Why the 5G symbol on your phone doesn't mean you actually have 5G

The 5G symbol on your phone is not as reassuring as it seems. When you glance at the top of your screen, you might assume that you're enjoying the promised ultra-fast speeds and instant connectivity that 5G was supposed to bring. But what if I told you that nearly 40% of the time, the 5G symbol is actually just a decoy?

According to new research by PolicyTracker, which has been shared with BBC's Morning Live, when you see the 5G logo on your phone, it doesn't necessarily mean you're getting the full benefits of 5G. In fact, tests have shown that in nearly all cases, the actual internet speed is still being transmitted over 4G infrastructure.

The problem lies in how mobile networks define 5G. The symbol on your phone only indicates that a 5G-enabled area has been detected, but it doesn't guarantee that you're actually connected to it. And even with what's called "standalone 5G," which promises true 5G speeds all the time, your phone can still drop down to 4G if a faster connection isn't available.

Consumer expert Jasper Griegson from Resolver says that customers are entitled to clarity on what they're getting when they pay for 5G. "You think you're getting one thing but you're not," he says. "Accuracy is key."

Mobile UK, the trade body representing Britain's major mobile operators, has confirmed that the 5G icon doesn't necessarily mean a live 5G connection. However, Martin Sims from PolicyTracker argues that for most people, "standalone 5G isn't worth it as it's not very good value for money because the contracts are expensive."

The takeaway is clear: just because you see the 5G symbol on your phone doesn't mean you're actually getting the promised benefits of 5G. So what should you do if you think you're not getting 5G? First, check your speed using an online test to see your real download and upload rates. Then, use Ofcom's mobile coverage checker to see which network offers the best 4G or 5G signal in your area. If you're still unhappy with your coverage and signal strength, contact your provider to explain the problem and see what advice they can provide. And if all else fails, consider switching to a different provider that offers better coverage.

It seems that 5G is not as revolutionary as it was once thought to be. Willpower doesn't exist when it comes to our expectations of technology - we think we're getting one thing but are actually getting something else entirely.

omg, i'm so done with this 5G hype ... like, we were all promised the world with 5G, but in reality, it's not even a big deal . those 40% stats are crazy, and now we know that the 5G symbol on our phones is just a placebo effect . i mean, who thought it was a good idea to put a decoy on our screens?

anyway, consumer expert Jasper makes total sense – clarity is key when it comes to paid services, and we need better transparency from our providers . and tbh, standalone 5G just doesn't seem worth the extra cash ... what's the point if it's not even that much faster?

so like I was thinking about this 5G thing and I'm still not sure what's going on. They say it's all about the speed and connectivity, but apparently only 40% of the time is it really working as promised? that's pretty wild. And it's not just that the symbol on your phone doesn't guarantee a live 5G connection - even if you're using standalone 5G, your phone can still drop down to 4G if needed. gotta be careful what we pay for, right?

I'm so done with these fancy new techs . It's like, I get that 5G is supposed to be a game-changer, but honestly, can't they just be upfront about it? Like, if you see that little 5G symbol on your phone screen, don't assume you're rocking the full 5G experience. You might still be stuck in 4G land .

It's all about marketing and sales, right? Mobile operators are trying to make 5G sound like a must-have feature, but when it comes down to it, it's not always worth the hype . I mean, if you're paying extra for standalone 5G, but it's just not delivering on its promises, what's the point?

The thing is, we all get caught up in the excitement of new tech and promise ourselves that this time will be different . But let's be real, we've been here before with other advancements, like 4K or VR. We get hyped, we buy it, and then we're left wondering what the fuss was about .

I guess what I'm saying is, let's not be fooled by those fancy 5G symbols . Do your research, check your speeds, and know what you're getting into . Don't be a pawn in the tech industry's game of hype and expectation .

I'm so confused about this whole 5G thing ... like, my phone says I've got 5G but how do I know if it's actually fast enough? I mean, I just want to stream videos and play games without buffering ... is that too much to ask for?! I'm also a bit annoyed that the providers are being all secretive about it ... shouldn't they just tell us what we're really getting?!

