 Pro's 5,000mAh battery with 88W wired charging support. Wireless charging support sits at 50W.

However, the most curious aspect of the device is its supposed 5G capability. As reported by Reuters, users online have started noticing the network speeds of the device match that of a phone sporting a 5G chip. This could mean that Huawei has developed its own 5G network chip, potentially working around U.S. restrictions that have kept it from acquiring 5G technology to use in its phones.

At the moment, Huawei has yet to confirm if the Mate 60 Pro contains 5G support. Although, Huawei's statement to Android Authority says it has no plans to bring the device to the U.S. market, which is no surprise.

Additionally, the device comes prepared for a world with satellite connectivity for messaging and calls. Huawei informs that the Mate 60 Pro will let users continue to connect with those important even when a typical cellular connection is absent. Users can edit their satellite-sent messages, and they can also send location information if they need to be located by the emergency services.

Huawei is delivering 12GB of RAM paired with internal storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The Mate 60 Pro lands in China with an ocean green-like color, as well as White Sand Silver, South Waxy Purple, and Yadan Black colorways. The brand lists its 12/512GB iteration for ¥ 6,999 (roughly $960).

While the base Huawei Mate 60 contains most of what its Pro sibling has to offer, they are watered down a bit. The differences begin with its battery shrinking slightly to 4,750mAh and a shortened, non-curved 6.6-inch display. The rear triple camera array on the Mate 60 provides a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. Its front-facing selfie camera remains the same at 13MP.

Wired charging also sees a thirty-watt decrease, landing it at 66W. But its wireless charging sticks to 50W.

Huawei is offering the Mate 60 in China with the same RAM/internal storage options and colorways, too. However, since some of the internal specs are slightly less, those in China can grab the Mate 60 for ¥ 5,999.

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What you need to know

• FCC filings from Meta for an unnamed VR headset indicate that the Quest 3 will have support for 6GHz bands (aka Wi-Fi 6E).
• In addition, supplementary materials show that the Quest 3 was tested using a 10GHz mmWave radio, indicating possible 5G support.
• A previous Quest 3 leak indicated Meta was working on "Project Razor," an initiative to enable cloud VR streaming on Quest headsets.

The Meta Quest 3 will get its full unveiling on September 27 at Meta Connect. So it's no surprise that the headset made its way to the FCC for approval on August 3, prior to a probable October launch. One thing that is surprising: the Quest 3 may support 5G connectivity.

Upload VR's David Heaney first spotted Meta's FCC filings for an unnamed VR headset, noting that while "Quest 3" isn't listed anywhere, "the headset's strap arm with its new curved speaker is clearly depicted in the Label Location document."

In the "General Specs" category, you find mentions of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. The latter band is exclusive to the Wi-Fi 6E standard, meaning that people with Wi-Fi 6E routers will be able to stream PC VR games over Air Link at faster speeds than with the Quest 2. 

Here's where things get interesting. In the Appendices for the filing, I also spotted information on Meta apparently testing "exposure conditions" for a 10GHz 5G mmWave radio placed 10mm away. It specifically says, "5G Scan" for the scan type, too.

While we can't be certain, it certainly looks like Meta is testing to confirm to the FCC that any radiation levels from a 5G chip inside the Quest 3 are within acceptable consumer parameters. 

We reached out to Meta for comment and will update this piece if we receive a response.

What would Meta use a 5G chip for inside the Quest 3? Last year, VR analyst Brad Lynch leaked Quest 3 information claiming Meta was working with Verizon, AT&T, and other U.S.-based carriers in a partnership called "Project Razor." Razor would, in theory, allow Meta to stream "cloud-first content" on Quest headsets without relying on the internal hardware over 5G networks, using something called "Mobile Edge Compute."

It's entirely possible that we're reading this 5G testing information incorrectly. But if the Quest 3 has support for 5G connectivity, it would future-proof the headset to work for cloud VR gaming. This, in turn, would mean you'd no longer need a VR-ready PC to play games that the alleged Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip inside the Quest 3 can't handle. 

The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 supposedly is a redesigned variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip found in 2023 flagship phones, so it makes perfect sense that the Quest 3's chip could easily support a 5G modem with mmWave capabilities — possibly the Snapdragon X70 5G.

We're curious to see whether Meta makes 5G the next stage of its VR Metaverse plans. 5G streaming, while fast, could still have issues with latency; 5G VR gaming could make users susceptible to nausea if there's too much of a delay. But it's still the only way Meta can make games with more realistic graphics that compete with current consoles.

Otherwise, if the Quest 3 isn't 5G-compatible, we at least know that the headset will stream PC games wirelessly faster than ever, using Wi-Fi 6E support.

What you need to know

• MediaTek launches its Dimensity 6000 series with the Dimensity 6100+ as its headliner.
• The chip brings stable sub-6 5G connectivity as developed markets shift customers from the old 4G LTE.
• Stronger AI camera technology, 10-bit display, and Non-ZSL up to 108MP camera support are included.
• MediaTek states the first phones utilizing the Dimensity 6100+ should arrive in Q3 2023.

MediaTek has announced the launch of a new Dimensity 6000 series with a chip designed to push the boundaries of 5G devices' connectivity. According to a press release, the Dimensity 6100+ SoC will bring vivid displays, AI-powered camera technology, sub-6 5G connectivity, and more to phones "at an accessible price point."

The company is also looking to capitalize on assisting developed markets with transitioning customers from 4G LTE connectivity over to the next-gen 5G. To achieve this, MediaTek has equipped the Dimensity 6100+ with an enhanced 5G modem with support for 3GPP Release 16 standard. The standard can reach up to 140MHz 2CC 5G Carrier Aggregation and supposedly reduces power consumption thanks to the company's UltraSave 3.0+ technology, which can reduce 5G power consumption by 20% when compared to its competitor.

The 6100+ chip sits under the Dimensity 7000 series which launched last year, and contains two ARM Cortex-A76 big cores and six ARM Cortex-A55 efficiency cores to support AI-powered cameras. The Dimensity 6100+ supports Non-ZSL cameras up to 108MP and can handle up to 2K 30fps video capture.

MediaTek has worked alongside Arcsoft to develop the new chip, bringing in AI-color technology to mainstream devices (read: cheap Android phones) "so users can showcase their creativity." An AI-Bokeh feature is another addition the Dimensity 6100+ will have, which should enhance captured portraits and selfies.

To bring in more vivid displays, the chipset features support for premium 10-bit technology. MediaTek states the chip can reproduce over one billion colors for "vibrant images and videos" and also allows for a smoother display experience with 90Hz and 120Hz refresh rate options.

Lastly, the 6100+ chipset contains UX and GPU performance upgrades as well as unnamed rich peripheral features, which we may see launch with the first phones scheduled to arrive with the chip sometime in Q3 2023.

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Best answer: Yes, all Mint Mobile plans come with 5G support! In fact, T-Mobile recently began the process of formally acquiring the prepaid carrier, which means Mint Mobile users get full access to the nation's largest 5G network. All you need is a 5G-capable device. 

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What is Mint Mobile? 

Mint Mobile is a prepaid carrier that delivers powerful yet affordable wireless coverage by selling its service in bulk. The carrier supports 5G on all of its plans at no additional cost by utilizing the power of T-Mobile's massive network. 5G works on any T-Mobile-compatible phone, so if you have any of the best Android phones, you can get connected on Mint Mobile. The carrier also sells a ton of great devices through their site, and you can often take advantage of Mint Mobile deals to save even more cash. 

The MVNO carrier offers four plan options that you can purchase in 3, 6, and 12-month increments of time. The cheapest plan comes with 5GB of monthly data and starts at $15 per month for new customers (that's $45 for three months). 15GB, 20GB, and Unlimited (capped at 40GB) monthly data plans are also available, so you can pick the one that works best for your wireless needs. All Mint Mobile plans come with unlimited talk and text, access to T-Mobile's massive 5G network, a mobile hotspot, and free Wi-Fi calling. You also get free calling to Mexico and Canada and the option to pay for international calls/texts when you're traveling abroad. 

Not sure if you're ready to commit to Mint? There's also a Mint Mobile free trial that let's you try out the service for seven days with zero risk. The trial gives you 250MB of data, 250 texts, and 250 minutes of call time, plus it works right along your existing service without causing any interruptions. If your phone is e-SIM compatible, you can sign up online and begin using Mint Mobile right away, otherwise the carrier will gladly send you a free SIM kit with setup instructions. 

Mint Mobile deal of the day

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What you need to know

• Leaked OnePlus Nord 3 images showcase the device in all its glory.
• The phone looks identical to the OnePlus Ace 2V launched in China earlier this year.
• The device will likely be powered by a MediaTek Dimenisty 9000 SoC.

In April, we saw the launch of the budget-oriented Nord CE 3 Lite 5G from OnePlus, with a design that looked similar to the OnePlus Ace 2V from earlier this year. Now, it looks like the company is gearing up to launch another phone with a similar design, dubbed the OnePlus Nord 3. The alleged images of the device have shown up online (via Android Authority), all but confirming the name and design.

The real-life images of the alleged OnePlus Nord 3 shared by a Twitter user (MlgmXyysd) reveal a familiar design similar to the OnePlus Ace 2V. It features a traditional punch-hole display on the front. And on the back, you're greeted with two large camera housings, one of which appears to carry a primary camera sensor and the other with two additional sensors.

