Best 5G Phones 2021 : These models don’t age quickly

5G is the next generation of networking technology that will replace the current 4G. Although the connections are still concentrated in large cities, the 5G network already covers more than a million Finns . So if you’re considering buying a new phone in 2021, it may make sense to get a model that directly supports 5G so that the device doesn’t get old right away in a couple of years.

For many new top phone buyers, 5G support may have come with the device almost by accident. If you have a Samsung Galaxy S20 or OnePlus 8 Pro in your pocket, for example , your smartphone is already ready for new networking technology.

And the support is not limited to expensive flagship models. Nokia , for example, is investing heavily in low-cost 5G phones , and OnePlus Nord , for example, has not been spoiled too much. Looking at our list, it’s easy to see that Samsung is currently a pioneer in the 5G phone market. In its latest models, the South Korean company has invested extensively in the arrival of network technology, which is reflected in its strong performance in the list of the best 5G phones.

Finland's selection also has a significant impact. For example, the world-proven Oppo Reno 5G , Oppo Find X2 Pro and Nubia Red Magic 5G are not on sale here, at least for now. Of course, ordering from abroad can circumvent the availability problem, but in this case, we will focus on the options available from domestic stores in any case.

However, the situation may change as other companies move to the 5G sled. We are actively updating this article as new phones enter the market, so it’s worth blinking for any changes at regular intervals.

What does 5G mean?

5G networks are the next generation of mobile networks that enable faster and more reliable connections to mobile devices. In the next few years, the typical speed of the mobile network will increase from the current about 100 megabits per second to at least 1 gigabit per second. Thus, the speeds are practically ten times higher than at present. Thanks to this huge change, the 2020s will be colored by numerous Internet of Things (IoT) applications. From the consumer's point of view, fast 5G connections will be visible in everyday life as, for example, safer traffic, a faster mobile network and higher-quality live streams. The benefits of 5G are even more significant in industrial use, as new network technology allows multiple sensors to be connected simultaneously to a high-speed mobile network with a delay of less than one millisecond. In general, technology enables a smarter and more cohesive living environment. The development of network technology has taken huge leaps forward recently. The first 5G networks were introduced in Finland as early as 2019, and now 5G is already available in dozens of cities . 5G networks work in parallel with existing 3G and 4G networks to ensure you get connected even in a weaker coverage area.

The best 5G phones in a nutshell

1. Samsung Galaxy S20 / S20 Plus

2. iPhone 12 mini / iPhone 12

3. OnePlus 8 Pro

4. iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max

5. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

6. Motorola Edge Plus

7. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

8. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus

9. OnePlus 8

10. Sony Xperia 1 II

1. Samsung Galaxy S20 / S20 Plus

All phones in the Samsung Galaxy S20 series are available with 5G support, but we recommend sticking to the Basic and Plus models. Their features are among the best on the market, but at the same time the price tag remains significantly more reasonable than the more expensive versions.

Features

Display: Both devices feature the best displays on the market with a sleek 120 Hz refresh rate. This refresh rate only works in Full HD resolution, but if you want to enjoy videos in QHD quality, you can change the refresh rate to the normal 60 Hz. Battery life: The battery life of the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Plus is not the best on the market, but the battery still easily lasts all day. Battery cell sizes have increased from the S10 series, but the new 5G technology consumes more power than before. Both devices support both normal and reverse wireless charging. Camera: Samsung has developed the Galaxy S20's camera features surprisingly much compared to the Galaxy S10. While the changes don’t look very large on paper, the larger pixel size and advanced camera software help the camera perform better. Short summary: The Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus are a sleek demonstration of Samsung’s phone expertise and, in our opinion, currently offer the strongest entity on the market. If we had to choose between phones, we chose the larger S20 Plus because of its better battery life, bigger screen and slightly better rear camera.

