5G NR Standards for Regular People: NSA, SA, and Why Your Speeds Vary So Much

I bought a “5G phone” in 2020 and couldn’t understand why my speeds were barely faster than 4G. After researching 5G NR (New Radio) standards, I discovered the problem: my phone supported 5G NSA (Non-Standalone), which piggybacks on 4G infrastructure.

Real 5G performance requires SA (Standalone) mode, which my carrier hadn’t deployed yet. Understanding 5G NR standards saved me from buying the wrong phone again. Here’s everything I learned so you don’t waste money on fake 5G.

What 5G NR Actually Means

5G NR stands for “5G New Radio” and it’s the global standard for 5G networks developed by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project).

Why “New Radio” matters:

• Previous generations (3G, 4G LTE) used older radio technologies
• 5G NR is completely redesigned from ground up
• Different waveforms, modulation, and network architecture
• Not just “faster 4G” but fundamentally different

Key insight: When you see “5G” on your phone, it could mean many different things depending on which 5G NR standard is implemented. A 5G connection in NSA mode on low-band spectrum is completely different from SA mode on mid-band spectrum, despite both showing “5G” icon.

My Samsung Galaxy S20 showed “5G” in 2020, but it was NSA mode on T-Mobile’s n71 (600MHz). Download speeds: 50-80 Mbps. My friend’s iPhone 14 Pro in 2023 got SA mode on T-Mobile’s n41 (2.5GHz). Download speeds: 400-600 Mbps. Same carrier, same city, both said “5G,” but 6-8x speed difference due to NR standards.

5G NR Release Timeline

3GPP releases 5G standards in phases called “Releases.”

Release 15 (December 2017): The Foundation

What it included:

• First complete 5G NR specifications
• NSA (Non-Standalone) mode defined
• SA (Standalone) mode initial specs
• mmWave (24-100 GHz) support
• Sub-6 GHz support
• Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) focus

Real-world impact:

• Early 5G deployments (2019-2020) used Release 15
• Mostly NSA mode initially
• Foundation for all 5G networks today

Limitations:

• SA mode not fully defined
• Limited URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency) support
• No network slicing initially
• Power consumption not optimized

Release 16 (July 2020): Industrial and IoT Focus

What it added:

• URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication) enhancements
• Industrial IoT support
• V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication
• Unlicensed spectrum support (NR-U)
• Improved power saving
• Positioning/location services

Real-world impact:

• Enabled industrial 5G applications
• Better battery life on phones (2021+ models)
• Foundation for autonomous vehicles
• Private 5G networks for factories

For consumers:

• Longer battery life on 5G
• Better indoor positioning
• Improved reliability for critical apps

Release 17 (March 2022): Expanding Capabilities

What it added:

• RedCap (Reduced Capability) devices
• Enhanced positioning (down to 1-meter accuracy)
• Multi-SIM support improvements
• Network slicing enhancements
• NR sidelink (device-to-device)
• Extended range for rural coverage

Real-world impact:

• Cheaper 5G IoT devices possible (RedCap)
• Better 5G wearables and sensors
• Improved rural coverage
• Public safety communications

For consumers:

• More affordable 5G devices coming
• Better smartwatch connectivity
• Improved GPS-like positioning

Release 18 (December 2023/ongoing): 5G-Advanced

What it adds:

• AI/ML integration into network
• Enhanced XR (Extended Reality) support
• Improved energy efficiency
• Satellite connectivity (NTN – Non-Terrestrial Networks)
• Ambient IoT (ultra-low-power devices)

Real-world impact:

• Foundation for 6G evolution
• Better VR/AR experiences
• Phone-to-satellite connections (like iPhone 14 emergency SOS)
• Network learns and adapts to usage

For consumers:

• Better immersive experiences
• Satellite messaging without special hardware
• AI-optimized network performance

My observation: Most people’s phones support Release 15, some 2021+ phones support Release 16 features. Release 17/18 features are just starting to appear in 2024-2025 flagships.

