Vodafone has unleashed an incredible new upgrade, but Samsung Galaxy fans will need to avoid upgrading to the latest model to enjoy the benefits. The mobile network has announced plans to roll-out new 5G Ultra speeds, which will operate as a standalone network.
Connecting to this new 5G Ultra bandwidth will unlock faster speeds, extra battery life on your handset, and better connectivity in crowded areas like festivals and football matches.
The bad news? These immense upgrades will only work with Samsung Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S22 handsets for the moment, with Vodafone planning to add support for more phones from next month.
- See if you can upgrade to Vodafone's 5G Ultra service right here also check out Samsung S22 phone from Vodafone
If you’ve got a Galaxy S21 and were thinking about upgrading to the latest Galaxy S23 line-up (Samsung is currently offering free Disney+ subscriptions, free Galaxy Buds2 wireless earbuds, and £200 cashback when you switch to a new handset) you might want to hold-off.
5G Ultra differs from existing 5G service as these networks rely partly on existing 4G infrastructure. Vodafone says separating out the new 5G Ultra network will result in faster download and upload speeds as well as improved coverage across the UK.
Vodafone customers who connect to 5G Ultra, which is available as an upgrade to new and existing customers right now, will see download speeds between 150-200Mbps. For comparison, the average home broadband speed in the UK sits at roughly 70Mbps.
However, the theoretical limit of 5G Ultra is as high as 1,000Mbps.
Vodafone claims its shiny new network will allow for better battery life - up to 25 per cent extra juice in the tank. Vodafone's 5G Ultra is available in several locations across the UK, including London, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, with more cities to come.
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Nick Gliddon, Vodafone’s UK Business Director said: "We’re excited about what the future holds for our customers. 5G Standalone is a truly transformational technology that can have an impact on industry and businesses, especially when blended with IoT and Cloud."
Vodafone is currently offering some cheap SIM Only deals for customers who already might own a Samsung S21 or S22. They include unlimited data for £28-a-month or a 150GB plan for £23-a-month.
It is also offering major deals on Samsung S21 and S22 mobiles through its Pay Monthly contracts. Vodafone is offering £288 off Samsung airtime plans meaning you can get a S22 for just £27-a-month with a £29 upfront payment.
You can also get six months of Disney+ for free in any Samsung contract purchase which gives you access to hit Disney shows and series.