Key-Specs:

• • Weight: 163 g / 186 g
• • Dimensions: 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm / 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm
• • Operating system: Android 10
• • Screen size: 6.2 inches / 6.7 inches Resolution: 1,440 x 3,200
• • System Circuit : Exynos 990
• • RAM: 8/12 GB
• • Storage capacity: 128 GB
• • Battery: 4,000 mAh / 4,500 mAh
• • Rear camera: 12 MP + 64 MP + 12 MP
• • Front camera: 10 MP

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2. iPhone 12 mini / iPhone 12

The iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 mini aren’t technically superior to the iPhone 12 Pro series, but they’re competitively priced for the iPhone and already have the key features of their big siblings. The iPhone 12 replaces the iPhone 11 with the same 6.1-inch screen, but gets its side from MagSafe, among others. The all-new iPhone 12 mini is otherwise the same phone, but smaller.

Features

Display: The 6.1-inch screen is the same as the iPhone 12 Pro, so it’s larger in size than the iPhone 12 mini and smaller than the 12 Pro Max. If you want a smaller model, it has a 5.4-inch screen that is easy to use with one hand. The "cheaper" models in the flagship series also get OLED displays, which is a big advantage.

Battery Life: These iPhones last all day, so they are slightly better in duration than the iPhone 11. The more expensive iPhone 12 Pro series lasts longer. However, considering that the sales packages do not have a charger at all, you will have to pay for an extra quick charge unit if you want to get back on the road quickly.

Camera: This model has almost the best iPhone camera, offering a 12 megapixel main camera as well as a 12 megapixel ultra wide angle. The triple camera, or telephoto lens found in the Pro models, is exhausting, but the duo can go a long way. In addition, the new models feature a great Night Mode that enhances night shots.

Key-Specs:

• • Weight: 134 g / 164 g
• • Size: 131.5 mm x 64.2 mm x 7.4 mm / 146.7 mm x 71.5 mm x 7.4 mm
• • Operating system: iOS 14
• • Display: 5.4 inches / 6.1 inches
• • Resolution: 1,080 x 2,340 / 1,170 x 2,532
• • Processor: A14 Bionic | RAM: 4 GB | Storage space: 64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB
• • Battery: No information Rear camera: 12 MP + 12 MP
• • Front camera: 12 MP

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3. OnePlus 8 Pro

The OnePlus 8 Pro surprised us positively during our test. With its new model, the Chinese company will get closer to Apple and Samsung than ever before, but the price has managed to remain clearly more reasonable than its competitors. With the iPhone still out of the 5G market for now, the OnePlus 8 Pro will rise to the top of 5G phones.

Features

Display: The 6.78-inch QHD display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz is perhaps the best on the market. It takes the gaming experience to a new level and also enhances the user experience in more mundane social media browsing. HDR10 + support and a fingerprint reader mounted under the display glass crown the stylish whole.

Battery life: The OnePlus 8 Pro's 4,510 mAh battery lasts well all day, even for the power user, even if it's not as big as some of the competitors. With light use, the battery can last for up to two days, but it already requires lowering the resolution to Full HD. For the first time, the phone also has wireless charging, which is one of the fastest on the market in no time. Even more traditional charging works extremely fast.

Camera: Shooting features have traditionally been a weakness of OnePlus, but the story has changed with the OnePlus 8 Pro. It has a quad camera that can capture stylish 48 megapixel images. While the 3x optical and 30x digital zoom are unmatched by Samsung’s and Huawei’s top models, they are easily enough for most users. The OnePlus 8 Pro is still not the best camera phone on the market, but has already risen to one of the tops in its price range.

Short summary: It’s great to see that a smaller manufacturer like OnePlussa can rise directly alongside giants like Apple and Samsung. While the 8 Pro is clearly more expensive than previous OnePlus models, it also gets a lot of value for money. 5G, state-of-the-art performance, a 120 Hz QHD display, a good camera and super-fast charging make this a stylish package that will challenge any phone of today. While the OnePlus 8 Pro reaches bronze in the phone fight, there’s still plenty of distance for brighter medals.

