Recently, Apple seeded iOS 16.4 beta 2 to developers and beta testers which included a new Podcasts splash screen, opt-in “curl” page-turning animation on the Books app, support for Apple Pay in South Korea, and more.
Now, it is discovered that the second beta of iOS 16.4 also added a new 5G Standalone opt-in feature for iPhone users.
iOS 16.4 to launch this month with new 5G Standalone opt-in feature
In 2020, Apple launched its first-generation 5G enable smartphone lineup with iPhone 12 with support for mmWave 5G only in the United States and sub-6GHz connectivity models for the rest of the world.
Since then, the company has introduced eight more 5G enable models with iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series.
The upcoming iOS 16.4 update will improve the 5G experience on supporting iPhones with the new 5G Standalone feature for compatible carriers. According to the image shared by 9to5Mac, the new opt-in feature is added to the T-Mobile app’s Voice & Data sections, along with other connectivity options.
- 5G Auto uses 5G only when needed for performance while optimizing battery life.
- 5G On uses 5G whenever it is available, even when it may reduce battery life or performance.
- LTE
- 5G Standalone users 5G for all cellular activity, including cellular network connections. In certain conditions 5G Standalone may be used when necessary to provide cellular service.
5G Standalone (SA) uses a 5G core network and is dependent on the 4G LTE network control functions for signaling and data transfer. According to Dgtl Infra, 5G SA is considered the “true” 5G that many cellular carriers are deploying as it unlocks the advanced capabilities of 5G.
5G AS is also said to reduce the prices of cellular plans, improve users’ experience and bring in new use cases.
Globally, there are over 1 billion 5G connections across the fifth-generation of wireless communication standards, including the 5G standalone (SA) version. While most of these 5G connections are supported by 5G non-standalone (NSA) networks that rely on 4G LTE networks to operate, wireless carriers are increasingly deploying 5G standalone (SA) technology, which is considered “true” 5G.
At-scale, 5G SA will deliver lower costs for wireless carriers, a better user experience, and support new use cases.
The report lists that iOS 16.4 beta 1 added 5G SA for T-Mobile users in the US and iOS 16.4 beta 2 has enabled it for Vivo, TIM Brasil, and Claro users in Brazil.
A statement by Brazillian carrier Claro also mentioned the public release date of the new iOS 16.4 update, March.
Claro informs that 5G in Standalone (SA) mode will be available in all iPhones compatible with the technology, as of the release of the final version of iOS 16.4, scheduled for March this year.
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