Are you looking for a 5G smartphone , but do you feel lost in the midst of all the models available? It’s normal. Almost all mobile phones released today are compatible with the next generation of ultra-fast connection : the 5G network.
However, this ranking of the best 5G smartphones is not based solely on value for money. We took into consideration the potential in the new 5G network and split the mobiles into multiple blocks.
The list is made up of a few categories to help you choose the best model for a particular use.
Each of these items has a “best” model and a “runner-up”. This way you can also choose within the category .
Please note that some models may not be immediately available on Amazon.
5G allows you to take advantage of an impressive data transmission speed on smartphones , faster (for some) even than Wi-Fi. It is also more reliable than 4G, so the connection hardly ever goes down or for any reason.
5G Android Apple smartphone
But with so many different 5G smartphones on the market , it can be really hard to know which one is best. Especially if you have to make a particular use of it or have a specific budget.
Over the course of 2021 this ranking could undergo many changes , considering all the 5G phones that will be released until December.
So if you can wait a little longer, I recommend that you check the list periodically to always find new models.
Smartphone with 5G support for quality / price ratio
1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
A high-level smartphone, among the best currently in circulation .
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G smartphone
Release date : January 2021
Dimensions : 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm
Resolution : 1440 x 3200
Rear camera: 108MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP
Front camera: 40MP
Battery : 5,000mAh
CPU : Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100
RAM : 12GB / 16GB
DISCOUNTED!Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
108MP camera for sharp images. Millions of pixels to capture all the details, even those you can’t see with the naked eye
€ 1,289.00 −170.00 € € 1,119.00
See offer on Amazon
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra tops the ranking of the best smartphones . Since it is a 5G mobile it is obviously also the best 5G smartphone to buy, but it’s not cheap.
It features a 6.8-inch 1440 x 3200 pixel curved AMOLED screen (which also has a 120Hz refresh rate), a high-end chipset, up to 16GB of RAM and a four-lens camera.
108MP main lens, one 12MP wide angle and two 10MP telephoto lenses, allowing up to 10x optical zoom.
The design also impresses, with a sleek matte glass back and edge-to-edge display. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra also has a very large 5,000mAh battery , so you can enjoy 5G (and everything in between) for longer.
Also noteworthy is the support for the S Pen touch pen, which makes the smartphone perfect for artistic use and business on the go.
2. OnePlus 8 Pro
The best OnePlus ever
OnePlus 8 Pro
Release date : April 2020
Dimensions : 165.3 x 74.35 x 8.5mm
Resolution : 3168 x 1440
Rear camera: 48MP + 48MP + 5MP + 8MP
Front camera : 16MP
Battery : 4,510mAh
CPU : Snapdragon 865
RAM : 8 / 12GB
OnePlus 8 Pro
OnePlus 8 Pro
Super smooth amoled 3D display – high resolution with 120-hz refresh rate – swiping, swiping and switching between apps is quick and easy
€ 664.82
See offer on Amazon
The OnePlus 8 Pro is one of the best smartphones of 2021, and since it fully supports the stock 5G network, it is also one of the best 5G phones.
In addition to supporting this new movile connection, the highlight is undoubtedly the screen: a 6.78-inch curved fluid AMOLED display with 513 pixels per inch.
But it also has a refresh rate of 120Hz , which is higher than most other smartphones for significantly smoother interactions.
Obviously, performance is also king, thanks to a Snapdragon 865 chipset and up to 12 GB of RAM.
For the multimedia department we find a 48 MP camera with four lenses and a powerful 4,510 mAh battery .
Regarding autonomy, this model is the first OnePlus smartphone to support (fast) wireless charging , as well as the first to have real water resistance . In practice there are no compromises.
Cheaper smartphones with 5G connection
3. Motorola Moto G 5G Plus
Excellent quality / price ratio and top camera
Motorola One 5G
Release date : July 2020
Dimensions : 168.3 x 74 x 9.7mm
Resolution : 1080 x 2520
Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP + 8MP
Battery : 5,000mAh
CPU : Snapdragon 865
RAM : 4GB / 6GB / 8GB
Motorola Moto G 5G Plus
Motorola Moto G 5G Plus
Super smooth amoled 3D display – high resolution with 120-hz refresh rate – swiping, swiping and switching between apps is quick and easy
€ 664.82
See offer on Amazon
This Motorola smartphone has different names depending on where you live: in some regions, like the United States, it’s the Motorola One 5G, in others, like the United Kingdom, it’s the Moto G 5G Plus. that this is the best budget 5G smartphone on the market.
