Buying iPhone 12 in the UK? Here's where you can use 5G

Apple Event 5G
(Image credit: Apple)

5G first hit the UK back at the end of May 2019, with the launch of EE 5G services in six cities. Nearly 18 months later and eight different networks offer 5G connectivity — even if the rollout has been slow to expand to new areas. 

5G phones are not new by any means, but the upcoming release of the iPhone 12 is also set to put 5G handsets into the hands of even more people. iPhones are popular, after all, and everyone who buys the devices are going to want to take full advantage of its capabilities — including the high speed, low latency connection of 5G.

The issue is 5G isn’t everywhere, so we’ve compiled a list of locations that do offer 5G services — plus the networks that are running them.

Which UK networks have 5G?

A lot of the major networks are now offering some sort of 5G coverage, whether they’re the major networks that have their own mobile infrastructure or the virtual operators that rely on the bigger networks’ phone masts. All four major networks offer 5G coverage, which means EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone customers can sign onto a 5G contract and connect to 5G signals — assuming they’re in range. 

Only a few virtual operators offer 5G right now, but so far we have BT (using EE signal), Voxi (using Vodafone’s), Sky Mobile, and Tesco (both connecting via O2). Of course only Sky Mobile and Tesco are actually independent networks, since VOXI is part of Vodafone and BT naturally owns EE.

Which areas of the UK have 5G?