Aside from the real-life images, the tipster has also shared the expected specifications of the Nord 3. The phone is likely targeted for the European and Indian markets according to the model numbers shared by the tipster.

Underneath, the device could equip a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC and a 5000mAh battery aided by the company's 80W SuperVOOC charging support.

A large AMOLED display on the front will measure 6.74 inches with 2772x1240 resolution and 120Hz refresh rates. Lastly, the device will ship out of the box with Android 13-based ColorOS 13.

These are all some of the same specs found in the OnePlus Ace 2V, which launched exclusively in China. As such, other expected specifications of the OnePlus Nord 3 may include a 64MP primary camera paired with an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens and a 2MP macro lens. The selfie shooter is expected to be a 16MP sensor. The other nifty features could comprise Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, up to 16GB of RAM, coupled with up to 512GB of onboard storage.

These specs could make the alleged OnePlus Nord 3 a decent mid-range phone for 2023, especially as the Pixel 7a continues to make waves.

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Best answer: Yes. Now that T-Mobile has acquired Ultra Mobile, the prepaid carrier gives users access to the nation's largest 5G network. Of course, you'll need a 5G-enabled phone and an Ultra data plan to enjoy the service, but then you're in. 

What is Ultra Mobile?

Ultra Mobile is an affordable prepaid carrier that uses T-Mobile's massive 5G network. Because T-Mobile's network coverage is vast, most people won't have trouble having a network connection, and now that T-Mobile is in the process of purchasing Ultra, you can expect this connection to get even better. The only time you'll find yourself having issues is in more rural areas, in which case you might encounter dead zones.

However, if you're planning to use the service for 5G, you'll need a phone that enables 5G services. Luckily, any of the best Android phones will do.

What plans does Ultra Mobile have?

Ultra Mobile has single-month plans that start at just $15 per month for simple talk and text plus 250MB of 5G/4G LTE data and go up to $49 for 50GB of monthly data. You can also save some cash by paying for your wireless service in 3, 6, and 12-month increments of time. For example, you could pay for a full year of the 2GB/month plan and only pay $168, which breaks down to a mere $14 per month. 

In addition to 5G access, these plans (excluding the aforementioned Talk and Text plan) come with unlimited talk and text to over 80 countries worldwide, plus unlimited Wi-Fi calling and a free mobile hotspot. Since Ultra is an MVNO, there are also no pesky hidden fees or complicated contracts, and you can cancel or alter your plan at any time with no penalties. 

Like some other MVNO carriers, Ultra also sells some excellent 5G-compatible Android phones directly through their website, including recent releases like the Samsung Galaxy S23 series. Suffice to say, if you're ready to go prepaid, you could do a lot worse than the 5G coverage provided by Ultra Mobile. 

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What you need to know

• Motorola introduces the new Moto G Power, now with 5G and a MediaTek chipset.
• The phone features a 50MP primary camera and an upgraded 120Hz display.
• The Moto G Power 5G will be available in the U.S. on April 13 for just $299.

Motorola's last Moto G Power left a lot to be desired, but the company is back with an upgraded model for 2023, and it seems to hit a lot of the right points.

One of the biggest changes for the Moto G Power 5G is the new MediaTek Dimensity 930 chipset, which was launched last year. It sounds like a pretty decent chip, especially since it brings 5G to the new G Power, a first for the lineup. You also have an option for more RAM, with up to 6GB, and storage, with 128 or 256GB expandable.

On the front, Motorola slaps on a 6.5-inch FHD+ panel with a 20:9 aspect ratio, an upgrade from the HD+ panel on the Moto G Power (2022). Additionally, the refresh rate has also been increased to 120Hz, bringing it above some of the best budget Android phones in this price range.

On the back, the G Power 5G has a 50MP primary camera joined by a macro camera and depth sensor. Unfortunately, this is where the MediaTek chip seemingly shows its limitations, as it only supports FHD video capture at 60fps, no 4K.

The phone runs Android 13 out of the box, and Motorola highlights a dedicated Family Space that lets parents set specific apps and screen time limits for kids.

Motorola promises nearly two days of use on a single charge thanks to the 5000mAh battery. It also comes with 15W charging, and while that's not the fastest, it's a step up from the 10W charging Motorola usually includes on its mid-range and budget phones. That said, Motorola only includes a 10W charger in the box, so you might wanna spring for a faster charger.

Rounding off the specs are Bluetooth 5.3, stereo speakers, a 16MP selfie camera, and a fingerprint sensor. Unfortunately, there's no NFC or an IP rating for water resistance, however, the device sports a "water-repellant design."

The Moto G Power 5G retails for just $299 and will be available in the United States starting April 13. The phone will also be available in Canada "in the coming months."

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What you need to know

• OnePlus launches the new Nord CE 3 Lite 5G.
• The phone features a fresh design with a 108MP primary camera and the Snapdragon 695.
• The large 5000mAh battery supports 67W fast charging.
• The phone ships in Europe on April 25 and will go on sale in India on April 11.

Spring has sprung, and what better way to celebrate than to launch a bright yellow smartphone. Following the launch of the new yellow iPhone 14, OnePlus followed up with a yellow phone of its own: the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G.

The phone brings a new design that's somewhat reminiscent of last year's OnePlus Nord 2T but without the camera island. Instead, the three cameras are housed in two circular protrusions, with the top housing the primary 108MP sensor and the bottom featuring two 2MP depth and macro cameras.

The 108MP camera is the highlight of the device. It's a Samsung sensor that uses pixel binning to capture 12.5MP images and is capable of providing users with "3x lossless zoom" and 6x digital zoom. However, despite all those pixels, you won't find 4K video recording because of the older Snapdragon 695 chipset. The camera tops out at 1080p at 30fps.

Things look a little better on the front. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G features a rather large 6.72-inch FHD+ LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate. The hole punch 16MP selfie camera is housed in the top center of the display, a departure from most OnePlus smartphones.

Along with the Snapdragon chipset, the CE 3 Lite comes with 8GB of RAM and either 128 or 256GB of expandable UFS 2.2 storage. You'll also find a 5000mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging, which is faster than many budget Android phones at this price. You also get dual stereo speakers, a headphone jack, and OxygenOS 13.1 out of the box.

As for the price, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G retails in Europe for €330/£300, which gets you the 8GB+128GB configuration in either Pastel Lime or Chromatic Gray. In India, you can get the same configuration for ₹19,999, or you can opt for the 256GB storage variant for ₹21,999.

In addition to the new phone, OnePlus also launched the new Nord Buds 2, which feature improved bass, better sound, and ANC. The new earbuds retail for just $59 and can be picked up in North America, Europe, and India.

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What you need to know

• Qualcomm has launched the new Snapdragon X35 5G modem.
• The device aims to bring 5G connectivity to smartwatches, wearables like AR glasses, and more.
• The company expects the first devices to be available in 2024. 

There are plenty of smartwatches that are capable of connecting to a mobile network, but as smartphones have fully embraced 5G for the past several years, wearables have lagged behind with LTE. Qualcomm is looking to remedy that with its new 5G modem, aimed at these types of devices.

The new Snapdragon X35 was announced this week and is the world's first 5G NR-Light modem. It comes in a smaller form factor, which is perfect for devices like smartwatches, AR glasses, and IoT devices, the type of products Qualcomm is targeting with the modem.

NR-Light, also known as RedCap or "reduced capability," is also ideal for these types of products since they don't require the same high performance that's expected in devices like smartphones and laptops. Thus, the Snapdragon X35 is meant to bring higher bandwidth, lower latency, and improved performance over 4G LTE while remaining compact and battery efficient.

This means future Android smartwatches and other devices will be able to tap into sub-6 5G for faster speeds of up to 220Mbps and VoNR. They'll also be able to fall back on LTE if necessary. And it's not just smartwatches and wearables, but Qualcomm is also targeting low-power laptops such as cheap Chromebooks.

In a recent poll we conducted, it was clear that connected smartwatches aren't for everyone, and many users are content with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi smartwatches. However, there are still plenty of users that find LTE connectivity a useful feature to have on their wrists, and fortunately, there are many LTE smartwatches to pick from.

As for when we can expect products to arrive with this new modem, Qualcomm says we'll be waiting until at least the first half of 2024. The company did not say what type of products we can expect, so there's no saying when the first 5G-enabled smartwatches will hit the market.

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Update (Feb 2, 7:30 pm ET): Updated with a statement from Qualcomm about how this affects its current licenses.

What you need to know

• Huawei is on the verge of facing yet another ban from the U.S.
• The Biden administration is likely to halt new licenses for U.S. tech firms from exporting items to Huawei.
• The aim appears to tighten Huawei's controls in getting components like 4G chips from the U.S. makers.

It looks like Huawei is receiving yet another ban from the U.S. government, only this time from the Biden administration. The country's government is said to have stopped approving new licenses for U.S. tech companies that export items to China-based Huawei.

As noted by Reuters, which cites sources/people familiar with the matter, the Biden administration is developing a new denial policy for shipments to Huawei, which may include 4G, WiFi 6/7, A.I., computer, and cloud-related products from the U.S. firms.

President Trump's administration imposed Huawei's first major ban in 2019, blacklisting the firm and imposing export restrictions with some exceptions. It was a major plow to the company, which was rising quickly and making itself known in the industry with impressive Android phones.

Huawei has been banned from accessing crucial tech that could provide its phones with 5G connectivity. However, despite the restrictions back then, the U.S. Department of Commerce granted licenses for some American tech firms like Qualcomm to sell its 4G chips to Huawei in 2020.

