Best 5G Phone 2026: Top Picks for Sub-6 and mmWave Coverage
5G is now table-stakes — every flagship and most mid-range phones in 2026 support it. The differentiator is which 5G bands and modems matter most for your carrier. Here are the strongest picks.
Updated · 5 picks · Rankings reflect MKBHD Smartphone Awards outcomes.
How we picked
Phones with full 5G band support (sub-6 + mmWave on US variants) that won or placed at MKBHD's Smartphone Awards.
- #1
Won Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. Full 5G support including sub-6 and mmWave on US variants. Apple's modem (still Qualcomm-based on the 17) is among the most reliable.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2025 Phone of the Year
- Full sub-6 + mmWave US support
- Reliable Apple modem firmware
Cons
- No telephoto
- $799 starting
- #2
Runner-up Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. Snapdragon X80 5G modem — strong band support including standalone 5G for newer carrier networks.
Pros
- Runner-up Phone of the Year 2025
- Snapdragon X80 modem
- Strong international band support
Cons
- 232g — heavy
- $1,299 starting
- #3
Won Most Improved at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. Full 5G band support with Tensor G4's improved modem (vs Tensor G3's flaky reception).
Pros
- MKBHD's 2024 Most Improved
- Improved Tensor G4 modem
- Cleanest Android
Cons
- Tensor G4 trails Snapdragon overall
- Battery average
- #4
Won Best Small Phone at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. Now $599–$699 — full 5G support including mmWave on US variants.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2024 Best Small Phone
- Full 5G + Apple Intelligence
- Now $599–$699
Cons
- 60Hz display
- No telephoto
- #5
Runner-up Best Value at MKBHD's 2024 awards. $499 with full sub-6 5G support and seven years of updates. The strongest sub-$500 5G pick in 2026.
Pros
- Runner-up Best Value 2024
- Seven years of updates
- $499 starting
Cons
- No mmWave on some variants
- Tensor G3 not fast
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best 5G phone in 2026?
iPhone 17 (MKBHD's 2025 Phone of the Year) for iOS — most reliable 5G modem firmware. Galaxy S25 Ultra (runner-up) for Android with the strongest international band support.
Does 5G actually matter for phone choice in 2026?
Less than it did. Most flagships and mid-range phones support 5G. The differentiator is which carrier bands matter for your specific market — check your carrier's compatibility list.
Sub-6 vs mmWave — what's the difference?
Sub-6 is the broad-coverage 5G that works almost everywhere. mmWave is the multi-gigabit super-fast variant available only in dense urban deployments. Most users only need sub-6.
About this list
We index every phone that won or placed in MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025) and surface the strongest matches for this category. Award badges link to the full award history. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.