Short answer: The iPhone 12 was the first iPhone with 5G, so every model from the iPhone 12 onwards supports it. The iPhone 11, XR and SE (2020) are 4G only and cannot be upgraded — it is a hardware limitation. If 5G matters to you, the iPhone 12 from around ₹22,999 is the entry point.
Which models support 5G
| Model | 5G | From |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE (2020) | No | ~₹10,999 |
| iPhone XR | No | ~₹14,999 |
| iPhone 11 | No | ~₹15,499 |
| iPhone 12 | Yes | ~₹22,999 |
| iPhone 13 | Yes | ~₹33,999 |
| iPhone 14 | Yes | ~₹37,499 |
| iPhone 15 | Yes | ~₹47,999 |
| iPhone 16 | Yes | ~₹57,999 |
Prices are indicative and change with stock.
Making sure 5G is actually switched on
Having a 5G-capable iPhone is not quite the same as using 5G. Three things need to line up.
An up-to-date iOS version. Apple enabled 5G for Indian operators through a software update after the networks launched, so a device running very old software may need updating first.
A 5G plan and an active 5G SIM. Most operators have enabled it broadly, but confirm your plan includes it.
The right setting. Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data Options → Voice & Data and choose 5G On or 5G Auto. If the 5G options do not appear at all, the device does not support it on that network.
Prefer 5G Auto unless you specifically want maximum speed — it uses 5G when it meaningfully helps and falls back otherwise, which is easier on the battery.
Does 5G actually matter for you?
Worth being honest rather than treating it as a checkbox.
It matters if you regularly download large files, tether a laptop, upload video, or live somewhere with congested 4G where 5G capacity genuinely relieves the load.
It matters less if your usage is messaging, UPI payments, social media, music and standard-definition or HD streaming. All of those work perfectly well on 4G, and you will struggle to notice the difference day to day.
Coverage is also uneven. In many areas the practical experience is 5G in parts of larger cities and 4G elsewhere, so your phone spends a good share of its time on 4G regardless.
The trade-off worth thinking through
Here is where it becomes a real buying decision rather than a spec question.
Around ₹15,000 you can have an iPhone 11 — no 5G, but a well-built phone still supported by iOS 27. To get 5G you move up to an iPhone 12 at roughly ₹22,999.
Is 5G worth around ₹7,500 to you? For heavy data users, plausibly. For someone whose phone mainly handles WhatsApp, payments and YouTube, that money is usually better spent on storage, or saved.
The stronger argument for the iPhone 12 is not 5G at all — it is the extra year of software support and the OLED display. Treat 5G as a bonus rather than the reason.
Battery, briefly
5G uses more power than 4G, particularly with a weak signal where the phone works harder to hold a connection. 5G Auto exists precisely to manage this.
This is also where battery health becomes the deciding variable. A 5G phone with a degraded battery will disappoint faster than a 4G phone with a healthy one — which is why every Premium Renewed iPhone ships at 100% battery health. See how to check battery health.
Frequently asked questions
Which iPhones support 5G in India?
Every model from the iPhone 12 onwards, including the 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 series and the iPhone SE from the 2022 generation. The iPhone 11, XR and SE (2020) are 4G only.
Does the iPhone 11 support 5G?
No. The iPhone 11 is 4G only. 5G was introduced with the iPhone 12, and it is a hardware capability that cannot be added by software update.
How do I turn on 5G on my iPhone?
Go to Settings, Mobile Data, Mobile Data Options, Voice and Data, then select 5G On or 5G Auto. If those options are missing, the device does not support 5G on that network.
Do renewed iPhones support 5G?
Yes, where the model does. 5G is a hardware capability tied to the model rather than to whether the device was bought new or renewed.
Is 5G worth paying extra for?
It depends on usage. It helps with large downloads, tethering and video uploads. For messaging, payments, social media and standard streaming, 4G is generally indistinguishable in everyday use.
Does 5G drain the battery faster?
Yes, particularly in weak signal areas. Using 5G Auto rather than 5G On reduces the impact by falling back to 4G when the speed difference would not be meaningful.