Fortunately, it looks like those licenses aren't affected by the move. During Qualcomm's recent earnings call, Alex Rogers, president of Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL) & Global Affairs, stated that the move would likely only apply to new licenses and that Qualcomm hasn't heard anything from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

"Qualcomm has a set of licenses that we've had for a while that basically allow us to ship 4G and other chipsets, including Wi-Fi, to Huawei," Rogers stated during the call. "Those licenses were issued because Commerce reached the determination that they don't affect national security issues. Those will continue for some number of years, and so within the scope of those licenses, we don't see an impact."

According to Reuters, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has responded to the move, stating that it "goes against the principles of the market economy and rules of international trade and finance, hurts the confidence the international community has in the U.S. business environment, and is blatant technological hegemony."

The U.S. government's bans have made things worse for Huawei over the past four years, which was once a conglomerate in making premium Android smartphones. Though it still makes Android phones, the availability across regions is pretty limited, and the lack of 5G makes them questionable purchases. These limitations on Huawei also forced its sister company Honor to move away from the parent company.

"China is strongly against the U.S.'s abuse of state power to hobble Chinese companies by stretching the concept of national security," Mao Ning further said in the press conference, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

If you're looking to switch wireless carriers, the Verizon-owned Visible Wireless remains one of the best options for folks who want great phone service without spending an arm and a leg on a bunch of perks they don't need.

Unlike traditional MVNO carriers that simply "borrow" network access from one of the big three providers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile), Visible is wholly owned and operated by Verizon and has all of the capabilities of a full stack carrier. This means you're getting the benefits of a MVNO (simplicity, affordability) with the extensive infrastructure of a Big Three phone company. In other words, it's the best of both worlds.

Plus, Visible is 100% digital, which means they're able to provide exceptionally affordable service with all of the benefits of a mainstream wireless network. They're also known to offer great promotions that rival Verizon's best deals, so whether you're considering switching to Visible or you've been with them for years, you'll find everything you need to know about the carrier below.

Visible deals

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Visible plans

The Visible Basic plan

Visible has the simplest set of plans of any carrier. It's currently $25 per month (or $275 for a year), and you get unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S. on Verizon's network. Unlike some other prepaid unlimited plans, it's truly unlimited with no fine print or data caps. In reality, Visible is an all-digital carrier meaning all of its services work over the data network. This means that even your calls and texts are routed through LTE or 5G. While many other carriers are moving towards this setup, Visible has gone all-in on the concept.

Visible is also unique for including an unlimited hotspot. It's unlimited in the sense that you don't need to worry about how much data you actually use. It is limited in the sense that your maximum download speeds will only ever be 5Mbps. For this reason, Visible isn't a good replacement for a home connection. Still, it's a fantastic companion to a great Chromebook or Android tablet when you're away from your home Wi-Fi connection. 5Mbps is enough for basic streaming and web browsing but don't expect large files to download or upload quickly.

The Visible Plus plan

Like we mentioned above, in August 2022, Visible got rid of their popular Party Play plan and made two significant changes to their service. First, they dropped $10 off their standard Visible plan (which is surprising, since many companies are currently raising their prices, not decreasing them), bringing it down to just $25 per month. Additionally, they added a totally new plan called Visible Plus.

The Visible Plus plan offers all of the great Unlimited benefits of the basic plan, plus extras that include 5G Ultra Wideband, data roaming in Mexico and Canada, international calling from the United States to over 30 countries, and international texting to over 200 countries. This premium plan is currently $45 per month, which is only $5 more than the basic plan's old price. You can also pay $395 for a year of the Visible Plus plan and save 26% on your purchase.

In March 2024, Visible also updated their Plus plan to include one Global Pass day per month (which gives you more comprehensive international coverage), faster hotspot speeds, and free smartwatch service if you use an Apple Watch. All of these new extras come at no additional cost.

Coverage and 5G

Visible is an all-digital carrier meaning it uses a data connection for everything. It also only uses LTE and 5G with VoLTE and VoNR for calls. This isn't as bad as it seems at first, as Verizon has been able to deploy LTE to most of its towers. Still, if you live in a rural area, it's worth double-checking Visible's coverage map to ensure you've got solid coverage everywhere you go.

Visible also includes 5G at no extra cost, including Verizon's nationwide 5G and the incredibly fast Ultra Wideband mmWave network. 5G speeds are limited to 200Mbps, but realistically, this is more than most people will ever need for the next few years at least.

All of this means that Visible customers will have no access to Verizon's old 3G network or even older analog network. For most people, that's not an issue as LTE has been the main focus of cellular expansion for years now, but it can affect some rural areas. You also don't get access to Verizon's roaming partners. While Verizon's network covers most people, it still buys some coverage from other carriers to fill in a few gaps. Visible customers will have no service in these areas.

Visible does not limit its connection speed, though Visible customers will be deprioritized compared to Verizon customers. This means that when the network gets crowded, your data speeds will drop much lower than you might expect. This will affect people living in dense areas more than suburban customers, but if your main tower sees a lot of traffic at specific points during the day, you may notice your speed tanking. This is noted in Visible's terms, but it's worth keeping in mind.

Phone compatibility

Visible requires your phone to support digital services like VoLTE, so support for older phones is quite limited. Still, most iPhone models released after the iPhone 6 will work without issue. iPhones with eSim support, iPhone 8, and later, can also be activated without ordering a SIM with the Visible app. Android eSIM support is due later but hasn't been released yet.

Visible supports most of the most popular Android phones as well as iPhones, with VoLTE as a requirement. Still, some unlocked Android phones that would seem to work won't have compatible software and won't be compatible. When you sign up for service, Visible will help you check your phone by IMEI to be sure you can use the service. You can also check this list of the best phones for Visible.

If you want to use 5G on Visible, newer devices like the Google Pixel 8, Samsung Galaxy S24, and Samsung Galaxy A54 all work. Visible also sells a wide range of phones, from cheap-but-good Androids to high-end Galaxy phones and Pixels. If you have an older phone that's not compatible with Visible, you can also take advantage of Visible Swap to get a free and compatible Android phone when you sign up. You'll need to send in your old phone within 15 days of receiving your new one so don't forget.

• Back to the top^

Competition

Visible isn't the only unlimited plan around and not even the only unlimited prepaid carrier on Verizon. There are a ton of plans to consider, including Visible vs. Verizon postpaid. Verizon offers premium data and a slightly larger network with roaming, though it's much more expensive, while Visible vs. Verizon Prepaid is a bit more similar but has a much greater focus on lighter users with smaller data plans.

If you have good T-Mobile coverage, Visible vs. Mint Mobile is worth considering, thanks to large data packages that work for most and great multi-month savings. Mint Mobile will also work with more unlocked phones. Similarly, Visible vs. Metro by T-Mobile offers plenty of data on the T-Mobile network with competitive rates with a family plan. Visible vs. Boost Mobile shows what's possible with the T-Mobile and Sprint network with a wide range of plans and great support for calling and roaming in Mexico and Canada.

Visible vs. Google Fi showcases Google Fi's unparalleled international roaming options and impressive network switching in the United States. Finally, Visible vs. Cricket Wireless demonstrates how a prepaid unlimited plan on the AT&T network stacks up with more multi-line options.

• MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket

What you need to know

• Qualcomm launches its new Compact Macro 5G RAN platform.
• The platform boosts mmWave coverage by up to 240% compared to current colutions.
• The platform is designed to be smaller and require fewer cell sites to cover larger range.

Qualcomm has been on a crusade to improve 5G, particularly with mmWave. However, mmWave deployment is a big challenge as it can be expensive for carriers, especially given its limited range. However, the company's latest 5G RAN platform aims to make it easier and more cost-effective for companies.

Qualcomm's new Compact Macro 5G RAN platform is set to boost 5G base stations in outdoor settings. The company says that it provides a much smaller, streamlined design and is up to 50% more cost-effective for companies than existing base station solutions. This is because companies can achieve better coverage using fewer cell sites.

According to Qualcomm, the new platform delivers up to 1GHz of spectrum and boosts 5G mmWave range up to 240%, thanks to support for "macro-grade" antenna modules. It's a significant improvement for outdoor performance where mmWave signals can struggle. Basically, companies can improve their mmWave coverage with less.

"This innovative solution will streamline deployments and accelerate mmWave adoption by providing the range, performance, energy efficiency, and form factor our partners need at an attractive price point," says Durga Malladi, SVP and general manager of cellular modems and infrastructure at Qualcomm. "We're thrilled to extend our technology leadership and expertise to help the ecosystem fully realize the benefits of mmWave for outdoor 5G networks."

Qualcomm has been very vocal about its goal to make it easier for global carriers to deploy mmWave, as it offers the fastest 5G speeds for Android phones and other devices. This new platform looks like the best way for carriers to boost their networks for both outdoor mobile traffic and indoor fixed wireless in urban, suburban, and rural residences.

The new platform will be available for customers in the first quarter of 2023.

What you need to know

Update (Nov 11, 3:25 pm ET): Samsung is rolling out One UI 5 to the Galaxy A33 5G.

• Samsung continues its One UI 5 rollout with the mid-range Galaxy A53 5G.
• The Android 13 update has appears in European markets, with others expected to follow shortly.
• Samsung is reportedly testing the update for the Galaxy A33 5G privately before its scheduled launch this month.

Samsung is on a roll with the One UI 5 (Android 13) update as it begins updating the mid-range Galaxy A53 5G.