Swipe to scroll horizontally
UK 5G Coverage by Location
LocationEEO2ThreeVodafone
AberdeenYesYesYesRow 0 - Cell 4
Abingdon-on-ThamesRow 1 - Cell 1 Row 1 - Cell 2 YesRow 1 - Cell 4
AldershotYesRow 2 - Cell 2 YesRow 2 - Cell 4
AltrinchamYesRow 3 - Cell 2 Row 3 - Cell 3 Row 3 - Cell 4
AmblesideRow 4 - Cell 1 Row 4 - Cell 2 Row 4 - Cell 3 Yes
AshfordYesYesRow 5 - Cell 3 Row 5 - Cell 4
Ashton-under-LyneYesRow 6 - Cell 2 Row 6 - Cell 3 Row 6 - Cell 4
BallochRow 7 - Cell 1 Row 7 - Cell 2 YesRow 7 - Cell 4
BarrheadYesRow 8 - Cell 2 Row 8 - Cell 3 Row 8 - Cell 4
Barrow-in-FurnessRow 9 - Cell 1 Row 9 - Cell 2 YesRow 9 - Cell 4
BansteadRow 10 - Cell 1 YesRow 10 - Cell 3 Row 10 - Cell 4
BathYesRow 11 - Cell 2 YesRow 11 - Cell 4
BasildonRow 12 - Cell 1 YesYesRow 12 - Cell 4
BebingtonRow 13 - Cell 1 Row 13 - Cell 2 Row 13 - Cell 3 Yes
BedfordRow 14 - Cell 1 Row 14 - Cell 2 YesRow 14 - Cell 4
BelfastYesYesRow 15 - Cell 3 Yes
BelshillYesRow 16 - Cell 2 Row 16 - Cell 3 Row 16 - Cell 4
BirkenheadYes2020YesYes
BirminghamYesYesYesYes
BishopbriggsRow 19 - Cell 1 Row 19 - Cell 2 Row 19 - Cell 3 Yes
BlackpoolYes2020Yes2020
BlaydonRow 21 - Cell 1 YesRow 21 - Cell 3 Row 21 - Cell 4
BootleRow 22 - Cell 1 Row 22 - Cell 2 Row 22 - Cell 3 Yes
BorehamwoodYesRow 23 - Cell 2 Row 23 - Cell 3 Row 23 - Cell 4
BoltonRow 24 - Cell 1 Row 24 - Cell 2 Row 24 - Cell 3 Yes
BournemouthRow 25 - Cell 1 2020Row 25 - Cell 3 2020
BradfordRow 26 - Cell 1 YesYesRow 26 - Cell 4
BransholmeYesRow 27 - Cell 2 Row 27 - Cell 3 Row 27 - Cell 4
BrentwoodYesRow 28 - Cell 2 Row 28 - Cell 3 Row 28 - Cell 4
Bridge of DonRow 29 - Cell 1 YesRow 29 - Cell 3 Row 29 - Cell 4
Brookmans ParkRow 30 - Cell 1 Row 30 - Cell 2 YesRow 30 - Cell 4
BrightonRow 31 - Cell 1 YesYesRow 31 - Cell 4
BristolRow 32 - Cell 1 YesYesYes
BuryYesRow 33 - Cell 2 Row 33 - Cell 3 Row 33 - Cell 4
CardiffYesYesYesYes
Cambridge 20202020YesRow 35 - Cell 4
CannockRow 36 - Cell 1 Row 36 - Cell 2 YesRow 36 - Cell 4
CastlefordYesRow 37 - Cell 2 Row 37 - Cell 3 Row 37 - Cell 4
CastlereaghYesRow 38 - Cell 2 Row 38 - Cell 3 Row 38 - Cell 4
ChathamYesYesRow 39 - Cell 3 Row 39 - Cell 4
CheadleRow 40 - Cell 1 Row 40 - Cell 2 Row 40 - Cell 3 Yes
ChelmsfordYesRow 41 - Cell 2 Row 41 - Cell 3 Row 41 - Cell 4
CheltenhamRow 42 - Cell 1 Row 42 - Cell 2 Row 42 - Cell 3 Yes
CheshuntYesRow 43 - Cell 2 Row 43 - Cell 3 Row 43 - Cell 4
ChesterfieldYesYesRow 44 - Cell 3 Row 44 - Cell 4
Chester-le-StreetYesRow 45 - Cell 2 Row 45 - Cell 3 Row 45 - Cell 4
ChorleyYesRow 46 - Cell 2 Row 46 - Cell 3 Row 46 - Cell 4
Clayton-le-WoodsRow 47 - Cell 1 Row 47 - Cell 2 YesRow 47 - Cell 4
ClevedonYesRow 48 - Cell 2 Row 48 - Cell 3 Row 48 - Cell 4
Clifton (Notts)YesRow 49 - Cell 2 Row 49 - Cell 3 Row 49 - Cell 4
ClydebankYesRow 50 - Cell 2 Row 50 - Cell 3 Row 50 - Cell 4
CrawleyYesRow 51 - Cell 2 Row 51 - Cell 3 Row 51 - Cell 4
CrosbyRow 52 - Cell 1 Row 52 - Cell 2 Row 52 - Cell 3 Yes
CoventryRow 53 - Cell 1 YesYesRow 53 - Cell 4
CullingworthRow 54 - Cell 1 Row 54 - Cell 2 YesRow 54 - Cell 4
CumbernauldYesRow 55 - Cell 2 Row 55 - Cell 3 Row 55 - Cell 4
DartfordYesYesRow 56 - Cell 3 Row 56 - Cell 4
Derby2020YesYesRow 57 - Cell 4
DewsburyRow 58 - Cell 1 YesRow 58 - Cell 3 Row 58 - Cell 4
DinningtonYesRow 59 - Cell 2 Row 59 - Cell 3 Row 59 - Cell 4
DoncasterYesRow 60 - Cell 2 YesRow 60 - Cell 4
DroylsdenRow 61 - Cell 1 Row 61 - Cell 2 Row 61 - Cell 3 Yes
DudleyYesRow 62 - Cell 2 Row 62 - Cell 3 Row 62 - Cell 4
DunbartonRow 63 - Cell 1 Row 63 - Cell 2 Row 63 - Cell 3 Yes
DundeeRow 64 - Cell 1 YesYesRow 64 - Cell 4
DyceRow 65 - Cell 1 YesRow 65 - Cell 3 Row 65 - Cell 4
EastbourneRow 66 - Cell 1 YesRow 66 - Cell 3 Row 66 - Cell 4
EcclesRow 67 - Cell 1 Row 67 - Cell 2 Row 67 - Cell 3 Yes
EdinburghYesYesRow 68 - Cell 3 Yes
EpsomYesRow 69 - Cell 2 Row 69 - Cell 3 Row 69 - Cell 4
EsherRow 70 - Cell 1 YesRow 70 - Cell 3 Row 70 - Cell 4
