5G lets you do more, faster. It's better for streaming. Better for online gaming. And better all round. We've sought out the very best 5G SIM only deals right here.
What are 5G SIMs?
In most cases, a 5G SIM is a physical SIM card that you insert in your phone and which gets you a 5G mobile internet connection.
All you have to do is put it in a 5G-compatible smartphone and you’re good to go, with 5G speeds that are up to 20 times faster than 4G.
5G SIMs are also available as e-SIMs. With 5G e-SIMs, there’s no physical SIM card that you have to insert. Instead an eSIM is a small chip that comes embedded in your handset when you buy it.
Which networks offer 5G SIMs?
5G SIMs are available from:
Other networks expected to launch a 5G service soon are:
- 1p Mobile
- iD Mobile
- Smarty
- Virgin Mobile
Best 5G EE SIM only deals
At the time of writing (October 2020), EE is the UK’s widest-ranging 5G network and offers 5G in 112 locations. Plans aren’t cheap, but get you impressive speeds and some genuinely noteworthy extras.
Not least among them are Swappable Benefits, that allow you to switch between different customer incentives, such as a Now TV subscription or a data boost, from month to month.
Best 5G BT SIM only deals
BT Mobile uses the same infrastructure as EE and is available in the same 112 locations (as of October 2020).
Other benefits include a BT Sport and reduced rates for BT broadband customers.
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BT Mobile sim only
5G- 8GB of 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- £15.00 per month
12 month contract From BT Mobile -
BT Mobile sim only
5G- 25GB of 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- £20.00 per month
12 month contract From BT Mobile -
BT Mobile sim only
5G- 100GB of 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- £30.00 per month
12 month contract From BT Mobile
Best Sky Mobile 5G SIM only deals
Based on O2’s network, Sky Mobile's 5G speeds and coverage are impressive, with a service that’s available in 108 locations across the UK.
There’s also the Roll scheme that allows customers to stash unused data for up to three years, as well as data-free viewing of Sky TV.
Sky VIP customers get 5G for no extra charge.
Best Vodafone 5G SIM only deals
A Vodafone 5G service is available in 57 locations (information correct as of October 2020), as well as in select destinations overseas.
Vodafone 5G SIM only deals also include membership of its Very Me customer rewards scheme.
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Vodafone sim only
4G- 4GB of 4G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- £6.00 per month
12 month contract From Vodafone -
Vodafone sim only
4G- 20GB of 4G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- £8.00 per month
12 month contract From Vodafone -
Vodafone sim only
4G- 20GB of 4G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- £8.00 per month
12 month contract From Vodafone
Best Three 5G SIM only deals
At the time of writing, Three’s 5G service takes in 68 UK locations and is the fastest of major, household-name networks.
Select Three 5G SIM only contracts also include membership of its Go Binge scheme, which gets you zero-data streaming on select video and music streaming services.
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Three sim only
5G- Unlimited 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- £24.00 per month
1 month contract From Three Mobile -
Three sim only
5G- Unlimited 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- £24.00 per month
1 month contract From Three Mobile -
Three sim only
5G- Unlimited 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- £24.00 per month
1 month contract From Three Mobile
Best Tesco Mobile 5G SIM only deals
5G SIMs from Tesco Mobile allow you to access a 5G service in 108 towns and cities across the UK.
Customers also benefit from free Clubcard points for paying their monthly bills.
Best VOXI 5G SIM only deals
VOXI 5G SIM only contracts offer unlimited use of social media without eating into your data allowance and inclusive roaming in 48 locations.
5G coverage on VOXI extends to 57 UK towns and cities.
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VOXI sim only
5G- 15GB of 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- Unlimited social media
- £10.00 per month
1 month contract From VOXI -
VOXI sim only
5G- 15GB of 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- Unlimited social media
- £10.00 per month
1 month contract From VOXI -
VOXI sim only
5G- 100GB of 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- Unlimited social media
- £20.00 per month
1 month contract From VOXI
Best O2 5G SIM only deals
O2 offers 5G overage in 108 towns and cites (as of October 2020) and stands out for its highly rated customer loyalty schemes and customisable plans.
At the time of writing (October 2020), O2’s 5G service is live in 108 towns and cities.
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O2 sim only
5G- 20GB of 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- 3 months free Disney+
- £8.00 per month
12 month contract From O2 -
O2 sim only
5G- 20GB of 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- 3 months free Disney+
- £8.00 per month
12 month contract From O2 -
O2 sim only
5G- 20GB of 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- 3 months free Disney+
- £8.00 per month
12 month contract From O2
Will my current SIM support 5G?
Your current SIM is compatible with 5G, since all SIMs are compatible with 3G, 4G and 5G.
To get 5G, you’ll need to sign up for a 5G SIM only plan from your provider and use it with a 5G-compatible phone.
How do I know if I have 5G in my area?
The best way to find out if you can get 5G is to use networks’ 5G availability checkers.
- O2 5G postcode checker.
- Three 5G postcode checker.
- Vodafone 5G postcode checker.
- EE 5G postcode checker.
- BT 5G postcode checker.
- Sky Mobile 5G postcode checker.
- Tesco Mobile 5G postcode checker.
- VOXI 5G postcode checker.
Which network's best for 5G? Take a look at our guide where we've put them to the test.
Is 5G available in the UK?
You can get 5G in the UK, but availability is still largely restricted to towns and cities. In the event that you buy a 5G SIM and you’re in a location where 5G is not available, you’ll be connected via 4G.
Will a 5G SIM card work in a 4G phone?
Yes. But the service you’ll get will only be 4G. If you want to enjoy 5G, you’ll need a 5G-compatible smartphone.
Are 5G SIMs more expensive than 4G?
You might assume they would be. But in fact, when you buy a 5G SIM only deal from Three, Vodafone, O2 and Sky, you’ll pay no more than you would do for a 4G service with the same data allowance.
However, EE is the exception among household-name networks and charges more for 5G SIMs.
Is there a 5G iPhone?
At the time of writing, the sole iPhones that support 5G SIMs are:
What happens when I'm not in a 5G area?
When you leave a location covered by 5G, you’ll automatically and seamlessly be transferred to 4G. Conversely, when you return to a 5G area you’ll automatically transition to a 5G service.
What’s the cheapest 5G SIM deal?
Shop around and you can get a 5G SIM deal for not much more than £5 per month. Three and O2, in particular, offer a range of 5G SIMs around this price point.
Sky Mobile also offers 5G SIMs from £5 per month. But in order to get the deal for that price, you’ll need to be a member of its free-to-join Sky VIP customer loyalty scheme.
Can I get a 5G SIM card with unlimited data?
Yes, you can. EE, giffgaff, O2, Tesco Mobile, Three, Vodafone and VOXI all offer 5G deals with unlimited data.
Expect to pay a shade under £20 per month.