NSA vs SA: The Most Important Distinction

This is the single most important thing to understand about 5G NR.

NSA (Non-Standalone) Mode

How it works:

• 5G radio for data
• 4G LTE core network for control
• Phone connected to both 4G and 5G simultaneously
• 4G does the “thinking,” 5G does the downloading

Pros:

• Carriers could deploy quickly (used existing 4G infrastructure)
• Cheaper to implement
• Works on all early 5G phones (2019-2020)

Cons:

• Still relies on 4G core network (bottleneck)
• Higher latency (4G control adds delay)
• Can’t access true 5G features
• Higher battery drain (two simultaneous connections)

Real-world performance:

• Download: 100-400 Mbps typical
• Upload: 20-60 Mbps (still using 4G uplink often)
• Latency: 30-50ms (4G core adds delay)

When you get NSA:

• Most 5G connections in 2019-2021
• Some carriers still default to NSA (2024)
• Budget 5G phones may only support NSA
• Rural areas where SA not deployed

My experience with NSA:

• T-Mobile 5G NSA on n71 in 2020
• Speeds: 60-90 Mbps downloads
• Barely faster than my old 4G phone (50-70 Mbps)
• Battery lasted 30% less than on 4G mode

SA (Standalone) Mode

How it works:

• 5G radio for data
• 5G core network for control
• Phone connects only to 5G network
• True end-to-end 5G experience

Pros:

• Lower latency (5G core optimized)
• Better battery life (single connection)
• Access to advanced 5G features (network slicing, URLLC)
• Better upload speeds
• Foundation for future features

Cons:

• Requires carriers to build new 5G core network (expensive)
• Took 2-3 years longer to deploy than NSA
• Requires phone that supports SA mode
• Not available everywhere yet

Real-world performance:

• Download: 300-1000 Mbps typical on mid-band
• Upload: 50-150 Mbps
• Latency: 15-30ms (much lower than NSA)

When you get SA:

• Most 5G connections in 2022+
• Mid-band spectrum (C-band, n41) typically SA
• Newer phones (2022+) prioritize SA
• Urban and suburban areas first

My experience with SA:

• T-Mobile 5G SA on n41 in 2023
• Speeds: 400-700 Mbps downloads
• Noticeably lower latency for gaming
• Battery life similar to 4G LTE

How to Tell NSA vs SA

On iPhone:

1. Not easily visible in settings
2. Field Test Mode shows some info but complex
3. Generally: mmWave is SA, low-band might be NSA, mid-band usually SA

On Android (Samsung, Pixel, etc.):

1. Download “Network Cell Info Lite” (free app)
2. Shows “NR NSA” or “NR SA” explicitly
3. Or dial *#0011# on Samsung for service mode

By carrier (US, as of 2024):

• Verizon: Mostly SA on C-band, NSA on low-band
• T-Mobile: SA on n41 and n71 in most areas
• AT&T: SA on C-band, NSA on low-band

Why this matters:

• NSA looks like 5G but performs like enhanced 4G
• SA is true 5G with lower latency and better efficiency
• Your phone might support both but carrier chooses which to use

5G NR Frequency Ranges (FR1 vs FR2)

5G NR defines two frequency ranges with completely different characteristics.

FR1 (Frequency Range 1): Sub-6 GHz

Spectrum: 410 MHz to 7.125 GHz

Includes:

• Low-band 5G (600-900 MHz)
• Mid-band 5G (1.7-4.2 GHz)
• C-band specifically (3.7-3.98 GHz in US)

Characteristics:

• Longer range (miles)
• Penetrates buildings well
• Lower speeds than FR2
• Most common 5G deployment

Real-world speeds:

• Low-band (n71, n5): 50-250 Mbps
• Mid-band (n41, n77, n78): 300-1000 Mbps
• C-band (n77, n78 in US): 400-1500 Mbps

Coverage:

• Urban: Excellent
• Suburban: Good to excellent
• Rural: Good on low-band, limited on mid-band
• Indoor: Good

Battery impact:

• Similar to 4G LTE
• Reasonable power consumption
• Can use all day on modern phones

My experience with FR1:

• This is what 99% of my 5G usage is
• T-Mobile n41 (2.5 GHz): 400-600 Mbps typical
• Works indoors, in cars, everywhere
• Battery life acceptable

FR2 (Frequency Range 2): mmWave

Spectrum: 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz (and higher)

Includes in US:

• n260 (39 GHz)
• n261 (28 GHz)
• n258 (26 GHz)

Characteristics:

• Very short range (few hundred feet max)
• Blocked by walls, windows, trees, hands
• Extremely high speeds
• Rare deployment

Real-world speeds:

• Download: 1000-4000 Mbps (1-4 Gbps)
• Upload: 200-600 Mbps
• When it works, it’s incredible

Coverage:

• Urban: Street corners, stadiums, airports only
• Suburban: Essentially non-existent
• Rural: Will never be deployed
• Indoor: Only if small cells installed inside

Battery impact:

• Heavy drain when connected
• Can drain 50% battery in 1-2 hours of use
• Most phones disable mmWave to save battery

Availability (US):

• Verizon: Most aggressive deployment, still tiny coverage
• T-Mobile: Very limited, mostly stadiums/venues
• AT&T: Almost non-existent consumer deployment

My experience with FR2:

• Found mmWave signal exactly once (Verizon at airport)
• Speed test: 2.1 Gbps download
• Lost signal when I walked 50 feet
• Never found it again
• Basically irrelevant for 99.9% of usage

The mmWave reality:

• Carriers hyped it heavily in early 5G marketing
• Real-world deployment extremely limited
• Will never be widespread outdoor coverage
• Useful for stadiums, airports, train stations
• Not a reason to buy a phone

FR3 (Future): Upper Mid-Band

Spectrum: 7.125 GHz to 24.25 GHz

Status: Being defined in Release 18+

Purpose: Fill gap between FR1 and FR2

Characteristics:

• Better range than mmWave
• Higher speeds than sub-6 GHz
• May be deployed in late 2020s

For consumers:

• Not relevant yet
• Won’t see phones supporting this until 2026+
• May become important for 6G transition

Key 5G NR Technical Features

Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output)

What it is:

• Cell towers with 64-256 antennas (vs 4-8 for 4G)
• Beamforming directs signal toward your specific device
• Multiple data streams simultaneously

Why it matters:

• Dramatically increased capacity
• 10-100x more users per tower
• Better signal quality in crowded areas

Real-world benefit:

• Stadium/concert 5G works where 4G choked
• Consistent speeds even with many users
• Better urban coverage

My experience:

• Went to NFL game in 2023
• 4G completely unusable (0.1 Mbps)
• 5G on C-band: 200 Mbps consistent
• Massive MIMO makes crowded venues actually work

Beamforming

What it is:

• Signal focused directly at your device like a flashlight
• Instead of broadcasting 360 degrees equally
• Constantly adjusts as you move

Why it matters:

• Stronger signal to your phone
• Less interference with other users
• Better range and penetration

Types:

• Digital beamforming (FR1)
• Analog beamforming (FR2 mmWave)
• Hybrid beamforming (both)

Real-world benefit:

• Better indoor coverage
• Faster speeds at cell edge
• More reliable connections

Network Slicing

What it is:

• One physical 5G network divided into multiple virtual networks
• Each “slice” optimized for different use cases
• Consumer, enterprise, IoT, emergency services on same infrastructure

Examples:

• Slice 1: Regular phones (balanced)
• Slice 2: Emergency services (ultra-reliable)
• Slice 3: IoT sensors (low power)
• Slice 4: Cloud gaming (low latency)

Why it matters:

• Network can prioritize different traffic
• Quality of service guarantees
• Efficient spectrum use

Current status:

• Mostly theoretical for consumers (2024)
• Some carrier business plans offer it
• Will become more common 2025+

Future application:

• Guaranteed low-latency gaming slice
• Priority slice for video calls
• Background slice for updates/backups

Carrier Aggregation (CA)