EtonRow 71 - Cell 1 2020Row 71 - Cell 3 Row 71 - Cell 4
GatesheadRow 72 - Cell 1 YesRow 72 - Cell 3 Row 72 - Cell 4
GatwickRow 73 - Cell 1 Row 73 - Cell 2 Row 73 - Cell 3 Yes
GillinghamYesYesRow 74 - Cell 3 Row 74 - Cell 4
GlasgowYesYesYesYes
Gloucester2020Row 76 - Cell 2 Row 76 - Cell 3 Row 76 - Cell 4
GorebridgeRow 77 - Cell 1 Row 77 - Cell 2 YesRow 77 - Cell 4
GraysYesYesRow 78 - Cell 3 Row 78 - Cell 4
Great ShelfordRow 79 - Cell 1 Row 79 - Cell 2 Row 79 - Cell 3 Yes
GrimsbyRow 80 - Cell 1 Row 80 - Cell 2 YesRow 80 - Cell 4
GuildfordYes2020YesYes
HamiltonYesRow 82 - Cell 2 Row 82 - Cell 3 Row 82 - Cell 4
HarlowYesRow 83 - Cell 2 Row 83 - Cell 3 Row 83 - Cell 4
HeanorRow 84 - Cell 1 Row 84 - Cell 2 YesRow 84 - Cell 4
Hedge EndRow 85 - Cell 1 Row 85 - Cell 2 YesRow 85 - Cell 4
Hemel HempstedRow 86 - Cell 1 YesYesRow 86 - Cell 4
HoddesdonRow 87 - Cell 1 Row 87 - Cell 2 Row 87 - Cell 3 Row 87 - Cell 4
HorwichRow 88 - Cell 1 Row 88 - Cell 2 Row 88 - Cell 3 Yes
HoveRow 89 - Cell 1 2020Row 89 - Cell 3 Row 89 - Cell 4
Huyton-with-RobyRow 90 - Cell 1 Row 90 - Cell 2 Row 90 - Cell 3 Yes
HuddersfieldYesYesYesRow 91 - Cell 4
HullYesYesRow 92 - Cell 3 Row 92 - Cell 4
IlkestonYesRow 93 - Cell 2 Row 93 - Cell 3 Row 93 - Cell 4
IpswichRow 94 - Cell 1 Row 94 - Cell 2 YesRow 94 - Cell 4
InchinnanYesRow 95 - Cell 2 YesRow 95 - Cell 4
Isle of ScillyRow 96 - Cell 1 Row 96 - Cell 2 Row 96 - Cell 3 Yes
JarrowYesYesRow 97 - Cell 3 Row 97 - Cell 4
KimberleyYesRow 98 - Cell 2 Row 98 - Cell 3 Row 98 - Cell 4
Kingston Upon ThamesYes2020Row 99 - Cell 3 Row 99 - Cell 4
Kingswood (Bristol)Row 100 - Cell 1 Row 100 - Cell 2 Row 100 - Cell 3 Yes
LancasterRow 101 - Cell 1 Row 101 - Cell 2 Row 101 - Cell 3 Yes
LeedsYesYesYesYes
LeicesterYesYesYesRow 103 - Cell 4
LeylandRow 104 - Cell 1 Row 104 - Cell 2 YesRow 104 - Cell 4
LichfieldYesRow 105 - Cell 2 Row 105 - Cell 3 Row 105 - Cell 4
LincolnRow 106 - Cell 1 YesRow 106 - Cell 3 Row 106 - Cell 4
LisburnYesYesRow 107 - Cell 3 Row 107 - Cell 4
LiverpoolYesYesYesYes
LlandudnoRow 109 - Cell 1 Row 109 - Cell 2 Row 109 - Cell 3 Yes
LoughboroughYesRow 110 - Cell 2 Row 110 - Cell 3 Row 110 - Cell 4
LoughtonYesRow 111 - Cell 2 Row 111 - Cell 3 Row 111 - Cell 4
LondonYesYesYesYes
Lower StondonRow 113 - Cell 1 Row 113 - Cell 2 YesRow 113 - Cell 4
LutonRow 114 - Cell 1 YesYesRow 114 - Cell 4
MaidstoneYesRow 115 - Cell 2 YesRow 115 - Cell 4
ManchesterYesYesYesYes
MangotsfieldRow 117 - Cell 1 Row 117 - Cell 2 Row 117 - Cell 3 Yes
MansfieldRow 118 - Cell 1 YesRow 118 - Cell 3 Row 118 - Cell 4
MiddlesbroughRow 119 - Cell 1 YesRow 119 - Cell 3 Row 119 - Cell 4
MilnrowYesRow 120 - Cell 2 Row 120 - Cell 3 Row 120 - Cell 4
Milton KeynesRow 121 - Cell 1 20202020Row 121 - Cell 4
MinsterYesRow 122 - Cell 2 Row 122 - Cell 3 Row 122 - Cell 4
MirfieldYesRow 123 - Cell 2 Row 123 - Cell 3 Row 123 - Cell 4
MorleyRow 124 - Cell 1 YesRow 124 - Cell 3 Row 124 - Cell 4
MotherwellYesRow 125 - Cell 2 YesRow 125 - Cell 4
NestonRow 126 - Cell 1 Row 126 - Cell 2 YesRow 126 - Cell 4
NewburyRow 127 - Cell 1 2020Row 127 - Cell 3 Yes
NewcastleYesYesRow 128 - Cell 3 Row 128 - Cell 4
NewtownabbeyRow 129 - Cell 1 YesRow 129 - Cell 3 Row 129 - Cell 4
Newton-le-WillowsYesRow 130 - Cell 2 Row 130 - Cell 3 Row 130 - Cell 4
NorthamptonYesYesRow 131 - Cell 3 Row 131 - Cell 4
North ShieldsYesYesRow 132 - Cell 3 Row 132 - Cell 4
NorwichRow 133 - Cell 1 YesRow 133 - Cell 3 Row 133 - Cell 4
NottinghamYesYesYesRow 134 - Cell 4
NuneatonYesRow 135 - Cell 2 Row 135 - Cell 3 Row 135 - Cell 4
Oldbury/SmethwickRow 136 - Cell 1 Row 136 - Cell 2 Row 136 - Cell 3 Yes
OldhamYesRow 137 - Cell 2 Row 137 - Cell 3 Row 137 - Cell 4
OrpingtonRow 138 - Cell 1 YesRow 138 - Cell 3 Row 138 - Cell 4
OxfordYesYesRow 139 - Cell 3 Row 139 - Cell 4
PaisleyYesRow 140 - Cell 2 Row 140 - Cell 3 Yes
