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One of the big tech stories of recent years has been the roll out of 5G across the UK. And with mobile phone service battling to provide the best coverage throughout the country, now could be the right time to invest. 5G phones used to be few and far between, but that’s now changed with a brilliant selection of quality 5G phones now available on the market. With that in mind, we’ve put together this list of the best new 5G phones you should consider this year. Prepare to add one of these marvellous machines to your must-buy list!

Remember when you’ve finally made your difficult decision and chosen the perfect 5G phone for you, you’ll want to get it protected from damage or theft. Our helpful team of insurance specialists at Gadget Cover will work hard to find insurance for your iPhone to guard against any threats.

What to look for in a 5G phone

When looking to shell out on a new 5G phone, you'll first need to consider which network provider you want to use. Different service providers are taking different approaches to their 5G rollouts, with 5G availability, coverage and data speeds variable across the nation. Check out our guide to which company provides the best mobile phone coverage in the UK.

It gives the rundown on what the big four providers EE, Three, O2 and Vodafone are currently providing. For example, a big point in favour of Vodafone is its 5G coverage in Europe, available in 193 locations across Germany, Spain, Italy and Ireland.

Unfortunately, Ofcom’s mobile coverage checker isn’t currently set up to show 5G. The communications regulator is working with the mobile network operators to establish how best to include 5G on the checker. So, it’s always worth checking back in any event. After all, your swanky new 5G phone will soon feel like a very expensive paperweight if you don’t have adequate coverage.

Remember, if you’re using your mobile phone in Europe then make sure you're covered through your mobile phone or iPhone insurance. It doesn’t matter how good your 5G coverage is if your phone gets damaged, lost or stolen!

When choosing a 5G phone, you need to consider the processor power, screen size, cameras and other features. A long battery life is particularly important as 5G can eat through some serious power. If the phone can’t handle the added demands on its battery, then you’ll soon get frustrated.

And finally, that perennial consideration for any technophile, price. Now that cheaper 5G phones are hitting the market the offer of superfast speeds is open to a much larger number of people. But the cost/benefit analysis is going to remain an important distinguishing factor, and that’s only going to increase as more lower cost 5G phones roll out over the coming months.

Best new 5G phones right now

Sorting out the must-buys from the must-avoids is always tricky when it comes to tech, and it’s the same when you’re looking for a new 5G phone. That’s why we’ve put together this handy list of the best 5G phones available now that demonstrates the capabilities of 5G – at a range of prices from budget, to mid-range and premium.

Remember, though, the market for new 5G phones is moving fast so it’s always worth checking out the latest releases before making your final choice. You don’t want to miss a bargain.

Yet more desirable 5G phones will hit the shelves later in the year. These include Apple’s newest flagship series the rumoured iPhone 13 (or is it the iPhone 12S?), the Google Pixel 6 and the eagerly awaited Samsung Galaxy Z fold 3.

But before we get too distracted by what might be coming, here are the best 5G phones you can pick up right now.

Best all-rounder – Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Released back in January, Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra has had pretty much universal acclaim among the phone cognoscenti and features at the top of many best buy lists. While such a phone is not going to come cheap, you’ll get a big dose of those great Samsung looks, a 6.8-inch 120Hz curved Quad HD display, a next generation camera with 10x digital zoom, a Exynos 2100 5nm processor, storage options up to 512GB, a super tough Gorilla Glass Victus screen, and all-day battery life. Epic in every way!

But this isn’t the only great buy from Samsung. If you’re looking for something slightly cheaper then the Techies over at T3 recommend the Samsung Galaxy S21 (although its battery could be better) and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with digital stylus. For the mid-range price bracket, they also recommend the Samsung Galaxy A90. You’ll get all the usual Samsung benefits (super-fast, great screen and stunning design) but without having to part with your life savings.

Best runner-up – OnePlus 9 Pro

The latest top-tier offering from OnePlus landed in March and builds on what was achieved in the excellent OnePlus 8 Pro model. Offering similar specs to the Samsung you’ll get a 6.7-inch 120Hz curved AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 888 processor, a much-improved quad-lens camera and a decent 4,500mAh battery. It also features fast charging and wireless charging to keep those vital power levels topped up.

Best on a budget – Motorola G 5G Plus

Long-time mobile phone stalwart Motorola has cornered the market on feature-focused phones at an affordable price. And they’ve done the same with their 5G offering. Launched in July 2020 the Motorola G 5G Plus gives you a heck of a lot of phone. And all for a mere £250. With a 6.7-inch display, decent quad-lens camera, a Snapdragon 765 processor and a whopping 5,000mAh battery you really can’t complain!

According to Tom’s Guide, a worthy rival to the Motorola G 5G in the budget league is the OnePlus Nord N10. It offers decent performance, a 6.49-inch 90Hz display and very good battery life. And with OnePlus’ Warp Charge 30T technology you shouldn’t have to wait too long for it to get back up to full power.