As noted by SamMobile, the One UI 5 update has begun appearing for users in Europe. The Galaxy A53 5G update comes in at over 2GB with build version A536BXXU4BVJG. It also seems to be coupled with the October update as other Samsung smartphones begin receiving the November patch.

The Galaxy A53 5G is one of the few mid-range Galaxy smartphones expected to receive the Android 13 update before 2023. According to a schedule Samsung posted in October, the Galaxy A33 5G is also expected to receive the update this month, with the A-series phones scheduled to be updated in December.

Speaking of the Galaxy A33 5G, SamMobile reports that Samsung is currently testing the update for the phone "behind closed doors" with firmware version A336EDXU4BVK1. It was not among the phones put through a public beta program, meaning owners of the device will have to wait to try it out when the stable version launches, which could be any day now.

Interestingly, the Galaxy A53 5G received its update ahead of other devices that were part of the beta and are expected to receive it this month, including the company's foldable phones. Still, the company's cadence is quite impressive, given the sheer number of phones it has to update across many regions.

Phones that have already begun receiving One UI 5 (Android 13) include the Galaxy S22, S21, S20, and Galaxy Note 20 phones. Owners of these phones can check for updates by navigating to Settings > Software update > Download and install.

Update

After it was reported that Samsung was internally testing One UI 5 on the Galaxy A33 5G, the company started rolling out the update to the mid-range phone. This makes it the second A-series phone to receive the stable update.

According to SamMobile, the update is shipping to European owners with build version A336BXXU4BVJG and comes with the October 2022 update. It is roughly 2GB in size.

What you need to know

• The Galaxy A54 5G is the next anticipated mid-range phone from Samsung.
• It reportedly received at 3C certification authority in China.
• The timing implies an early launch when compared to the previous models.

Samsung makes excellent flagship phones and manufactures good mid-range smartphones under its Galaxy A series. From the lot, the Galaxy A53 5G, released early this year in March, turned out to be one of the best mid-range devices to come out of 2022. The successor, Galaxy A54 5G, is reportedly in the works (via GSMArena), and it turns out it may come sooner next year than the predecessors’ usual release cycle.

The purported Galaxy A54 5G appears to have achieved 3C certification. First off, this suggests that the new mid-range handset will probably launch in China early next year, much like the Galaxy A52 5G and Galaxy A53 5G models did.

Secondly, the latest certification indicates that the alleged Galaxy A54 5G will likely release sooner than later. The previous models reached the 3C certification in January of their release year, followed by their subsequent launches in March of that particular year.

Considering the timeline of the alleged Galaxy A54 5G hitting the 3C certification in China already, it is sufficient to say that the device may launch early next year, presumably in January. 

The additional details from the 3C certification reveal the Galaxy A54 5G’s model number SM-A5460. It further says that the device would be bundled without the power adapter in the retail packaging, which has become par for the course for a growing number of smartphones.

Besides, the rumored specifications include a 50MP primary sensor, a 5MP macro, and another 5MP ultrawide-angle lens. The device will likely have a 5,100mAh battery supporting 25W fast charging.

Meanwhile, its predecessor, the Galaxy A53 5G, has started receiving One UI 5 (Android 13) update this week. This year, the device managed to sit on top of our list as the best midrange smartphone. 

As mentioned by our Harish Jonnalagadda in his review, the A53 5G brought in an excellent vibrant 120Hz screen, a decent 64MP primary camera, and the best battery life. It has become a decent viable option in the segment, wherein we can also find devices like the Pixel 6a and Nothing Phone (1).

What you need to know

• OnePlus launches its new Nord N300 5G in North America, exclusively with T-Mobile.
• The phone features a new design, HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, and 33W wired charging.
• The phone retails for under $250 and will be available on November 3.

OnePlus is trying to carve out a space for itself in the North American budget market and has done a decent job so far with its Nord lineup. Now, the company is launching its latest affordable device, the Nord N300 5G, although it is making some interesting choices to keep its price down.

The latest Nord is the first OnePlus phone to sport a MediaTek chipset in the United States. MediaTek is not widely used among flagship phones in the region but is making its way into more budget Android phones. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810, a middle-of-the-road 5G chipset launched in 2021.

Interestingly, OnePlus has done away with the hole-punch display of the previous Nord N devices, opting for a V-shaped notch instead and making the phone look much more "budget" than its predecessors (it harkens back to the OnePlus 6T). Even more interesting is the decision to downgrade the display resolution from FHD+ on the OnePlus Nord N200 5G to HD+ on the N300, although it does retain the 90Hz refresh rate.

Fortunately, the rear at least looks a little more interesting thanks to the large rectangular camera housing, which is where you'll find the 48MP primary sensor and 2MP depth sensor. That's one camera fewer than its predecessor, but the primary sensor features more than 3x the resolution, which is a nice upgrade.

If none of that sounds particularly appealing, OnePlus also managed to upgrade the charging spec, allowing users to top up the 5,000mAh battery much faster thanks to the 33W wired charging. It's a far cry from the company's flagship phones like the OnePlus 10T, but it's still faster than Samsung or Google flagship phones. Plus, the charger comes in the box.

Rounding off the specs is 64GB of expandable storage and 4GB of RAM.

OnePlus notes that in 2021, the N series "sold over 2.5 million devices in the United States," with the popular N200 5G projected to hit 1.5 million sales by the end of 2022. The company no doubt hopes to capture similar numbers with its latest affordable phone. However, it's unclear if the tradeoffs made here make the Nord N300 5G worth looking at over its predecessor.

The Nord N300 5G retails for $228 and will be available at T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile on November 3.

What you need to know

• T-Mobile gains exclusivity with the OnePlus 10T launching on September 29 online and in its stores.
• Customers can either take advantage of a few perks with the 10T, or they can purchase the device for $27.09/month with a 0-down with a credit check.
• It appears as though T-Mobile is offering up the 8GB/128GB (RAM/Internal storage) variant of the 10T as its total price is $649.

T-Mobile becomes the only wireless U.S. carrier to provide the OnePlus 10T with its 5G service.

T-Mobile announced that it would be exclusively launching OnePlus' latest flagship, the 10T beginning September 29. On Thursday, customers will be able to purchase the new phone online and in T-Mobile stores. The carrier stated its reason for this exclusive move is due to its "relentless quest to provide the best value to its customers."

The OnePlus 10T is being offered to both T-Mobile and Sprint customers in Moonstone Black. The phone will also be offered at half price for those customers if they add a line (on most plans) or trade in an eligible device. Depending on the plan, T-Mobile highlights perks such as Netflix on them, high-speed data when traveling abroad, free in-flight Wi-Fi, and Scam Shield Premium.

However, if customers aren't interested in those perks, they can purchase the OnePlus 10T for $27.09/month with as little as $0-down. This will be over a 24-month period with T-Mobile's equipment installment plan.

The phone service provider is also extending its Network Pass as an option for those who are interested in the OnePlus 10T but are not current T-Mobile customers. Users will be able to test run the T-Mobile network for three months for free and decide if it is the right fit for them.

While the OnePlus 10T does offer both speed and performance, it appears that T-Mobile is offering the 8GB/128GB (RAM/Internal storage) variant of the phone as it is priced at a reasonable $649. The 10T delivers a 6.7-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Inside, the phone is strengthened with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC while also providing a 50MP Sony IMX766 main shooter, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens on its back.

The OnePlus 10T will be available with the Chinese OEM's OxygenOS 12.1 software but will receive the new OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13. While the 10T is gaining a limited closed beta test for its skin atop Android 13, we may receive a stable release of OxygenOS 13 by the end of 2022.

Of course, if you don't want to be died down to T-Mobile, you can purchase the device unlocked from Amazon, where you'll have access to 5G across all major U.S. carriers.

Update (Sept 26, 1:45 pm ET): The Huawei Mate 50 series launches in international markets.

What you need to know

• Huawei has launched its latest Mate 50 smartphones in China.
• The phones support satellite connectivity via China's BeiDou network, allowing users to send text messages.
• The phones sport one of the latest Qualcomm chipsets, although they still lack 5G connectivity.

Huawei's Mate series has introduced some of the best smartphones you can't buy, and after pressing pause on the series in 2021, the company is back with its latest Mate 50 series.

The Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the top-tier model, sporting a large 6.7-inch QHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. There's a triple-camera system with a fairly impressive 50MP primary sensor on the back. While that sounds like just about every Android phone launched this year, the Mate 50 series is unique in that it features variable aperture, offering 10 stops between f/1.4 and f/4. Other phones that have offered this in the past were often limited to just two aperture settings.

In addition to the primary sensor, there's a 13MP ultrawide camera and a 64MP periscope telephoto lens. On the front are a 13MP camera and ToF sensor.

The Huawei Mate 50 Pro is outfitted with a 4G version of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, Qualcomm's latest and greatest chipset. However, despite the lack of 5G connectivity, the Mate 50 series does come with satellite connectivity, seemingly the hottest new thing in mobile telephony. Using China's BeiDou satellite network, users can send messages in areas with no reception, although it doesn't appear to support receiving messages.

Satellite connectivity on smartphones has become something of a new space race for smartphone manufacturers as of late. Apple was been long-rumored to bring support to the new iPhone 14 (which it has), while Android 14 is set to gain satellite connectivity following the T-Mobile/SpaceX partnership.

Rounding out the specs, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage. The 4,700mAh battery supports 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.

