The addition of 5G connectivity is one of the main selling points of the iPhone 12 series this year. However, it is understandable if some users prefer to have it disabled for a variety of reasons.
Despite the promised faster speed of 5G, the truth is many places around the world where iPhone 12 is being sold still have LTE as the best mobile network option. That means, to some users, there is just no use in having the 5G connection activated. Turning off 5G, or mobile data connection in general, can also be a personal preference. Some papers show connecting to the internet through cellular data consumes way more battery than using Wi-Fi.
How iPhone 12 users can disable 5G when it’s not needed
Navigating through iPhone 12’s 5G options is quite simple. Start by opening the Settings app, then open the Cellular page, and choose Cellular Data Options. Under the Voice & Data menu, iPhone 12 users will find three options -- 5G On, 5G Auto, and LTE. Choosing LTE means the device will not use 5G data regardless of the battery status or network availability.
The 5G Auto option uses iPhone 12’s Smart Data mode that automatically activates LTE connection whenever the device detects the 5G network speed is not any better. The 5G On option will have the device connect to a 5G network always whenever it is available in the area. But the Apple Support page notes, “This might reduce battery life.”
iPhone 12 availability, pricing
All four models under the iPhone 12 series are now available. Aside from 5G, Apple also improved the devices by using OLED panels for its screens. MagSafe support has also been added, so users can now buy magnetic accessories such as wireless chargers.
The new addition to the lineup is the iPhone 12 mini, which Apple claims to be the smallest 5G smartphone in the market with a 5.4” display for as low as $699. The standard size model with 6.1” screen is still available starting at $799. Both devices are available in five colors -- White, Black, Blue, Red, and Green.
Apple also launched two Pro models this year to complete the series, and their prices are noticeably unchanged from last year. This is worth noting considering the new features and specs upgrades. The iPhone 12 Pro comes with a 6.1” screen while the iPhone 12 Pro Max sports a 6.7” display. Apple added the LiDAR scanner on both models for prices that start at $999 and $1,099, respectively.
Featured photo by Bagus Hernawan on Unsplash


Sam Altman Reaffirms OpenAI’s Long-Term Commitment to NVIDIA Amid Chip Report
Instagram Outage Disrupts Thousands of U.S. Users
SpaceX Seeks FCC Approval for Massive Solar-Powered Satellite Network to Support AI Data Centers
Sony Q3 Profit Jumps on Gaming and Image Sensors, Full-Year Outlook Raised
TSMC Eyes 3nm Chip Production in Japan with $17 Billion Kumamoto Investment
Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns
SoftBank and Intel Partner to Develop Next-Generation Memory Chips for AI Data Centers
Palantir Stock Jumps After Strong Q4 Earnings Beat and Upbeat 2026 Revenue Forecast
Anthropic Eyes $350 Billion Valuation as AI Funding and Share Sale Accelerate
Google Cloud and Liberty Global Forge Strategic AI Partnership to Transform European Telecom Services
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Acquires xAI in Historic Deal Uniting Space and Artificial Intelligence
Oracle Plans $45–$50 Billion Funding Push in 2026 to Expand Cloud and AI Infrastructure
Nvidia, ByteDance, and the U.S.-China AI Chip Standoff Over H200 Exports
SoftBank Shares Slide After Arm Earnings Miss Fuels Tech Stock Sell-Off
Elon Musk’s Empire: SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI Merger Talks Spark Investor Debate 



