iOS includes a feature that lets your iPhone take advantage of T-Mobile 5G Standalone coverage in the US (and other carriers around the world). This option harnesses the power of carrier aggregation to deliver speeds as fast as 3 Gbps. Learn how to make sure 5G Standalone is turned on on your iPhone and how to check your cellular connection statistics.
T-Mobile officially launched its ultra-high-capacity 5G SA network, boasting speeds of up to 3Gbps, in November 2022. However, initially only Samsung’s flagship smartphones will be able to take advantage of the latest network advancements, but T-Mobile says that will be expanded in the future.
iOS 16.4 introduced a toggle in iPhone settings to enable super-fast speeds. Claro and Vivo have also launched 5G SA for iPhone in Brazil, while 5G has been available on iPhones in other countries for some time now.
Just to be clear, T-Mobile says that Ultra Capacity 5G SA + Carrier Aggregation will aggregate multiple channels of mid-band 5G spectrum to deliver speeds of 3Gbps, though it’s unclear at this time exactly which cities will have access to 5G SA through T-Mobile, so you’ll have to try it out to find out.
How to Check if 5G Standalone (SA) is On on Your iPhone
Only iPhones connected to a carrier that supports 5G SA will see the option in Settings.
- open Settings app iPhone (iOS 16.4 or later)
- choose Cellular
- Tap Cellular Data Options after that Voice and Data
- At the bottom, 5G Standalone toggle is on
Check 5G SA connection statistics
- Once you’ve made sure 5G Standalone is turned on, you can run a speed test to check how it performs.
- You can dial 3001#12345# Press Call to enter Field Test Mode, which will give you specific details about your 5G connection and whether or not you’re getting standalone service.
- search South Africa next to Connection Type
- T-Mobile’s testing achieved 3.3Gbps, but please note that actual performance will vary.
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