In addition to the Mate 50 Pro, the company has also introduced the standard Mate 50, which isn't much different. The display refresh rate is lowered to 90Hz, the battery capacity gets downgraded to 4,460mAh, and the telephoto lens has only a 12MP resolution. Aside from the lack of a notch and flatter display, the Mate 50 looks nearly identical to its Pro counterpart.

The phones are currently on pre-sale in China, although a global launch is to be expected (likely skipping the U.S., however).

Update

Huawei has announced that the Mate 50 series is now available in international markets. The devices are pretty much identical to the versions released in China, down to the 4G version of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

Huawei notes that the Mate 50 devices are the first consumer smartphones to support Beidou Satellite Messaging, although this is only available in China.

They are also available in the same configurations, with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Pricing starts at €1299 for the 256GB variant in black or silver, while the more expensive Orange Leather doubles the storage and will retail for €1399.

That's a lot to ask for, even if we were talking about a phone with 5G and Google services, but as the Mate 50 series lacks both of those things, it's hard to recommend.

What you need to know

• Samsung will provide Comcast with 5G CBRS Strand Small Cells to provide 5G coverage using Comcast's existing DOCSIS internet infrastructure.
• Strand Small Cells can hang from Comcast's aerial cable lines to improve 5G coverage for Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business Mobile customers.
• Comcast will use CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) and 600MHz spectrum for its 5G coverage.

Samsung has announced that it will be providing Strand Small Cells to Comcast so the carrier can build its own 5G coverage based on CBRS spectrum as well as the 600MHz spectrum. These cells will hang from Comcast's existing aerial lines and tap into its DOCSIS cable internet to provide high-speed 5G coverage for customers on Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business Wireless. This allows Comcast to start building its 5G network without needing to build new towers and lease new land to improve speeds in high-traffic areas.

Currently, Xfinity Mobile customers use Verizon's network and Xfinity WiFi for its coverage. In late 2021, Comcast won licenses for mid-band spectrum known as CBRS, Citizens Broadband Radio Service, in 83% of its service area. CBRS will be used to provide 5G coverage using Samsung's newly announced radio equipment. Samsung will also provide radios and baseband units for CBRS and 600MHz spectrum.

Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business Wireless customers will benefit from the new coverage. Naturally, customers will need a compatible 5G phone to take advantage of the new coverage. Samsung's small cell will help reduce the cost of 5G deployment by allowing cable companies to use their existing infrastructure.

As shown in a Samsung press release, the cell is designed to be lightweight and easy to install. The cell can be configured in 90, 180, and 360-degree to precisely provide coverage where it's needed. The cell also supports wide 80MHz bandwidth across the entire CBRS spectrum.

Supporting DOCSIS 3.1, the protocol used by Comcast to deliver cable internet to customers, Samsung's solution should have no trouble delivering fast 5G speeds to those within range of the cell. Samsung is also supporting DOCSIS 4.0, so it's ready for future upgrades to cable internet speeds.

If you're an Xfinity customer already, there's a good chance you can save some money with Xfinity Mobile. With affordable unlimited options as well as a flexible by-the-gig plan, Xfinity customers have access to some of the best phone plans around. While it still remains to be seen how long it takes Comcast to deploy its 5G cells, customers will still have access to Verizon's 5G network in the meantime.

What you need to know

• Google is expanding its 5G coverage at an international level.
• Pixels and Galaxy S22 phones are able to take advantage of 5G speeds while traveling to the 39 supported countries.
• Other Android users can still enjoy full-speed 4G access in over 200 countries on Google Fi.

Google has announced several enhancements to its Fi coverage to stay connected with all kinds of smartphones across regions. In an announcement blog post, the search giant stated that it is tripling its international 5G network coverage with 26 additional countries added to the current list.

So far, it seems this expanded coverage is limited to select Android phones from Samsung and Google, like the Pixel 6. Existing Google Fi users on a Flexible or Unlimited Plus plan, also bearing a compatible Pixel or the latest Galaxy S22 series smartphone, can enjoy 5G speeds in 39 countries. And users who don't own either of these phone models will get full-speed 4G coverage in over 200 countries.

The best part is that anyone on the Unlimited Plus plan can still access up to 50GB of high-speed data while traveling. Meanwhile, Android users on Flexible and Unlimited Plus plans can use hotspot tethering while abroad, which may be helpful for getting work done while on the go.

Google Fi is also expanding features for iPhone users. iPhones can now utilize international hotspot tethering, and Google is also bringing Wi-Fi calling to the iPhone, a feature already available for Android phones. This feature is particularly useful as it can reduce calling costs while traveling abroad.

Google says it plans to expand 5G coverage on its Fi network to more countries over time.

Fortunately, these new updates to Google Fi won't change its pricing. Early this year, Google announced reduced pricing, making Fi plans start at as low as $17 per month depending on your needs, with three main plans to choose from.

What you need to know

• OnePlus 10T preorders begin on September 1 in the U.S., with the phone hitting retail on September 29.
• The OnePlus 10T will work on AT&T's 5G network, which is a first for the brand.
• Early buyers can preorder the phone on OnePlus.com, Amazon, and Best Buy.

As OnePlus 10T preorders finally open in the United States, the phone is set to gain AT&T 5G support.

The recently launched OnePlus 10T gaining a carrier such as AT&T 5G is an exciting step for the brand. This will be the first time OnePlus has ever had compatibility with "America's most reliable network." AT&T's 5G network serves over 250 million people across the nation and is made up of three primary parts: low-band/shared spectrum, mid-band/C-band spectrum, and mmWave for dense, urban areas.

This means that AT&T's 5G network has you covered even in the most rural areas around the U.S. The OnePlus 10T has already supported a few other carriers for U.S. and Canadian customers, including T-Mobile and Verizon, meaning the phone supports all the best wireless carriers in the U.S. That said, some Canadian carriers are still stuck with 4G support only:

• AT&T: 4G/5G
• T-Mobile: 4G/5G
• Verizon: 4G/5G
• Rogers (Canada): 4G
• Bell (Canada): 4G/5G
• Freedom (Canada): 4G
• Telus (Canada): 4G/5G

The OnePlus 10T is the company's latest flagship 5G phone with a focus on speed as it's equipped with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and up to 16GB of RAM. The phone comes with a 50MP Sony IMX766 that also includes an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro lens for those extremely close shots.

Preorders for the new OnePlus 10T begin September 1 on OnePlus.com. The base model of the phone sports 8GB/128GB (RAM/Internal storage), priced at $649, while the 16GB/256GB version retails for $749. However, those who preorder their device before September 8 can get the 16GB/256GB version at the same price as the 8GB/128GB variant. And if you are just interested in purchasing the 8/128 GB storage variant, you can choose to receive either a protective case or an 80W car charger for free at checkout.

Additionally, those who preorder their phone after September 8 can choose either the protective case of the 80W car charger for free when purchasing the 16GB RAM/256GB storage variant. All of these incentives apply to preorders made only on OnePlus.com. Preordering ends September 28.

Meanwhile, those interested in preordering the new OnePlus 10T on Amazon or Best Buy will see their window of opportunity last from September 1 to September 28. Those grabbing the 16/256 GB version early off Amazon will see it priced the same as the 8/128GB variant ($649).

All preorders begin on September 1 at 10 AM ET.

What you need to know

• Samsung quietly announced the Galaxy A23 5G in August.
• The phone is now available in the United States and retails for $299.
• The Galaxy A23 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 695 chipset and features a 120Hz display.

Android users in the U.S. looking for an affordable smartphone now have another option to consider, as Samsung has just launched the Galaxy A23 5G stateside.

The phone was originally announced in August with very little fanfare, as availability was seemingly limited. However, this affordable Android phone provides plenty of value and just might end up being one of the best Android phones under $300.

That's because Samsung outfitted this phone with specs that will make even last year's Galaxy A32 5G jealous. That includes the impressive Snapdragon 695 chipset and an even more impressive 6.6-inch FHD+ 120Hz display. Sure, you get a small notch and rather sizeable bezels, but some compromises must be made at this price point.

On the back, you'll find a 50MP quad-camera array, accompanied by a 5MP ultrawide camera as well as depth and macro sensors. On the front is an 8MP selfie camera.

The Galaxy A23 5G offers a poultry 64GB of internal storage, but fortunately, you've got microSD card support. Rounding off the specs, the phone comes with 4GB of RAM (the official spec sheet also lists 6GB and 8GB RAM options along with 128GB of storage), and a 5,000mAh battery should provide plenty of juice to get you through the day and more.

Those interested in picking up Samsung's latest mid-range offering won't have to wait long — or at all. The Galaxy A23 5G is available starting today, September 1, at various retailers and carriers such as T-Mobile and AT&T. The device retails for $299.99 and only comes in black, although there are likely to be some cases to dress it up a little if you want a splash of color.

What you need to know

• T-Mobile has made switching carriers easier with an app feature called Easy Switch that allows switching up to five lines in the app.
• T-Mobile is letting potential customers try out its network for three months through its app via eSIM with Network Pass.
• Network Pass is available on iOS through the T-Mobile app with Android support coming soon.

T-Mobile has made it easier for potential customers to switch from their old carrier in the T-Mobile app without ever setting foot inside a store. T-Mobile has also added a feature called Network Pass so people can try out T-Mobile's coverage to see if it's a good fit before they commit.

In a news post, T-Mobile announced that these two new features are available in the iOS app, with support coming soon to Android for both features.

