'Thanks' cheers iPhone owner after realizing plus icon indicates 'extreme' benefit
A SPECIAL symbol on your status bar means you're getting a big benefit.
It gives you access to an improved version of mobile internet, but when you see it you might not realize exactly what it means.
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One Reddit user posted a wire ask what the 5G+ symbol means.
In the post they asked: “I'm used to seeing 5G but I've never had this before. Is it faster?”
It's actually one of many 5G symbols that may appear at the top of your iPhone's status bar.
Apple explains: “Your carrier's 5G+ network is available, including your carrier's higher frequency version of 5G. Supported models can connect to the Internet through that network.”
In the US, this usually means you've connected to AT&T's high-frequency network.
This produces very high speeds – but the range and network coverage is generally limited.
In a blog post, AT&T notes: “AT&T 5G+ uses high band spectrum delivers super fast speeds and unprecedented performance in high-traffic areas.
“Including parts of more than 50 cities and more than 80 large-scale locations and airports.
“5G+ is faster and more responsive for the most demanding apps and services, from gaming to streaming and video conferencing.
“As developers and makers come up with exciting new online apps and services, 5G+ will make it all feel virtually seamless wherever you are.”
It may also represent high-speed 5G networks from other providers, depending on your location. For example, it could be Bell in Canada or EE in Great Britain.
After discovering what the iPhone symbol intended, the original Reddit poster thanks the people who replied and noted, “On a new level above.”
Another user added: “It's extremely fast. I'd never seen it before visiting a friend so I did a speed test and got up to 370Mbps down, as opposed to my local 160ish on regular 5G.”
Please note that some iPhone models will never see this.
Only newer iPhone models can connect to 5G (and 5G+ by extension).
They contain:
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
If your iPhone isn't on this list, you'll never see the 5G+ icon on your status bar.