What it is:

• Combines multiple frequency bands simultaneously
• Like bonding multiple internet connections
• 5G extends this beyond 4G capabilities

5G NR CA:

• Can aggregate up to 16 component carriers
• Can combine 4G + 5G (EN-DC)
• Intra-band and inter-band aggregation

Real-world impact:

• Much higher peak speeds
• 4G + 5G aggregated = 500-1000 Mbps common
• Better use of available spectrum

What you’ll see:

• Phone might show “5G” but actually using 4G + 5G aggregated
• Speed tests much faster than single band alone
• Most modern 5G connections use some CA

My testing:

• T-Mobile: n41 + B66 + B2 aggregated
• Individual bands: 200 + 100 + 50 Mbps = 350 Mbps theoretical
• Actual speed test: 480 Mbps
• CA overhead is minimal

Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS)

What it is:

• 4G and 5G share same frequency dynamically
• Network allocates resources in real-time
• Allows 5G on existing 4G spectrum

How it works:

• Tower broadcasts both 4G and 5G
• As users shift to 5G phones, more spectrum allocated to 5G
• Smooth transition without waste

Pros:

• Carriers could deploy 5G on existing spectrum immediately
• No need to clear 4G spectrum first
• Smooth migration path

Cons:

• Performance compromised (shared resources)
• 5G DSS often slower than dedicated 5G
• Can be slower than pure 4G in some cases

Where used (US):

• Verizon: Nationwide 5G on DSS (low-band)
• AT&T: Some low-band 5G on DSS
• T-Mobile: Minimal DSS use (had dedicated spectrum)

My experience:

• Verizon 5G DSS on n5 (850 MHz)
• Speed: 40-80 Mbps
• Their 4G LTE on same band: 30-60 Mbps
• Minimal improvement due to DSS compromise

The DSS reality:

• Marketing lets carriers claim “nationwide 5G”
• Performance often disappointing
• Dedicated spectrum always better
• Temporary solution until spectrum cleared

5G NR Deployment Options

Option 3x (NSA with LTE)

Configuration:

• 4G LTE eNB (base station) as anchor
• 5G NR gNB for high-speed data
• 4G core network (EPC)

When used:

• First 5G deployments (2019-2020)
• Still used for some low-band 5G
• Quick deployment strategy

Pros:

• Fastest carrier deployment
• Uses existing infrastructure
• Works with all early 5G phones

Cons:

• 4G bottleneck
• Higher latency
• Limited future features

Option 2 (SA with 5G Core)

Configuration:

• 5G NR gNB standalone
• 5G core network (5GC)
• No 4G dependency

When used:

• Modern 5G deployments (2021+)
• Mid-band and mmWave typically
• Future-focused deployment

Pros:

• True 5G experience
• Lower latency
• Full feature access
• Better efficiency

Cons:

• Required new core network (expensive)
• Took longer to deploy
• Some phones don’t support it

Option 4 (5G NSA with 5G anchor)

Configuration:

• 5G NR as control
• 4G LTE for additional data
• 5G core network

When used:

• Rare deployment
• Some carriers use for capacity

Why it exists:

• Leverage 4G spectrum for 5G
• Efficient spectrum use
• Transition strategy

Phone Requirements for Different NR Standards

What your phone needs:

For NSA 5G (minimum 5G):

• 5G NR modem with NSA support
• At least one 5G band (n71, n5, etc.)
• 4G LTE support (for control plane)
• Most 2019-2020 5G phones

Examples:

• Samsung Galaxy S20 series
• OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren
• LG V50 ThinQ 5G

For SA 5G (true 5G):

• 5G NR modem with SA support
• 5G bands with SA capability
• Can operate without 4G anchor
• Most 2021+ 5G phones

Examples:

• iPhone 12 and newer (partial SA)
• iPhone 13 and newer (full SA)
• Samsung Galaxy S21 and newer
• Google Pixel 5a and newer

For Full 5G NR (all features):

