Airtel has officially launched its 5G services in eight Indian cities as promised. The network, known as Airtel 5G Plus, is designed to offer download speeds that are 30 times faster than LTE. We had already gathered all the essential information about Airtel 5G and the 5G bands that are supported in India. And in this manual, we’ll give you a thorough tutorial on using Airtel’s 5G network in India. You may learn how to activate Airtel 5G on an Android or iPhone, as well as learn which cities currently provide Airtel 5G service, a list of compatible phones, and much more. On that note, let’s check out how to activate and utilise Airtel 5G in India.
How to Enable and Use Airtel 5G in India (2022)
We include comprehensive instructions on using the Airtel 5G network in India on both iPhones and Android phones in this tutorial. In addition, we have described what Airtel 5G Plus is, listed cities, and listed suitable phones that function with the Airtel 5G network. So with that said, let’s begin.
How to Activate Airtel 5G on Android Phones
Let’s start by learning what settings on your Android phone you must adjust in order to easily use Airtel 5G services in India. In the sections below, see if the 5G service is offered in your area and if you have a compatible phone. Having said that, here’s how to do it:
1. Go to WiFi and Network on the Settings page. Open the SIM and Network settings after that. Keep in mind that depending on the Android skin you are using, the menu may be labelled differently on other smartphones.
2. The Preferred network type choice can be found here. Open it and select 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G, or just select 5G. Your preferred network type will be 5G as a result of this.
3. Assuming you are currently in one of the serviceable locations and have a suitable 5G phone, wait a little while and the Airtel 5G network should be launched on your Android phone.
4. You can also attempt to reset the device if the 5G network is not visible. Additionally, using this technique will make your phone only search for 5G networks. On your Android phone, launch the dialer app, then input the code shown below. This will allow you to access your smartphone’s secret Phone Information page.
*#*#4636#*#*
5. Open Phone Information here, then select an option from the list below. Specify your preferred network type. Select NR alone or NR/LTE (so you can use 4G in areas where 5G services are not yet available). The NR is simply being used as a testing tool to see if your phone can connect to the Aitel 5G network. Change it later to NR/ LTE to receive voice calls since Airtel 5G still relies on the LTE network to deliver voice calls.
How to Activate and Use Airtel 5G on iPhone
Since Apple has not yet released an update that will make the iPhone compatible with Airtel’s 5G network, Airtel 5G is not currently accessible on iPhones in India. You can activate Airtel 5G on iPhones after the upgrade is released by following the instructions below.
1. Switch to Mobile Data in the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Then, select Voice and Data under Mobile Data Options.
3. Select 5G Auto to turn on 5G when the network offers faster speeds than 4G. If not, 4G will be used in order to conserve battery life. Select 5G On if you want your phone to constantly be connected to the 5G network.
4. At this point, either wait a while or restart your iPhone. Your iPhone should now be able to connect to the Airtel 5G network.
What is Airtel 5G Plus?
Airtel has changed the name of its service to Airtel 5G Plus in India with the introduction of 5G. Everything that Airtel uses to provide 5G services is the non-standalone 5G network. The telecom behemoth has stated that it will transition to SA 5G technology through software degradation in the upcoming years, but that is still a long distance off.
Jio calls its service Jio True 5G and is now the only telecom provider in India to offer SA 5G with VoNR (Voice over New Radio) capability.
List of Airtel 5G Supported Cities (October 2022)
Eight cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Siliguri, Nagpur, and Varanasi, currently have access to Airtel’s 5G network. Kolkata is surprisingly absent from the list. By the end of 2022, the business claims, Airtel will have its 5G network in every significant urban area. And Airtel 5G will be accessible throughout the nation by March 2024.
How to Find Airtel 5G Tower Near Your Location
You can locate the exact position of Airtel 5G towers and the area they serve if you are in one of the serviceable locations. The procedures you must take to locate the Airtel 5G tower nearby are shown below.
1. First, download and install Speedtest by Ookla on your smartphone (Android and iOS, free with in-app purchases). Open the app, allow location access, and then navigate to the Map section.
2. You can now use this app to locate Airtel 5G towers in India that are marked with a blue tint. To discover precise tower coverage information, you can zoom in, travel to a different place, and zoom out again. By the way, on the map, green denotes 4G/LTE coverage. Additionally, you can swipe up to search for other operators’ 5G towers.