If you’re in the market for a new mobile phone in 2021 then Motorola has a lot to offer. Look at our rundown of the best Motorola phones  currently on the market.

Best for mobile gaming - Lenovo Legion Phone Duel

Speed is of the essence when it comes to mobile gaming with your friends and rivals. But it’s not just your brain and fingers that need to be ultra-fast. It’s also the time it takes between your phone being instructed to perform an action and that action being completed (so-called latency). 5G improves this responsiveness to counteract the annoying lag that can occur during gaming.

With this in mind there are some great 5G phones targeting the gaming market. The pick of the bunch for us (just) has to be the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel. With a 6.65-inch screen, Snapdragon 865 Plus processor, a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery, up to 512GB storage and distinctive good looks, it’s a great choice for mobile gamers.

It’s well set up for gaming use, has side triggers, dual USB-C ports and boasts super-fast 90W charging. It even has a pop-up camera useful for selfies during gameplay!

If you can’t get your hands on the Lenovo then can we also suggest taking a look at the just released Nubia Red Magic 6R. This powerful gaming beast of a phone comes with a Snapdragon 888 processor, 6.67-inch AMOLED 144Hz display, shoulder triggers, 30W fast charging and a decent 4,200mAh battery. Feather light and lightning fast this 5G phone could make a big difference in the success or failure of gaming sessions!

Best for Apple enthusiasts – iPhone 12 Pro Max

In a list of great 5G phones, any of the iPhone 12 siblings could easily lay claim to a place. They really are that good, and it’s easy to see why Apple is seen as a trend-setter when it comes to introducing 5G in smartphones.

At the top of the iPhone tree has to be the iPhone 12 Pro Max with its simply incredible 6.7-inch OLED screen offering fantastic contrast and sharp visuals perfect for anyone looking to use 5G to watch TV and movies.

But it’s not just the screen that performs, it has great battery life, stellar cameras (as you would expect), a tough Ceramic Shield display, a superfast A14 Bionic chip and MagSafe wireless charging. Is it any wonder so many people fall head over heels in love with these little beauties?

But don’t let us put you off considering any one of the other iPhone 12 phones on the market. The standard iPhone 12 is also a top choice for many reviewers when it comes to 5G owing to its similar specs and high build quality but slightly lower price. If you want to know more about the differences between all the iPhone 12 models,  then read our recent guide.   

Best for streaming media – Sony Xperia 1 II

Yes, any member of the iPhone 12 family will be perfectly designed for streaming media and most people will be perfectly happy with that. But how about those who are not only true movie buffs but also prefer to stay with Android?

Well, step right up Sony Xperia 1 II. Because when it comes to watching movies and TV shows, nothing beats having a 4K HDR OLED display to let you watch at the highest resolution possible.

Alongside the flashy 6.5-inch screen it also delivers a Snapdragon 865 processor and a decent 4,000mAh battery. And if you’re looking for a further big advantage when compared to the iPhone rivals (in our view) then it also has a 3.5mm headphone jack.

So those with much-loved wired headphones won’t need a fiddly adapter to use them. Perfect for the ultimate in viewing pleasure!

Best for those who like big things in small packages – iPhone 12 mini

Alright, we couldn’t let this list end without mentioning the remarkable iPhone 12 mini. The smallest of the line, it’s still an absolute powerhouse when it comes to its capabilities. Okay, it’s got a relatively teeny 5.4-inch display and the battery life isn’t perfect, but it’s a great 5G phone, nonetheless.

After all, it’s got all the same processing power, cameras, screen quality and MagSafe technology as its bigger brothers and sisters. But it fits easily into the smallest of hands or pockets – simply brilliant.

If you prefer your phones on the smaller side, but favour Android over iOS, then a Google Pixel might be the one for you.

Tending to be smaller than your average flagship, now you’ll probably need to choose between the Google Pixel 5 or the Google Pixel 4a. They both offer a lot of value but with rumours of the potential arrival of the Google Pixel 6 in the autumn it might be worth holding off until then.

Protect your tech for the future with iPhone insurance

If you care about future proofing your tech then you’ll be sure to be looking admiringly at any one of these 5G phones. And with brilliant cameras, super-fast speeds, eye-catching designs, and a host of other benefits, you’re sure to receive many happy years of service.

The helpful team at Gadget Cover share your interest in all things electronic and know that you’ll want the best cover for many years to come. That’s why they’re always searching for iPhone insurance policies suitable for any device and any budget.

It’s easy to see why our are so popular. They include protection against accidental damage, liquid damage, theft, breakdown and unauthorised usage as standard. And for an extra premium, your phone will be covered against loss, too.

Additional benefits include family cover to extend protection to your immediate family, and worldwide cover for when you’re on the move.

Get a quick quote from Gadget Cover and protect your mobile with iPhone insurance today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.