PenarthRow 141 - Cell 1 Row 141 - Cell 2 Row 141 - Cell 3 Yes
Peterborough2020YesYesRow 142 - Cell 4
PlymouthYesYesYesYes
PontefractYesRow 144 - Cell 2 Row 144 - Cell 3 Row 144 - Cell 4
Portsmouth2020Row 145 - Cell 2 2020Yes
PorthcawlYesRow 146 - Cell 2 Row 146 - Cell 3 Row 146 - Cell 4
Potters BarYesRow 147 - Cell 2 Row 147 - Cell 3 Row 147 - Cell 4
PrestonRow 148 - Cell 1 Row 148 - Cell 2 YesRow 148 - Cell 4
PrestwishRow 149 - Cell 1 Row 149 - Cell 2 Row 149 - Cell 3 Yes
RainhamRow 150 - Cell 1 YesRow 150 - Cell 3 Row 150 - Cell 4
ReadingRow 151 - Cell 1 2020YesYes
RedcarRow 152 - Cell 1 Row 152 - Cell 2 YesRow 152 - Cell 4
RedhillRow 153 - Cell 1 YesRow 153 - Cell 3 Row 153 - Cell 4
RochdaleYesRow 154 - Cell 2 Row 154 - Cell 3 Yes
RochesterYesRow 155 - Cell 2 Row 155 - Cell 3 Row 155 - Cell 4
RomfordYesRow 156 - Cell 2 Row 156 - Cell 3 Row 156 - Cell 4
RotherhamYesYes2020Row 157 - Cell 4
RoystonRow 158 - Cell 1 Row 158 - Cell 2 YesRow 158 - Cell 4
Rugeley (West Mids)YesRow 159 - Cell 2 Row 159 - Cell 3 Row 159 - Cell 4
SalfordYesRow 160 - Cell 2 Row 160 - Cell 3 Yes
SheffieldYesYesYesRow 161 - Cell 4
Shelly GreenRow 162 - Cell 1 Row 162 - Cell 2 YesRow 162 - Cell 4
ShipleyYesRow 163 - Cell 2 Row 163 - Cell 3 Row 163 - Cell 4
SloughRow 164 - Cell 1 YesYesRow 164 - Cell 4
SolihullYesRow 165 - Cell 2 Row 165 - Cell 3 Yes
Southampton202020202020Yes
Southend on SeaYesRow 167 - Cell 2 Row 167 - Cell 3 Row 167 - Cell 4
South ShieldsYesYesRow 168 - Cell 3 Row 168 - Cell 4
St. AlbansRow 169 - Cell 1 Row 169 - Cell 2 YesRow 169 - Cell 4
Staines-upon-ThamesYesYesRow 170 - Cell 3 Row 170 - Cell 4
StaffordYesRow 171 - Cell 2 Row 171 - Cell 3 Row 171 - Cell 4
StevenageYesRow 172 - Cell 2 YesRow 172 - Cell 4
StirlingYesRow 173 - Cell 2 Row 173 - Cell 3 Row 173 - Cell 4
StockportRow 174 - Cell 1 Row 174 - Cell 2 Row 174 - Cell 3 Yes
Stoke-on-TrentRow 175 - Cell 1 YesRow 175 - Cell 3 Yes
StranraerRow 176 - Cell 1 Row 176 - Cell 2 Row 176 - Cell 3 Yes
StretfordRow 177 - Cell 1 Row 177 - Cell 2 Row 177 - Cell 3 Yes
SunburyRow 178 - Cell 1 YesRow 178 - Cell 3 Row 178 - Cell 4
SunderlandYesYesYesRow 179 - Cell 4
Sutton CoaldieldYesRow 180 - Cell 2 Row 180 - Cell 3 Yes
SwanseaRow 181 - Cell 1 Row 181 - Cell 2 YesYes
SwadlincoteYesRow 182 - Cell 2 YesRow 182 - Cell 4
SwindonRow 183 - Cell 1 Row 183 - Cell 2 YesRow 183 - Cell 4
Swinton and PendleburyUrmstonRow 184 - Cell 1 Row 184 - Cell 2 Row 184 - Cell 3 Yes
SydenhamYesRow 185 - Cell 2 Row 185 - Cell 3 Row 185 - Cell 4
ThundersleyRow 186 - Cell 1 YesRow 186 - Cell 3 Row 186 - Cell 4
TynemouthRow 187 - Cell 1 YesRow 187 - Cell 3 Row 187 - Cell 4
WakefieldYesRow 188 - Cell 2 Row 188 - Cell 3 Row 188 - Cell 4
WallaseyRow 189 - Cell 1 Row 189 - Cell 2 Row 189 - Cell 3 Yes
WalsallYesRow 190 - Cell 2 Row 190 - Cell 3 Row 190 - Cell 4
Waltham AbbeyYesRow 191 - Cell 2 Row 191 - Cell 3 Row 191 - Cell 4
Waltham CrossYesRow 192 - Cell 2 Row 192 - Cell 3 Row 192 - Cell 4
Walton-on-ThamesYesRow 193 - Cell 2 Row 193 - Cell 3 Row 193 - Cell 4
WarwickYesRow 194 - Cell 2 Row 194 - Cell 3 Row 194 - Cell 4
WashingtonYesYesRow 195 - Cell 3 Row 195 - Cell 4
WarringtonRow 196 - Cell 1 YesRow 196 - Cell 3 Yes
WatfordYesRow 197 - Cell 2 Row 197 - Cell 3 Row 197 - Cell 4
West BromwichYesRow 198 - Cell 2 Row 198 - Cell 3 Row 198 - Cell 4
WesthoughtonYesRow 199 - Cell 2 YesRow 199 - Cell 4
Weston-Super-MareYesRow 200 - Cell 2 Row 200 - Cell 3 Row 200 - Cell 4
WeybridgeYesYesRow 201 - Cell 3 Row 201 - Cell 4
WickfordYesRow 202 - Cell 2 YesRow 202 - Cell 4
WiganRow 203 - Cell 1 Row 203 - Cell 2 YesRow 203 - Cell 4
WindsorRow 204 - Cell 1 YesRow 204 - Cell 3 Row 204 - Cell 4
WolverhamptonYes20202020Yes
Worcester2020Row 206 - Cell 2 Row 206 - Cell 3 Row 206 - Cell 4
WorthingRow 207 - Cell 1 YesRow 207 - Cell 3 Row 207 - Cell 4
YorkRow 208 - Cell 1 YesRow 208 - Cell 3 Row 208 - Cell 4

