Key Points:
- Talkmobile features 4G and 5G connectivity available as standard, without the need to upgrade.
- Some SIM Only providers require you to pay extra to unlock 5G on your smartphone.
- You can check whether your iOS or Android device supports 5G from the settings menu.
- There are many different cost-effective options for using 5G from a Talkmobile monthly plan.
Upgrading your SIM to 5G is the best way to get the most out of your smartphone, and it's easier than you think. Provided you've got a compatible device, there's very little you have to do aside from enable a couple of crucial settings. We're showing you how to get your device ready for 5G and all the benefits that the superfast age of connectivity offers in 2026.
Do I need to upgrade my SIM to get 5G?
Depending on your SIM Only provider, you may need to upgrade the plan in order to go from 4G connectivity to 5G. That's not the case with Talkmobile's SIM Only plans. Depending on the coverage in your area, you'll automatically receive the best possible quality of connectivity as standard, rolled into the network plan. You can opt for a 30-day or 12-month option, with monthly rates from £5.95, and plans ranging from 15GB to 200GB.
How to check whether your phone supports 5G or not
Not all smartphones in 2026 will support 5G as standard, even though many will out of the box. If you're unsure, the easiest way to be certain is to check from the actual device itself. All Apple smartphones since the iPhone 12 and onwards should be capable of 5G connectivity; however, you can check for yourself by going to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options. 5G should be there as an option.
Things get more nuanced with Android smartphones, as there are dozens of different manufacturers with tons of models on the market. The process is similar; head to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Preferred Network Type. You should see a 5G option available. Ideally, regardless of iOS or Android, you'll always want to keep 5G enabled for the fastest and most consistent experience, unless you're looking to conserve your data use.
How much faster is 5G than 4G in 2026?
Upgrading to 5G from 4G is well worth it, provided you're in an area that provides it. To illustrate how much better the former is compared to the latter, we've put together this handy guide of use cases, average speeds, and availability throughout the country.
| Feature | 4G | 5G |
| Launch date in UK | 2012 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Average speed | 20 – 50 Mbps | 100 – 300 Mbps |
| Max speed | 150 – 300 Mbps | Up to 20 Gbps |
| Coverage of UK | 99% | >89% |
| Use case | HD video, streaming, light gaming | Hyper-connectivity rivaling high-end home broadband |
Which Talkmobile 5G SIM plan is right for me?
The choice of which Talkmobile SIM Only plan is right for you comes down to how much you use your phone and how long you want to commit for. A 30-day plan might be the best way to start to see if it's right for you, with a lower amount of data package available, such as 30GB or 50GB to get a feel for streaming videos, gaming, and uninterrupted web browsing for a competitive rate.
Individuls who use data a lot will benefit from a higher amount of 5G mobile data per month, especially. It's believed that 5G users utilise around 3x the monthly data amount as 4G users, with around 17.4GB compared to 8GB. This is due to the increased bandwidth making HD and 4K video, music streaming, and gaming more possible and widely available, whether at home or out and about in town or travelling to major cities. In this case, you may be best served by a 12-month plan with 100GB+ avaliable. This would give you much more room to use your phone as freely as you would from home broadband fibre optic.
