Personal | Business
Sign in or Register
O2 Logo White
  • Shop

    Phones

    • Phones
    • Upgrades
    • Apple iPhone
    • iPhone 16
    • Android phones
    • Refurbished phones

    Tablets, laptops and dongles

    • Tablets
    • Apple iPad
    • Android tablets
    • Laptops
    • Dongles and mobile WiFi

    SIMs and Tariffs

    • Pay Monthly SIMs
    • Pay As You Go SIMs
    • Tariffs
    • International
    • Top-up
    • Essential Plan

    Accessories and more

    • Tech and accessories
    • Apple Watch
    • Smartwatches
    • AirPods
    • Coming soon
    • Great deals
  • Why O2

    Flexibility

    • O2 Switch up
    • O2 custom plans
    • Multisave
    • O2 Recycle
    • Click and collect

    Perks

    • O2 Extras
    • Volt
    • Priority tickets and offers
    • Perks at O2 venues
    • Pay As You Go Rewards

    Services

    • Manage your account
    • Keeping kids safe online
    • Ideas and Inspiration
    • Insurance

    Connected

    • Coverage checker
    • Network coverage
    • 5G coverage
    • O2 WiFi
    • Using your phone abroad
    • Live bigger with Volt

      Discover extra benefits
    • O2 bubbles

      See all the reasons to choose O2

      Why join O2?
  • Help

    Help and support

    • Account
    • Products and services
    • Device guides
    • Network and international
    • Safety and security

    Most popular

    • Activating your SIM
    • eSIM
    • How to track your order
    • Payment support
    • Understanding your bill

    Useful links

    • Store locator
    • Network status
    • Faulty device
    • Virgin Media O2
    • Fraud help

    Contact us

    • O2 Community
    • My O2 App
    • Contact us
  • My O2
  • Search
  • Basket
Media-banner

Make the most of 5G on your phone

The latest 5G technology makes it faster and easier than ever to use the internet on your mobile. Here’s what you need to know about accessing it

5G is the fast, reliable and mobile connectivity transforming how we live. Since arriving in the UK in 2019, our 5G network has been rapidly expanding. It now covers around 750 towns and cities*, with around 50% of the population expected to be covered in 2023. But if you want to make the most of 5G’s benefits, you need to ensure you have the right phone – and live in an area covered by the new network.

So what are the upsides of 5G, exactly? In a nutshell, the fifth generation of mobile phone internet technology is much faster than its predecessor, 4G. That makes downloading and uploading data quicker than ever – delivering a seamless, virtually glitch-free experience when streaming, gaming or video calling. Read on to learn how to access the speediest mobile internet on offer.

Choose your device

First things first: you’ll need a 5G-ready handset. If you’re a diehard Apple fan, this means an iPhone 13, 12 or SE (third generation). But plenty of powerful and stylish Android devices also work with 5G, so check to see if your existing device supports the network. Simply go to 'Settings' > 'Preferred network type' (or 'Settings' > 'SIM cards & mobile networks' > 'select a SIM' > 'Preferred network type'). If you see 5G there, you’re good to go. If not, you can browse dozens of new phones here and set the 'Features' filter to show '5G ready' phones only.

Get the right SIM and tariff

A 5G-ready phone needs a SIM and tariff to match. Worried this sounds like a bit of a faff? It doesn’t have to be. All our SIMs are now 5G capable as standard, and our tariffs include 5G automatically – which means it couldn’t be simpler to get your new superfast phone up and running.

Make sure your neighbourhood is covered

The UK’s 5G rollout hasn’t reached every region yet, so it’s worth popping your postcode or town into our Coverage Checker to make sure you can access the network in your local area. No dice? Don’t worry – we’re expanding our 5G coverage across the UK, and we’re on target to cover 50% of the population in 2023, so you might not have long to wait.

Can’t use 5G? Maximise 4G

If you can’t yet get 5G where you live, or you’re not ready to upgrade to a new handset, you can still access faster, more reliable mobile internet with 4G. We’ve been busy investing in our 4G coverage with extra 4G network capacity added to over 314,000 UK postcodes so far in 2022. You can enjoy a better mobile experience, whatever G you’re using.

*Based on a threshold of 50% population coverage in a town or city and based on outdoor population coverage.

Like new phones

6 reasons to try a "like-new" phone when it's time to upgrade

Read the article

Device care tips

Make your phone last longer

Read the article

Mobile broadband

Find out how to stay connected anywhere with pocket hotspots and dongles

Read the article
  • Find a store
  • Check our network
  • Sign in to My O2
  • Track my order
  • Search

Popular in shop

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • iPhone 16 Pro
  • iPhone 16
  • Apple Watch Series 10
  • Apple iPad A16
  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
  • Samsung Galaxy S25
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro
  • SIM Only Deals
  • Virgin Media broadband deals

Help and Support

  • Help home
  • Contact us
  • My O2
  • Collection and delivery

Shop

  • Phones
  • Tablets
  • Pay Monthly SIM
  • Collection and delivery
  • Virgin Media O2 Joint Venture
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • X
  • Instagram
  • About O2
  • Better Connections Plan
  • Careers
  • News & PR
  • Sponsorship
  • Virgin Media and O2
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookie policy
  • Modern Slavery Statement

©2025 Telefonica UK Limited

In relation to consumer credit, Telefónica UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference Number 718822)

  • Home
  • Inspiration
  • The drop
  • 5G education