As you can see it’s quite the mishmash of locations, ranging from big cities to small towns you probably won’t have heard of if you don’t live nearby. EE is clearly winning in terms of number of locations, though it’s also facing some stiff competition from O2 and Three. 

So if you’re looking for the most comprehensive 5G coverage, EE (or BT) is clearly the way to go. Of course O2 has quite the reach too, and its availability on Sky and Tesco gives you more choice on contracts and data plans.

Of course 5G coverage isn’t universal, even in places where the network is available. It can change from one end of town to the other, street to street, or even depending on whether you’re inside or not. So make sure to check out coverage maps before you commit to a network. 

EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone all have their own maps, but if you’d rather not have to keep switching between different network websites check out nperf’s map. That map doesn’t let you toggle off 2G, 3G, or 4G, but it does let you swap between networks at the click of a button — which could prove very useful.

What about iPhone 12 and 700MHz?

Thankfully buying the iPhone 12 shouldn’t be an issue. There had been some pre-launch rumours that the phone wouldn’t support the 700Mhz 5G band, which while not in use in the UK just yet is still expected to play a key role in expanding 5G coverage — on account of its long range. Fortunately Apple’s specs tell a different story, and promise that all four iPhone 12 models will support 700Mhz (along with several other layers of the 5G spectrum) in the U.K.

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Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.