In a survey by T-Mobile, the carrier found that nearly two-thirds of people that started the switching process gave up before completing it. The company wants to streamline this process by allowing customers to get signed up from the T-Mobile app while keeping their phones. Customers with unlocked phones that are compatible with T-Mobile's network could complete the process in a few minutes. Luckily, most unlocked phones will work with this network.

Customers can switch up to five lines with quick activation for phones that support eSIM. If the phones on your account need a physical SIM, T-Mobile will ship SIMs to those that need one.

Before switching, you'll need to keep your old service active and your phone will need to be unlocked. To unlock a phone, it must be paid off, and some carriers, like AT&T, will require a few extra steps for an unlock. Luckily, T-Mobile will provide assistance with unlocking your phone. If you're ready to switch but still owe on your phone, T-Mobile will help pay off the device with up to $1000.

Perhaps the most interesting addition to T-Mobile's app is Network Pass. In what is essentially a three-month network test drive, T-Mobile will give potential users three months of unlimited data to try out its network. This includes full access to T-Mobile's 5G network so users can get a precise idea of exactly what T-Mobile's service will be like where they live. To help even further, Network Pass users can get a Network Scorecard from T-Mobile that shows the network's performance in their area.

While T-Mobile's coverage maps can give you a pretty good idea of how strong coverage is in your area, a true test drive can help people feel a lot more confident about the switch. If it turns out T-Mobile isn't a good fit for you, you're not on the hook for anything. You don't even need to provide a credit card.

You'll still keep your phone number during the trial, so you don't have to change the way you use your phone. The T-Mobile network will be available for data while you can keep using the basic features of your current plan.

T-Mobile isn't the first carrier with a free trial of some of the best wireless carriers, with smaller carriers like Mint Mobile or Visible offering limited trials. Visible even offers a trial with eSIM on iPhones. That said, it's nice to see that T-Mobile is offering such a long test run of its network so people don't have to rush to decide based on a limited trial. It's also nice that T-Mobile is bringing the feature to Androids with eSIM support, such as the Pixel 6 or the Galaxy S22. Furthermore, T-Mobile has a trial option with a free hotspot to show off its coverage for those without eSIM on either OS.

Which network does Tello use?

Tello uses the T-Mobile network for all of its connectivity, with full LTE and 5G support. In the past, Tello used Sprint, but with that network almost completely shuttered, all Tello customers should have been moved over to the T-Mobile network by now.

To get access to 5G on Tello, you'll need a phone capable of using T-Mobile's 5G network — that's band n71 for most coverage, and n41 for improved speeds. Most of the best Android phones available today support this network, including Samsung's Galaxy S22 and 5G Google Pixels. To get the most out of Tello's network, you should have a 5G-compatible phone.

T-Mobile's 5G network covers 320 million Americans, and isn't slowing down with continued expansion. The network is also getting faster as T-Mobile works to upgrade its towers with band n41 coverage. This faster mid-band network, called Ultra Capacity, already covers 235 million people. T-Mobile has the best 5G coverage in the country, thanks to getting a few 5G bets right with its own 600MHz spectrum and the 2.5GHz spectrum it got from Sprint.

All Tello plans get equal access to 5G as long as there's coverage and the phone is compatible with the network. This has allowed Tello to create one of the best cell phone plans for light users, with the flexibility to accommodate heavier users. However, keep in mind that Tello's largest data plan only comes with 25GB of data; so while 5G can increase your connection speed, it won't bring you any more data.

Best answer: Ultra Mobile was purchased by T-Mobile in March 2023, but the prepaid phone company has been using that carrier's LTE and 5G network since its inception. This includes wide availability of T-Mobile's mid-band Ultra Capacity 5G network. Ultra Mobile may now be formally under T-Mobile's umbrella, but the carrier remains committed to providing outstanding coverage and international benefits at an extremely low cost, with plans as low as $15/month available. 

Ultra Mobile's network

Ultra Mobile uses T-Mobile's network with full access to both LTE and 5G. T-Mobile's network is a great fit for a 5G phone with its extended-range 5G now making up the majority of its network coverage. You can also access T-Mobile's mid-band network, which offers much higher speeds — as we saw in our Ultra Mobile review. This mid-band network covers over 200 million people across 6,000+ cities, and is set to grow dramatically over the next few years. 

All Ultra plans come with access to 5G, but if you don't own a 5G-compatible device, T-Mobile's 4G LTE coverage is still solid and should cover the majority of people joining Ultra Mobile. But to be sure, you can always check Ultra Mobile's coverage map on its website.

Will Ultra Mobile work with my phone?

T-Mobile's network has wide compatibility with most unlocked phones and doesn't lock any capable phones out of accessing 5G. If your phone is unlocked, there's a good chance it will work with Ultra Mobile. This includes the best Android phones if purchased unlocked, so if you're ready for a new device, you have plenty to choose from. 

If you're looking to try 5G, just make sure that your device can connect to T-Mobile's band n71 and band n41. Luckily, most 5G phones sold in the U.S. support these bands. If you're not sure, you can use Ultra Mobile's compatibility checker on its website by simply providing your phone's IMEI number.

You can also purchase a new phone from Ultra Mobile directly by heading to its website. Ultra Mobile sells some of the biggest names in Android with devices like the Galaxy S23 and the Pixel 6a.

What plans does Ultra Mobile offer?

Ultra Mobile is an MVNO, also known as an alternative carrier, that offers a variety of data plans with 250MB, 2GB, 3GB, 6GB, 15GB, and two unlimited plans on T-Mobile's Network. By joining a prepaid carrier like Ultra Mobile instead of T-Mobile directly, you can save money on your cell phone bill — especially when buying three, six, or 12 months of service upfront.

The cheapest 250MB plan for 12 months starts at $10 per month. Each plan comes with unlimited talk, text, and data, unlimited international text, free mobile hotspot, and free international calling to 80+ countries. It's a great plan to get if you want excellent T-Mobile coverage for a reasonable price and don't want to overpay for data or features you don't need.

When T-Mobile announced the Revvl 6 Pro in July, I could tell the company was onto something. The phone is the latest entry in T-Mobile's Revvl lineup, giving customers an entry-level smartphone option on what I consider the best U.S. carrier. It gives customers some bells and whistles you'd find on more expensive phones, but for less.

For the latest Revvl 6 series, the focus was bringing T-Mobile's Ultra Capacity 5G speeds to more users, allowing them to experience super-fast data speeds for a price that won't break the bank. But given the price point, some sacrifices had to be made. 

Whether or not these compromises make the Revvl 6 Pro worth it will ultimately be up to you. In any case, here are my thoughts on my experience with the phone.

T-Mobile Revvl 6 Pro: Price and availability

T-Mobile launched the Revvl 6 Pro in late July, alongside the lower-end Revvl 6. The Pro model is available at the carrier as of August 4 for a retail price of $220. However, customers can snag one for free when adding a line of service.

The Revvl 6 Pro is also available on Metro by T-Mobile, where customers can get it for as low as $40 — or even free — depending on if they open a new account with a new number, or port their number over to Metro.

T-Mobile Revvl 6 Pro: What I like

For a phone at this price point, it's hard to expect very much in terms of performance. However, many of the best budget Android phones launched in 2022 have stepped things up, and the Revvl 6 Pro is no different. 

The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700, a fairly adequate phone that has been popular among some budget devices. Thanks to this chip, the Revvl 6 Pro runs pretty smoothly in day-to-day use, although you shouldn't expect a speed demon. The 6GB of RAM also helps it manage multitasking with a fair amount of ease, and gaming, while not spectacular, is manageable.

This is also helped by the mostly "stock" Android 12. It looks and feels similar to my Pixel 6 Pro, although much, much cheaper, and somehow feels much more barebones (more on this later). One software highlight is that the phone is expected to receive at least two OS upgrades, which is better than what many low-end phones get. With Android 13 already rolling out on Pixel phones, hopefully, we can expect the update for the Revvl sooner rather than later.

While using the phone regularly for about two weeks, the Revvl 6 Pro manages roughly a day of battery life, thanks to the large 5,000Ah battery. I start my day at 5 a.m., and I'm usually in bed by 10 pm, but the phone can usually last throughout the day with little battery left by the end of the night. 

In comparison, my primary smartphone, the Galaxy S22, can barely get me through half a day until it needs to be charged up again, so this is a major plus for the Revvl. That said, I haven't been able to reach the same two-day battery life that I could get from the Moto G 5G (2022); another budget phone powered by the Dimensity 700, sporting the same battery capacity. However, your mileage may vary depending on how you use your phone.

And when I do have to charge, the phone supports not only 15W wired charging (not the fastest, by any means), but it also supports wireless charging (10W), which is something of a rarity at this price point. 

I recently questioned why wireless charging hasn't become as ubiquitous as I hoped over the past decade. Some analysts suggest that it will still take some time, as not enough Android phones support the feature, particularly on the lower end. Including it in the Revvl 6 Pro makes me hopeful that more companies might be able to pull this off on their budget phones.

Then there's T-Mobile's Ultra-Capacity 5G. This gives the phone access to that highly-coveted mid-band spectrum that provides the best of both worlds in terms of speed and availability. Running random speed tests will show data speeds averaging about 500Mbps, which is pretty impressive for a budget phone, hitting speeds you'd expect to see in flagship phones.

All this in a phone priced just above $200 simply screams great value. And for the most part, you'd be right. However, it's not all sunshine and roses, and there are some things that I don't quite vibe with.

