Why you might want to turn 5G off
5G can be quite an attack on you battery. A test by Tom’s Guide shows that the battery of the iPhone 12 lasts about two hours less with 5G enabled. In this test Internet was used continuously at a brightness of 150 nits. A new website was opened every 30 seconds until the battery was completely empty. On the 4G network, the device lasted almost 10.5 hours, but when using 5G it was only 8.5 hours. So it makes a big difference and if you are in a situation where your battery has to last as long as possible, it makes sense not to use 5G continuously.
Smart Data
Apple is aware of the fact that 5G costs extra data. Hence, an extra function has been added called Smart Data for 5G. In addition, 5G is only used when necessary. If you are walking down the street and you are not actively using your iPhone, you obviously do not need to be connected to 5G. Even with normal internet use, 5G is not always necessary. But if you are going to download a movie or stream music, then you want a higher speed.
Of iPhone takes care of this automatically by means of a switch in the Settings app 5G Auto to put. This is the default setting on the iPhone 12 series.
You can enable it like this:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone 12 model.
- Go to Mobile network> Mobile data options.
- Tap on Conversations and data.
- Make sure that 5G Auto is on.
Always use 5G
You can of course also choose to always use 5G. There are already several Dutch providers offering 5G with their subscriptions. Sometimes you pay € 2 per month, sometimes it is included with all or only with the more expensive subscriptions. With budget providers, the options with 5G are limited.
If you always want to use 5G in places where the network is available, you choose in the above step-by-step plan 5G On. Of course you will not always use 5G, because in places where there is no coverage you will go back to 4G.
More data via 5G
Is your data bundle virtually unlimited and does it matter how much data is used? Then you can also indicate that more data may be used via 5G. This ensures, among other things, that updating your device also runs via 5G.
By default, it will update your iPhone to the latest iOSversion not yet supported over the mobile network. However, you can enable this. On the iPhone 12series you go to Settings> Mobile data> Mobile data options> Data mode and then turn on the switch at Allow more data on 5G.
More about 5G iPhones you read in our separate article. Or read how Smart Data works on the iPhone 12models.
