What will happen to 4G phones when 5G comes?
Sarah Duran
Updated on March 08, 2026
The growth of 5G networks doesn't mean 4G is going away. Mobile carriers will use existing 4G LTE networks to provide their customers' cell service well into the next decade. 5G networks will work with 4G — not outright replace it. The upshot is that 5G-capable cell phones will still use 4G technology.
Will 4G phones still work when 5G comes out?
Answer: Yes.4G phones still work on a 5G network, they just won't get that coveted 5G speed. HighSpeedInternet.com recently released its list of the most common tech myths that Americans believe in 2020. Among them was the concern that 5G will replace 4G and we will all have to upgrade our phones.
What happens if you put a 5G Sim in a 4G phone?
Re: Can I use a 5g sim in a 4g phone and access 4gYou will be able to access the 5G network with any SIM on a 5G phone but your phone does not support 5G so unfortunatey you won't be able to connect to 5G, but you won't have any issues connecting to 4G.
Are 4G phones going to stop working?
If you see 4G, LTE, or 4G LTE, your phone is safe and will continue to work after the 3G networks are shut down. So while the letters being sent to customers notifying them of the 3G shutdown, customers will have a little more time to purchase a new phone.Does 5G need a new SIM?
You'll need to swap to a 5G sim. The good news is they're the same size and shape as our other sims, so they'll simply pop into your new 5G phone. If you've got your 5G sim already you can set up your sim swap here. If you think you need a 5G sim you can get in touch.What will happen to 4g phones when 5g comes?
How soon will 4G be phased out?
T-Mobile announced that it will finish shutting down Sprint's 3G CDMA network by March 31, 2022 and Sprint's 4G LTE network by June 30, 2022.Will my 4G phone still work in 2022?
T-Mobile and Sprint 3G/2G/4G LTE network shutdown datesThese are January 1, 2022 for Sprint's 3G network sunset, and June 30, 2022 for the 4G LTE connections, respectively.
Should I buy 5G phone in 2020?
There is only one reason to buy a phone, especially for 5G. The reason is timeline. If you are going to use your phone for more than two-three years, then you can buy a 5G phone. If you are a person who doesn't change smartphones frequently and keeps using one phone for 2-3 years, then it's worth buying a 5G phone now.Is it OK to buy 4G phone in 2021?
A new 5G phone is definitely future-proof, but 4G smartphones are not obsolete yet. So yes, you can buy a 4G LTE smartphone in 2021 and save some money. While 5G is definitely the future, you can buy a 5G smartphone when it is as uniform as 4G.Do I really need 5G phone?
There's no downside to getting a phone that happens to have 5G if it's the phone you want for other reasons. In the US, you can't buy a flagship phone without 5G! So, if a high-end phone's powerful camera or amazing screen attracts you, that's a great reason to buy it; 5G connectivity is the cherry on top.What if I don't want 5G on my phone?
You can't. Just set the phone to LTE and don't worry about it. I have my iPhone 12 set to LTE because 5G is just not reliable enough in our area yet. 5Ge is enhanced LTE if that appears on your phone.How can I make my 4G phone 5G?
Switch between 2G/3G/4G/5G - Samsung Android
- Swipe up.
- Select Settings.
- Select Connections.
- Select Mobile networks.
- Select Network mode.
- Select your preferred option.