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<\/a><\/div>\nAs 5G matures, new icons are appearing on smartphones to distinguish faster or more advanced connections. Some of the latest 5G smartphones around the world have started showing new icons such as 5G+ and 5GA. Interestingly, in Japan these are referred to as pictograms<\/i>.<\/p>\n
A long time ago, we looked at<\/a> how Swisscom described its 5G rollout as 5G-wide and 5G-fast. Today, Swisscom uses the 5G+ icon to represent what it previously called 5G-fast. In its annual report<\/a>, Swisscom explained:<\/p>\n 5G (and 5G+) is the latest generation of mobile technology. Compared to 3G and 4G, it provides even more capacity, very short response times, and higher bandwidths. 5G technology plays a major role in supporting the digitalisation of the Swiss economy and industry. Swisscom differentiates between 5G-fast (narrower coverage up to 2 Gbit\/s and more) and 5G-wide (Switzerland-wide 5G coverage with up to 1 Gbit\/s). 5G-fast is also known as 5G+. Both variants are more efficient than their predecessor technologies with respect to energy consumption and use of electromagnetic fields.<\/span><\/p>\n Japan has only recently transitioned to using 5G+. A Google-translated page<\/a> from NTT Docomo explains it as follows:<\/p>\n In areas where 5G communication is possible, the RAT display on standby will be “5G.” On the other hand, during communication, the RAT display will be “5G+” for 5G communication using wideband 5G frequencies (3.7 GHz, 4.5 GHz, 28 GHz), “5G” for 5G communication using 4G frequencies, and “4G+” for LTE communication.<\/span><\/p>\n There are also footnotes clarifying that the display depends on the device, the bands supported, and the area of use.<\/p>\n \u304a\u3001\u65b0\u3057\u3044iPhone \u2014 \u96fb\u6ce2\u3084\u304f\u3056 (@denpa893) September 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n From this, my understanding is that in newer devices the 5G+ icon is primarily used to indicate speed and capability, regardless of whether the connection is Standalone (SA) or Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G. KDDI is following the same approach, as explained on its own support pages<\/a>.<\/p>\n A good summary of 5G icons from latest Apple iPhone in Mobile & Wireless Roundup Newsletter from yesterday https:\/\/t.co\/4yuHzHsRln<\/a>#Free5Gtraining<\/a> #3G4G5G<\/a> #5G<\/a> #5Gtechnology<\/a> #5Gdevices<\/a> #Smartphones<\/a> #iPhone<\/a> #iOS18<\/a> #5Gicons<\/a> #USA<\/a> #ATT<\/a> #Tmobile<\/a> #Verizon<\/a> #VZW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/YOq7Pv42ZS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Free 5G Training (@5Gtraining) September 30, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Last year we looked at<\/a> what iPhone icons meant. In iOS 18, 5G+ indicated that the phone was connected to mmWave. In iOS 19 this hasn\u2019t really changed, although I have been told that it depends on the operator whether they choose to display 5G+ when the device is camped on higher-speed mid-band 5G.<\/p>\n Samsung Galaxy smartphones display<\/a> two or three types of icons, as shown in the picture at the top. While the meanings are not entirely clear, Samsung\u2019s user guide for Android 15<\/a> explains them as:<\/p>\n\n
au\u3060\u30685G+\u30d4\u30af\u30c8\u3068HPUE\u5bfe\u5fdc\u304b
\u3044\u3044\u305e pic.twitter.com\/U0J7FWlo1w<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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