The time has finally come—Apple has finally launched its first iPhone with 5G capability. The iPhone 12 series announced October 13, 2020, is the first to offer 5G connectivity but won’t be the last.
- What 5G iPhones are available?
- How much do 5G iPhones cost?
- How do I buy a 5G iPhone?
- What other 5G phones are available?
- Is a 5G iPhone worth it?
What 5G iPhones are available?
Although 2020 has been a challenging year for many of us, it’s not all bad news. Apple has come to the rescue with some much-needed good news before the year is out—the very first iPhone with 5G capability.
That’s right, Apple launched the iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max this year, all with 5G capability. For now, these are the only four iPhones that offer 5G, but from here on out, we are expecting 5G in all new iPhone models.
With Apple releasing new iPhones every year (sometimes twice a year), there will soon be more 5G iPhones than you can handle.
How much do 5G iPhones cost?
Surprisingly, 5G iPhones aren’t super expensive when you compare them to other brands like Samsung and LG. The cheapest 5G iPhone is the iPhone 12 Mini which starts at just $699—pretty affordable for a new smartphone these days.
On the higher end, you’ll be paying from $1,099 for a new iPhone 12 Pro Max, but the added cost on that phone comes from a better camera, battery, and other features. If you’re just looking for a decent 5G phone, the iPhone 12 Mini is a good investment and much cheaper than some other 5G phones in the market today.
How do I buy a 5G iPhone?
You have a number of options when it comes to buying a new 5G iPhone. You can buy it from:
- Apple
- A cell phone carrier (such as Verizon or AT&T)
- A third-party retailer (including online stores)
Right now, it’s going to be hard to find a refurbished or second-hand 5G iPhone since the phones were only just announced. But if you’re willing to wait a bit, there’ll likely be some refurbished options available in a year if you want to save yourself some money.
Payment Options
Since iPhones aren’t exactly cheap, there are some simpler ways to pay for your new 5G iPhone, rather than forking up hundreds of dollars in one go. Depending on who/where you buy the iPhone from, you may have the option of buying it via an installment plan, which means making smaller payments over a set amount of time (usually 24 or 30 months).
Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile offer interest-free installment plan options with the monthly price dependant on the phone itself. The catch to these plans is that you’ll be with the carrier until you pay off your phone (i.e., you also need to pay for a service plan with the same carrier).
Some other cell phone carriers like Cricket and other MVNOs offer installment or payment plans through third-party providers. These are the ones you need to watch out for as you’ll likely need to pay interest. We don’t recommend these plans as you’ll be paying for more than the actual phone is worth.
What other 5G phones are available?
If you’re on the hunt for a new 5G phone but aren’t sold on an iPhone, there are plenty of other options available, including from brands like Samsung, LG, and OnePlus. Our favorites are from Samsung Galaxy, who released its first 5G phone, the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G back in 2019.
Samsung’s 5G phones are generally on the more expensive end, however, which isn’t surprising since these phones have some pretty amazing features, so if you’re looking for something that’s a bit nicer to your wallet, an LG 5G phone might be one to consider.
Is a 5G iPhone worth it?
The answer to this question really depends on what you’re looking for in a phone. If you’re purely looking for something to connect to your local 5G network, then I would say, yes, the iPhone 12 Mini might be worth it. However, I wouldn’t pay upwards of $800 for a new iPhone if all I wanted to upgrade was the 5G capability.
The iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max are reasonably-priced compared to other 5G phones, but I wouldn’t recommend paying that much for a new phone unless you’re going to be taking advantage of the camera and video features.
In a nutshell, I wouldn’t upgrade to a new iPhone just for the 5G capability. If you’re due for an iPhone upgrade, then yes, by all means, go for one of the new iPhones.