I'm kinda surprised by this, you'd think the 5G symbol would mean you're actually using that super fast speed and whatnot... But apparently, it's just a nice to know, not exactly what it promises. Like, I got one of those new phones with 5G and sometimes when I'm browsing on it, it feels like I'm still stuck in the slow lane Guess you gotta dig deeper or use some tool to see what your actual speeds are. Not exactly what I was expecting from this new tech

I'm so down with this news lol . I mean, who hasn't been like "omg 5G is here!!" only to be disappointed when it doesn't quite live up to the hype? The fact that 40% of the time the 5G symbol on your phone isn't actually what you think it is is just crazy. And honestly, I'm not surprised. Technology can be so misleading sometimes.

I've been in situations where I thought I had a great connection, but really I was still stuck with a slow 4G signal . It's frustrating, but at the same time, it's also kinda empowering to know that you have the power to switch providers and find better coverage.

For me, the takeaway is all about being informed and not getting caught up in the hype. Do your research, use online tests and check coverage maps before committing to a new plan. And if something doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to ask questions or switch providers .

I'm so miffed about this ... I mean, can you believe that just 'cause your phone's got the 5G symbol on it, doesn't mean you're getting the full 5G experience? It's like, we all thought we were getting faster internet and better connectivity, but nope! Turns out most of the time, it's still using old 4G infrastructure . And don't even get me started on how confusing this is for us consumers... I mean, we pay for 5G thinking we're getting something, but really, we might be stuck with slower speeds anyway .

It's all about transparency, right? Why should I have to do my own research and troubleshoot just 'cause the provider doesn't want to give me a clear answer on what I'm getting? It's like, shouldn't they be more upfront about their services and how they work?

Anyway, I guess this is a good reminder for all of us to be more mindful of what we're paying for and to always check the fine print ... but honestly, who wants to do that when you just want to enjoy your internet without any hassle?

I'm kinda surprised by this revelation, I thought those fancy 5G logos would mean a more seamless experience . Turns out, they might just be a marketing gimmick . The truth is, most of the time, your phone's 5G symbol doesn't necessarily translate to actual 5G speeds . It's all about understanding how mobile networks define 5G and what "standalone 5G" really means . I mean, if you're not getting the promised benefits of 5G, that's just frustrating . At least now we know to fact-check our expectations when it comes to technology .

i feel like we got sold on the 5g hype for no reason . everyone's been talking about how fast and reliable it is, but in reality, most people aren't even getting that. i mean, what's the point of paying more for something that's not even delivering? it's like they're just trying to make us feel good with a pretty logo on our phone . anyway, now we know the truth, so maybe we should be having a conversation about how to get better coverage and not getting ripped off by our providers

I'm telling ya, people need to fact-check before they start freaking out over 5G . I mean, sure, the icon on your phone might look reassuring, but it's not a guarantee that you're getting the full benefits of 5G. Like, have you ever actually tried using 5G? It's still got its limitations, and those speeds aren't as lightning-fast as they claim .

And don't even get me started on how companies are selling this "standalone 5G" thing... it's just a marketing gimmick, imo . I mean, if you're not actually getting true 5G speeds, what's the point? And with the prices they're charging for those contracts? No thanks .

Anyway, if you think you're not getting 5G, here's what you should do: check your speed using an online test and see which network has the best coverage in your area. And don't be afraid to switch if it doesn't meet your expectations . It's all about being informed and making smart decisions, folks .