Key-Specs:

• • Weight: 199 g
• • Dimensions: 165.3 x 74.35 x 8.5 mm
• • Operating system: Android 10
• • Screen size: 6.78 inches Resolution: 3,168 x 1,440
• • System circuit : Snapdragon 865
• • RAM: 8/12 GB
• • Storage capacity: 128/256 GB
• • Battery: 4,510 mAh
• • Rear cameras: 48 MP + 48 MP + 5 MP + 8 MP
• • Front camera: 16 MP

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4. iPhone 12 Pro / iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 12 Pro takes all the best pieces out of the iPhone 12 and makes them even better. The iPhone 12 Pro Max adds better battery life, a more powerful camera and a big screen. The extra price increase for the Pro model may not be a worthwhile purchase for many, but this duo is arguably Apple’s best iPhone models ever.

Features

Display: Apple’s 6.1-inch OLED display immediately appealed to us, and it’s great for both gaming and video use. Unfortunately, its refresh rate is only 60 Hz. There’s still room for a screen slot on the top of the phone, while other models have moved to Punch-hole cameras.

Battery life: These models have the best battery life of iPhones, further enhanced by iOS optimization and, of course, the phone's large battery. Although the changes to the former are not significant, the duration of the iPhone 12 Pro Max in particular is remarkable.

Camera: The iPhone 12 Pro Series three-lens camera system is awesome. While the cameras don’t look terribly different from the iPhone 11 Pro, the LiDAR sensor added to their side allows, among other things, portrait shots in Night Mode. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the best of the new models if you want the best shooting capabilities for Apple phones.

Key-Specs:

• • Weight: 189g / 228g
• • Dimensions: 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.4mm / 160.8mm x 78.1mm x 7.4mm
• • OS: iOS 14
• • Screen size: 6.1-inch / 6.7-inch
• • Resolution: 1170 x 2532/1284 x 2778
• • CPU: A14 Bionic
• • RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
• • Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP
• • Front camera: 12MP

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5. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

If price doesn’t matter, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is probably the best option for you. It's a top-of-the-line 5G phone, but unfortunately its comprehensive features also make it cheekily expensive. Display: The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra features the best display on the market today. The 6.9-inch screen is equipped with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which makes the viewing experience stunning. Unfortunately, the refresh rate of 120 Hz requires a compromise in resolution, as the feature is only available at 1080p resolution. If the refresh rate is halved, the resolution increases to QuadHD resolution.

Features

Battery life: Although the battery life is lower than many options, the phone will have enough power for the whole day without any problems. Unfortunately, a 45 W fast charge is not included, which means waiting unnecessarily long to accumulate power.

Camera: Samsung phones have traditionally been at the forefront of camera development. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra takes a deliberate step backwards compared to the S20 Ultra, as the futile 100x digital focus has been restored to 50x zoom. It allows you to capture stunning details from every horizon. In addition, we are enchanted by the fivefold optical focus.

Short summary: The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a state-of-the-art phone that excels especially in terms of camera focus and stunning display. If the stylus feels like a natural way to use your phone and the high price doesn’t scare you, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra gives you the most advanced 5G phone on the market.

Key-Specs:

• • Weight: 208 g
• • Dimensions: 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm
• • Operating system: Android 10
• • Screen size: 6.9 inches Resolution: 1,440 x 3,088
• • System circuit : Snapdragon 865 Plus / Exynos 990
• • RAM: 12 GB
• • Storage space: 128/256/512 GB
• • Battery: 4,500 mAh
• • Rear cameras: 108 + 12 + 12 MP
• • Front camera: 10 MP

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6. Motorola Edge Plus

In 2020, Motorola introduced the new Edge range, which offers high-performance 5G options. The more affordable base Edge as well as the Moto G 5G Plus may offer better value for money with slightly lower power, but for those looking for top performance, the Motorola Edge Plus is the number one option.

