Before buying a smartphone (5G in India), know important things related to 5G network availability, support, and compatibility of your phone.

5G in India is a huge buzzword these days. Everywhere you look, advertisements and every new phone talk about 5G. But what exactly is 5G, and is it that important for us, especially here in India? Before you buy your next smartphone, let’s clear a few things about 5G.

Understand 5G Technology in India

5G in India means the “fifth generation” of mobile network technology. Think of it this way: it’s the newest and super-fast way for our phones to connect to the internet, make calls, and send messages. Before 5G, we had 4G, then 3G, and even before that, 2G. Every new generation gives us better speeds and cool new features. In India, 5G services started rolling out in late 2022, and honestly, they are expanding quite fast. Big network companies like Jio and Airtel are making efforts to bring 5G to as many cities and even smaller towns as possible. It’s not just about super-fast internet on your phone; 5G can also power smart cities, self-driving cars, and a lot of new technologies in the future.

How 5G Makes Your Daily Phone Use Better Than 4G:

So, how does 5G make a difference for you every single day compared to plain old 4G? The biggest improvements are in three key areas:

• Speed ​​(it’s lightning fast): This is the easiest to understand. 5G is way faster than 4G. You know how you used to wait for big movies or games to download? With 5G, it’s happening in seconds, not minutes. Live streaming videos will be super smooth, with no buffering circles interrupting your show. And if you’re on a video call, they’ll be crisper and clearer.
• Lower Latency (Almost no delay): Now, this sounds a little technical, but just imagine latency as the tiny gap between tapping something on your phone and the network responding. 5G has very low latency, which means almost zero delay. For gamers, for example, this means very little “delay” in online games. For the big tech things of the future, this means self-driving cars reacting instantly, or doctors performing complex operations remotely without any delay. For us, it just makes everything feel more instant and seamless.
• More Capacity (Crowds won’t slow you down): 5G networks can handle multiple devices connected at the same time without slowing down. So, imagine you’re in a crowded place – a cricket stadium, a busy market, or a big wedding – your internet might still work perfectly fine on 5G. On 4G, it would probably struggle because there are so many people trying to use it at once. This means a better network for everyone, even when there are so many people online.

Simply put, 5G gives you a quicker, smoother, and much more reliable internet experience right on your phone.

Before You Buy a Smartphone: Is 5G Available Here?

Before you get excited and rush out to buy a new 5G phone, the first thing you should do is check if 5G is available where you live or work. See, the 5G rollout in India is still ongoing. While big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and even Patna generally have good 5G coverage, even smaller towns and villages now have good 5G coverage in most places, but the signal may still be a little patchy in some areas.

So, how do you check this? It’s pretty straightforward:

• Check your network provider’s website: Both Jio and Airtel have special sections on their websites and own apps. You can type in your location or PIN code there to see their 5G coverage map. It’s quite handy.
• Use their mobile apps: Many telecom apps also have a feature that lets you check 5G availability right in your area.
• Just ask someone: If you have a friend or a family member in your exact area who already has a 5G phone and a 5G plan, simply ask them if they’re getting a 5G signal. Real-world experience is always the best guide.

Don’t go buying a 5G phone just because it’s new if the 5G service isn’t even there to you. It’ll just end up working like a regular 4G phone anyway.

Understand 5G Bands in India: What Your Phone Needs

This might sound a little complicated, but trust me, it’s quite important. When we talk about 5G, we often talk about “bands” or frequencies. Think of these like different lanes on a highway. In India, our network companies mainly use certain 5G bands. The most important ones you should know about are:

• Mid-band (like n78/n77): This is the most common 5G band you will find in India right now. It offers a good balance, good speeds, and decent coverage. Most of the 5G service you see in cities runs on this band.
• Low-band (like n28/n5/n8): These bands offer very wide coverage. That means they can reach much farther and even get inside buildings better. However, their speeds are not as high as the mid-band ones. They’re good for making sure 5G reaches everyone, even in more widespread areas.
• mmWave (like n258): Now, this is the super-duper fast 5G. It promises a high-speed network. But there’s a catch, it has a very short range and struggles to go through walls. It’s usually used in very crowded, open places like big stadiums or specific city hotspots. Not many phones in India even support mmWave yet, and it’s definitely not widely available.

So, when you’re buying a 5G phone, just quickly check its specifications to make sure it supports the common Indian 5G bands, especially n78. Most new 5G phones sold here in India will support these main bands, but it’s always a good idea to double-check, especially if you’re looking at an older model or one brought from outside India.

