Which phones support 5GHz Wi-Fi: A complete list of models and how to check compatibility

Range 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks have become the standard for those who value high-speed, interference-free internet. However, not all smartphones can connect to this frequency range—especially budget models or older devices. If your phone can't detect the 5 GHz network, it doesn't always indicate a problem with the router; it could be due to hardware limitations.

In this article we will look at what Android-smartphones and iPhone support 5 GHz Wi-Fi, how to check your device's compatibility, and why some phones don't see this network even though they're technically capable. You'll also find an up-to-date list of supported models. Wi-Fi 6/6E (including 6 GHz) and tips on setting up your router for maximum performance.

Before we get into the lists, it's important to understand a key difference: 2.4 GHz Provides a larger coverage area and penetrates walls better, but suffers from congestion (especially in apartment buildings). 5 GHz offers high speed and lower latency, but has a shorter range. This is why modern routers operate in dual-band mode (simultaneously on 2.4 and 5 GHz).

Why don't all phones support 5GHz Wi-Fi?

The main reason is - hardware limitationsLow-cost smartphones are often equipped with single-band Wi-Fi modules (2.4 GHz only) to reduce production costs. This applies to:

• 📱 Budget models Xiaomi Redmi (For example, Redmi 9A, Redmi 8A)
• 📱 Outdated flagships (released before 2016–2017)
• 📱 Some "lightweight" versions of smartphones for developing markets
• 📱 Devices with MediaTek Helio A22 or similar budget chips

The second reason is - software limitationsFor example, some manufacturers deliberately disable 5 GHz support in firmware to save battery life or due to certification issues in certain countries. Less common are cases where regional firmware blocks access to 5 GHz (relevant for gray imported devices).

The third factor is router settingsIf your router has the 5 GHz band disabled, SSID splitting enabled, or is using an incompatible security standard (e.g. WPA3 on the old phone), the device simply won't see the network. Read more about this in the section "Setting up a router for 5 GHz».

How to Check if Your Phone Supports 5GHz Wi-Fi

There are several ways to determine compatibility:

1. Via phone settings (Android)

Open Settings → Wi-Fi and look at the available networks. If there are any networks marked 5G or 5GHz (For example, MyWiFi_5G), your phone supports them. If you only see unmarked networks, you most likely only have 2.4 GHz.

Important: Some routers hide the suffix _5G in the network name. In this case, use Wi-Fi analysis apps.

2. Using applications

Install one of these apps from Google Play:

• 🔍 WiFi Analyzer (shows all available networks with range)
• 📊 Network Analyzer (detailed information on supported standards)
• 🛠️ AIDA64 (in the "Network" section, it displays the supported Wi-Fi standards)

IN AIDA64 go to Network → Wi-Fi and find the line Supported standards. If there is one there 802.11a, 802.11ac or 802.11ax - your phone operates at 5 GHz.

3. By phone model

Find your model in list below or check the specifications on the manufacturer's official website. Pay attention to the section Wireless Networks or «Wi-Fi».

View available networks in Wi-Fi settings

Install the WiFi Analyzer app

Check the model specifications on the manufacturer's website

Update your phone's firmware (sometimes adds support) -->

List of phones with 5 GHz Wi-Fi support (by brand)

Below are the current models (2020-2026) that guaranteed Support the 5 GHz band. For older devices (pre-2018), check the specifications separately—some models may have been released in different versions.

📱 Apple iPhone (all models since 2013)

Starting from iPhone 5s, all smartphones Apple support 5 GHz. Exception: iPhone SE (1st generation, 2016), which only operates on 2.4 GHz in some regions.

• 🍎 iPhone 15/15 Plus/15 Pro/15 Pro Max (Wi-Fi 6E, 6 GHz)
• 🍎 iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Pro/14 Pro Max (Wi-Fi 6)
• 🍎 iPhone 13/13 mini/13 Pro/13 Pro Max (Wi-Fi 6)
• 🍎 iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) (Wi-Fi 5)

🤖 Samsung (flagship and mid-range)

Samsung equips even budget models of the series with 5 GHz Galaxy A (starting from A50). The exception is the series devices Galaxy M And Galaxy J (until 2019).