It features a 6.7-inch display and a fingerprint sensor positioned on the side. Processor, camera quality, and monitor – all are better than you’d expect given its low price.
Of course, we are not talking about a perfect smartphone , but if you are looking for a 5G mobile at a low price , you should start with this model.
4. Oppo Find X2 Lite
A valiant handyman
best 5g smartphone Oppo Find X2 Lite
Release date : May 2020
Dimensions : 160.3 x 74.3 x 8mm
Resolution : 1080 x 2400
Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front camera: 32MP
Battery : 4,025mAh
CPU : Snapdragon 765G
RAM : 8GB
Oppo Find X2 Lite
157 Reviews
Oppo Find X2 Lite
Display: 6.4 “, 1080 x 2400 pixels
Processor: Snapdragon 765G 2.4GHz
Camera: Quad, 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
€ 327.90
See offer on Amazon
Are you looking for a stylish and affordable 5G mobile phone at the same time? Oppo Find X2 Lite is the ideal choice thanks to the modern and clean shapes and the display with the same style.
The only problem? As with most Oppo smartphones, it is not available in all countries .
That is why it has positioned itself as the second choice in the “ best budget 5G smartphone ” category to consider.
Since the Oppo Find X2 Lite is available here in Italy, I’m sure you will find it fantastic.
What is striking is hers ability to not look like a cheap mobile at all . It also comes with a good chipset, powerful rear cameras, and some of the best software ever.
5G gaming smartphone offers
5. Nubia Red Magic 5G
The ideal smartphone for gamers
Nubia Red Magic 5G mobile phone
Release date : March 2020
Dimensions : 168.6 x 78 x 9.8mm
Resolution : 1080 x 2340
Posterior chamber camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP
Anterior chamber camera: 8MP
Battery : 4,500mAh
CPU : Snapdragon 865
RAM : 8GB / 12GB / 16GB
Nubia Red Magic 6 Pro
2 Reviews
Nubia Red Magic 6 Pro
Display: 6.8 “, 1080 x 2400 pixels
€ 1,101.80
See offer on Amazon
The Nubia Red Magic 5G has everything you would want from a 5G gaming smartphone.
An FHD + AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate , a superior processor paired with plenty of RAM and a very large battery with fast charging capabilities .
Also in this case the Red Magic 5G is not available everywhere , but in Italy it is found without problems. More than anything else on Amazon it is not always in stock, but the date on which it will be available again is always indicated. .
At the software level if anything, it is not a top of the range, but if you are a mobile player you can rest assured: it will easily manage any app and games you launch, especially if you want to give yourself online gaming while you are out and about (thanks to 5G connectivity).
6. Asus ROG Phone 3
Play at full strength, with the power of 5G
Asus ROG Phone 3 smartphone for 5g network
Release date : July 2020
Dimensions : 171 x 78 x 9.9mm
Resolution : 1080 x 2340
Posterior chamber camera: 64MP + 13MP + 5MP
Anterior chamber camera: 24MP
Battery : 6,000mAh
CPU : Snapdragon 865 Plus
RAM : 8GB / 12GB / 16GB
The Asus ROG Phone 3 is the runner-up as the best 5G phone for gaming .
It actually barely deviates from Nubia upstairs, as it has fantastic gaming features and two separate USB-C ports for plugging in any accessories.
The main reason why this phone does not reach the top spot is because of the price, since, despite being a premium gaming smartphone, the cost is quite high.
This is justified by its main features and specs, although Red Magic has plenty of them too.
In any case, it is a great mobile to play , especially if you are dedicated to multiplayer, thanks to the 5G connection.