• Release 16+ modem
• Broad band support (low, mid, mmWave)
• SA and NSA support
• MIMO capabilities
• Carrier aggregation support

Examples:

• iPhone 14/15/16 series
• Samsung Galaxy S23/S24 series
• Google Pixel 7/8/9 series

My recommendations by year:

Budget phones (2024):

• Minimum: SA support on n71 or n5 (low-band)
• Don’t overpay for mmWave (you won’t use it)
• Check your carrier’s mid-band support

Mid-range phones (2024):

• SA support required
• n41 or C-band (n77/n78) essential for speed
• mmWave optional (don’t pay extra for it)

Flagships (2024):

• Release 16+ modem (battery life improvements)
• Full band support including carrier’s mid-band
• mmWave included but not important

How to Check Your Phone’s NR Support

iPhone:

• Settings > General > About
• Look for model number (A####)
• Google model number + “5G bands”
• Apple doesn’t list bands in settings
• All iPhone 12+ support SA mode
• All iPhone 13+ have better SA support

Samsung Galaxy:

• Settings > About Phone > Software Information
• Model number visible
• Google model number + “5G NR bands”
• Or check Samsung website specifications
• S21+ and newer have strong SA support

Google Pixel:

• Settings > About Phone
• Model number shown
• Check Google support site for specs
• Pixel 5a and newer support SA

General Android:

• Settings > About Phone
• Note exact model number (not just marketing name)
• Google “[model number] 5G NR bands”
• Check manufacturer specifications page

Using apps:

• Network Cell Info Lite (Android): Shows NSA/SA mode, bands
• Field Test Mode (iPhone): Dial *3001#12345#*, complex to read
• LTE Discovery (Android): Detailed network info

What to look for:

• SA support explicitly mentioned
• Your carrier’s bands listed (n71, n41, n77, n261, etc.)
• Release 15 minimum, Release 16+ better
• Ignore mmWave unless you specifically need it

Real-World NR Performance by Standard

Based on my testing and data from multiple sources:

NSA Mode, Low-Band (n71, n5)

• Download: 50-150 Mbps
• Upload: 10-30 Mbps
• Latency: 35-50ms
• Range: Miles
• Availability: 95%+ of coverage area

Best for:

• Rural areas
• Wide coverage
• Indoor use
• Battery life

Feels like:

• Slightly faster 4G
• Consistent but not impressive
• Works everywhere

SA Mode, Low-Band (n71, n5)

• Download: 75-200 Mbps
• Upload: 15-40 Mbps
• Latency: 25-40ms
• Range: Miles
• Availability: 80%+ of coverage area

Improvement over NSA:

• 20-30% faster
• Lower latency
• Better efficiency

SA Mode, Mid-Band (n41, n77, n78)

• Download: 300-1000 Mbps
• Upload: 50-150 Mbps
• Latency: 15-30ms
• Range: 0.5-2 miles
• Availability: 50-70% of population (urban/suburban)

Best for:

• Cities and suburbs
• Fast downloads
• Gaming (low latency)
• Streaming 4K video

Feels like:

• This is what 5G should be
• Home internet replacement viable
• Noticeable difference from 4G

SA Mode, mmWave (n260, n261)

• Download: 1000-4000 Mbps (1-4 Gbps)
• Upload: 200-600 Mbps
• Latency: 10-20ms
• Range: 300-800 feet
• Availability: <1% (specific locations only)

Best for:

• Stadiums
• Airports
• Convention centers
• Dense urban pockets

Feels like:

• Insanely fast when it works
• But you’ll almost never find it
• Not relevant for daily use

My real-world averages (2024):

• T-Mobile SA n41: 450 Mbps typical
• T-Mobile SA n71: 120 Mbps typical
• Verizon SA C-band: 550 Mbps typical
• Verizon mmWave: Found once, 2100 Mbps (incredible but irrelevant)

Carrier NR Deployment Strategies (US)

Verizon

Strategy:

• Started with mmWave (2019-2020)
• Added DSS nationwide 5G on low-band
• Now focusing on C-band SA

Current state (2024):