Features

Display: The Motorola Edge Plus's 6.7-inch OLED display is better than what the readings might suggest. The 2,340 x 1,080 resolution gets extra depth from continuous edges, creating a stunning effect. The 90 Hz refresh rate is not quite up to the level of the most expensive competitors, but it offers a great viewing experience anyway.

Battery life: Even with the best settings, the 5,000 mAh battery lasted effortlessly all day long. If the refresh rate, brightness and resolution are adjusted slightly lower, the vigor lasts for up to two days. Unfortunately, the included charger is really slow. In our test, the charge accumulated only one percent per minute, which is clearly slower than other models.

Camera: The 108 megapixel main camera ensures successful shots. However, our only real criticism is in the focus that lags behind its competitors. Digital focus only reaches tenfold, which is clearly less than other options.

Short summary: If you want good battery life and strong performance from your phone, the Motorola Edge Plus may well be the best option. It lags behind the top models in a few key areas, but places a lot of space with its screen elegance in particular.

Key-Specs:

• • Weight: 203 g
• • Dimensions: 161.1 x 71.4 x 9.6 mm Operating system: Android 10
• • Screen size: 6.7 inches Resolution: 1,080 x 2,340
• • System circuit : Snapdragon 865
• • RAM: 12 GB
• • Storage capacity: 256 GB
• • Battery: 5,000 mAh
• • Rear cameras: 108 MP + 8 MP + 16 MP
• • Front camera: 25 MP

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7. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

As the name implies, the Galaxy S20 Ultra is Samsung’s largest and finest phone, bringing together all the intricacies of the smartphone world in 2020. If you’re simply looking for the best possible phone no matter the price, the S20 Ultra is a good option.

Features

Display: The 6.9-inch Infinity-O AMOLED display at 3,200 x 1,440 resolution is perhaps the most accurate we’ve seen. Also, the 120 Hz refresh rate on the screen makes the games look really sleek, especially, although the resolution at that time was limited to Full HD only. A fingerprint sensor is also integrated under the display glass, which works quickly and reliably.

Battery life: The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh battery, so you don't have to worry about running out of power despite the 120 Hz display and 5G connection. So even power users can be confident that the battery will last all day. With light use, the battery can last for up to two days.

Camera: The huge 108 megapixel camera allows you to crop images in good quality, but its practical benefits still remain quite small. The 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens is familiar from last year’s model, but still delivers stylish results. The most significant innovation is the excellent zoom. The 100x digital zoom can be left popular with friends just wide, but the results of the 5- and 10x zooms look great. The latter in particular is really useful in everyday life, as zoomed images are easily Instagram-capable. The camera is generally really high quality, but the practical difference with the Galaxy S20 Plus is not very big.

Short summary: The S20 Ultra is without a doubt one of the most advanced phones of the year, sparing no field. The flip side of the coin, of course, is that you can also pay a long penny for this lyst. However, if you want the absolute best phone of 2020, the Galaxy S20 Ultra is the obvious choice for you.

Key-Specs:

• • Weight: 166 g
• • Dimensions: 166.9 x 76 x 8.8 mm
• • Operating system: Android 10
• • Screen size: 6.9 inches
• • Resolution: 3,200 x 1,440
• • System circuit : Snapdragon 865
• • RAM: 12/16 GB
• • Storage capacity: 128/512 GB
• • Battery: 5,000 mAh
• • Rear cameras: 108 MP + 48 MP + 12 MP
• • Front camera: 40 MP

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8. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G is one of the largest (and most expensive) phones on the market, but the large size has also accommodated a convincing set of top features. In addition to the 5G support, its mammoth display and comfortable stylus are especially impressive.

Features

Display: The screen of the phone is, quite frankly, huge. Thanks to its compact Infinity-O camera hole, the screen is almost borderless and the viewer easily immerses in video content.

Battery Life: The battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G surprised us positively, as it was virtually impossible to run out of power in one day. Thanks to the fast quick charge technology, the huge battery of the phone can be charged quickly.