Best 5G mobile phones for multimedia
7. Apple iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
The latest iPhone model, with a great display and 5G module
iphone 13 smartphone 5g
Release date : September 2021
Dimensions : 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm
Resolution : 2532 x 1170
Rear camera : 12MP + 12MP + 12MP + TOF
Front camera : 12MP
Battery : 3,240mAh
CPU : A15 Bionic
RAM : 4GB (6GB PRO and PRO MAX models)
DISCOUNTED!iPhone 13
452 Reviews
iPhone 13
6.1 “Super Retina XDR display
Cinema mode with smart depth of field and automatic focus shift in videos
Advanced 12MP dual camera system (wide and ultra wide) with Photo Styles, Smart HDR 4, Night mode and 4K HDR video recording with Dolby Vision
€ 939.00 – € 40.00 € 899.00
See offer on Amazon
Already the iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2020 had received numerous awards for its display and it is no wonder that it made its way, before the last update of the ranking, in our list of the best 5G smartphones in the “multimedia” category. .
Apple in 2021 unveiled four new iPhones in September, all 5G smartphones. At the helm of the range is the iPhone 13 series, which starts at € 939.00 and features the recent A15 Bionic processor and two rear cameras.
If you are looking for something smaller and cheaper, the iPhone 13 Mini is the best choice for a 5G compatible phone . And if you want something more premium, the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max come with more features.
The all new models have improved battery life by at least 20% compared to its predecessors, so watching TV or streaming series on the commute and vice versa will no longer be a problem.
The presence of the 5G module also makes downloading movies on the go super easy and fast.
8. Sony Xperia 1 II
A great 5G smartphone for a niche clientele
cellphone with 5G Sony Xperia 1 II
Release date : May 2020
Dimensions : 165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm
Resolution : 1644 x 3840
Rear camera : 12MP + 12MP + 12MP
Front camera: 8MP
Battery : 4,000mAh
CPU : Snapdragon 865
RAM : 6GB
The Sony Xperia 1 II is the only mobile in this ranking with a 4K screen . So if you need the highest resolution possible, this is the device for you.
In addition, it has a 21: 9 aspect ratio, that is, for example when playing a movie, you will not see the black bars above and below .
In addition to the monitor, the Sony Xperia 1 II does not neglect other aspects either: such as fast processing of operations , which also makes it an excellent gaming smartphone.
There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack – good news for fans of wired headphones.
It’s not the best phone for movie, streaming and TV series purists not only because the iPhone 12 Pro Max beats it in more ways than one, but also because its high price makes it for a niche audience.
Compact smartphones with 5G support
9. iPhone 12 mini
The most pocket-sized 5G cell phone around and cheaper than the iPhone 13
iphone 12 mini
Release date : November 2020
Dimensions : 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm
Resolution : 1080 x 2340
Rear camera : 12MP + 12MP
Front camera : 12MP
Battery : 2,227mAh
CPU : A14 Bionic
RAM : 4GB
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 mini
5.4 “Super Retina XDR display
Ceramic Shield, harder than any smartphone glass
5G for lightning-fast downloads and high-quality streaming
€ 769.00
See offer on Amazon
The iPhone 12 mini has a relatively small 5.4-inch display . It is easily transportable, fits easily in your pocket or hand. Fantastic for those looking for a small, powerful and super-light 5G smartphone.
Despite its size, it has inherited most of the specifications of its big brother iPhone 12 , including the same processor, cameras, 5G, and MagSafe technology.
It’s a real powerhouse, so don’t judge it based on its size. Despite all the merits, even the iPhone 12 mini has some imperfections.
Or rather, you have to make a couple of compromises especially in the battery department: the duration is not great and the wireless charging is a slow thread .
Overall though, if you’re looking for a small 5G phone , this is the one for you.
10. Google Pixel 5
Relatively small by current standards
Google Pixel 5 smartphone
Release date : October 2020
Dimensions : 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm
Resolution : 1080 x 2340
Rear camera: 12.2MP + 16MP
Front camera: 8MP
Battery : 4,080mAh
CPU : Snapdragon 765G
RAM : 8GB
Google Pixel smartphones tend to be smaller than average and this Pixel 5, thanks to its 6-inch display , is also smaller in size than most 5G phones.
This choice makes it easy to transport and handle , but the small size is just one of the reasons for choosing it.
It also has a clean Android interface, a metal design that’s a breath of fresh air compared to many competitors’ plastic or glass models, and the great camera software that Google is well known for.
Like all smartphones in the ranking, it is not perfect: the camera hardware is mediocre and in reality it is not even the smallest 5G smartphone, as the iPhone 12 mini is even smaller.
However, if you are an Android fan and are looking for a small and handy mobile phone , this is your best bet.