• mmWave: Limited but most extensive of three carriers
• C-band (n77): Strong SA deployment in cities/suburbs
• Low-band: DSS on n5, mediocre performance

Best for:

• Urban users who want fast mid-band
• C-band coverage excellent in cities
• mmWave irrelevant but available

NR mode:

• C-band: SA (Option 2)
• Low-band: NSA/DSS (Option 3x)
• mmWave: SA (Option 2)

T-Mobile

Strategy:

• Started with low-band n71 SA (2019)
• Acquired Sprint’s 2.5 GHz (n41) in merger
• Now has most 5G spectrum of any carrier

Current state (2024):

• n71 (600 MHz): SA, nationwide coverage
• n41 (2.5 GHz): SA, fastest mid-band deployment
• C-band (n77): Smaller deployment than Verizon/AT&T
• mmWave: Very limited

Best for:

• Coverage everywhere (n71)
• Fast speeds in cities/suburbs (n41)
• Balance of coverage and speed

NR mode:

• n71: SA (Option 2)
• n41: SA (Option 2)
• mmWave: SA where deployed

AT&T

Strategy:

• Slow and steady approach
• Refarmed low-band spectrum for 5G
• Now deploying C-band aggressively

Current state (2024):

• Low-band (n5): DSS and dedicated SA
• C-band (n77): Strong SA deployment, catching up to Verizon
• mmWave: Almost non-existent for consumers

Best for:

• Users who want reliable if not fastest service
• C-band deployment improving rapidly

NR mode:

• Low-band: Mix of NSA/DSS and SA
• C-band: SA (Option 2)

Common 5G NR Misconceptions

Myth 1: “All 5G is the same”

Reality:

• NSA vs SA: Completely different experience
• Low-band vs mid-band: 3-5x speed difference
• Mid-band vs mmWave: 2-3x speed difference
• DSS vs dedicated: Significant performance gap

Why it matters:

• “5G” icon tells you almost nothing
• Connection type and frequency matter far more

Myth 2: “5G is always faster than 4G”

Reality:

• Low-band 5G NSA: Often slower than good 4G LTE
• DSS 5G: Can be slower than dedicated 4G
• Congested 5G worse than uncongested 4G

When 4G is actually faster:

• 5G low-band NSA vs 4G B66/B2 with CA
• 5G DSS vs dedicated 4G spectrum
• Crowded 5G cell vs empty 4G cell

My testing:

• T-Mobile 4G B66+B2: 120 Mbps
• T-Mobile 5G n71 NSA: 80 Mbps
• 4G was actually faster at that location

Myth 3: “You need mmWave for good 5G”

Reality:

• Mid-band (C-band, n41) provides 90% of mmWave speed
• mmWave availability <1% of time/locations
• Mid-band covers miles, mmWave covers blocks
• mmWave not worth paying extra for

What actually matters:

• SA mode on mid-band spectrum
• Your carrier’s mid-band deployment
• Phone support for n41, n77, or n78

Myth 4: “5G causes health problems”

Reality:

• 5G uses non-ionizing radiation (like 4G, WiFi, radio)
• Lower power than previous generations
• Decades of research show no health effects
• Radio waves can’t damage DNA

Why myth persists:

• Misunderstanding of “radiation” term
• Confusion between ionizing (harmful) and non-ionizing (safe)
• Social media amplification

Scientific consensus:

• WHO, FDA, FCC: 5G is safe
• Uses same frequencies as existing services
• Power levels well below safety limits

Myth 5: “5G drains battery fast”

Reality:

• SA mode: Similar to 4G battery usage
• NSA mode: Higher drain (dual connection)
• mmWave: Very high drain, but rarely connected
• Modern phones (2022+) efficient with 5G

What actually drains battery:

• NSA mode (running 4G + 5G simultaneously)
• Poor 5G signal (phone searching/boosting)
• mmWave when connected
• Screen brightness, apps matter more

My testing (iPhone 14 Pro):

