Which phones support 5GHz Wi-Fi: A complete list and instructions

In the digital age, internet speed often becomes a critical factor for comfortable smartphone use. Many users encounter situations where their data plan offers high speeds, but the actual performance on the device remains low. This is often due to the device operating on the congested 2.4 GHz band, while the faster 5 GHz band remains unused.

In order to understand, Which phones support 5G Wi-Fi?, you need to understand the technical specifications of your gadget. Not all devices, even relatively recently released ones, are equipped with modules capable of operating in this range. In this article, we'll detail the lists of compatible models from leading manufacturers and explain how to check your device's capabilities yourself.

Switching to the 5 GHz frequency offers a more stable connection with less interference from neighboring routers and household appliances. However, to take advantage of these benefits, your smartphone must have the appropriate hardware. We've prepared a detailed guide to help you determine your device's status and, if necessary, choose a new gadget with full support for modern communication standards.

Technical features of the 802.11ac and ax standards

Before we dive into the model lists, it's important to understand the physical differences between frequencies. Range 2.4 GHz is historically the first and most widespread, but it is heavily noisy. The signal here penetrates walls better, but the speed is limited. In turn, the frequency 5 GHz (often referred to as 5G Wi-Fi in common parlance, although technically it's more accurate to talk about the range) provides significantly higher throughput.

Support for this range is implemented through standards. IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) and newer 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6). If your phone supports Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, it's guaranteed to work with 5 GHz networks. However, to save money, some budget models only install modules that support 2.4 GHz, even if the phone's processor is quite powerful.

⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse 5 GHz Wi-Fi support with 5G mobile networking. These are completely different technologies. A smartphone can support 5G mobile internet but not have a 5 GHz Wi-Fi module, and vice versa.

To operate at high frequencies, a phone's antenna system must be configured appropriately. Modern flagships use MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology, which allows for the simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams. This technology distinguishes high-end devices from budget devices, which often feature a 1x1 antenna with limited speed.

Why is 5GHz faster?

The 5 GHz band has wider channels (up to 160 MHz versus 20-40 MHz in 2.4 GHz), allowing for more data to be transmitted per second. Furthermore, there are fewer competing devices in this band, such as microwave ovens and Bluetooth headsets.

Apple iPhone smartphones with 5 GHz support

Apple was one of the first to widely implement dual-band Wi-Fi support in its devices. Almost all iPhone models, starting with a certain generation, operate reliably on 5 GHz networks. This provides owners of Apple devices with a stable connection when streaming 4K video and downloading large files.

Below is a list of the major series that are guaranteed to support the standard. 802.11ac and above:

• 📱 iPhone 6 and all newer models (6s, 7, 8, SE).
• 📱 iPhone X, XR, XS, XS Max and the entire line 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.
• 📱 All models iPad, starting with iPad Air and iPad mini 2.
• 📱 Tablets iPad Pro all generations.

It's important to note that even older models, such as the iPhone 5s, technically supported 802.11ac, but their performance on modern networks may be limited by software and component wear. For the best experience, it's recommended to use devices manufactured after 2015.

Samsung Galaxy devices and 5G operation

South Korean giant Samsung also long ago switched to dual-band modules in its smartphones. However, in the budget segment (A0x, M0x series), there are sometimes exceptions, where the manufacturer may limit functionality to reduce the price. Flagship lines are always equipped with advanced communication modules.

Let's look at the main series where support is provided Wi-Fi 5 GHz is the standard:

• 🚀 Series Samsung Galaxy S: from model S6 and newer (S7, S8, S9, S10, S20, S21, S22, S23, S24).
• 🚀 Series Samsung Galaxy Note: all models starting from Note 5.
• 🚀 Series Samsung Galaxy A: most mid-range and high-end models (A50, A51, A52, A53, A54, A70, A71, etc.).
• 🚀 Foldable smartphones Galaxy Z Fold And Z Flip all generations.

Owners of budget models in the A01, A02, and A03 series should be careful. While current trends dictate that even budget phones should feature 5 GHz, some revisions of these phones may feature a simplified module. Always check the specifications of a specific model before purchasing if internet speed is critical to you.

⚠️ Attention: In some regions, Samsung may ship identical models with different Wi-Fi modules. If you buy a phone imported from another country (for example, China or the UAE), the specifications may differ from the global version.

Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones

Xiaomi, including its sub-brands Redmi and POCO, offers perhaps the widest range of 5 GHz devices. Even in its most affordable models, the Chinese manufacturer often installs dual-band modules, which is one of its key market advantages.

