What is 5G E and How Does It Compare to 4G LTE and 5G for Gaming?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a passionate mobile gamer and content creator, staying on top of the latest network technologies that could impact our experience is key. You may have started seeing "5G E" on your Android or iPhone display instead of the typical "LTE" icon. But what exactly is 5G E, and how does it compare to 4G LTE or the ultra-fast 5G networks beginning to roll out?

What is 5G E?

5G E stands for "5G Evolution", and it is AT&T‘s marketing name for their advanced 4G LTE network rather than an actual 5G network. By upgrading their LTE technology with capabilities like three-way carrier aggregation, 4×4 MIMO, and 256 QAM, AT&T can deliver faster speeds and capacity on supported devices.

However, critics have argued that using 5G branding causes confusion and misrepresents the capabilities of these LTE advancements. While enhancements, average speeds on 5G E are still markedly lower than the massive increases 5G offers.

How Does 5G E Improve on 4G LTE?

In areas with strong 5G E coverage, users with supported devices can expect certain improvements over typical 4G LTE:

  • Faster peak download speeds – Around 100 Mbps on 5G E versus roughly 30 Mbps average for LTE
  • Higher capacity – More spectrum utilization improves throughput in densely populated zones
  • Lower latency – Slight reductions translating to snappier loading and interactivity

However, experts have found that in congested networks or poor coverage zones, the real-world speeds provided by 5G E can be very comparable to standard LTE. The fast top speeds mainly come into play when networks are unloaded.

What Unique Benefits Will 5G Bring for Gaming?

5G is an entirely new standard using updated network technology and high-frequency spectrum bands. This enables major advantages:

  • Extreme peak speeds – Early 5G networks already exceed 1 Gbps, with a goal of 20 Gbps!
  • Ultra-low latency – As little as 1 millisecond versus 4G‘s ~30 milliseconds
  • Massive capacity – Can support 100X more devices simultaneously with no congestion
  • New capabilities – Like network slicing tailoring capacity precisely to usage like gaming, AR/VR

These improvements could revolutionize mobile gaming! Downloading massive console-quality titles would take seconds, online play would feel instantaneous, and immersive VR gameplay could advance to new levels over 5G connections.

Of course, for smartphone and tablet gamers this depends on 5G infrastructure reaching your area – but as coverage expands over the next few years, 5G will likely become the gold standard that leaves 4G LTE and transitional steps like 5G E behind. We have an exciting future ahead to anticipate!

Let me know in the comments what you think – are you looking forward to experiencing gaming over 5G networks as the technology matures?

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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