5G Wi-Fi in smartphones: which models will support the new communications standard in 2026?

Modern smartphones are increasingly equipped with support 5G Wi-Fi — a technology that promises data transfer speeds of up to 1.3 Gbps under ideal conditions. However, not all devices are capable of supporting this standard, and those that do include flagship models costing over 100,000 rubles, as well as affordable mid-range devices. In this article, we'll explore which smartphones actually support it. Wi-Fi 5GHz (not to be confused with mobile 5G!), how to check your device's compatibility, and what settings will help you get the most out of your home network.

It is important to understand the difference: 5G Wi-Fi (operates at 5 GHz) and mobile 5G (carrier networks) are two different standards. The first is responsible for wireless connection to the router, the second for mobile internet. Many manufacturers deliberately confuse these terms for marketing purposes, so when choosing a smartphone, carefully study the technical specifications, not the advertising slogans.

What is 5G Wi-Fi and why do you need it in a smartphone?

Standard 802.11ac (aka Wi-Fi 5) and his successor 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E) operate at a frequency of 5 GHz, which allows for higher speeds to be achieved compared to the outdated 2.4 GHzMain advantages:

• 🚀 Speed up to 1.3 Gbps (theoretically) versus 450 Mbps for Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n).
• 📶 Less interference — the 5 GHz range is less crowded with household devices (microwaves, Bluetooth headsets).
• 🔄 More channels — 23 non-overlapping channels versus 3 in the 2.4 GHz range.
• 🎮 Below the delay (ping) - critical for online games and video calls.

However, 5G Wi-Fi also has its downsides: smaller coverage radius (walls and partitions weaken the signal more) and higher energy consumption, which impacts the smartphone's battery life. Therefore, many devices automatically switch between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz depending on conditions.

⚠️ Attention: Not all routers support the 5 GHz band. If your router was built after 2015, it likely only supports 2.4 GHz. Check your router model in the settings or on the device's case.

Top 10 Smartphones with 5G Wi-Fi Support in 2026

We analyzed the technical characteristics of popular models and compiled a rating of smartphones that support Wi-Fi 5GHz (802.11ac/ax). The table includes both flagship and budget options:

Please note: even if the smartphone supports Wi-Fi 6E, this does not mean it will operate at maximum speed. Actual throughput depends on:

• 📡 Router power (must support the same standard).
• 📱 Number of connected devices (channels may be overloaded).
• 🏠 Interference from neighboring networks (in apartment buildings, 5 GHz can be loaded with at least 2.4 GHz).

How to check if your smartphone supports 5G Wi-Fi

Not all manufacturers honestly indicate 5 GHz support in their specifications. Here 3 reliable ways check compatibility:

1. Via Android settings:

   Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Advanced (or "Wi-Fi Mode"). If there is an option to select a band (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) or mention 802.11ac/ax, your device supports 5G Wi-Fi.

2. Using applications:

   Install WiFi Analyzer (Android) or Network Analyzer (iOS). These utilities show available networks and their ranges. If you see networks marked 5GHz — your smartphone is compatible.

3. By processor model:

   Check your smartphone's chipset specifications on the manufacturer's website (Qualcomm, MediaTek, Apple). For example, all processors Snapdragon 8xx (starting from 835) and Apple A12 Bionic support 5G Wi-Fi.

On iPhone checking is easier: all models starting from iPhone 6 (2014) support 5 GHz. On Android, the situation is more complicated - even some 2018-2019 flagships (for example, Samsung Galaxy A50) are limited to 2.4 GHz only.

⚠️ Attention: Some budget smartphones (especially those with the MediaTek Helio G series) may have hardware support for 5 GHz, but the manufacturer disables it at the software level. In this case, only flashing custom software (such as LineageOS) can help, but this will void the warranty.

How to enable 5G Wi-Fi on your smartphone and set maximum speed

Even if your smartphone supports 5 GHz, it may default to 2.4 GHz to save battery. To force use of the high-speed band:

On Android:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on your network name and select Change network (or "Additionally").
3. Find the option Wi-Fi range or gang and select 5 GHz.
4. Save settings and reconnect.

On iPhone:

iOS automatically selects the optimal range, but you can "nudge" the system:

1. Forget the current network: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) next to the network → "Forget this network".
2. Turn on airplane mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off.
3. Reconnect to the network—iPhone will try to use 5 GHz if the signal is strong enough.

For stable operation at 5 GHz:

• 📶 Place the router closer to your smartphone (walls weaken the signal by 50–70%).
• 🔄 In the router settings, select the channel with the minimum load (use WiFi Analyzer for analysis).
• 🔋 Disable power saving for Wi-Fi in battery settings.

Budget smartphones with 5G Wi-Fi: can you find one for 15,000–20,000 rubles?

Yes, but with some caveats. The sub-20,000 ruble segment supports 5 GHz:

• 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (Wi-Fi 6, ~18 thousand rubles) - the best choice in terms of price/quality ratio.
• 📱 POCO X5 Pro (Wi-Fi 6, ~16 thousand rubles) - the same chipset as the 2021 flagships.
• 📱 Realme 10 Pro+ (Wi-Fi 6, ~19 thousand rubles) - good screen and fast charging.
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy M34 (Wi-Fi 5, ~17 thousand rubles) - only 802.11ac, but stable operation.