• 🌌 Galaxy S24/S24+/S24 Ultra (Wi-Fi 6E)
• 🌌 Galaxy S23/S23+/S23 Ultra (Wi-Fi 6E)
• 🌌 Galaxy A54/A53/A34 (Wi-Fi 5/6)
• 🌌 Galaxy M53/M33 (Wi-Fi 5)

📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco

U Xiaomi the situation is ambiguous: flagships (Xiaomi 13/14, Mix) and most models Poco support 5 GHz, and budget ones Redmi — No. Pay attention to the chipset:

• ⚡ Xiaomi 14/14 Pro/14 Ultra (Wi-Fi 6E)
• ⚡ Poco F5/F5 Pro (Wi-Fi 6)
• ⚡ Redmi Note 12 Pro+/Note 13 Pro+ (Wi-Fi 6)
• ❌ Redmi 10A/9A/8A (2.4 GHz only)

📱 Other brands

Please note: Some models (eg. Samsung Galaxy M12 or Redmi 9C) may have regional versions with disabled 5 GHz support. Check the specifications for your country before purchasing.

Configuring a router to work with 5 GHz

Even if your phone supports 5 GHz, the network may not show up due to incorrect router settings. Here's what to check:

1. Enabling the 5 GHz band: In the router control panel (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) find the section Wi-Fi → Wireless Network Settings and make sure the option is 5 GHz activated.
2. SSID splitting: If you have one network for both bands (eg. MyWiFi), try to divide them into MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5G.
3. Safety standard: Install WPA2-PSK (or WPA3, if all devices support it). Older phones may not connect to WPA3.
4. Channel and channel width: For 5 GHz, choose a channel with less interference (e.g. 36, 40, 44) and width 20/40 MHz (or 80 MHz, if the devices support Wi-Fi 6).

Example settings for routers TP-Link:

Wireless Mode → 5GHz Settings:
- Enable wireless broadcasting: ✅
- Network name (SSID): MyWiFi_5G
- Standard: 802.11a/n/ac (or ax for Wi-Fi 6)
- Channel: Auto (or manual 36–48)
- Channel width: 40 MHz
- Security: WPA2-PSK
- Password: 

Why doesn't the router show the 5GHz option?

If there is no option to enable 5 GHz in your router settings, this may mean:

1. Your router is single-band (2.4 GHz only).

2. In some countries (for example, in Russia until 2022), the 5 GHz band was limited for home use. Update your router firmware.

3. You have an outdated router model (before 2015).

Wi-Fi 6 and 6 GHz: What is it and which phones support it?

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 6E (extension to 6 GHz) are new standards that offer:

• 🚀 Higher speed (up to 9.6 Gbps)
• 🔋 Better energy efficiency (important for smartphones)
• 🎯 Lower latency (perfect for online gaming)
• 📶 6 GHz support (in Wi-Fi 6E)

List of smartphones with support Wi-Fi 6/6E (2022–2026):

• 📱 iPhone 15/14/13 series (Wi-Fi 6/6E)
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy S23/S24 series (Wi-Fi 6E)
• 📱 Google Pixel 7/8 series (Wi-Fi 6E)
• 📱 Xiaomi 13/14 series (Wi-Fi 6E)
• 📱 OnePlus 11/12 series (Wi-Fi 6E)

6 GHz — this is a new range that is currently only supported by flagships from 2022 to 2026. To use it, you need a router with Wi-Fi 6E (For example, ASUS RT-AX89X, TP-Link Archer AXE75).

Common problems and solutions

If your phone supports 5GHz but is not connecting to the network, try the following steps:

1. The phone doesn't see the 5 GHz network

• ✅ Check if 5 GHz is enabled on your router (see section above).
• ✅ Make sure the network is not hidden (option Hide SSID should be disabled).
• ✅ Restart your router and phone.
• ✅ Update your router firmware.

