LTE (4G) vs 5G
Detailed technical comparison of LTE (4G) and 5G across key performance metrics, technology specifications, and real-world capabilities.
| Parameter | LTE (4G) | 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Speed | 1 Gbps | 20 Gbps ✓ |
| Latency | 10 ms | 1 ms ✓ |
| Frequency | 600 MHz – 2.5 GHz | Sub-6 GHz + mmWave ✓ |
| Connection Density | 10⁵/km² | 10⁶/km² ✓ |
| Network Slicing | No | Yes (5GC) ✓ |
| MIMO | 4×4 | Massive MIMO (64+) ✓ |
| Coverage | Excellent (mature) ✓ | Growing |
| Device Ecosystem | Massive ✓ | Large and growing |
| Cost per GB | Lower ✓ | Varies |
| IoT Support | NB-IoT, LTE-M | RedCap, NTN, NB-IoT ✓ |
Visual Comparison
Relative performance across key metrics
LTE (4G) 5G
Peak Speed
Latency
Frequency
Connection Density
Network Slicing
MIMO
Coverage
Device Ecosystem
Cost per GB
IoT Support
Verdict
5G is a significant upgrade over LTE with 20× peak speed and 10× lower latency. LTE still dominates in coverage and cost efficiency, and will coexist with 5G for years.
Parameter-by-parameter
Who wins each metric, based on the specs above.
- Peak Speed — 5G 'wins on' (LTE (4G): 1 Gbps · 5G: 20 Gbps)
- Latency — 5G 'wins on' (LTE (4G): 10 ms · 5G: 1 ms)
- Frequency — 5G 'wins on' (LTE (4G): 600 MHz – 2.5 GHz · 5G: Sub-6 GHz + mmWave)
- Connection Density — 5G 'wins on' (LTE (4G): 10⁵/km² · 5G: 10⁶/km²)
- Network Slicing — 5G 'wins on' (LTE (4G): No · 5G: Yes (5GC))
- MIMO — 5G 'wins on' (LTE (4G): 4×4 · 5G: Massive MIMO (64+))
- Coverage — LTE (4G) 'wins on' (LTE (4G): Excellent (mature) · 5G: Growing)
- Device Ecosystem — LTE (4G) 'wins on' (LTE (4G): Massive · 5G: Large and growing)
- Cost per GB — LTE (4G) 'wins on' (LTE (4G): Lower · 5G: Varies)
- IoT Support — 5G 'wins on' (LTE (4G): NB-IoT, LTE-M · 5G: RedCap, NTN, NB-IoT)
FAQ
Which is faster, LTE (4G) or 5G?
5G leads on speed-related metrics in this comparison.
What is the main difference?
5G is a significant upgrade over LTE with 20× peak speed and 10× lower latency. LTE still dominates in coverage and cost efficiency, and will coexist with 5G for years.
Which should I choose today?
5G wins 7 of 10 tracked parameters.