Will 3G go away?

All major US cellular networks shut down legacy 3G support in 2022. AT&T shut down its 3G GSM network in late February, T-Mobile began shutting down part of its network at the end of March, and Verizon officially sunset its legacy network on December 31.

What phones will work after 3G shutdown?

The iPhone 6 and all newer iPhones are all fine; ditto for the Galaxy S5 generation of phones and later. In general, smartphones that launched after 2014 and flip phones that launched after 2017 should continue to work. The iPhone 6 and later should continue to work after 3G shuts down.

How long will 3G be used?

T-Mobile shut down its 3G service on July 1, 2022. Verizon's 3G network will shut off on Dec. 31, 2022. The carrier has made it clear that "the date will not be extended again."

Can a 3G phone be upgraded to 4G?

Unfortunately, the ability to access the 4G network depends on your phone's capability. So, if you have a 3G phone, you won't have access to the 4G network. On the CDMA network, a 3G phone can access the 3G network, a 4G phone can access the regular 4G network and an LTE phone can access the 4G LTE network.

How long until 4G is phased out?

Within the U.S., it's reasonable to assume that by the end of 2022 there will not be a single major carrier supporting 2G. The same fate awaits 3G. 4G LTE operates under a different scenario, and we can confidently say that 4G will be around for at least another decade.

3G Is Going Away

Will my 4G phone work in 2023?

Is it OK to buy a 4G phone in 2023? 4G phones still work on 4G LTE networks for now, but eventually they will become obsolete. Consider how long you plan to keep your phone; if you plan to keep your phone for longer than a year or so, it might be a good idea to get a phone that is 5G compatible.

What will happen to 4G phones when 5G comes?

The 5G phones currently on the market are "backward compatible," meaning that they are capable of functioning on earlier-generation networks outside of 5G coverage areas. Will a 3G or 4G phone continue to work? 4G devices will continue to work.

Do I need to upgrade my 3G phone?

If you still have a 3G device – for example, a lot of flip phones are still using 3G – you will have to upgrade to a newer phone. Some home alarm systems and medical alert devices also use 3G and will need to be updated to newer models.

Will 4G be discontinued?

My point is, just because 5G is launched doesn't mean 5G services will be available in all the nooks and corners of the country. And it also means that 4G phones are still relevant and are here to stay. Keep reading as I give you a few reasons why you can still buy a 4G smartphone in 2022 and it's perfectly fine.

How can you tell if your phone is 3G or 4G?

On Android smartphones, go to settings > Network settings > mobile network. It should give you a dropdown menu of mobile standards such as 2G, 3G or LTE (4G). If you don't see 4G or LTE, then your smartphone doesn't support the standard.

What cell phones are being discontinued?

Some tracfones, flip phones, Jitterbugs and even older-style smartphones will no longer be able to make calls once the networks are taken down. Most of these phones, which are sometimes called “third generation” phones were launched nearly 20 years ago and will no longer work with most of the carriers in 2022.

Why is straight talk telling me I need a new phone?

You May Have Heard... Our carrier partner is making network changes in order to improve your overall service. These changes will prevent your current phone from working. In order to avoid a loss of service, you will need to upgrade your phone.

Can you upgrade a 3G phone to 5G?

However, since mobile phones are backwards compatible, your phone will only support 3G and 2G technologies. If you want to access 4G or 5G services, you will need a new mobile phone that is compatible with 4G LTE or 5G NR technologies. If you buy a 5G phone that will automatically support 4G LTE and 3G technologies.

How do I know if my phone will be affected by 3G shutdown?

The semi-easy way to know if your phone will be affected by the 3G shutdown is by checking whether or not it has voice-over LTE (VoLTE) or HD Voice abilities. These features allow the device to make calls on LTE.

Are old phones going to stop working?

If you own an older cellphone with 3G, be aware that in 2022, some of your electronics will stop working because of a 5G upgrade. If you own an older cellphone with 3G or a Kindle, be aware that in 2022 some of your electronics will stop working because of a 5G upgrade.

Is it worth buying a 5G phone?

If you need faster speeds, live in an area with 5G coverage and use a phone service provider that runs on T-Mobile or Verizon towers, upgrading to a 5G phone could be worth it for you. Plus, as 5G continues to expand, coverage and download speeds will only improve.

Is 5G necessary in 2023?

Most people will want a smartphone with 5G onboard, for longevity's sake at the very least. We're coming up to four years since the Galaxy S10 5G came out and genuinely needed the special tag at the end of its name. The tag isn't needed in 2023.

Is 5G really worth it?

There's no downside to getting a phone that happens to have 5G if it's the phone you want for other reasons. In the US, you can't buy a flagship phone without 5G! So, if a high-end phone's powerful camera or amazing screen attracts you, that's a great reason to buy it; 5G connectivity is the cherry on top.

What happens to my phone when 3G ends?

Mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks, which rely on older technology, to make room for more advanced network services, including 5G. As a result, many older cell phones will be unable to make or receive calls and texts, including calls to 911, or use data services.

What happens if you never upgrade your phone?

Your phone could be vulnerable to attacks. Your phone may become unreliable. Your phone may start to slow down. Your battery life could be affected.

Why does my phone say LTE instead of 5G?

Verify that there is 5G coverage where you are. Yes, 5G is everywhere, but there are still huge gaps in the network which means you won't always have coverage. Your 5G capable phone will always find a signal and connect if 5G. If it isn't available, your phone will revert back to LTE or 4G.

Why do I need a 5G phone?

5G can be significantly faster than 4G, delivering up to 20 Gigabits-per-second (Gbps) peak data rates and 100+ Megabits-per-second (Mbps) average data rates. 5G has more capacity than 4G. 5G is designed to support a 100x increase in traffic capacity and network efficiency. 5G has lower latency than 4G.

Will 4G phones continue to work?

If you see 4G, LTE, or 4G LTE, your phone is safe and will continue to work after the 3G networks are shut down. So while the letters being sent to customers notifying them of the 3G shutdown, customers will have a little more time to purchase a new phone.

What phones will Verizon stop supporting?

Verizon's 3G network is now shut down

After December 31st, 2022, if you are a Verizon subscriber still rocking a device that is 3G (CDMA) or 4G that does not support HD Voice (Non-VoLTE), the device will no longer make/receive calls, send/receive text messages, or use data services.