The Differences Between 4G and 5G Networks

📡 Why is everyone talking about 5G, and does it really change your day‑to‑day? The thing is, 5G isn’t just “faster” — it enables entirely different usage experiences: lower latency, huge capacity, and stability even at peak hours. But in Israel, as always, there are nuances in rollout, frequency bands, and device compatibility you should know before buying a SIM or Tokman prepaid.

🌐 In this post I bring together field insights, real tests, and customer stories — from a tourist couple who landed at Ben Gurion Airport to delivery drivers in Tel Aviv and Haifa. We’ll cover pros and cons, where 4G still wins, and how to choose a smart plan without getting swept up in the hype.

💡 You won’t believe it, but... sometimes 4G is better than 5G — it depends on where you’re standing, which device you’re using, and even which window you’re leaning against when you’re on a video call.

📈 Speed, ping, and capacity: the difference you feel in your hands

📱 4G (LTE) was built to bring fast internet to mobile — and when it’s uncongested, it’s excellent: real‑world speeds from tens to hundreds of Mbps, suitable for everything from HD streaming to Zoom calls. 5G takes it a step further with speeds that can reach many hundreds of Mbps and even over a gigabit in optimal conditions. In Israel, on n78 (3.5GHz), I see 300–800Mbps for customers in city centers during off‑peak hours.

⚡ Latency is the second big change. While stable 4G hovers around 25–45ms, 5G can drop to 10–20ms and even less. Why does that matter? It’s the difference between smooth online gaming and lag, between delivery drivers getting seamless location updates and annoying delays in directions.

📊 Network capacity. 5G handles load better. In crowded areas — train stations, malls, concerts — 4G tends to “choke.” 5G, especially on 3.5GHz with advanced antenna configurations (Massive MIMO), keeps speeds steady even when hundreds of users around you are connected. Simply put: fewer bottlenecks.

🌍 Rollout in Israel: bands, coverage, and what’s in between

🗺️ In Israel, 4G networks are widely deployed almost everywhere, with low bands (like 700/800/900MHz) providing good in‑building and rural coverage, and higher bands (1800/2100/2600MHz) adding capacity in busy areas. In practice this translates to relatively reliable 4G even on intercity highways.

📡 5G in Israel uses a mix of 3.5GHz (n78) for capacity and speed, and sometimes 700MHz (n28) for coverage — but not everywhere. In reality, in major cities like Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva, you’ll find excellent “5G pockets,” but in villages, moshavim, and mountainous regions — 4G still carries the day. Important: most connections today are NSA (Non‑Standalone) — 5G rides on a 4G anchor, so you might see the 5G icon, but the actual experience also depends on the quality of 4G in the area.

🏢 Indoors, the difference is noticeable. 3.5GHz struggles to penetrate thick concrete, so on lower floors or internal rooms you’ll often see a sharp drop in 5G and a fallback to 4G. A client of mine with a basement office in Ramat HaHayal tried a 5G CPE and got only 60–90Mbps; when we moved the router to a window facing the street, speeds jumped to 350Mbps. Golden tip: antenna/router placement is everything.

🔌 Devices, SIM, and Tokman: what do you really need to replace?

📱 Not all 5G phones are the same. Two “5G” phones can support different bands. If you buy locally — you’re usually covered. If you brought a device from abroad, check support for n78 (3.5GHz) and VoLTE with your carrier. Without VoLTE, voice calls will drop to 3G/2G (being phased out in Israel), which can cause issues.

💳 SIM cards: in most cases your existing SIM will work with 5G if your plan supports it. But if your SIM is really old (5–7 years and up), it’s worth upgrading — I’ve seen cases where reception/call issues came down to an ancient SIM card. For prepaid users, Tokman SIMs support 5G with some providers — ask at purchase, and verify the plan truly includes 5G and not just 4G.

🧳 Tourists in Israel? Simplicity wins. Prepaid plans with 5G exist, but if your schedule is tight and the uneven coverage worries you, a stable 4G plan is often better for travel. You can buy a SIM in advance for quick activation — choose a provider that offers both eSIM and physical SIM, especially if you’re arriving with a newer iPhone. For peace of mind, look for plans with domestic roaming between partner networks, or turn to broker services like “ZolSim” for a tailored fit — including help with Tokman top‑ups and service in Hebrew and English.

Practical tip: If you rely on a mobile hotspot for your laptop, make sure your plan allows hotspot use and doesn’t throttle you after the first few gigabytes. It happens more than you think.

🧪 From the field: real tests and customer stories

🚶 Tel Aviv (Rothschild area): 4G at rush hours reached 25–60Mbps with ~35ms ping. 5G on n78 delivered 350–600Mbps and ~15ms ping. Late at night — we saw 900Mbps. A client doing video uploads got double the upload performance (40 vs 20Mbps) — that’s the difference between “waiting” and “uploaded and gone.”

🚌 Jerusalem–Herzliya rail line: 4G is steady most of the way, 5G “blinks on and off.” If you do video calls while stationary you’ll get fantastic 5G at stations, but during the ride it will drop to 4G. Conclusion: for fast movement, don’t count on continuous 5G (for now).