Almost all Xiaomi smartphones equipped with mid- and high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek Helio/Dimensity processors support 5 GHz. This applies to the following series:

• 🔥 Xiaomi Mi And Xiaomi (digital series): from Mi 4 and newer.
• 🔥 Redmi Note: starting with Redmi Note 3 and all subsequent models (Note 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13).
• 🔥 POCO: all models of the POCO F, X, M and C series (except for the very first revisions of budget models).

Particular attention should be paid to the gaming smartphones of the Black Shark series (a subsidiary brand of Xiaomi), where support Wi-Fi 6E and 5 GHz frequency is implemented at the maximum level to ensure minimal ping in online games.

Budget smartphones and exceptions to the rule

Despite the widespread adoption of 5 GHz, there are still a significant number of devices on the market that don't support 5 GHz. These are primarily ultra-budget models priced under $100-$120, as well as some push-button Android phones or very old smartphones released before 2014-2015.

Often, a lack of support can be suspected by the following signs:

• 📉 The specifications only indicate the standard 802.11 b/g/n (without ac or ax).
• 📉 The antenna is described as 1T1R (one transmit, one receive) without mentioning MIMO.
• 📉 The device runs on very old versions of Android (4.4 and below), although this is not always a direct indicator.

If your phone can't see the 5 GHz network, even though your router is broadcasting it, it's likely that the phone's hardware isn't physically capable of operating on this frequency. In this case, enabling this feature through software (firmware, settings) is impossible.

Comparison of characteristics of popular models

For easy comparison, we've prepared a table showing the differences in Wi-Fi support across different smartphone generations and classes. This will help you quickly understand the capabilities of your device or the gadget you're considering.

As the table shows, even among popular models, there are differences. The budget Samsung Galaxy A10 and Nokia 1.4 are limited to the older standard, while the mid-range Redmi Note 10 already supports 5 GHz. Flagships, however, are leaps and bounds ahead, implementing Wi-Fi 6E.

⚠️ Attention: Specifications may vary depending on the regional version of the device. Always check the official specifications on the manufacturer's website for your specific model and market.

How to check if your phone supports 5G

If you don't see your model in the lists above or are unsure about the accuracy of the data, the easiest way to check band support is empirically. This doesn't require complex software; a dual-band router is sufficient.

Follow these simple instructions:

1. Make sure your router is configured to broadcast a 5 GHz network and that you know its name (SSID). Network names often vary, for example, MyWiFi And MyWiFi_5G.
2. Open Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone.
3. Check the list of available networks. If you see a network labeled 5G or 5GHz, try connecting.
4. If the connection was successful and the Internet appeared, your phone supports the standard.

You can also use specialized Wi-Fi analysis applications such as WiFi Analyzer or Wi-Fi ManIn the information about the connected network, they display the channel frequency. If specified Channel 36 or higher (up to 165) and a channel width of 40/80 MHz - you are definitely in the 5 GHz range.

Another way is to go to the engineering menu or settings "About phone." In some shells (for example, MIUI or OneUI), in the "SIM card and device status" or "General information" section, you can find the line "Wi-Fi network", which will indicate the current connection standard, for example, 802.11ac.

What to do if your phone doesn't detect 5G?

If your router is broadcasting 5 GHz but your phone can't see the network, try changing the broadcast channel in the router settings. Some older Wi-Fi modules don't see channels above 140 or DFS channels. Set a static channel in the range 36-64.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to enable 5 GHz software on a phone that does not support it?

No, this is impossible. Support for the 5 GHz band is determined by the hardware (Wi-Fi chip and antenna). If the manufacturer hasn't installed the appropriate module, no firmware, app, or root access will enable the phone to operate on this frequency.

Why does my phone see the 5G network but won't connect to it?

There could be several reasons: an incorrect password, incompatibility of encryption standards (for example, the phone only supports WPA2, but the router is configured for WPA3), or the phone is too far from the router (the 5 GHz signal penetrates walls worse).

Does 5G Wi-Fi support affect mobile internet speed?

No, these technologies are independent. 5 GHz Wi-Fi only speeds up wireless connections to the local network and the internet via a router. Mobile 3G/4G/5G speeds depend on the carrier and tower coverage, not on the Wi-Fi module in the phone.

Does it make sense to buy a 5 GHz router for an old phone?

It doesn't make much sense. Your phone will continue to operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency. However, if you have other devices (a laptop, a new tablet, a TV), they will be able to take advantage of the high speed while your old phone continues to operate normally, without interfering with the others.