Does Pixel 6 Have 5G? What Speeds To Expect

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are the company’s current flagship smartphones, but do they support the full-range of 5G speeds, and if so, what can users expect? 5G broadly refers to several radio frequencies that can deliver data speeds to connected devices. Most modern smartphones promise 5G connections, however performance will vary based on internal modems, network capabilities, and proximity to the nearest cell tower.

Carriers typically deploy two standards of 5G for consumer mobile use; sub-6GHz 5G (aka Sub-6) and millimeter wave 5G (aka mmWave). As the name suggests, Sub-6 5G refers to frequency ranges below six gigahertz, which are well-suited to traveling over wide areas. On paper, these mid to low bands are capable of providing a range of download speeds, megabits-per-second (Mbps), with many networks promising average speeds of 200 Mbps, which compares to the 150 Mbps maximum for 4G LTE. By contrast, mmWave 5G operates at higher frequency ranges, meaning it can theoretically deliver speeds of up to 5 Gbps (gigabits per second.) However, because mmWave 5G is a tighter frequency, it does not travel as well and is susceptible to interference from buildings and trees.

The Pixel 6 Pro (starting at $899) supports Sub-6 and mmWave, ensuring users have the requisite radios to access the full available 5G spectrum. When it comes to the Pixel 6, things are slightly confusing. Almost all US carriers do not support mmWave 5G speeds on the Pixel 6 (which starts at $599), only it’s the slower Sub-6 variety. This is true whether the device is purchased unlocked from Google, its retail partners, or direct from most network carriers. For a consumer who opts to purchase a Pixel 6 from Verizon, they will have access to both Sub-6 and mmWave 5G, though they’ll be paying at least $100 more for the smartphone.

Carrier 5G Coverage Varies

Just as not all Pixels are created equal, neither are the major US carrier’s 5G networks. At the time of writing, Verizon markets its Sub-6 service as 5G Nationwide, which, on a coverage map, is shown as blanketing the continental US. A caveat on the page shows that 5G Nationwide also includes 4G LTE towers, thereby muddying the picture. Verizon does offer mmWave – which it calls 5G Ultra Wideband – but as the map indicates, it’s only available in certain areas of select cities. AT&T’s coverage shows a more nuanced network, promising it covers more than 14,000 towns and cities. However, most of that seems to be Sub-6 5G, while its mmWave network – dubbed 5G+ – is limited to a smattering of locations across 16 states. T-Mobile takes a similar approach to Verizon in that its coverage map presents 5G and 4G LTE networks as blanketing the US. Still, users can search for their ZIP code to see if they have access to Sub-6 5G (called 5G Extended Range) or mmWave (5G Ultra Capacity).

For Pixel 6 customers, and indeed most smartphone users these days, the 5G landscape is still evolving. Even for those who do have access to Sub-6 or mmWave 5G, those topline speeds are rarely as fast as promised. As Tom’s Guide found earlier this year, Verizon’s 5G network averaged ​​67.1 Mbps, AT&T managed an average of 75.6 Mbps, and T-Mobile delivered around 71 Mbps. In the end, Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro owners will probably be more impressed by the cameras than 5G support.

Source: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Tom’s Guide

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