🏞️ Dead Sea and northern Golan: 4G gives 10–40Mbps, sometimes less; 5G is only spottily available. Owners of FWA routers for “work from anywhere” learned to add a small external antenna and raise the modem — an upgrade that easily doubles speeds. Yes, even half a meter closer to the window works wonders.

📊 4G vs 5G — a quick comparison

Note: mmWave (millimeter waves) is hardly deployed in Israel today — don’t count on it when buying a device.

🧳 Tourists, prepaid, and routers: what to know before you buy

🧭 For tourists: if you’re here for a week or two, don’t waste time “hunting 5G.” Get a plan with generous data and local/international calls, and stable 4G. If you plan heavy streaming/live broadcasts, look for a true 5G plan — check the fine print about hotspot policy.

📶 Cellular routers (FWA): in homes with weak fixed infrastructure, a 5G router can replace wired internet with 200–500Mbps speeds. But if you’re far from a 5G site, a quality 4G router with an external antenna will be more stable. A client in Rosh HaAyin moved from a disappointing 5G router to a 4G CAT12 with an antenna — ping stabilized and cloud work became smooth.

💼 For small businesses: Tokman/prepaid for field staff saves headaches. Give 4G lines to IoT/point‑of‑sale stations, and a 5G line to the manager who needs fast uploads. Simple, smart, and cost‑effective. You can purchase Tokman SIMs and handle ongoing operations — including Tokman top‑ups — through a single reliable provider like Zol Sim, with tech support and SIM replacement if needed.

🧠 Common myths and the truth behind them

• “5G is always faster than 4G”
  Sometimes, yes. But if you’re inside a building with weak coverage or in an area without n78, clean 4G can win. I’ve seen 4G on 1800MHz at 120Mbps vs 5G on 700MHz at 70Mbps.

• “You must replace your SIM for 5G”
  Not necessarily. If your card is relatively new and your plan supports it — you’re fine. Only very old SIMs are worth replacing, mainly for stability and VoLTE.

• “5G drains battery”
  Early modem generations did. In 2024–2025 models, the difference is small. What really eats battery is weak signal — both on 4G and 5G. Choose a carrier with good coverage where you live/work.

• “5G is dangerous to health”
  The tech adheres to strict exposure standards. In Israel, the Ministry of Communications and health bodies supervise; there is no scientific evidence of harm at permitted levels. What is definitely harmful: giving up navigation/safety due to a flaky connection.

🛠️ Practical tips for choosing a plan and device

🔎 Start with a personal map: where do you live, work, and hang out? If most of your time is outside 5G pockets, invest in a generous 4G plan and a device with strong reception on low bands.

📶 Check VoLTE and Wi‑Fi Calling: crucial for clean calls, especially after 3G/2G shutdowns. Make sure your device supports them and they’re enabled on your carrier profile.

🧩 Don’t skimp on the modem/router: if you rely on cellular internet at home/office, a quality modem with external antenna support makes all the difference. Sometimes that matters more than moving from 4G to 5G.

💬 Want a guiding hand? At ZolSim you can get a tailored match between device, coverage, and plan — including quick help with Tokman top‑ups and on‑site swaps.

🔐 Security and stability: a perspective we don’t talk about enough

🛡️ 5G brings significant security improvements, but in practice most networks in Israel still operate in NSA mode — meaning part of the signaling and authentication runs through 4G infrastructure. It’s usually transparent to end users, but for sensitive applications (POS, security cameras) it can affect stability.

🔒 For businesses running sensors or cameras over cellular, consider a business/private APN or an IoT‑specific SIM with controlled network access. 5G enables network slicing — logical “lanes” with different priorities — but in Israel this is still in early stages.

⚙️ If uptime matters, don’t rely on 5G alone. Configure automatic fallback to 4G, and consider dual antennas/wired backup. A grocery chain client fixed POS video hiccups by switching to a plan with network priority and upgrading the antenna — without changing carriers.

❓ Frequently asked questions from the field

• Is it worth upgrading to a 5G device in 2025?
  If you’re in a big city or using a home router — yes, you’ll feel it. If you’re mostly in the periphery/in thick buildings — only if your old device is near end‑of‑life.

• Tourists for a week: 4G or 5G?
  4G is enough for most. If you live‑stream/work in the cloud from here — look for 5G, but don’t skimp on a big data allowance and hotspot.

• Does Tokman support 5G?
  Yes, with some providers. Make sure the plan is defined as 5G; otherwise the device will “lock” to 4G even if it supports 5G.

✅ Summary: so what to choose — 4G or 5G?

📌 If you want cellular internet “without drama” everywhere — 4G is still a fantastic workhorse.
📌 If you’re in the city and love speed, gaming, heavy video, or a fast home router — 5G is worth every shekel.
Most important: match it to your life scenario. Check coverage, ensure device compatibility, and configure the plan correctly. Need help choosing, purchasing, or topping up? At Zol Sim you’ll get unbiased advice, on‑the‑spot Tokman SIM purchases, and online Tokman top‑ups in two minutes.

You might also like:

• Cellular internet router with a SIM – what is it and which plans fit?
• 2G and 3G shutdown in Israel: what do you need to know?
• What is eSIM and how will it affect Tokman top‑ups?
• SIMs for IoT devices – the future of communication
• Dual SIM — how it works and why it’s useful