Complaints about the iPhone 11’s lack of 5G might be a bit overblown.
Despite failing to add 5G modems to the iPhone 11 lineup this year, buyers of the new handsets will still notice a huge improvement in LTE data speeds thanks to new gigabit-class chips that offer faster LTE speeds than ever before.
Apple quickly glossed over the new LTE chip during its keynote and didn’t provide specific stats on the speed improvements. The company’s website says the new LTE chips support up to 30 LTE bands for worldwide roaming. However, internet speed testing service SpeedSmart already got their hands on the test data and found that iPhone 11 LTE speeds are about 13% faster than what you’ll get on the iPhone XS.
The new #iPhone11 Pro and Pro Max include faster 4G LTE, how much faster? About 13% faster vs. iPhone Xs that's quite an improvement YoY. Looks like a faster better modem. #AppleEvent #SpeedSmart https://t.co/cHKHU5JZU4 pic.twitter.com/zRVaTKuuoD
— SpeedTest SpeedSmart (@SpeedSmart) September 10, 2019
Most of Apple’s biggest competitors started adding 5G to their high-end smartphones this year. Carriers still haven’t rolled out 5G networks nationwide though so you can only use it in limited areas.
Along with the faster LTE, Apple has also improved WiFi speeds on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. With the addition of WiFi 6 (802.11ax) support, you can now expect downloads to be up to 38% faster lets you download
up to 38 percent faster.
This will likely be the last year the top-of-the-line iPhones don’t include 5G. After working with Intel on 5G modem technology, Apple struck a deal with Qualcomm earlier this year that will allow the company to use its 5G modems on future iPhones and iPads, with the first wave of 5G Apple products expected to arrive later next year.
