5G Is Now Working on iPhones and Samsung Phones in Pakistan — Here Is Everything You Need to Know
Pakistan’s 5G journey has been a long time coming — years of spectrum auctions, regulatory approvals, and quiet frustration from users watching Chinese phone owners enjoy blazing speeds while their premium iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices stayed stubbornly stuck on 4G. That wait is now over. Zong has officially confirmed 5G support for iPhones and a wide range of Samsung devices, with Jazz following closely behind. Here is the full picture of what is working, on which network, and how to get it running on your phone today.
The Moment Pakistan’s 5G Story Changed
Before diving into device lists and how-to steps, it helps to understand why this took so long — and why the breakthrough matters now.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority formally authorised Jazz, Ufone, and Zong to launch 5G commercial services nationwide, effective immediately. All three operators were required to publish service-availability lists and compatible 5G device models on their respective websites.
But official authorisation and actual device support are two very different things. Although Pakistan officially rolled out 5G services, many users with premium smartphones including iPhones and Samsung devices were still unable to connect to the network. The reason for the delay was technical and regulatory. Global mobile companies activate 5G only after approving each country’s network — a process called “country whitelisting.” Apple and Samsung had not yet added Pakistan to their whitelisting, which is why the service could not be enabled on their devices. In contrast, Chinese smartphone brands already supported 5G in Pakistan. SPINIDG
That has now changed. iPhone and Samsung smartphones in Pakistan are finally able to run 5G. The confirmation comes from Zong and Jazz’s official websites, which show lists of compatible phones that can run 5G in Pakistan. LCCI
Zong: The Furthest Ahead — iPhones and Samsung Both Supported
Right now, Zong is leading Pakistan’s 5G rollout by a clear margin — particularly when it comes to Apple and Samsung device support.
Zong has added support for all iPhones since the iPhone 12. iPhone 5G support is only available on Zong for now, and their list of Samsung phones is much bigger as well. Zong’s list of 5G compatible Samsung devices includes Galaxy S series phones from the Galaxy S20 to the S25, but not the Galaxy S26 series yet. Most A-series phones and several M-series phones are also included, new and old ones alike.
In short, if you have an iPhone 12 or any newer model — including iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16, and the iPhone 16e — your device is officially supported for 5G on Zong’s network right now.
For Samsung users, the supported range is broad. Galaxy S20 through S25, most Galaxy A-series phones from recent years, and several M-series models are all on the list. The Galaxy S26 series is not yet included, which is worth noting for anyone who recently upgraded to Samsung’s latest flagship.
Zong has introduced one of the largest lists of Pakistan 5G compatible phones, covering more than 2,000 devices across over 100 brands. The list includes devices from Vivo, iQOO, Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Realme, OPPO, and many other manufacturers.
Zong has launched 5G services in 21 cities across Pakistan, including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Sukkur, Abbottabad, Mardan, Larkana, Sheikhupura, Okara, Wah Cantt, and Dera Ghazi Khan.
Jazz: Samsung Support Live, iPhones Coming Soon
Jazz is in a slightly different position. Its 5G network is live and its device compatibility list is growing — but it has not yet added iPhones to its supported devices.
Jazz has not added support for iPhones yet, and only a few Samsung phones. For iPhone devices, 5G support on certain models may require carrier settings or a software update from Apple to enable compatibility with local network configurations, which may take additional time. Users are advised to keep their device software updated to ensure seamless access to 5G services as support becomes available.
Jazz has specified that existing Jazz SIMs which can access 4G will also work with 5G, provided the device supports 5G and they are in a 5G coverage area. No special 5G bundle is required. Customers can continue using their existing data bundles.
That last point is worth underlining. You do not need to buy a new SIM card and you do not need to switch to a special 5G data package. If your current Jazz SIM works on 4G, it will work on 5G — you just need to be on a supported device and in a covered area.
Ufone: Authorised But Not Yet Live
Ufone has recently received approval to roll out 5G services across Pakistan from PTA, but there is no word on an official launch date or compatible devices as of yet. LCCI
Ufone customers will need to wait a little longer. The licence is in place, but the infrastructure rollout and device compatibility work still need to be completed.
How to Enable 5G on Your iPhone Right Now
If you are on Zong and have an iPhone 12 or later, enabling 5G is genuinely simple. The entire process takes under a minute.
Open Settings on your iPhone. Tap Cellular, then Cellular Data Options. Tap Voice & Data and select 5G Auto. Your iPhone will now switch to 5G whenever you are in a covered area and fall back to LTE when 5G is not available — which is the best setting for most users since it balances speed with battery life.
If you do not see the 5G option in your settings, make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version, as Apple’s carrier update that enables 5G in Pakistan is delivered through software updates.
How to Enable 5G on Your Samsung Galaxy Phone
Samsung users on Zong with a supported Galaxy device can follow these steps. Go to Settings, then Connections, then Mobile Networks. You will see an option called Allow 5G Service — toggle it on. That is all it takes. Your phone will connect to 5G automatically when you are in a covered area.
Samsung Pakistan has confirmed that Galaxy S24 FE devices will be able to support 5G service from May 2026. Users with Galaxy S25 Edge devices have confirmed that Zong 5G is working, though coverage is available in limited areas only.
Do You Need a New SIM Card for 5G?
This is the question most people ask first — and the answer is no.
Many users believe that a new SIM card is required for 5G, but this is not the case. Telecom companies have confirmed that existing 4G SIM cards are fully capable of supporting 5G networks. However, users must have a compatible smartphone and be located in a 5G coverage area. Without these two factors, 5G services will not be accessible regardless of SIM capability.
Your existing Zong or Jazz SIM works fine. The two things you actually need are a compatible device — confirmed on your operator’s official compatibility list — and proximity to a 5G tower in one of the covered cities.
What Makes This a Big Deal for Pakistan
Pakistan joins a long list of countries that have made this transition — but the context here is worth appreciating. As Pakistan begins its transition toward next-generation connectivity, the compatibility lists released by Jazz and Zong reflect the growing availability of 5G-enabled smartphones in the country. These devices support the frequency bands allocated during the recent spectrum auction, allowing users to access faster data speeds and improved network performance.
The real-world difference between 5G and 4G is significant — download speeds that previously required a minute can now happen in seconds, video calls become sharper and more stable, and gaming latency drops to levels that make online multiplayer genuinely competitive. For businesses, the low-latency nature of 5G opens up applications in remote monitoring, logistics, and real-time data processing that were previously not practical on mobile networks.
Pakistan’s 5G story is only beginning. Coverage will expand, more devices will be added to compatibility lists, and the experience will improve as more towers come online. But for millions of iPhone and Samsung users across 21 cities who have been waiting patiently — that wait is officially over.
Quick Reference: What Works on Which Network
| Device | Zong 5G | Jazz 5G |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 and newer | ✅ Supported | ⏳ Coming soon |
| Samsung Galaxy S20–S25 | ✅ Supported | ✅ Limited models |
| Samsung Galaxy A-series | ✅ Most models | ✅ Limited models |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 | ❌ Not yet | ❌ Not yet |
| Xiaomi, Vivo, OPPO, Realme | ✅ Wide support | ✅ Wide support |
| Ufone (all devices) | ⏳ Launch pending | — |
Related Reading:
- Pakistan Telecom News: Latest Updates
- Best 5G Smartphones Available in Pakistan 2026
- Jazz vs Zong vs Ufone: Which Network Is Best in 2026?
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