• Full day on 5G SA: 25-30% battery at bedtime
• Same usage on 4G: 30-35% battery at bedtime
• Difference minimal with SA mode

Future of 5G NR Standards

Release 19 (2025-2026)

Focus:

• AI/ML deeper integration
• Extended Reality (XR) optimizations
• Passive IoT (battery-free devices)
• Expanded satellite connectivity

For consumers:

• Better VR/AR with lower latency
• AI-powered network optimization
• More connected devices possible

Release 20+ (2026-2028)

Focus:

• 5G-Advanced to 6G transition
• Terahertz frequencies (FR3)
• Integrated sensing and communication
• Higher speeds and lower latency

For consumers:

• Foundation for 6G
• 10 Gbps+ speeds possible
• Sub-1ms latency
• Seamless global coverage (satellites)

What’s Actually Coming Soon

2025:

• SA mode everywhere in US
• RedCap devices (cheaper 5G IoT)
• Better battery life (Release 16+ efficiency)
• Improved indoor positioning

2026-2027:

• Satellite-to-phone becoming standard
• 5G-Advanced features rolling out
• Mid-band spectrum fully deployed
• Low-band spectrum may be refarmed from 4G

2028+:

• Early 6G discussions and trials
• 5G maturation and optimization
• Focus shifts to 6G standardization

How to Future-Proof Your Phone Purchase

What to prioritize (2024-2025):

Essential:

• SA mode support (non-negotiable)
• Your carrier’s mid-band support (n41, n77, n78)
• Release 16+ modem (battery efficiency)

Nice to have:

• Multiple 5G bands (flexibility)
• Carrier aggregation support
• Good 4G fallback support

Don’t overpay for:

• mmWave support (you won’t use it)
• Every possible 5G band (you’ll use 2-3 max)
• “latest modem” marketing (Release 16 sufficient)

By use case:

Rural user:

• Low-band support critical (n71, n5)
• SA mode important
• Mid-band nice but limited availability
• mmWave irrelevant

Suburban user:

• Mid-band essential (n41, n77, n78)
• SA mode required
• Low-band for backup
• mmWave irrelevant

Urban user:

• Mid-band primary (n41, n77, n78)
• SA mode required
• mmWave optional (stadiums/airports only)
• Low-band for indoor backup

International traveler:

• Broad band support (global bands)
• n78 essential (global mid-band)
• n1, n3, n7, n28 for international roaming
• Check band support by country

The Bottom Line

5G NR standards determine whether your “5G” experience is revolutionary or disappointing. My first 5G phone in 2020 showed “5G” but delivered NSA mode on low-band spectrum with speeds barely better than 4G. Understanding NR standards helped me buy the right phone in 2023 with SA mode and mid-band support, delivering true 5G performance.

Key takeaways:

1. SA vs NSA matters more than anything else: SA mode is true 5G with lower latency and better efficiency. NSA is enhanced 4G with a 5G label.
2. Mid-band spectrum is the sweet spot: Low-band provides coverage but limited speed. mmWave is fast but unavailable. Mid-band (n41, n77, n78) delivers the best balance.
3. Release 16+ modems improve battery life: Phones from 2022+ have better 5G efficiency. Earlier 5G phones drain batteries faster.
4. Your carrier’s deployment strategy matters: T-Mobile leads on mid-band coverage (n41). Verizon and AT&T strong on C-band in cities. Check what’s deployed where you live.
5. mmWave is marketing hype, not practical coverage: You’ll almost never find it. Don’t pay extra for mmWave support. Focus on mid-band.

What to do now:

• Check if your current phone supports SA mode
• Verify your carrier deployed mid-band where you live
• If buying new phone, prioritize SA + mid-band support
• Don’t overpay for mmWave or every 5G band
• Focus on Release 16+ modems for efficiency

The practical insight: The “5G” icon on your phone is nearly meaningless without knowing which NR standard, mode (NSA vs SA), and spectrum band you’re using. A 5G NSA connection on low-band can be slower than good 4G LTE, while 5G SA on mid-band spectrum delivers the transformative experience 5G promised.