Phones have gotten better and better over the years, and so have the games we play on them. The latest phones are as powerful as laptops, which means they're able to handle much more demanding games. And when you're in the middle of an intense level, you don't want a dropped signal to ruin your win. Which is where 5G comes in...
Is 5G good for gaming?
Ever given up a game on your phone because it took forever to load? 5G phones put an end to that. They're able to download far far faster than 4G, so you get a consistently smooth connection to game servers. That means no more waiting forever, no more delayed responses, and instant access to downloadable content.
It can also handle more people on the network at the same time. So, even if there are plenty of people on the same network as you, it shouldn’t affect your game. You should be able to enjoy the same responsiveness playing an online multiplayer as you do when you’re playing offline.
Will 5G reduce ping?
When we talk about how fast 5G is, it’s not just about upload and download speeds (though downloading a film in seconds is always handy). The biggest thing that 5G speed solves is latency.
Latency, or ‘ping’, means the time between entering a command into your phone (or tapping a button) and the action happening on screen. In the case of online gaming, the command you give is sent to the game server and then relayed back as the desired action on-screen. Low latency is crucial for drifting around hairpin turns in racing games and for winning standoffs in big battle royales.
Because 5G reduces the time it takes to send your ‘run’, ‘jump’, ‘crouch’ or ‘shoot’ command to the server, you’ll see it happen much, much faster. Of course, having a super-fast reaction time is still what separates the Sunday gamers from the serious competitors, but 5G’s minimal ping time will get you a massive head start.
Best 5G phones for online gaming
Since 5G sets new benchmarks for gaming, it's a key consideration when you're picking your new phone, but there’s a few other features you’ll want as well. The screen resolution obviously makes a huge difference to what you're seeing, while RAM and a good processor are important for speedy response times.
5G on the Galaxy S22 makes everything you do online - whether that's browsing online or watching a show - super snappy. All that's helped by a powerful octa-core processor, 8GB of RAM and a 6.1-inch Infinity-O OLED screen.
More of an iPhone person? 5G on the iPhone 13 gives you fast downloads, lets you stream higher-quality video, and FaceTime in HD at superfast speeds. The 6.1-inch OLED display looks amazing too, while the A15 Bionic Chip is a real powerhouse.
Best online games for 5G phones
It doesn't matter what genre you're into - from sports games to shooters, gentle farming games to puzzles - there’s already plenty of online games out there that can put your 5G phone through its paces. Here’s a few to get you started:
Call of Duty: Mobile
The Call of Duty series has been around for over 15 years, and has become the go-to online FPS game for millions around the world. Call of Duty: Mobile takes the best elements of the console game and brings them to your phone, free of charge.
You can play battle royales, team up with friends in 5 vs 5 matches or even go for sniper vs sniper. Every mode is frantic and fun, and that 5G low latency is bound to prove a lifeline.
Fortnite: Mobile
Fortnite has been around for a couple of years now, but the format remains timeless. Put simply: 100 people parachuting onto a map that gets smaller throughout the game, and the last person standing wins. You’ll have to loot boxes, take on your fellow gamers in high-adrenaline battles and build your way to victory.
The smooth motion 5G provides is key to spotting incoming opponents and hearing exactly where they’re lurking from a distance. That way, you can plan your attack in advance and make sure you react faster.
League of Legends: Wild Rift
Another world-famous game gone mobile, but the portable version of this e-sports favourite doesn’t disappoint. Not *every *champion is available, but there's still MORE than enough for you to play as. Choose your class (what kind of character you are) and your lane (where and how you fight in the game) and you're good to go!
League of Legends is nothing if not action-packed - so a good online connection is essential here.
Need any help?
If you’re looking for more advice on 5G phones, pop in-store or chat to one of our experts on ShopLive.