T-Mobile Revvl 6 Pro: What I don't like

Of course, there are bound to be several compromises for a phone at this price, and with the Revvl 6 Pro, they can often spoil the experience. 

Off the bat, the phone's design leaves a lot to be desired. It reminds me of some older Motorola phones of the past few years with the square camera stove in the back. However, the phone comes in this unattractive gunmetal gray that makes the phone look as cheap as it is. At least with phones like the OnePlus Nord N200 5G, there's at least an attempt to make the phone look premium.

The unfortunate hardware choices extend to the display as well, which is quite large at 6.82-inches, but only sports an HD+ resolution at 60Hz. Keep in mind that this display is a hair larger than the Galaxy S22 Ultra, so pixels are very noticeable with such low resolution. As a result, nothing really looks good, whether you're consuming media or just scrolling through apps.

As I mentioned before, the Revvl 6 Pro uses a "stock" version of Android 12, which is pretty bare aside from a separate and mostly useless T-Mobile shelf in the Discovery feed. 

I've already expressed how I'm not much of a fan of Google's Android 12 UI on the Pixel, and the Revvl somehow makes it even worse by stripping some of the more interesting features. For instance, selecting a wallpaper will change the system theme colors, but there's no option to change the colors manually, which is a weirdly limiting oversight.

Also, while the Revvl has some of the Android 12 staples like the Privacy dashboard and security section, there's very little in terms of "extra" features. Phones like the Pixel, and even Motorola devices, have at least OEM-specific features and helpful gestures that users can customize. The Revvl 6 Pro has tap-to-wake, lift-to-wake, and lets you double-tap the power button to open the camera. 

Even the power button is limited and lets you only toggle it for Google Assistant access. Turning the phone off requires you to press and hold the power button and volume up button, while simply holding down the power button does nothing, and you can't change that. Needless to say, I'm still not used to this, and find it irritating that it can't be changed.

The placement of the power button is also something I haven't gotten used to. This also doubles as the fingerprint sensor, but it's so flush with the chassis that it always takes me longer than it should to unlock the phone because my finders can never quite find the button without turning the phone to locate it.

T-Mobile upgraded the Revvl 6 Pro's camera system, which now features a 50MP primary sensor. You'd think that might give the phone a fighting chance in the camera department, but you'd be wrong. In fact, I find these cameras to be quite plain. 

In the right lighting conditions, you'll get something halfway decent, but that's about the best the camera can do. Otherwise, images show a surprising lack of detail despite the extra sharpening. Images also tend to appear blurry, as if the lens is obscured by a smudge (it isn't). This extends to the ultrawide and macro lenses, which are just as unimpressive, if not more so.

The Revvl 6 Pro also has a tendency to punch up the saturation and tends to oversharpen images. That said, sometimes the Revvl gets a few points for dynamic range, although it can be hit or miss.

Given the overall meh performance of the cameras, I find it hilarious that T-Mobile decided it needed to engrave "Camera Pixel" on the camera stove as if that really means something.

T-Mobile Revvl 6 Pro: Competition

If you're willing to splurge slightly above the Revvl 6 Pro's asking price, I recommend the Moto G 5G (2022). It's a solid phone that offers fantastic two-day battery life and a marginally better design. Plus, it has some of Motorola's goodies to help enhance the experience more. Although, you will miss out on an ultrawide sensor, wireless charging, and NFC.

The OnePlus Nord N200 is another great 5G phone offered by T-Mobile. It's roughly the same price as the Revvl 6 Pro, but with a higher resolution display, Qualcomm chipset, and slightly faster charging. That said, it offers lower resolution cameras, less internal storage, and less RAM.

The Galaxy A13 is also an option at this price point. It comes with a 50MP rear sensor, 5,000mAh battery, and a 6.5-inch HD+ display, making it a bit denser than the Revvl 6 Pro. However, it offers a lesser MediaTek chipset and less RAM, and still costs more than the Revvl.

T-Mobile Revvl 6 Pro: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

• You're looking for an affordable 5G phone
• You prefer a "stock" Android experience
• You want a phone with wireless charging
• You're looking to switch to T-Mobile or add a line

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You want a good camera experience
• You need a sharp display
• You're not a fan of "stock" Android

The T-Mobile Revvl 6 Pro is a budget phone that makes a lot of compromises to reach such a low price. But despite those compromises, the phone offers some surprising features and specs that sort of make up for it. 

Sure, it has a boring design, but it also has great battery life. Sure, the cameras aren't the best, but the phone performs well enough for most people. You get plenty of RAM, lots of storage, and there's even wireless charging, something you don't see often at this price.

With the Revvl 6 Pro, T-Mobile found a unique balance to give customers a value Android phone that just works. To me, that's the main appeal of this device; it's for users that just want a modern, affordable 5G smartphone without needing to worry about much else. While it's not a phone I would personally buy, I would likely recommend this to someone who just needs a phone that will get you through the day.

And this is how you bring customers in.

Which network does Tello use?

Like many of the best MVNO carriers, Tello uses T-Mobile's nationwide LTE and 5G network. In the past, Tello used Sprint, but all plans activated recently will be on the T-Mobile network. This is great for most users because T-Mobile has worked hard over the past few years to build a competitive network that provides its fastest 5G speeds to all customers with a compatible phone.

One nice thing about T-Mobile's network is that 5G is included on all plans if you have a 5G-compatible phone. T-Mobile's 5G coverage uses both bands n71 and n41, with most 5G phones from the last couple of years supporting these 5G bands. 

Band n71 serves as the 5G network's foundation, with 320 million people covered, while band n41 adds much more speed where needed. As of July 2022, band n41 covers 235 million people, with T-Mobile expecting to cover 260 million by the end of the year.

In the past, Tello used Sprint's network for all of its coverage, and some customers with older phones may still be using the network. While new activations and people that have upgraded to a T-Mobile-compatible phone will be on the new network, some people may still need to switch.

Even if you have good coverage on the Sprint network, T-Mobile is in the process of shutting down Sprint's network. If you're using one of these older devices, you've likely already been contacted about upgrading. This could be a good time to make sure you're using one of the best cell phone plans for your needs if you've found Tello's data packages to be smaller than you need.

If you're thinking of signing up for Tello, there are a couple of things to do to make sure you make the most of your new carrier. First thing's first, T-Mobile's network really shines with 5G. So if you're able, a 5G phone will have much better performance on average. With so many of the best cheap Android phones supporting 5G, like the OnePlus Nord N20 and the Google Pixel 6a, you don't have to spend a ton to get 5G.

What you need to know

• T-Mobile had a net loss of $108 million despite an increase in revenue due to merger-related expenses, settlement expenses for a 2021 data breach, and impairment expenses related to wireline assets.
• T-Mobile continues its investment in 5G, with 320 million people covered and 235 million covered with mid-band 5G, which amounts to 87% of T-Mobile customers.
• The shutdown of the Sprint network is continuing, with two-thirds of sites shut down and less than 1% of network traffic on this network.

T-Mobile released its Q2 2022 financial earnings on Wednesday, and while there were some losses due to some expected costs, the carrier remains optimistic about its growth.

With CEO Mike Sievert leading the call, the carrier announced a loss of $108 million in Q2 2022. A year ago, the carrier had a net income of $978 million for the same period, and while revenues were up, there were some additional large expenses. T-Mobile says this includes merger-related expenses, impairment expenses for wireline assets, and expenses related to its recent class-action settlement following a 2021 data breach.

Sievert was also happy to point out T-Mobile's highest ever postpaid net account additions with 380k, and 1.7 net customer additions, which the company boasts as its highest Q2 and more than AT&T and Verizon combined. This includes 723k postpaid phone customer net additions.

"Our relentless focus on putting customers first delivered yet another outstanding quarter for T-Mobile with industry-leading postpaid and broadband customer growth, including our highest ever postpaid account adds in company history," Sievert said in a statement. "This momentum fueled our growth strategy and allowed us to raise guidance across the board yet again -- further proof that our commitment to addressing customer pain points in this challenging macro-economic environment is working."

Perhaps more interesting is that T-Mobile had 560k net customer additions for high-speed internet. During the call, it was repeated that T-Mobile's fixed broadband service has some of the best customer satisfaction ratings coming in second only to a fiber provider. T-Mobile's new internet customers are coming from rural areas as well as customers dissatisfied with cable internet providers. High-speed internet also contributed to high prepaid customer additions.

T-Mobile had some additional good news when it comes to 5G deployment. The carrier has continued to expand 5G with its Extended Range 5G network covering 320 million people, reaching 97% of Americans. More importantly, Ultra Capacity 5G, made up mostly of T-Mobile’s mid-band spectrum, has reached 235 million people, or 87% of T-Mobile customers. T-Mobile expects mid-band coverage to reach 260 million people by the end of 2022 and 300 million in 2023.

When asked about capacity, president of technology Neville Ray was excited to talk about the depth of T-Mobile’s mid-band networks. He stated that mid-band spectrum is "really where the 5G story comes to life." He also commented that T-Mobile was hitting some of its highest production rates in its two-year history rolling out mid-band, saying that more than 1,000 sites were moved into radio upgrades on a weekly basis in the month of July. Ray also pointed out that the carrier has over 110MHz on average across its mid-band footprint.