Camera: The Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G’s camera isn’t the best in its price range, but it still offers a great user experience and is capable of taking great pictures.

Short summary: The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G is an excellent device, but its target audience is quite limited. It is best suited for users who are looking for a great phone and are willing to pay for an expensive lyst.

Key-Specs:

• • Weight: 196 g
• • Dimensions: 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm
• • Operating system: Android 9
• • Screen size: 6.8 inches System circuit : Exynos 9825
• • RAM: 12 GB
• • Storage space: 256 or 512 GB
• • Battery: 4,300 mAh
• • Rear camera: 12 MP + 12 MP + 16 MP + ToF depth camera
• • Front camera: 10 MP

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9. OnePlus 8

The OnePlus 8 was clearly overshadowed by the OnePlus 8 Pro, but it’s nonetheless a great device for a mid-priced phone. For a reasonable fee, you get state-of-the-art components, modern 5G technology, and the great user experience typical of OnePlussa.

Features

Display: The phone also has a sleek 6.55-inch 90 Hz Full HD + display (1,080 x 2,400), which does not reach the level of the Pro, but is still the best in its price range. At the time of its release, the most powerful Snapdragon 865 system chip in the Android world and up to 12GB of RAM will ensure that you don't run out of power, and 256GB of storage is easily enough to store all your files.

Battery life: The device has a large 4,300 mAh battery that supports OnePlussa's fast fast charge - but not wireless charging. Power is enough for a dizzying day, which is more than enough.

Camera: The OnePlus 8's triple camera isn't the phone's selling point, but it still takes the kind of pictures you'd expect in this price range. On the front, there is a front camera mounted in a small camera hole and a fingerprint sensor integrated under the display glass.

Short summary: OnePlus’s base model isn’t able to compete against Apple’s and Samsung’s top models in the same way as the 8 Pro, but it offers top-notch value for money for those looking for an affordable phone.

Key-Specs:

• • Weight: 180 g
• • Dimensions: 160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm
• • Operating system: Android 10
• • Screen size: 6.55 inches Resolution: 1,080 x 2,400
• • System circuit : Snapdragon 865
• • RAM: 8/12 GB
• • Storage capacity: 256 GB
• • Battery: 4,300 mAh
• • Rear cameras: 48 MP + 16 MP + 2 MP
• • Front camera: 16 MP

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10. Sony Xperia 1 II

The Sony Xperia 1 II is a special model in that its 5G support is only available in Europe. That's why the device is on this list, even though the heavy price tag pulls the model towards the bottom of the page.

Features

Display: The Xperia 1 II shines especially thanks to its display. The 6.5-inch screen with 1,644 x 3,840 resolution and 21: 9 aspect ratio looks simply staggering. The device is especially suitable for gaming and watching movies.

Battery life: The 4,000 milliamp battery may seem too small on paper for a phone with a giant screen, but it managed to come as a positive surprise. In test mode, your drops will flow in normal use until evening without any problems. More demanding users can get first aid from wireless charging if they wish.

Camera: Sony has wanted to make the camera of its phone the best on the market. Excellent lenses get traction from an automatic processing program that brings plenty of color saturation and vividness to your shots. While the sharpness of the auto settings may not quite reach the level of the best Galaxy and iPhone devices, the Xperia 1 II offers an excellent tool, especially for photographers who manually capture their moments.

Brief Summary: The Sony Xperia 1 II is an excellent phone whose only real problem is its price. The features are enough even in the battle against the flagships of the iPhone and Galaxy series, but the familiarity and patience will leave the model at least still behind.

Key-Specs:

• • Weight: 181.4 g
• • Dimensions: 165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm
• • Operating system: Android 10
• • Display: 6.5 inches Resolution: 1644 x 3840
• • System circuit : Snapdragon 865
• • RAM: 8 GB
• • Storage capacity: 256 GB
• • Battery: 4,000 mAh
• • Rear camera: 12 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP
• • Front camera: 8 MP

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