Apple's new iOS 16.4 beta unlocks new spectrum for iPhone 14 users on AT&T, bringing substantial improvements in 5G connectivity.
iClarified has discovered that iOS 16.4 provides access to AT&T's recently acquired 3.45GHz 5G spectrum. Users in areas where AT&T has deployed this spectrum will see a significant improvement in speeds as the update effectively doubles mid-band bandwidth. In some areas, AT&T has exclusively deployed this spectrum as their mid-band 5G technology, meaning that customers could see speeds soar overnight, following the update.
Based on initial testing, we are seeing a 2-10X improvement in download speeds.
For context, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have all deployed mid-band 5G across the nation, resulting in better speed and latency performance. On iPhone, when accessing mid-band 5G networks, you'll notice a "5G+, 5GUW, or 5GUC" symbol in the status bar. T-Mobile has the largest deployment of this technology, given their acquisition of Sprint; however, Verizon and AT&T are rapidly catching up.
In January of last year, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others purchased additional 5G 3.45GHz spectrum to deploy across the country. While AT&T initially said they would bring this enhanced connectivity to older devices, including the iPhone 12, they have since walked back those claims and have limited 3.45GHz to iPhone 14. T-Mobile and Dish are expected to eventually deploy this spectrum as well.
iOS 16.4 also expands 5G carrier-aggregation, meaning carriers can bond together different frequencies to significantly boost bandwidth. Additionally, T-Mobile has enabled 5G Stand-Alone on their network. Both enhancements work separately to provide users with improved 5G connectivity.
You can check out some of the other new features in iOS 16.4 beta here:
● What's New in iOS 16.4 Beta
Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more iOS news.
iClarified has discovered that iOS 16.4 provides access to AT&T's recently acquired 3.45GHz 5G spectrum. Users in areas where AT&T has deployed this spectrum will see a significant improvement in speeds as the update effectively doubles mid-band bandwidth. In some areas, AT&T has exclusively deployed this spectrum as their mid-band 5G technology, meaning that customers could see speeds soar overnight, following the update.
Based on initial testing, we are seeing a 2-10X improvement in download speeds.
For context, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have all deployed mid-band 5G across the nation, resulting in better speed and latency performance. On iPhone, when accessing mid-band 5G networks, you'll notice a "5G+, 5GUW, or 5GUC" symbol in the status bar. T-Mobile has the largest deployment of this technology, given their acquisition of Sprint; however, Verizon and AT&T are rapidly catching up.
In January of last year, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others purchased additional 5G 3.45GHz spectrum to deploy across the country. While AT&T initially said they would bring this enhanced connectivity to older devices, including the iPhone 12, they have since walked back those claims and have limited 3.45GHz to iPhone 14. T-Mobile and Dish are expected to eventually deploy this spectrum as well.
iOS 16.4 also expands 5G carrier-aggregation, meaning carriers can bond together different frequencies to significantly boost bandwidth. Additionally, T-Mobile has enabled 5G Stand-Alone on their network. Both enhancements work separately to provide users with improved 5G connectivity.
You can check out some of the other new features in iOS 16.4 beta here:
● What's New in iOS 16.4 Beta
Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more iOS news.