Apr 25, 2023
What’s the Difference Between 5G, 4G, and 3G?
And why should I care?
Reading time: 8 minutes
It is everywhere: talk about 5G, mentions of 4G, and the now-historic 3G shutdown. Ads on television and radio. Ads in magazines. On enormous billboards.
Ads everywhere and almost none of them explain what 5G is, why 3G had to be shut down, or where 4G fits in. It is enough to make you want to crawl under a rock and not come out until someone sounds the "all clear."
Well, consider the “all clear” sounded. Right here, right now, PureTalk is going to take the mystery out of all this G business. 3G, 4G, and 5G - we are going to explain it all. And believe it or not, it is simple.
What is the difference between 5G, 4G, and 3G, and why should I care?
For starters, we are going to break down 3G, 4G, and 5G. We will circle back to poor, beleaguered 3G later, because by then its situation will be crystal clear.
G stands for generation of cellular communication and it goes like this: 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G = first generation, second generation, third generation, fourth generation, and fifth generation. Each new generation of mobile technology is an improvement in communication speed and other factors over the last. We've now entered the fifth generation of mobile network technology and, having said that it should come as no surprise that….
Let us address the “G” in 3G, 4G, and 5G
G stands for “generation” of cellular communication and it goes like this:
1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G equal first generation, second generation, third generation, fourth generation, and fifth generation.
Each new generation of mobile technology is an improvement in communication speed and other factors over the last. We are now fully in the fifth generation of mobile network technology and, having said that, it should come as no surprise that 5G is faster than 4G.
How 5G is different from 4G
5G is faster than 4G
Of course it is. Each new generation is an improvement over previous generations. But 5G has a lot more going for it than just higher speeds, including faster uploads.
5G offers better bandwidth than 4G
Bandwidth is the amount of data - say photos of your children or grandchildren - that can be transmitted over a network connection. Coupled with low latency and higher data rates that let you download content more quickly, 5G beats 4G every time.
Even though 4G and 5G can transmit those sweet smiling faces you adore in milliseconds, 5G can get that time down to around 1 millisecond in ideal conditions. Will the average person be able to tell the difference in speed? (Not that we think you are an average person.) Maybe.
5G mobile networks also offer more for mobile devices
5G brings:
- Stronger connectivity
- Better average speeds
- Lower latency
- More reliability
That means your calls are more likely to go through, no matter where you are calling from or where you are calling to. And that is not all.
5G is also capable of handling hundreds of thousands of people being on their cell phones at the exact same time with far fewer disruptions in service. In geek speak, this is known as network density, and 5G’s is huge in comparison to 4G.
To put it in simpler terms: with 4G, if you are at a pro sports game and try to send photos or texts, your smartphone probably runs more slowly than usual because of the number of other people doing the same thing at the same time in the same place.
With 5G, you can mostly forget those slow speeds, dropped calls, and lousy connections. You will not be able to tell your boss or your mother-in-law “You're breaking up. I will call you as soon as I get reception” quite as often.
Hmm. Maybe we need to rethink this 5G business.
5G is a huge deal for wireless network companies and, more importantly, people who count on their smartphones to stay connected with their kids and grandkids and who want to be able to call for help when their car breaks down in the middle of the night on a dark road in some little town they find themselves lost in.
The first time you experience a strong 5G signal, you will see a big difference between it and 4G. 5G can be up to ten times faster in real-world use, and this means a significant boost in accessibility and internet performance - no matter where you are, as long as coverage is available.
5G is the current pinnacle of mobile connectivity, which is why 3G had to go away to make room for this newer technology.
But more about 3G in a minute.
Right now, let us delve deeper into the differences between 5G and 4G. You know you want to geek out and get into the nitty gritty.
The nitty gritty: how 5G actually works
So 5G is stronger, significantly faster, and so reliable it feels like it leaps tall buildings in a single bound (actually it does better than that: it can pass through walls and buildings better when the right frequencies are used). It really is the superhero of mobile communication.
How does 5G work?
All cellular communication works by sending information over the air using radio waves. 5G does as well, but it can use higher, cleaner frequencies in addition to lower bands. This means those photos of your kids, new car, new haircut, or new house are transmitted faster over your mobile network than ever before.
5G has three main “bands”
Remember how we mentioned that bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted over a mobile network connection? 5G actually has three main “layers” or bands: a low band, a mid-band, and a high band.
The different bands operate at different speeds
That is another one of the reasons it is better than 4G. As you can probably guess, the different bands operate at different speeds.
Low band 5G travels far and does a good job indoors, but is closer to 4G speeds.
Mid-band 5G offers a great balance of range and speed and is where many carriers focus in 2026.
High band 5G (sometimes called millimeter wave) is incredibly fast but has short range and can be blocked by walls, trees, and even people.
Now here is what is cool about that.
At some point, each band can be tuned toward different user groups and use cases. One for everyday consumer use, one for business needs, and one for more specialized uses like industrial automation, smart cities, or advanced security systems. There are so many options and opportunities for 5G to improve our lives.
