5G vs 4G vs LTE: What’s the Difference?

Is 5G Really Better than 4G LTE?

When you browse, stream, or make calls on your phone, data is continuously flowing over cellular networks like 5G, 4G, or LTE. You've likely seen these terms before, but they can be a bit confusing.

So what is the real difference between 5G, 4G, and LTE, and how much does it affect your everyday experience? Is LTE the same as 4G, and is 5G always better? Below, we will break it down so you can better understand how these networks compare and what they mean for your signal and performance.

What Is LTE, and What Does LTE Stand For?

LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. It's the standard for wireless broadband communication, succeeding 3G (now sunsetted). When LTE was introduced, it brought noticeably faster data speeds and lower latency than 3G, making mobile internet feel more responsive for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and navigation.

Although LTE is often grouped with 4G, it is not technically the same thing as true 4G. Instead, LTE represents the transition between 3G and full 4G performance. Early LTE networks were designed as a step toward 4G, which is why you often see the term "4G LTE." In practice, LTE delivers better performance than 3G but does not meet the original technical standards set for true 4G.

In real-world use, LTE speeds typically range from about 12 to 30 Mbps, with faster speeds possible in well-covered areas. That level of performance is still more than enough for most everyday activities, which is why LTE remains widely used even as newer networks continue to roll out.

What Is 4G?

4G, or Fourth Generation cellular technology, was built to deliver true mobile broadband. It made everyday tasks like streaming video, video calls, and app-based services faster and more reliable than they were on 3G.

To qualify as true 4G under the International Telecommunications Union's standards, a network needed to reach download speeds of at least 100 Mbps. It took time for U.S. carriers to meet those benchmarks, which is why LTE and 4G are often used interchangeably. Today, some carriers have dubbed this 4G LTE-A (Verizon), 5Ge (AT&T), or 4G LTE+ to separate it from LTE.

What Is 5G?

5G is the fifth generation of cellular technology, built to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and greater network capacity than 4G and LTE. While it improves everyday smartphone performance, 5G was also created to support a growing number of connected devices, from smart home technology to connected vehicles and industrial systems.

To do this, 5G operates across a wider range of frequency bands than earlier networks, with each band serving a different purpose:

• Low-band 5G uses lower frequencies that travel long distances and provide broad coverage. Speeds are often similar to or slightly faster than 4G, but coverage is more consistent.
• Mid-band 5G, including C-band, offers a balance of faster speeds and solid coverage. This layer is a key part of current 5G rollouts and is where many users begin to notice meaningful performance gains.
• High-band 5G, also called mmWave, delivers the fastest speeds and lowest latency. However, its signal covers smaller areas and is more easily blocked by buildings and other obstacles.

Under ideal conditions, 5G can deliver speeds well over 1 Gbps with very low latency. In everyday use, performance varies based on which type of 5G is available, your distance from the signal source, and your surroundings.

You may also see terms like 5G NR, which stands for New Radio and refers to the updated radio technology behind 5G. Carrier labels such as 5G+ (AT&T), 5G UW (Verizon), or 5G UC (T-Mobile) typically indicate faster 5G connections, often tied to mid-band or high-band spectrum rather than basic low-band coverage.

As 5G continues to expand, it is designed to work alongside 4G and LTE, especially in areas where coverage is still developing.

Key Differences Between 4G vs LTE vs 5G

When comparing LTE vs 5G or 5G vs 4G LTE, the differences go beyond speed alone. Here is how these networks compare in everyday use.

5G vs 4G vs LTE: At-a-Glance Comparison

Feature	LTE	4G	5G
Generation	Transitional (post-3G)	Fourth Generation	Fifth Generation
Typical Speeds	12-30 Mbps	100 Mbps or higher	100 Mbps to 1+ Gbps
Latency	Moderate	Lower than LTE	Lowest
Network Capacity	Limited	Improved	Significantly higher
Frequency Range	Low to mid	Low to mid	Low, mid, and high
Coverage	Broad	Broad	Varies by band
Best For	Everyday mobile use	Reliable mobile broadband	High-demand and future applications

This table highlights key differences in a 5G vs LTE and 5G vs 4G LTE comparison. Note: Because "4G LTE" is a transitional term rather than a separate generation, the comparison reflects how LTE and 4G relate to 5G in real-world use.

Speed

Speed determines how quickly data downloads and streams on your device (and it's the most talked-about difference between these networks).

LTE typically delivers download speeds in the tens of megabits per second, which is fast enough for everyday use. True 4G raised that bar, reaching speeds of 100 Mbps or more under ideal conditions.

When looking at 5G vs 4G speeds, 5G goes further, especially on mid-band and high-band frequencies, where speeds can exceed 1 Gbps. That said, real-world speeds depend heavily on coverage, signal strength, and which type of 5G you are connected to.

Latency

Latency affects how responsive your connection feels. Lower latency means faster response times.

LTE and 4G generally operate with latency measured in tens of milliseconds. 5G is designed to reduce that delay significantly, which can make interactions feel more immediate. While ultra-low latency is most noticeable in specialized applications, everyday tasks like gaming and video calls can also feel smoother on a strong 5G connection.

Capacity

Capacity determines how many devices can connect at once without slowing down.

LTE and 4G networks were designed primarily for phones and tablets. 5G dramatically increases capacity, allowing far more devices to connect in the same area. This is especially important in crowded environments like cities, stadiums, and large events where many users are competing for signal at the same time.

Spectrum

Spectrum refers to the radio frequencies used to transmit cellular signals.

LTE and 4G operate mainly on lower and mid-range frequencies. 5G expands into a wider range of spectrum, including higher frequencies that allow faster data speeds. The trade-off is that higher frequencies have shorter range and are more easily blocked.

Coverage

Coverage determines how far a signal can travel and how well it penetrates buildings.

This penetration is closely tied to frequency. Lower frequencies used by LTE and low-band 5G travel farther and provide broader coverage. Higher-frequency 5G offers faster speeds but covers smaller areas. This is why 5G performance can change quickly as you move between locations.

Applications

Applications describe what each network is best suited for.

LTE and 4G handle everyday smartphone use well, including browsing, streaming, navigation, and calls. 5G expands those capabilities and enables new use cases that rely on low latency and high capacity, such as connected infrastructure, advanced IoT devices, and real-time systems.

FAQs

How Can I Improve My 5G or 4G Signal?

Even with modern networks like 5G, signal strength still depends on location, distance from cell towers, and building materials. Weak signal can lead to dropped calls, slow data, and inconsistent performance.

Cell phone signal boosters are a reliable way to improve both 5G and 4G coverage. A booster captures the available outdoor signal, amplifies it, and redistributes a stronger signal inside your home, vehicle, or office. The result is clearer calls and more consistent data where your signal struggles most.

Wilson Amplifiers offers FCC-approved, 5G-ready cell phone signal boosters that work with all major carriers. If you're not sure what would work best for your space, you can explore our signal boosters or contact our team at 1-800-568-2723. Ask us anything, and we'll be glad to help.

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