LTE

5G Icon Appears on Select iPhones for Russian Users as Operators Expand Coverage

Some iPhone owners in Russia have observed the 5G indicator replacing LTE in the status bar, marking the first signs of fifth-generation network access on Apple devices. The change has been confirmed by a RIA Novosti correspondent but remains limited to a portion of users, with no official details released on supported models, carriers, or regions. Russian operators from the Big Four launched 5G services in 16 cities one week earlier, granting potential access to roughly 10 million subscribers. The initial rollout operates primarily on previously allocated LTE spectrum bands, delivering an estimated 20-25% increase in network throughput. Unlike Android devices, where the Ministry of Digital Development planned to enable compatible hardware directly, iPhone activation requires Apple to authorize specific operator frequencies and network configurations. Observers note that the presence of the 5G icon does not yet guarantee widespread deployment or significant speed gains, as performance depends on coverage, spectrum, device model, and network load.