To get mobile reception on our phones, we need to be connected to a mobile network. The most recent mobile network technology, 5G, first started appearing in 2019, and it gets its name from being the 5th generation of cellular technology.
Since the rollout started in 2019, the three big Australian network owners (Telstra, Optus and Vodafone) have been working on expanding the coverage of their 5G networks. As of 2026, Telstra has the largest 5G network, and its 5G network is also the most geographically diverse, covering a larger proportion of regional Australia compared to both Optus and Vodafone’s 5G networks. Optus has the second-largest 5G network, and Vodafone has the third.
If you have a phone that was made after 2019, your device should be able to access the 5G network; however, you’ll also need to be signed up to a mobile plan that allows it. While 5G is much faster than 4G, for most people, that extra speed won’t deliver very tangible benefits, and by opting for a 4G-only plan, you can often keep the price of your mobile bill down.
So, to help you decide if you need to upgrade your phone and/or mobile plan to one that allows 5G access, we are going to break down the key differences between the Australian 4G and 5G networks in terms of speed, access, coverage and cost.
Speed
When it comes to speed, 5G is the clear winner on paper. However, there are a lot of factors that will affect the speeds you experience in the real world.
In ideal conditions, the 5G network is more than 10 times faster than the 4G network, and this can potentially allow for quicker downloads and smoother streaming. In metropolitan areas of Australia, you should be able to achieve 4G download speeds of around 50Mbps, while 5G speeds can sometimes reach 500Mbps or more. To put this in perspective, an app download that takes 5 minutes on 5G might take 50 minutes on 4G.
However, it’s generally more accurate to look at average speeds rather than peak speeds. According to Opensignal’s latest Mobile Network Experience Report released in October 2025, average 5G download speeds in Australia were between 161.8Mbps (Vodafone) and 208.4Mbps (Optus), while 4G download speeds came in significantly lower, ranging from 40.1Mbps (Vodafone) to 59.3Mbps (Optus). The gap between the two is substantial; however, for those who don’t need ultrafast speeds for more demanding mobile use, 4G performance is still likely to feel quick and can often be a more affordable option.
There’s a similar disparity between upload speeds, although the magnitude of difference isn’t as high, with average 4G uploads ranging between 6.9Mbps (Telstra) and 8.8Mbps (Vodafone), compared with 13.3Mbps (Telstra) and 14.7Mbps (Vodafone) when on the 5G network, or around two to three times faster.
Network congestion
Another advantage of 5G networks is that they’re better able to handle more devices at once, which can be helpful when in crowded areas like stadiums or festivals. You may have previously experienced delayed or nonexistent internet speeds when in high-density areas; however, 5G is designed to reduce that congestion, so you’re more likely to be able to stay connected even when thousands of other people are using their phones at the same time.
Speed caps on plans
It’s also worth noting that even if you opt for a plan that offers 5G, if that plan is from a smaller telco (known as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO) there may be a speed cap (usually between 100Mbps and 250Mbps), meaning that your maximum speeds will be limited regardless of how fast the network is in your area. This means you won’t ever be able to experience the full potential of the 5G network – although 5G should still resoundingly beat 4G – so if that’s important to you, make sure you check the mobile plan Ts & Cs before signing up.
Overall, for most people, 4G will still be fast enough for day-to-day tasks like surfing the web, using social media and streaming music or even high-definition video. However, if you regularly download large files or apps/games, use your phone as a hotspot, play online games, stream in 4K or upload HD photos and videos, you may benefit from the 5G speed advantage.
Coverage
Since the 5G networks are still quite young, 4G has a much larger area of coverage for all three of Australia’s major providers. This means that even if both your device and mobile plan allow you to access your telco’s 5G network, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll always be connected to it – and that’s especially the case if you’re outside of metropolitan areas and with Optus or Vodafone.
If you want to sign up for a mobile plan that offers 5G, it’s important to understand the differences between the three 5G networks, because depending on which network provider you choose, coverage and reliability do vary significantly across different areas of Australia.
In terms of the 5G coverage, Telstra’s network is the largest, with its network claimed to reach about 95% of the Australian population (as of January 2025). Optus comes second, which claims its 5G network reaches around 80.5% of the population, and lastly, while Vodafone hasn’t confirmed any figures around population percentage coverage, we know it has the smallest network based on its coverage maps.
To confirm both 4G and 5G coverage, it’s always best to check official telco coverage maps for locations that are important to you. You can find the official maps here:
- Telstra Network coverage
- Telstra Wholesale Network coverage
- Optus Network coverage
- Vodafone Network coverage
Access
There are multiple factors that can affect 5G performance, including signal strength, congestion, and the device you’re using.
Regional vs metropolitan performance
In metropolitan areas, 5G coverage is more widespread, and speeds are generally faster. In regional and rural areas, 4G is far more widely available, which means that even with a 5G plan, you likely won’t actually end up spending much time connected to the 5G network.
Cost
Comparing the cost of 4G and 5G plans in Australia is difficult because of the disparity between Telstra, Optus and Vodafone pricing and plan features – and depending on who your provider is, in some cases 5G may be more expensive, while in others it isn’t.
For example, Telstra offers 5G on all of its postpaid (aka ‘Upfront’) mobile plans, while other providers like Optus only offer it on the more expensive plans.
If you want access to 5G, the cheapest way to do this is to opt for a plan from an MVNO. While in some cases this may still be more expensive than a 4G-only service, a plan from an MVNO that offers 5G will almost certainly be cheaper than a 5G plan from one of the major telcos. Just bear in mind that many of these cheaper MVNO plans may come with speed caps.
If you don’t already have a device that allows 5G access, there’ll obviously also be a cost to upgrading your phone. While these days there are handsets that offer 5G for quite cheap prices (as little as $400), if you want an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S-series or equivalent flagship smartphone, you’ll generally be looking at paying $1,000 or more.
Best cheap 4G plan
Best cheap 5G plan
FAQs
Do I need a new phone to use 5G?
Yes, you need a 5G compatible device to access 5G networks. However, most phones made after 2020 should be 5G compatible, so you don’t necessarily need a ‘new’ phone, depending on how old your current phone is.
Will I notice the difference between 4G and 5G?
This depends on how you use your phone. If you mainly scroll social media, stream music and watch videos in standard definition, 4G should be enough. However, if you regularly do things like download large files, stream in 4K and hotspot your connection to other devices, you may notice the difference. 5G may also provide usable service in heavily congested areas where 4G can struggle.
Will 4G be phased out in Australia?
While 3G was phased out in Australia in 2024, there are no current plans to phase out 4G. As 5G networks are still quite young, they don’t cover as wide an area as their 4G counterparts – and it will likely be years before they do.
