THE BEST 5G PHONES IN 2025: WHERE THE IPHONE 17 STANDS

The global smartphone market in 2025 is defined by speed, design, and AI-enhanced features—but above all, by 5G performance.

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As networks expand into standalone 5G with faster speeds and lower latency, the gap between average devices and true flagship experiences is widening. In this landscape, the iPhone 17 has emerged as a key player. The question is, how does it compare with the very best 5G phones of 2025?

IPHONE 17 AND APPLE’S APPROACH TO 5G

Apple has steadily refined its 5G technology since introducing it on the iPhone 12, but the iPhone 17 marks a turning point. Featuring a custom modem co-developed with Qualcomm and deeper integration with Apple's silicon, the device delivers stronger consistency on mid-band and millimeter-wave 5G networks. Early tests in markets like the U.S., China, and South Korea show the iPhone 17 sustaining higher average download speeds and fewer drops when transitioning between towers compared to its predecessor.