Airtel 5G: Compatible iPhones and Android Phones
Airtel has prepared a list of phones that support its 5G network as it has rolled out 5G in significant locations. The full list of iPhones and Android phones that are currently Airtel 5G compatible can be found below. The list also covers the mobile devices that will soon get a 5G update.
| Handset Model | Airtel 5G Ready? |
|---|---|
| Realme 8s 5G | Yes |
| Realme X7 Max 5G | Yes |
| Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G | Yes |
| Realme X7 5G | Yes |
| Realme X7 Pro 5G | Yes |
| Realme 8 5G | Yes |
| Realme X50 Pro | Yes |
| Realme GT 5G | Yes |
| Realme GT ME | Yes |
| Realme GT Neo 2 | Yes |
| Realme 9 5G | Yes |
| Realme 9 Pro | Yes |
| Realme 9 Pro Plus | Yes |
| Realme Narzo 30 5G | Yes |
| Realme 9 SE | Yes |
| Realme GT2 | Yes |
| Realme GT 2 Pro | Yes |
| Realme GT NEO3 | Yes |
| Realme Narzo 50 5G | Yes |
| Realme Narzo 50 Pro | Yes |
| Xiaomi Mi 10 | Yes |
| Xiaomi Mi 10i | Yes |
| Xiaomi Mi 10T | Yes |
| Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro | Yes |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra(K1) | Yes |
| Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro | Yes |
| Xiaomi Mi 11X | Yes |
| Xiaomi POCO M3 Pro 5G | Yes |
| Xiaomi POCO F3 GT | Yes |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite NE (K9D) | Yes |
| Xiaomi K16A Redmi Note 11T 5G | Yes |
| Xiaomi K3S Xiaomi 11T Pro | Yes |
| Xiaomi K16 Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge | Yes |
| Xiaomi Redimi Note 10T | Yes |
| Xiaomi K6S (Redimi Note 11 Pro Plus) | Yes |
| Xiaomi POCO M4 5G | Yes |
| Xiaomi POCO M4 Pro 5G | Yes |
| Xiaomi 12 Pro | Yes |
| XIAOMI 11i | Yes |
| Xiaomi Redimi 11 prime + 5G(L19) | Yes |
| Xiaomi Poco F4 5G | Yes |
| Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro | Yes |
| Xiaomi Redmi K50i | Yes |
| Oppo Reno5G Pro | Yes |
| Oppo Reno 6 | Yes |
| Oppo Reno 6 Pro | Yes |
| Oppo F19 Pro+ | Yes |
| Oppo A53 s | Yes |
| Oppo A74 | Yes |
| Oppo Reno 7 Pro 5G | Yes |
| Oppo F21 Pro 5G | Yes |
| Oppo Reno7 | Yes |
| Oppo Reno 8 | Yes |
| Oppo Reno 8 Pro | Yes |
| Oppo K10 5G | Yes |
| Oppo F21s Pro 5G | Yes |
| Oppo Find X2 | Oppo yet to update software |
| Vivo IQOO 3 5G | Yes |
| Vivo X50 Pro | Yes |
| Vivo V20 Pro | Yes |
| Vivo X60 Pro+ | Yes |
| Vivo X60 | Yes |
| Vivo X60 Pro | Yes |
| Vivo IQOO7 | Yes |
| Vivo IQOO7 Legend | Yes |
| Vivo V21 5G | Yes |
| Vivo IQOO Z3 | Yes |
| Vivo V21e | Yes |
| Vivo X70 Pro | Yes |
| Vivo X70 Pro+ | Yes |
| Vivo IQOO Z5 5G | Yes |
| Vivo Y72 5G | Yes |
| Vivo V23 5G | Yes |
| Vivo V23 Pro 5G | Yes |
| Vivo V23e 5G | Yes |
| Vivo T1 5G | Yes |
| Vivo Y75 5G | Yes |
| Vivo IQOO 9 Pro | Yes |
| Vivo IQOO 9 | Yes |
| Vivo IQOO 9 SE | Yes |
| Vivo T1 PRO | Yes |
| Vivo IQOO Z6 | Yes |
| Vivo X80 | Yes |
| Vivo X80 Pro | Yes |
| Vivo IQOO 9T | Yes |
| Vivo V25 | Yes |
| Vivo V25 Pro | Yes |
| Vivo Y55 5G | Yes |
| Vivo Y55s 5G | Yes |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 13 | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone SE 2022 | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 14 | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Apple yet to update software |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max | Apple yet to update software |
| OnePlus Nord | Yes |
| OnePlus 9 | Yes |
| OnePlus 9 Pro | Yes |
| OnePlus Nord CE | Yes |
| OnePlus Nord CE 2 | Yes |
| OnePlus 10 Pro 5G | Yes |
| OnePlus Nord CE Lite 2 | Yes |
| OnePlus 10R | Yes |
| OnePlus Nord 2T | Yes |
| OnePlus 10T | Yes |
| OnePlus 8 | OnePlus yet to update software |
| OnePlus 8T | OnePlus yet to update software |
| OnePlus 8 Pro | OnePlus yet to update software |
| OnePlus 9RT | OnePlus yet to update software |
| OnePlus Nord 2 | OnePlus yet to update software |
| OnePlus 9R | OnePlus yet to update software |
| Samsung Galaxy A53 5G | Yes |
| Samsung A33 5G | Yes |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Yes |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra | Yes |
| Samsung Galaxy M33 | Yes |
