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AT&T's Fake 5G Logo Now On iPhones, Too

If you're on AT&T and see the '5G E' icon, don't be fooled: your iPhone wasn't just magically upgraded to 5G, and you're not connected to a 5G network.

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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After making its way to some Android devices last month, AT&T's misleading "5G E" icon is now available on iPhones and iPads, too.

As MacRumors reported, the fake 5G icon is rolling out to iPhones and iPads as part of Apple's second iOS 12.2 beta, released on Monday. If you're on AT&T and see this icon, don't be fooled: your iPhone wasn't just magically upgraded to 5G, and you're not connected to a 5G network.

AT&T is just changing the "4G LTE" indicator to "5G E" (short for "5G Evolution") in areas where it offers gigabit LTE. As PCMag's Lead Mobile Analyst Sascha Segan reported late last month, the carrier's fake 5G logo "has made people on the AT&T forums appear to think they're getting 5G when none of them are."

In a statement to PCMag, AT&T confirmed that iOS users who download the new beta will start seeing this icon.

"Today, some iPhone and iPad users could start seeing our 5G Evolution indicator on their devices," an AT&T spokesperson said in an email to PCMag. "The indicator simply helps customers know when they are in an area where the 5G Evolution experience may be available."

Keep in mind that no current phones – including iPhones – even have 5G. Apple probably won't release a 5G iPhone until September 2020, so don't hold your breath for one this year.

Meanwhile, on a more positive note, the iOS 12.2 beta 2 also delivers four new Animoji: a giraffe, shar, owl, and warthog, according to 9to5Mac. The Animoji feature is available on iPhone X and later and third-generation iPad Pro models.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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