Why T-Mobile Maintains Its Leadership as AT&T and Verizon Accelerate 5G SA and RedCap Rollouts

As the race to expand 5G standalone (SA) and 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) technology intensifies among major U.S. carriers, T-Mobile continues to hold a distinct advantage. While AT&T and Verizon have recently begun rolling out 5G SA and RedCap capabilities, T-Mobile’s early adoption and extensive deployment have positioned it ahead in both network performance and device compatibility.

Understanding 5G RedCap: Designed for Devices with Moderate Needs

T-Mobile launched its 5G standalone network as early as 2020, enabling it to introduce 5G RedCap technology well before its competitors. AT&T and Verizon started deploying their 5G SA networks roughly two months ago, allowing T-Mobile a significant lead in real-world performance and coverage.

Tests conducted over T-Mobile’s 5G SA network reveal that 5G RedCap delivers speeds up to 67% faster than LTE Category 4, with improvements in both upload and download throughput. Additionally, 5G RedCap provides stronger performance in low-signal areas compared to LTE, enhancing user experience in challenging environments.

A prime example of T-Mobile’s leadership is the LINKPORT IK511, the first 5G RedCap-enabled device launched in North America by TCL in collaboration with T-Mobile in October 2024. This device expands connectivity options for laptops and tablets, allowing them to tap into T-Mobile’s 5G network instead of being limited to 4G speeds.

In addition, T-Mobile recently enabled 5G RedCap support for key wearables such as the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3. Since smartwatches are often the first connected devices given to children, 5G RedCap’s improved speed and reliability help families stay connected more efficiently.

Moreover, T-Mobile stands alone as the only U.S. carrier to have activated 5G Advanced nationwide, marking the next evolutionary step in 5G technology.

Comparing AT&T and Verizon's Progress with RedCap

Both AT&T and Verizon have introduced 5G RedCap support, however, T-Mobile boasts wider coverage for this technology. This means that devices on AT&T and Verizon networks are more likely to revert to LTE, reducing the benefits of 5G RedCap in everyday usage.

While faster speeds may not be the primary motivation for users of smaller devices like smartwatches, 5G RedCap’s power-saving features, such as Extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) and Radio Resource Management (RRM) relaxation, significantly improve battery efficiency by reducing unnecessary network activities.

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Is 5G RedCap a True Game-Changer?

As 5G SA networks and technologies like RedCap become more integrated into everyday devices, T-Mobile’s early investment and wider coverage provide clear advantages. The enhancements in speed, network reliability, and power efficiency particularly benefit devices that cannot support full 5G features, such as smartwatches, tablets, and laptops. While competition from AT&T and Verizon is heating up, T-Mobile’s leadership with advanced 5G offerings and device partnerships continue to set industry standards and influence user experiences across the country.