| Samsung Flip4 | Yes |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 | Yes |
| Samsung Galaxy S22+ | Yes |
| Samsung Fold4 | Yes |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 20ultra | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung Galaxy Z fold 2 | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung E426B (F42) | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung A528B (A52s) | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung M526B (M52) | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung Flip3 | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung Fold3 | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung A22 5G | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung S20FE 5G | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung M32 5G | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung F23 | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung A73 | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung M42 | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung M53 | Samsung yet to update software |
| Samsung M13 | Samsung yet to update software |
Airtel 5G Recharge Plans and Tariffs
Airtel claims that its customers can continue to utilise Airtel 5G services on existing 4G plans in India because the firm has not yet released a separate 5G plan. Therefore, you can access Airtel’s 5G network with your existing 4G contract.
Bharti Airtel’s MD and CEO, Gopal Vittal, stated at the event that his company has led India’s communication revolution for the past 27 years. As we continue to develop the best network to provide the best experience for our consumers, today represents a new step in the process. For us, the focus of all we do is on our customers. Therefore, our solution will function with any 5G device and the customer’s current SIM card. An environmentally friendly 5G solution has now been added to our preoccupation with the customer experience. The way people interact, live, work, connect, and play will be completely changed by Airtel 5G Plus in the years to come.
Airtel 5G Download/ Upload Speeds
Numerous user reports highlighting the download speed of Airtel 5G have surfaced since the network’s official launch. The upload speed was close to 25 Mbps during a recent Airtel 5G Plus event, while download speeds ranged from 200 to 300 Mbps. Some users were able to download files at rates of up to 1Gbps. According to user reports, depending on how close they were to the 5G tower, folks in Delhi had internet speeds ranging from 200 Mbps to 600 Mbps (via tweet).
A Twitter user from Gurgaon reported download rates of up to 837 Mbps with ping times of 19 ms. The maximum speed in Mumbai was 695 Mbps (via tweet). In conclusion, depending on your proximity to the Airtel 5G tower, you may initially experience download speeds ranging from 200Mbps to 1Gbps. However, when the Airtel 5G network grows and more customers join, traffic will increase and speeds will drop to the lower end, somewhere between 150 and 300 Mbps.
Do You Need a New Airtel 5G SIM Card?
You don’t need a 5G SIM card to use Airtel 5G in India, as we previously indicated in this post. The telecom provider makes it abundantly clear that old Airtel SIM cards are already 5G enabled and will function flawlessly with your 5G-compatible smartphone.
Enable Airtel 5G Network on Your Smartphone Right Now
To utilise Airtel 5G on your phone in India, you must follow these steps. It appears that there is still work to be done before 5G becomes a widespread standard as we look over the list of compatible devices. To allow 5G services in India, the majority of smartphones, including iPhones, still need OTA updates. That’s all we have to say, though. Visit our in-depth tutorial to find out how to determine which 5G bands your phone supports. And read our linked article for a thorough explanation of the mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G frequencies. Finally, let us know in the comment area below if you have any questions about Airtel 5G Plus.