(Of course, even though the world of wireless communication is always evolving, do not plan on seeing 6G in your phone menu any time soon. For consumers, 5G is the focus for the next several years.)
5G can be sliced and diced for more flexibility
Along with the three different bands, 5G networks can be used as separate virtual mobile networks. This is called mobile network slicing. Now we are really geeking out.
The result is that each of those separate virtual networks can be used for a different purpose and a different form of communication. 4G could never provide this kind of flexibility or the opportunities for new services that come with it, because it simply did not have the same broadband and software capabilities.
Will 5G replace 4G?
At some point, yes. But not in the near future.
In 2026, 4G is still widely used and plays a huge role in keeping people connected. 5G coverage keeps expanding, but 4G remains the “safety net” that fills in the gaps.
For the time being, both mobile networks will be used, which is fine, as most modern phones are 4G and 5G compatible and switch between them automatically.
How can I be sure my phone is 4G or 5G compatible?
You can:
- Check the box or manual
- Look up your device model on the manufacturer’s website
- Open your phone’s settings and look for “5G” in the network options
Most phones released in the last few years support 4G LTE and at least some form of 5G.
Do I need a 5G phone to get 5G?
Exactly. You also need to be in an area where 5G mobile networks are available.
If you are with PureTalk, you are in luck, as we operate on America’s most reliable 5G mobile network. Visit our coverage map, type in your zip code, hit enter, and in seconds you can see if your home is in a 5G area.
As we have already mentioned, 5G mobile networks provide some of the best cell coverage at significantly greater data speed and are more flexible, reliable, and secure than any mobile network before them. This means less worry about missing your favorite podcast or failing to connect with your college-age child or grandchild before they take off on spring break.
What if I need a 5G mobile phone?
PureTalk has you covered there, too. Many recent iPhone models and a wide range of modern Android devices support 5G and are available right here.
5G coverage. 5G phones. And plans that start at just $24.99 a month.
Beyond that, PureTalk is on America’s most reliable 5G network at half the cost of those overpriced wireless companies. In fact, families of four who switch to PureTalk save an average of $1,000 a year. Plus, you can keep your phone and your phone number if you like.
PureTalk’s 30 day money back guarantee
We all know how frustrating it can be to make a big purchase and then realize you made the wrong choice. What a hassle. If you ordered something online, you need to pack it up and send it back. If you purchased something from a store, like Target for instance, you are most likely stuck with it because almost nobody makes it back before the refund window closes. There just is not enough time in the day and, honestly, who can remember where they put the receipt?
In addition to all the things PureTalk offers - great savings, fast data, and freedom from contracts - we give you 30 days to see if we are the right fit for you. You have until your next bill date, or until you have used 500 minutes or 500 MB of data usage (whichever comes first), to contact customer service and request a refund.
That means you have absolutely nothing to lose. Sign up and give us a try for one month. We know you will love us. But if you do not, simply cancel your service within thirty days and we will return your money without any penalties. We mean it when we say, “Love our service or your money back.”
So, what happened to poor, beleaguered 3G?
In general, 3G (or third generation) mobile networks simply became outdated. And specifically, they became too slow. Really slow.
As that happened, they began draining cell phone batteries faster and faster. The 3G network simply could not transmit signals fast enough to keep up with the hundreds of thousands of cell phone users sending data over it. It was not powerful enough, although it was a lot faster than 2G in its heyday.
Each generation of this technology gets bigger, better, faster, and more reliable. 3G, like 2G before it, was put out to pasture to make room first for 4G networks and now 5G networks.
By now, most major carriers have fully shut down their 3G networks. If you still have a very old 3G-only phone sitting in a drawer, it is basically a souvenir. It will not connect to modern networks.
Was 3G already shut down?
Yes, in practice. Some 3G networks were shut down in stages, but by the mid 2020s the shutdown is complete for all major carriers in the United States.
Once 3G is gone, those old devices can no longer call for emergency assistance or call and text those children and grandchildren you love so much. That is one of the big reasons carriers pushed people to upgrade before the shutdown: safety.
Of course, the PureTalk 3G shutdown has already happened, so making the switch to a leading provider of wireless service like PureTalk guarantees you will not be affected by it going forward.
We are sure you loved your 3G phone, but it is time to say, “Thanks for the memories” and stroll confidently into the future. And we have some terrific phone plans and phones that can help you do just that.
Are they going to get rid of 4G too?
The short answer is no. The long answer is also no, at least not for a long time.
4G has many good years ahead of it. In 2026, it still carries a large share of mobile traffic and works side by side with 5G.
All you need to focus on right now is:
Making sure you are no longer using a 3G-only phone
Choosing a plan and device that supports 4G and 5G so you can enjoy the best possible coverage and speeds in your area
If you are ready for text messaging, playing games online, making video calls, and uploading images faster than ever, you are ready for 5G. Visit PureTalk and discover the phone plans and phones that can help you do just that.
Posted 3 years ago