2. The phone connects, but the speed is slow.

• 📉 Check if the channel is overloaded (use WiFi Analyzer for workload analysis).
• 📉 Reduce channel width with 80 MHz to 40 MHz (sometimes helps with interference).
• 📉 Turn it off QOS or Band Steering in the router settings.

3. The phone constantly switches between 2.4 and 5 GHz

This is normal behavior for devices with Band Steering (automatic switching technology). If this is annoying:

• 🔄 Turn it off Band Steering in the router settings.
• 🔄 Separate networks into different SSIDs (e.g. MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5G).
• 🔄 In Android settings, disable the option Automatic switching (in the menu of a specific Wi-Fi network).

The Future: Wi-Fi 7 and New Standards

Mass implementation is expected as early as 2026–2026 Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), which promises:

• 🚀 Speed ​​up to 46 Gbps (4 times faster than Wi-Fi 6).
• 🎯 Less delays 1 ms (critical for cloud gaming and VR).
• 📶 Support 320 MHz channels (versus 160 MHz in Wi-Fi 6).
• 🔄 Simultaneous work in 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz.

The first smartphones with Wi-Fi 7 already announced:

• 📱 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (partial support)
• 📱 OnePlus 12
• 📱 Xiaomi 14 Ultra

However, for full use Wi-Fi 7 new routers will be required (for example, ASUS RT-BE96U or TP-Link Archer BE800). For now, this standard is only relevant for enthusiasts and professional tasks.

Is a Wi-Fi 7 phone worth buying in 2026?

It's still early. The infrastructure (routers, public networks) isn't ready, and the benefits of the standard will only be noticeable under ideal conditions. For most users Wi-Fi 6E more than enough.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about 5GHz Wi-Fi on phones

🔹 My phone doesn't detect 5 GHz, but the specs say it supports it. What should I do?

Possible reasons:

1. Regional firmware restrictions (for example, on Xiaomi (For Russia, 5 GHz is sometimes disabled.) Solution: Install global firmware.
2. Network settings failure. Solution: Reset network settings in Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth.
3. Router issue. Solution: Check your 5 GHz settings (see section above).

🔹 Which 5 GHz phone should I buy for under 20,000 rubles?

In this budget, please note:

• 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (Wi-Fi 6.5 GHz)
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy A34 (Wi-Fi 5.5 GHz)
• 📱 Realme 10 Pro+ (Wi-Fi 6.5 GHz)
• 📱 Poco X5 Pro (Wi-Fi 6.5 GHz)

Avoid chipset-based models Helio G35/G37 or Snapdragon 4xx - they often lack 5 GHz support.

🔹 Is there a way to enable 5 GHz on a phone if it's not supported?

No. 5GHz support is dependent on Wi-Fi module, which is soldered into the phone. If it's physically incapable of operating at this frequency, no firmware or settings will help. The only solution is to buy an external one. USB Wi-Fi adapter with 5 GHz support (eg TP-Link TL-WN823N), but this is inconvenient for a smartphone.

🔹 Is 5 GHz Wi-Fi harmful to health?

There is no evidence that 5 GHz Wi-Fi is more harmful than 2.4 GHz. Router radiated power is strictly regulated (usually <100 mW), which is hundreds of times lower than dangerous levels. If radiation is a concern, simply avoid sleeping near your router and use a wired connection where possible.

🔹 Why isn't there an option to select a Wi-Fi band on my iPhone?

Apple Hides manual switching between 2.4 and 5 GHz in iOS. The system automatically selects the optimal band. If you need to force a connection to 5 GHz:

1. Forget the network in Wi-Fi settings.
2. Disable 2.4 GHz on your router (temporarily).
3. Connect to the 5 GHz network.
4. Turn 2.4 GHz back on.

iPhone will remember the settings and try to connect to 5 GHz if the signal is strong enough.

⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (eg Xiaomi or Realme) device specifications may vary depending on the market. Before purchasing, please check for 5 GHz support for your specific regional model version.