I'm kinda surprised, i mean, you'd think if u see the 5G logo on ur phone, it's gotta be a good thing But apparently, it's just a big ol' sticker with no real guarantee of speed or connectivity . It's like they're trying to sell u something that might not even work properly . I think consumers deserve to know the truth, what r we really gettin' when we pay for 5G? The fact that standalone 5G is basically useless compared to regular 4G speeds is wild .

just read this article about the 5G symbol on your phone and I'm kinda surprised like, isn't that supposed to mean you're getting super fast speeds? But apparently not! According to some research, it's only showing up as a "decoy" 40% of the time... pretty weird huh? anyway, what I'm saying is, we need more transparency from our mobile providers about what they're actually offering us. can't trust just that little symbol, gotta do more digging https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-59744561

i'm kinda surprised ppl r still gettin duped by this 5g hype u mean, like, half the time that little 5g symbol is just a placebo effect and ppl think they're gettin these sick speeds & instant connectivity... newsflash: it's all still being pushed over 4g infrastructure so yeah, i got to agree with jasper griegson - transparency matters when u're payin for a service

I mean, think about it... we've been sold on the idea of 5G being this game-changer, right? Ultra-fast speeds and instant connectivity that's supposed to change our lives. But what if we're just being misled by a little icon on our phone screen? It's like how sometimes we feel like we're getting closer to something amazing, but it's still out of reach... or in this case, still 4G. The truth is, the real power of technology isn't always what we expect it to be. Maybe that's a commentary on our own desires and expectations? We want instant gratification, but sometimes the reality just doesn't measure up.

I'm so done with these mobile providers trying to pull the wool over our eyes . I mean, who even knows what they're talking about? It's all just marketing hype and confusing customers. I've been paying for 5G thinking I was getting ultra-fast speeds and instant connectivity, but now I hear it's mostly just a fancy logo on my phone . I'm so frustrated! Why can't they just be transparent with us about what we're really getting? It's not like we're asking for much... accuracy .

I'm so done with these phone companies, they're just messing with us ! Like, come on, 5G is supposed to be all about the speed and connectivity, but nope, it's all just a bunch of marketing hype. If you see that little 5G symbol on your screen, don't think for a second that you're getting the full benefits. It's just a decoy, a way to make you feel like you're getting something special when really you're not .

And don't even get me started on these "standalone 5G" contracts that are supposed to be all about true 5G speeds, but are actually just a bunch of lies. It's like they're trying to rip us off and make us feel guilty for wanting something better. Newsflash: accuracy is key, people! You shouldn't have to do extra research to figure out if you're really getting what you paid for .

I swear, the only thing that's "worth it" right now is switching to a different provider that actually delivers on their promises. So yeah, let's all just take a deep breath and admit that 5G isn't as revolutionary as we thought it was .

I'm tellin' ya, this 5G business is a right ol' mess ! I mean, I remember when my phone was old school 3G, and it was fast enough for me! Nowadays, everyone's all about that 5G life , but what do we really get? Not much, if you ask me. It's like they're tryin' to trick us into thinkin' we're gettin' the good stuff when we're actually just stuck with 4G . And don't even get me started on them "standalone 5G" contracts... rip-off, if you ask me . I mean, where's the clarity, mate? It's like they're just wingin' it and expectin' us to be happy with whatever slow speed we get . Mark my words, 5G is gonna end up bein' more of a headache than a help .

I feel you ! I mean, can you even trust what's on your phone screen? It's like, the 5G symbol is just a pretty logo, right? Like, I'm sure it's super exciting to see that little icon pop up, but does it really mean you're getting lightning-fast speeds and instant connectivity? Not according to this new research! According to me , it's all about knowing what you're paying for. If you're not getting the promised 5G benefits, shouldn't your provider be more clear about it? And honestly, if you're not getting a good signal and speeds aren't on point, maybe it's time to switch providers and find one that delivers

I'm so over this 5G hype lol I mean, we all knew it wasn't going to be the miracle solution everyone made it out to be. It's just another marketing gimmick to get us to upgrade our phones and sign more contracts. I swear, if I see one more person saying "oh, my phone is 5G now" without actually checking their speeds, I'm gonna lose it . Can we please just stop romanticizing the tech industry for a second? We need to be more realistic about what these new networks can deliver. And btw, who thought standalone 5G was a good idea? It's like they knew it wasn't going to be worth the extra cash .