5G rollout boosts iPhone download speeds across the globe

News
By Joe Wituschek
published

Iphone 12 5g
Iphone 12 5g (Image credit: Apple)

What you need to know

  • The global 5G rollout is increasing cellular speeds everywhere.
  • New data from OpenSignal shows that 95 out of 100 markets saw average download speeds increase between 2019 and 2021.
  • A number of iPhone and iPad models can take advantage of 5G connectivity.

The iPhone and iPad are only going to get faster around the world as the global 5G rollout continues.

According to new data from analytics firm OpenSignal, in 95 of 100 markets, smartphone users are experiencing faster average download speeds when comparing 2019 to 2021. Markets that launched 5G early are experiencing a boost in the global speed rankings, including countries like South Korea.

South Korea now tops global Games Experience, up from 10th place at the start of 2020. Markets where 5G arrived later (e.g. Malaysia, New Zealand, Czech Republic) or where new wireless spectrum capacity for exclusive 5G usage is in short supply (e.g. Singapore) have fallen down the download speed rankings. While those with ample new 5G spectrum have risen, notably Finland, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the UK, and the UAE.

iPhone 13 Review Hero

Iphone 13 Review Hero (Image credit: Joseph Keller / iMore)

National average download speeds have also broken the 100 Mbps barrier for the first time. South Korea is also a winner here, reaching average download speeds of 129.7 Mbps at the end of 2021.

In South Korea average download speeds were 129.7 Mbps at the end of 2021, up from 52.4 Mbps at the start of 2019, before 5G. Similarly, our users' speeds more than doubled in Germany rising from 22.6 to 48.7 Mbps, in the Philippines (from 7 to 15.1 Mbps), Saudi Arabia (13.6 to 31.1 Mbps), and in Thailand (5.7 to 17.4 Mbps) — all of which are 5G markets.

All of these advancements are boosting cellular performance of the latest iPhone models. Apple originally rolled out 5G support in the iPhone with the iPhone 12 series in 2020. The company then brought 5G to the iPad Pro and the redesigned iPad mini. When the company launched the iPhone 13, it added even more bands to support 5G in even more countries.

Apple is also rumored to be hosting an event on March 8 where the company will announce a new iPhone SE with 5G support, a new iPad Air (which may also finally get 5G support added), and at least one new Mac.

iPhone 13 And Mini Pink Cropped Render
iPhone 13


Bottom line: The iPhone 13 is the best iPhone for most people, with impressive new cameras and notable improvements to battery life. Without all the bells and whistles of the Pro line, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are still powerhouses that'll keep owners happy for years to come.

Joe Wituschek
Joe Wituschek
Contributor

Joe Wituschek is a Contributor at iMore. With over ten years in the technology industry, one of them being at Apple, Joe now covers the company for the website. In addition to covering breaking news, Joe also writes editorials and reviews for a range of products. He fell in love with Apple products when he got an iPod nano for Christmas almost twenty years ago. Despite being considered a "heavy" user, he has always preferred the consumer-focused products like the MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPhone 13 mini. He will fight to the death to keep a mini iPhone in the lineup. In his free time, Joe enjoys video games, movies, photography, running, and basically everything outdoors.