5G networks promise faster transmission speeds than the LTE bands that many of us use. However, in many cases these gains are not always as great as initially promised. Fortunately, if you have a Samsung 5G-enabled phone, you may be reaping the benefits of the added speeds.

A new study by network testing firm OpenSignal looks at 5G performance for individual cell phone models. Korean handset manufacturers claim that 60% of 5G devices offer the 25 fastest download speeds.

The newly released Galaxy S21 topped the list with an average download speed of 56 Mbps, beating the Revvl 5G and OnePlus 8T manufactured by TCL for T-Mobile's 5G network. Two other Samsung S21 models, the Galaxy S21 Plus and Galaxy S21 Ultra, also made the top 10.

The dominance of the S21 family with respect to 5G performance is certainly good news for Samsung, but it could also have significant implications for other Android phones to be released this year.

Samsung's new phone is the first to land in the US with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 chipset with a built-in 5G modem. We expect to see many more Snapdragon 888-powered Android handsets by the end of the year, so the S21 could soon top the list with the fastest 5G speeds. And we expect some of these phones to make our Best Android Phones list as well.

In addition to Samsung's strong performance, OpenSignal's Best 5G Performance list also includes several folding phones. This is a bit of a surprise, since the design of foldable phones makes it difficult to place the antennas needed for cellular connectivity.

Nevertheless, the Galaxy Z Flip 5G ranked 10th overall with a 5G download speed of 44.7 Mbps. Other foldable phones in the top 25 include Samsung's other foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 2, the LG Wing, and the Motorola Razr 5G.

While there are no Apple devices among the top 25 fastest 5G phones, it's not all bad news for iPhone fans. according to OpenSignal, the iPhone 12 family made the biggest 4G download speed to 5G performance jump from 4G to 5G performance. The testing firm attributes these improvements to Apple's move to Qualcomm for the 5G iPhone modems.

Still, among the major brands, Apple lags behind Samsung as well as OnePlus, Google, and LG in average download speeds in 5G areas. Apple's 5G speeds are 7% to 18% slower, depending on which Android phone manufacturer you compare the iPhone to. If Apple takes any solace from the OpenSignal results, it is that the gap has narrowed with the transition from 4G to 5G.

OpenSignal ran tests from November 11 to February 26, 2020; 5G speeds are expected to be even faster throughout 2021. This is not only because cell phones with faster modems will be available, but also because carriers continue to expand their 5G coverage.