If you use a modern iPhone on T-Mobile's cellular network, you are very likely to see the icon “5G UC” in the status bar instead of “5G”. Here's what it tells you about your cellular connection.
5G UC stands for “5G Ultra Capacity”
This icon indicates that you are connected to a type of 5G network and you will only see it on iPhones with 5G support. (At the end of 2021, iPhone phones only 12 and iPhone 13 have 5G support).
Specifically, this icon is displayed when you are connected to T-Mobile's "Ultra Capacity" 5G network. The icon began to appear on iPhones in mid-September 2021.
What is 5G Ultra Capacity?
5G is more complex than you think, and different types of 5G offer different speeds.
T-Mobile divides its 5G network into two types of 5G. The "5G Extended Range" is a type of 5G that will be about as fast as 4G LTE and covers most of the country., even in many less urbanized rural areas. "5G Ultra Capacity" is the fastest 5G that promises speeds above 4G LTE.
To distinguish between the two, you'll see a 5G UC icon when connected to T-Mobile's best and fastest 5G network. When connected to T-Mobile's slower "extended range" 5G network, you will only see a standard 5G icon.
Technically, 5G UC indicates that it is connected to medium-band or millimeter-wave 5G (mmWave). For T-Mobile, likely to be connected to mid-band 5G, since it makes up the bulk of T-Mobile's fastest 5G network. The standard logo “5G” no UC indicates you are using low-band 5G.
You can see where T-Mobile's 5G UC network is enabled at T-Mobile Coverage Map Web Site. The map distinguishes between the two types of 5G, with dark magenta 5G UC network.
What about other mobile operators and Android phones?
As of September 2021, 5G UC logo will only appear on iPhones connected to T-Mobile's network.
If you are using an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 (if you are in lost mode and you are tracking it 12 Pro o iPhone 13 Pro), you won't see the 5G UC logo if you're using another cell phone provider like AT&T or Verizon.
If you are using a 5G-enabled android mobile on the T-Mobile network, you also won't see the 5G UC logo. (Despite this, this may change in the future).
What do "5G+" mean?, "5G UW" and "5G E"?
These aren't the first letters we've seen added to a 5G logo.. Both "5G" + such as "5G UW" are similar to "5G UC" and indicate faster 5G than standard low-band networks with long ranges.
"5G+" status icon appears when your iPhone is connected to AT's 5G millimeter wave network&T.
The status icon “5G UW” indicates that your iPhone is connected to Verizon's ultra-broadband 5G network.
There's also 5G E, a definition of marketing that AT&T applied to its old 4G LTE network. 5G E was not real 5G; that's the reality. Sprint sued AT&T for practice on 2019, accusing the company of misleading customers.
5G UC, 5G + and 5G UW indicate good and fast 5G signals. (This is different from 5G E, which was worse than seeing a 5G icon and not 5G at all).
Will these logos appear outside of EE?. UU.?
Official Apple Support Web Portal analyzes terms like 5G UC, 5G + and 5G UW without paying attention to specific operators, so you can also see these logos on other cell phone operators outside the U.S.. UU. Despite this, if you only see a 5G logo, that doesn't mean you're necessarily using slower low-band 5G. Your carrier may not display logos like that..
