5G Standalone

[zonai]

With the release of iOS 16.4 today, it looks like there is now a 5G SA toggle. I'm curious what everyone's experiences are, is there a noticeable difference in speed or latency by enabling this? Or is it just the same as before and iPhone was always connecting to SA in the background, just that now we have a toggle?

 

[Jumpie]

I have T-Mobile US and use it. It’s automatically turned on by default. Download speeds are great like 850 Mbps-1 Gbps, but uploads are dismal at 7 Mbps - 10 Mbps if that. When I turned it off, Uploads are from 15 Mbps - 25 Mbps. I’m in the greater Atlanta area.

 

[zonai]

Now that is interesting because mine was turned off by default, and I got this prompt when I tried to enable it that said "5G Standalone may affect battery life and reliability of voice and data connection." That to me suggests that this is in fact a new feature being enabled by the update. Some people online have commented that SA was enabled all along and this is just a toggle to turn SA off while keeping NSA on or something like that.

 

[Jumpie]

Now that is interesting because mine was turned off by default, and I got this prompt when I tried to enable it that said "5G Standalone may affect battery life and reliability of voice and data connection." That to me suggests that this is in fact a new feature being enabled by the update. Some people online have commented that SA was enabled all along and this is just a toggle to turn SA off while keeping NSA on or something like that.
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Way back, TMo used to have the SA switch but they removed it about a year ago. When I didn't have it and checked Field Mode, I was always connected to 5GNR. When they lot up 5G SA not that long ago, they re-enabled it. I haven't experienced degraded battery. Voice and data are now enabled using SA too.

 

[aajeevlin]

Am I missing something? I’m on T-Mobile just updated on iPhone 12 and I don’t see the option.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Am I missing something? I’m on T-Mobile just updated on iPhone 12 and I don’t see the option

Am I missing something? I’m on T-Mobile just updated on iPhone 12 and I don’t see the option.

Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice and Data

 

[blueeyes2die4]

Am I missing something? I’m on T-Mobile just updated on iPhone 12 and I don’t see the option.

Not available for the iphone 12 series

 

[aajeevlin]

Not available for the iphone 12 series

Ohhh that make sense. I failed to read that anywhere. Actually on some website it it ays 12 and above. Thanks for the info.

 

[NoBoMac]

Not available for the iphone 12 series

And will be carrier specific. T-Mobile to be specific.

iOS 16.4 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.4

Apple today released iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, two updates that come after several weeks of beta testing. iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 add a long list of...

www.macrumors.com

5G Standalone Support for T-Mobile​

5G iPhone owners who use T-Mobile can turn on a new 5G option that allows them to connect to the carrier's 5G Standalone network.

The 5G Standalone network from T-Mobile launched last November and is expected to allow for connection speeds up to 3Gb/s on Samsung smartphones. T-Mobile could soon expand the faster connectivity option to other devices like the ‌iPhone‌.

 

[chriswhi]

I have T-Mobile US and use it. It’s automatically turned on by default. Download speeds are great like 850 Mbps-1 Gbps, but uploads are dismal at 7 Mbps - 10 Mbps if that. When I turned it off, Uploads are from 15 Mbps - 25 Mbps. I’m in the greater Atlanta area.

Now that a few months have passed, have you noticed any differences?

 

[Jumpie]

Now that a few months have passed, have you noticed any differences?

Yes. With standalone turned on, download speeds have significantly increased at time to 850 down but up still seems kinda iffy but a lot improved. I’m waiting to see how the carrier aggregation is when it comes to iPhone.

 

[Helmsley]

I don't see the 5G standalone option on my iPhone 13.

 

[Jumpie]

I don't see the 5G standalone option on my iPhone 13.

I believe T-Mobile is the only carrier in the US using this now so if you have them it’s under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data.

 

[ZebraDude]

I am on T-mobile using a iPhone 13 PM and I have the toggle on and I never have experienced being on Stand Alone? I check often and still on NSA with the LTE core? Am I missing something? Naperville, IL.

 

[HDFan]

I'm curious what everyone's experiences are, is there a noticeable difference in speed or latency by enabling this?

On T-Mobile I get ~3x faster speeds with SA on.

 

[ZebraDude]

well...today I noticed that I was getting full Stand Alone on a bike path for most of the way. I am glad to be wrong!