The main compromises of budget models:

• ⚠️ No support Wi-Fi 6E (5GHz only on 802.11ac).
• ⚠️ Weak antennas - speed can drop to 300-400 Mbps instead of the stated 867 Mbps.
• ⚠️ There is no MU-MIMO (simultaneous operation with multiple devices without loss of speed).

If you need a smartphone for home use only (watching 4K video, online games), it’s better to pay an extra 5-10 thousand rubles and get a model with Wi-Fi 6If you need 5 GHz "just in case," budget options will handle everyday tasks.

Why are cheap smartphones slower on 5GHz?

Budget models often use single-antenna Wi-Fi modules (1x1 MIMO instead of 2x2), which reduces the actual speed by half. Furthermore, weak processors can't handle large data streams, resulting in lag even with a stable signal.

5G Wi-Fi vs. Mobile 5G: What's the Difference and Which Is More Important for Speed?

Many users confuse these technologies, but they solve different problems:

What is more important to you?

• 🏠 If you spend most of your time at home, priority is 5G Wi-Fi + powerful router.
• 🌍 If you you travel a lot or work on the road, more important mobile 5G + tariff with unlimited traffic.

The ideal option is a smartphone that supports both standards (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23+ or iPhone 15). But remember: even if your phone supports 5G, the actual speed of your mobile internet depends on:

• 📶 Operator coverage in your region (in Russia, 5G is currently only available in test zones).
• 📵 Load on the tower (during rush hour, speed can drop by 5-10 times).
• 🔋 Power saving mode (some smartphones limit 5G speed to save battery).

Common 5G Wi-Fi Problems on Smartphones and How to Fix Them

Even if your smartphone and router support 5 GHz, the following issues may occur:

1. The smartphone does not detect 5 GHz networks

Reasons and solutions:

• 🔌 The router does not broadcast in 5 GHz: Check your router settings (section Wireless → 5GHz). On some models (for example, older TP-Link) 5 GHz is disabled by default.
• 📵 Regional restrictions: Some countries (like Japan) use non-standard 5 GHz channels. Try changing the region in your router settings. Europe or US.
• 🔄 Driver failure: On Android, resetting network settings will help (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi/Bluetooth).

2. Constant connection breaks on 5 GHz

What to do:

• 📡 Change the channel: In your router settings, select a fixed channel (for example, 36 or 149) instead AutoAvoid DFS channels (50-144) which may conflict with radar.
• 🔋 Disable power saving: On Android: Settings → Battery → Power saving mode → Disable for Wi-Fi.
• 🛠️ Update your router firmware: Outdated software versions may cause conflicts with new smartphones.

3. Low speed at 5 GHz

Possible reasons:

• 📉 Channel congestion: Use WiFi Analyzerto find the least loaded channel.
• 🔌 Discrepancy in standards: If the router is working on Wi-Fi 6, and the smartphone only supports Wi-Fi 5, the speed will be limited to 867 Mbps.
• 🔒 Encryption: Outdated WEP or TKIP may reduce speed. Use WPA3-AES.

⚠️ Attention: Some smartphones (especially those with MediaTek chipsets) have a bug: when connected to 5 GHz, the speed is limited to 200–300 Mbps, regardless of conditions. The solution is to disable this feature. Wi-Fi+ or Smart Network Switch in the settings.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about 5G Wi-Fi on smartphones

My smartphone supports 5G, but it can't detect 5 GHz networks. What's wrong?

Mobile 5G (operator networks) and 5G Wi-Fi (5 GHz) are different technologies. Support for mobile 5G does not guarantee compatibility with 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Check your device's specifications on the manufacturer's website: look for a mention 802.11ac, 802.11ax or dual-band Wi-Fi.

What kind of router is needed for full 5G Wi-Fi functionality?

Minimum requirements:

• Standard support 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6).
• Dual band mode (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz).
• Transmission power not less than 20 dBm at 5 GHz.

Recommended models: ASUS RT-AX88U (for games), TP-Link Archer AX6000 (for a big house), Keenetic Ultra (for stable operation with multiple devices).

Is it true that 5 GHz is harmful to health?

There's no evidence that 5 GHz Wi-Fi is more dangerous than 2.4 GHz. The radiation power of smartphones and routers is strictly regulated (for example, in Russia—SanPiN 2.1.8/2.2.4.1383-03). For comparison, a microwave oven emits 100–1000 times more radiation than a Wi-Fi router. If you're concerned about exposure, use a wired connection or turn off Wi-Fi at night.

Is it possible to force a smartphone to always use 5 GHz?

On most Android smartphones, yes. To do this:

1. Connect to the desired network.
2. In the Wi-Fi settings, select Change network → Advanced.
3. Install Band: 5 GHz (or turn off automatic switching).

On iPhone, forced band selection is not possible—the system itself decides which channel to use.

Why is the speed on 5 GHz lower than on 2.4 GHz?

It's paradoxical, but possible reasons:

• 📡 Weak 5 GHz signal (walls, distance to the router).
• 🔌 The router is running in compatibility mode (for example, 802.11n instead of 802.11ac).
• 📱 The smartphone's Wi-Fi power saving mode is enabled.
• 🔒 An outdated encryption type is used (WEP or TKIP).

Try moving your smartphone closer to the router and retesting the speed. If the problem persists, change the channel to 5 GHz in the router settings (for example, from 149 to 36).