What to Look For in a 5G Smartphone Before You Buy It

• The Processor (The phone’s brain): Make sure the phone has a good, powerful processor that’s ready for 5G. Look for chips from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6, 7, or 8 series, or MediaTek’s Dimensity series. A stronger processor helps the phone handle 5G better and keeps your overall phone experience super smooth.
• Number of 5G Bands Supported: As we discussed, check if the phone supports many 5G bands, especially n78 and n28. The more bands it supports, the more places your phone will be able to catch a 5G signal as the network expands across India.
• Battery Size: 5G does use a little more battery (we’ll talk about this next). So, it’s always better to get a phone with a bigger battery, say 4500 mAh or more. It just gives you more peace of mind.
• Display Refresh Rate (How smooth the screen is): A fast 5G connection means content loads super quickly. To really enjoy that, a screen with a high refresh rate (like 90Hz or 120Hz) will make everything look incredibly smooth, whether you’re playing a game or just scrolling through Instagram.
• Future-proofing: If you’re someone who likes to keep their phone for 2-3 years, then getting a 5G phone now makes total sense. Because 5G networks are only going to get stronger and reach more places in the coming years.

Don’t just pick up a phone because it simply says “5G” on the box. Check these important points to make sure you get a truly good 5G experience.

Will 5G Use More Battery and Data Faster?

This is a very common question people ask, and honestly, yes, 5G can use a bit more battery than 4G. Here’s why:

• More Work for the Phone: When your phone connects to 5G, especially if the signal isn’t super strong, it works harder to find and hold onto that fast connection. This extra effort naturally uses up more battery juice.
• Dual Connection (NSA 5G): Right now, most of the 5G we have in India is “Non-Standalone” (NSA) 5G. This means your phone is still connected to 4G for things like calls and basic tasks, AND it’s also connected to 5G for fast data. Being connected to both uses more power from your battery.
• Faster Consumption: Since 5G is incredibly fast, you might find yourself doing more data-heavy things without realizing it. You might watch more high-quality videos, download bigger files, or play more online games. When you’re actively using all that speed, your phone is naturally downloading/streaming more content, which uses more data and, in turn, more battery.

However, phone makers are constantly working to improve their chips and software to make 5G more battery-friendly. And as 5G networks become stronger and transition to “Standalone” (SA 5G) mode, the battery drain issue should become less of a problem.

Regarding Data: 5G itself doesn’t magically use more data for the same task. But because everything is so fast, you might end up using more data simply because you can do more data-heavy things very quickly. For example, you might watch a video in crystal-clear 4K resolution instead of just Full HD, which will use more data. So, just keep an eye on your data usage!

Is 5G Worth It for Normal Users in 2025?

As we stand in mid-2025, 5G is becoming pretty common in many parts of India. For a regular user, here’s the simple truth.

• Yes, if you’re upgrading anyway: If your current phone is old and you were planning to buy a new one regardless, then getting a 5G phone makes a lot of sense. The prices of 5G phones have come down quite a bit, and having 5G support means your new phone is ready for whatever the future of mobile internet brings.
• Great for heavy internet users: If you’re someone who watches a lot of videos, does frequent video calls, plays a lot of online games, or downloads big files often, then 5G will be a truly significant upgrade for you. The sheer speed and very low delay will make a noticeable difference in your daily usage.
• Not a must-have for everyone, yet: If you mostly use your phone for basic calls, WhatsApp messages, and light browsing, and your current 4G connection works fine for you, then you don’t have to rush to get a 5G phone right now. The benefits might not be as obvious for your particular usage.

But looking at how quickly 5G is spreading in India, it’s generally a smart idea to consider a 5G phone if you’re already in the market for a new one.

Good and Affordable 5G Smartphones in India:

Gone are the days when 5G phones were very expensive. Now, you can get many great 5G phones that won’t empty your pocket. Brands like Xiaomi, Realme, Samsung, Poco, and Lava are offering great 5G phones in the mid-range price segment, and some are quite budget-friendly too. You can easily find good 5G phones under ₹15,00,0 and believe me, some are even available under ₹10,000.

When you’re looking for a budget 5G phone, try to focus on these points:

• A good, efficient 5G processor: (something like a MediaTek Dimensity 6000 series or Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen series).
• At least 6GB of RAM: For smooth everyday use.
• Support for the important Indian 5G bands: (n78 is key).
• A decent-sized battery.

Don’t expect top-tier cameras or super-premium looks in this price range, but you will definitely get reliable 5G connectivity and solid performance for the money you spend.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy a 5G Phone Now?

So, coming to the main question: should you buy a 5G phone right now? My straightforward answer: Yes, if you’re already planning to get a new smartphone.

5G is no longer just a futuristic dream; it’s becoming a clear reality here in India. While the network is still growing, having a 5G-ready phone means you’re all set for faster speeds and a much better internet experience as 5G becomes available in more and more places and gets stronger. The prices of 5G phones have become very affordable, making it a truly smart choice for long-term use.

Don’t feel pressured to upgrade just for 5G if your current 4G phone is working perfectly fine for you. But if your old phone is giving you trouble and you’re looking for an upgrade, then definitely, definitely choose a 5G model. It’s an investment in your future online experience. Stay informed, pick wisely, and enjoy the speed. But, in today’s era of technology, bad guys ( Hackers ) are also very active in harming you, so definitely read- How to Secure Your Smartphone from Online Threats in India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)