New iPhone 11: the UK networks that'll have it on 5G contracts in 2019
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With a new 5G-ready iPhone expected to launch this September, we look which mobile networks will actually offer it on a 5G contract. Last updated: 6th August 2019.
A new 5G-ready iPhone
We’re expecting the new iPhone 11 to be 5G-ready
✔ Previous models didn't have 5G
It's likely a new iPhone will be announced in September. And with Apple's competitors Samsung already launching 5G versions of their top-end Galaxy handsets, we’d be completely amazed if the new iPhone 11 model doesn’t too.
At very least, Apple might release a range of handsets, with a premium 5G-ready model and some standard versions with only regular 4G connectivity. So far, we can only speculate.
Either way, there’s no point in paying extra for a 5G iPhone if the network that you get a contract on doesn’t yet support the faster data speed.
In this guide, we look for what your options are if you want to get the new iPhone on a 5G contract in the UK.
Networks with 5G iPhone 11 contracts
Vodafone will have iPhone 11 on unlimited data 5G contracts
We expect Vodafone to have the entire range of new iPhone 11 models, including any 5G-ready variants. As they’ve already turned on their 5G network, Vodafone will be able to offer it on 5G contracts.
Expect to see the new iPhone on Vodafone’s unlimited 5G data plans. But be very careful as the cheaper Unlimited Lite and Unlimited versions have low speed restrictions that totally wipe out the point of having 5G.
Also remember that Vodafone’s 5G network is still in its infancy. So use their coverage checker here and read their 5G rollout plans here to see if it’s coming near you during the course of your contract.
Price-wise, we’re not expecting Vodafone to be the cheapest for the new iPhone (they rarely are). Come the time of launch, it’s worth checking Carphone Warehouse for lower-cost Vodafone deals.
Useful link: Vodafone’s 5G phone contracts
Three’s 5G network could be ready for iPhone 11 release
On the current timetable, we’re expecting Three to turn on the first part of the 5G network in London in August - with more cities and locations being rolled out towards the end of 2019.
Three claim that their 5G network will be the fastest in the UK, because of the amount of bandwidth that they’ve bought, so could be a good pairing with a 5G-ready iPhone 11.
We expect Three to launch iPhone 11 on 5G-ready plans, which won’t necessarily have 5G already working but will get you the faster speed at no extra cost, once their network’s turned on.
They’ll also most-probably be one of the only two networks (Three and Vodafone) to offer the iPhone 11 on a 5G or 5G-ready unlimited data plan, which we can see being an extremely popular combination.
Useful link: Read more about Three's 5G rollout
EE could have some kind of exclusive on iPhone 11
At previous new iPhone launches, we’ve noticed that Apple tend to pick EE as a preferred network provider for new features (like WiFi calling, 4G data). Could we see a repeat for the iPhone 11 and 5G?
Either way, if there’s a 5G-ready iPhone announced, EE will offer it on their 5G Smart plans. As well as offering 5G data wherever available, these tend to come with at least one Swappable Benefit too.
Like all the providers, EE are still in the early stages of rolling out their 5G network. You can check where it’s already available near you using their 5G coverage checker and future cities plan here.
As EE’s 5G plans come at a premium vs their 4G-only ones, we’d recommend finding out if you’ll actually ever get 5G during your contract before paying more for your iPhone 11 contract.
Useful link: EE's full guide to their 5G
O2’s 5G network won’t be live until after iPhone 11 launch
The current expected date for Apple to launch a new 5G-ready iPhone 11 is 10th September. While O2 have announced they expect to turn on their 5G network until “October 2019”.
That means that you won’t be able to able order an iPhone 11 on a 5G plan with O2 when it’s first released. Existing 5G phones are sold on 4G-only plans with an option to move to a 5G plan later.
We suspect that there will be a premium on 5G plans with O2. And their 5G network in 2019 will only actually be available in parts of 6 - 20 cities. So check yours is on this list before paying extra.
It’s a tough ask to sign up to a 4G-only iPhone 11 contract at launch, with the ability to change to a 5G plan at an unknown price in future. So O2 are probably a less appealing choice for the time being.
Useful link: How will 5G on O2 work?
Sky Mobile won’t have 5G until after iPhone 11 released
On the current timetable, Sky Mobile, who use O2’s network, will be getting 5G activated in November - a month after O2 themselves say the service will be live. And two months after we expect the new iPhone to be released.
Sky Mobile are usually one of the cheapest places to get a phone contract. But they’ve so far been vague about whether customers will get 5G free of charge if they join prior to the switch on.
When the iPhone 11 launches, it’ll be interesting to see whether Sky Mobile sell them on 5G-ready contracts immediately or only 4G deals with the option to switch to a new plan later in your contract.
If you’re looking to order an iPhone 11 on a 5G contract immediately, Sky could be a risky option, unless you’d be happy to pay more for the faster data once it’s available.
Useful link: Updates on Sky's 5G network rollout
BT Mobile iPhone 11 5G contracts only for BT Plus customers
Although BT Mobile use EE’s network, they don’t already have 5G live - even though EE have been offering it for a month or so now. And BT are being a little vague about when 5G will be available:
Currently they’re saying “Autumn”. We’d be surprised if they missed the chance to launch the new iPhone 11 model(s) on 5G plans. But it does look like 5G will only be available to BT Plus customers.
BT Plus is mainly a broadband product, which comes with some service extras and extra benefits if you join BT for your mobile too. Currently that’s faster 4G and double data. Soon it’ll be 5G too.
iPhone 11 will still be available to all customers. It’s just to get it on a 5G contract with BT Mobile to start off with, you’ll need to have BT Plus. Realistically, this is only going to be an option for a few people.
Useful link: More about 5G on BT Mobile
Other providers won’t have iPhone 11 on 5G contracts
✖ We don't expect these networks to have 5G in time
We’re not currently expecting any other networks to have 5G plans available with iPhone 11 at the time it launches in September.
Virgin Mobile use EE’s network but there’s no news yet on 5G. Virgin were years late with 4G, so we’re not holding our breath, even though they’ll probably be one of the cheapest places to get iPhone 11.
giffgaff are still pitched as a low-cost network, so we can’t see them adding 5G immediately when it launches on their host O2. Although we expect decent pricing on iPhone 11 with them too.
iD Mobile could surprise us with a 5G launch using the Three network, although they haven't announced anything yet. We don’t expect VOXI to have 5G when the iPhone 11 launches either.
Useful link: Compare all phone contracts
SIM only for iPhone 11
The same networks will have 5G on SIM only
If you decide to buy the new iPhone outright and want a 5G SIM only plan to put in it, it'll most likely be the same networks that have one to suit.
Vodafone and EE already have 5G SIM only deals. Three are selling their current plans as 5G-ready so you'll get it free of charge when their network launches. O2 won't have 5G SIMs when iPhone 11 first goes on sale.
We're updating our SIM only price comparison tool every time a new network adds 5G plans. You'll generally pay less by buying a phone outright and adding just a SIM.
Useful link: Compare 5G SIM only plans