The number of 5G phones will increase further this fall with the launch of the iPhone 12 by Apple and the Galaxy Note 20 by Samsung. With the launch of these two products reportedly bringing half a dozen 5G-enabled phones to market, smartphone buyers will want to know which wireless provider has the most powerful 5G network.

The answer depends on what "most powerful" means. But a new report on 5G performance by testing firm OpenSignal gives a good idea of which carriers are leading the 5G user experience.

According to OpenSignal's June 2020 report, Verizon 5G users saw the fastest 5G speeds on networks across the country, nearly 10 times faster than users on AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. When it came to choosing the fastest network, Verizon came out on top, with an average download speed of 494.7 Mbps

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This is not shocking knowing that Verizon's 5G network uses high-speed millimeter wave-based technology in the 35 cities where it is deployed; AT&T and T-Mobile use frequency bands below 6Ghz for the majority of their 5G coverage, and their respective download speeds are 60.8 Mbps and 49.2 Mbps, respectively.

mmWave-based signals do not reach very far, so unless you have a cellular tower there, forget about receiving signals indoors. Verizon lags behind in this area with 5G availability, with only 0.4% of its subscribers being able to connect to 5G. This is unchanged from the last time OpenSignal revealed 5G performance figures in May.

T-Mobile, on the other hand, boasts overall reach in the U.S. with users connecting to 5G 22.5% of the time, with Sprint in second place at 14.1% and AT&T in third at 10.3%. Sprint's network has been integrated into T-Mobile's network as the two carriers merge, and AT&T is in the process of building its own nationwide 5G network with low-band coverage AT&T added 28 more cities this week, bringing its coverage to over 350 areas.

5G networks will continue to evolve over the coming fall, but smartphone buyers should keep an eye on these numbers. Apple's iPhone 12 lineup will be the first smartphone leader to offer 5G connectivity, but some 5G iPhone 12 rumors indicate that only the iPhone 12 Pro model will be able to connect to the mmWave network.

Samsung has been making 5G phones since last year, and the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra are expected to debut and join the mix ahead of the iPhone 12's expected release in August Both Note 20 models will initially be available on Verison's network and are expected to work with all types of 5G, unlike the Galaxy S20, which did not support the network.

Whether you are looking to purchase the iPhone 12 or the Note 20, it is clear that the best product for you will depend largely on personal preference. Whether you choose Apple or Samsung is up to you.