T-Mobile also reports that the network integration with Sprint was nearly over, with two-thirds of the site decommissioned and less than 1% of Sprint traffic being used on the legacy Sprint network. Ray is confident that they will bring that to a close as they exit this quarter. He reiterated that the strength of T-Mobile’s 5G network has enabled "probably the real first 5G use case" with in-home fixed wireless internet.

Ray later highlighted the carrier’s 5G strength thanks to its fully standalone core, including the push to VoNR, which is moving voice calls to the 5G network. 

The full presentation with the question and answer section is available below to watch if you’re interested in seeing more.

T-Mobile has some of the best phone plans you can get if you want to make the most of its 5G footprint. This includes its Magenta Max plan with unlimited premium data and 40GB of mobile hotspot data. T-Mobile's network is also fully compatible with most of the best Android phones sold in North America, working well with the entire 5G network. This includes the newest phone from Google, which our Pixel 6a review found to be very powerful and capable despite its low price.

Prime Day is almost over, but there's still time to get in on some last-minute deals. If you've been trying to get your hands on an affordable Android smartphone, there are already quite a few options to choose from, but this OnePlus Nord N200 5G deal might be among the most enticing offers because you can pick up the phone for less than $200.

Normally $240, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G is one of the cheapest 5G options on the market. It has a fairly compelling feature set, with a large 6.49-inch FHD+ display, 90Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon chipset, and a large 5,000mAh battery. The Nord N200 5G can already give many of the best Android phones under $300 a run for their money, but it's practically a steal at this Prime Day price.

• See all the Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India

Affordable 5G

As I said, it's not a bad phone, and it has a good handle on the basics. In fact, I bought the Nord N200 5G for my 12-year-old brother as his first smartphone, and he absolutely loves it. He's always playing games, so it's nice that the phone has expandable storage, and the 4GB of RAM may not be a ton, but it gets the job done. And its impressive battery life will keep the phone going well beyond a day of regular use, which is ideal for a kid who likes to play games.

It also helps that the OnePlus Nord N200 5G is well-designed, making the phone look more premium than it actually is. You'll feel like you just bought a phone worth more than its $240 MSRP.

Looking for more sweet deals before Prime Day ends? We have guides on the best Prime Day smartwatch deals to pair with your phone, or the best Prime Day wireless earbud deals to listen to some epic playlists while you take your Nord N200 5G on the go.

I'm used to owning higher-end flagship smartphones, so having to review mid-range and low-end phones can be a bit of a challenge for me. However, Motorola managed to surprise me this year with the Moto G 5G, and even though the phone may not be geared towards users like myself, I think it's the perfect Prime Day purchase for someone looking for an affordable no-frills 5G smartphone. Here's why.

The Moto G 5G isn't the most powerful smartphone by any means. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset and features an HD+ display. Those specs alone don't make a particularly compelling phone, and there's nothing to really make this phone stand out. But unless you're looking to buy a more expensive flagship Android phone, that's kind of the point.

This phone is maybe for first-time smartphone owners, or maybe those just looking for a more modern 5G smartphone to replace your old one, or maybe those that just want a cheap phone to tinker with. This phone is as straightforward as it gets, down to the mostly "stock" Android experience.

• See all the Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India

The basics

While the chipset and display resolution aren't anything to run home about, the Moto G 5G manages to make the most out of them. Performance is surprisingly smooth, aided by the 90Hz refresh rate of the display.

And best of all, the phone lasts longer than many of the flagship phones I've used. During my regular use or scrolling through social media, taking photos, streaming music, and playing some games, the phone easily lasted me roughly two days. If you're not a power user, you'll likely be able to squeeze out more life from the 5,000mAh battery.

I scoffed at the original $399 price tag. This isn't a $399 smartphone, especially when you can find other cheap Android phones at that price that are more equipped. But the Prime Day price of $299 seems to be the sweet spot for this phone, and if I were you, I wouldn't sleep on this deal.

That said, if you're looking for something with a little more oomph, Motorola also has a sweet deal on the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) that I would recommend for those of you willing to spend a bit more on a 5G smartphone with a built-in stylus.

The write one

Looking for more sweet Prime Day deals besides a phone? We have guides on the best Prime Day smartwatch deals to pair with your phone, or the best Prime Day wireless earbud deals to listen to some epic playlists while you take your Moto G 5G on the go.

Motorola's budget smartphones have gotten a boost in 2022, and the latest Moto G 5G is no exception. The phone, while cheap, performs better than you might expectb while offering a straightforward experience for anyone in the market for an affordable 5G smartphone. Thankfully, Prime Day makes this already cheap phone even more affordable, slashing its price by 30% and bringing it down to just $280.

At first glance, the Moto G 5G (2022) doesn't seem like anything special, but this is a good example of "it's the inside that counts." The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 700, which does a great job at keeping this phone snappy and responsive, particularly when paired with 6GB of RAM.

It runs Android 12 out of the box with a Pixel-like "stock" experience, save for Motorola's useful gestures like chopping the phone twice to turn on the flashlight. The back also features a 50MP primary camera sensor, which you can activate by twisting the phone in your hand.

However, the standout feature is the battery life, which will keep you going for days in between charges. If you're on the hunt for Prime Day smartphone deals and need great battery life, this is the phone for you.

• See all the Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India

Cheap gets even cheaper

With 256GB of expandable storage, you have plenty of space for apps, music, and memories. And with a sizeable 90Hz display, animations are much smoother than many phones you'll find at this price point.

This phone is sold unlocked, so once you snag this sweet Prime Day deal, you'll be able to stick nearly any U.S. SIM card in to access some of the fastest 5G speeds available on your carrier.

The Moto G 5G (2022) gives some of the best budget Android phones a run for their money thanks to a careful balance between performance and price. That said, $280 for this device is a great deal; one you shouldn't skip out on if you're looking for a budget 5G phone.

Putting together your shopping list for Prime Day? Take a look at our guides to the best Prime Day phone deals and best Prime Day smartwatch deals so you're totally prepped for the big day.

What you need to know

• MediaTek has announced the new Dimensity 9000+ flagship chipset.
• The chip's Cortex X-2 core is clocked at a higher 3.2GHz for faster performance.
• The Dimensity will go up against the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 when the first phones launch in Q3 2022.

As we await the first phones with Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 to reach the market, MediaTek is coming onto the scene with a mid-year refresh of its own. The chipmaker has announced the new Dimensity 9000+ chipset to give flagship smartphones a boost in the second half of 2022.

One of the biggest differences between the Dimensity 9000 and this newer chip is the increase in CPU power. The main Cortex X-2 performance core is clocked a bit higher at 3.2GHz, up from 3.05GHz on the standard Dimensity 9000. This should provide a 5% boost in performance, while the Arm Mali-G710 MC10 GPU will see a 10% performance increase.

MediaTek also highlights other features borrowed from its earlier chipset, such as support for 320MP sensors and triple HDR recording with up to three cameras. The chipset also sports some of the latest connectivity standards, including Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 5G modem supporting 7Gbps downloads using sub-6 bands, thanks to carrier aggregation.

"Building on the success of our first flagship 5G chipset, the Dimensity 9000+ ensures that device makers always have access to the most advanced high-performance features and the latest mobile technologies, making it possible for their top-tier smartphones to stand out," says Dr. Yenchi Lee, Deputy General Manager of MediaTek's Wireless Communications Business Unit. "With a suite of top-tier AI, gaming, multimedia, imaging and connectivity features, the Dimensity 9000+ delivers faster gameplay, seamless streaming and an all-around better user experience."

MediaTek expects the first Android phones powered by the Dimensity 9000+ chipset to ship in Q3 of this year, pitting the chipset against the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. 

What you need to know

• T-Mobile has the best network overall in PCMag’s nationwide Best Mobile Networks 2022 results.
• T-Mobile also wins when it comes to pure data speeds thanks in no small part to its vast mid-band coverage.
• AT&T showed stronger rural results than the other carriers despite its lower average speeds.

PCMag is back with its Best Mobile Networks 2022 report and for the second year, T-Mobile takes the top price. In its detailed report, PCMag has gone to great lengths to improve its testing methodology and unlike in previous years, it now includes calling reliability in the final tally. Utilizing Ookla Wind software on multiple Galaxy S22 Android phones, collected results while on the move and while stationary during its 10,000-mile road trip.

Verizon comfortably took the top spot with top download speeds thanks to its mmWave network but both AT&T and Verizon fell well behind T-Mobile in average data speeds. T-Mobile had average speeds of 264.4Mbps compared to Verizon at 156.8Mbps and AT&T at 79. Perhaps more importantly, 81% of T-Mobile’s results were above 25Mbps.

Upload speeds were also average out higher on T-Mobile at 32.9Mbps compared to Verizon and AT&T in the low 20s. Average latency across the three was solid with T-Mobile taking a marginal victory at 39ms to AT&T at 47ms and Verizon at 40ms. These numbers really mean that things like video calls and sharing media online will be more performant on average with a T-Mobile SIM in your phone.

It is worth mentioning T-Mobile has the greatest number of failed data connections which PCMag’s report largely attributes to weak rural performance in the Northwest.

You can find PCMag’s local results in its report for a better idea of how a carrier performs closer to you. There are 30 major cities to choose from as well as rural areas in the Northeast, Southeast, North Central, South Central, Northwest, and Southwest.

With these results in mind, it's easy to see why T-Mobile has some of the best mobile plans for your Android phone. Speaking of which, PCMag performed its tests on the Samsung Galaxy S22. This phone is a great candidate for this type of testing thanks to its high-end Snapdragon X65 5G modem as well as Android's superior network information.