According to recent reports, three Google Pixel models Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a have lost support for 5G standalone (SA) networks following the March 2023 software update. The devices are still able to connect to 5G non-standalone (NSA) networks, but not SA networks, which offer faster speeds and lower latency. This change may affect the user experience in areas with weak LTE coverage.
5G SA networks are considered more advanced than NSA networks, as they rely solely on 5G infrastructure instead of combining it with LTE. This means that 5G SA networks can offer higher speeds and lower latency, which is important for applications such as gaming, video streaming, and virtual reality.
The loss of 5G SA support on these Pixel models is unexpected, as they were originally advertised as supporting the standard. Some users have expressed frustration at the change, especially if they purchased the phones specifically for 5G SA capabilities.
It’s unclear at this time why the software update removed 5G SA support on these models. It’s possible that it was done to address other issues or to improve battery life, but this has not been confirmed by Google.
For users who already own one of the affected Pixel models, there may be some hope for a fix in the future. Google has a history of releasing software updates to address issues and improve functionality on its phones, so it’s possible that 5G SA support could be added back in a future update. However, there’s no guarantee of this, and users may need to decide whether to continue using their current phone or switch to a different model with 5G SA support.
In the meantime, users who are experiencing issues with their Pixel phones after the software update may want to reach out to Google support for assistance. It’s possible that there may be other factors contributing to the problem, and Google may be able to provide guidance on how to improve the user experience.
In conclusion, users of certain Google Pixel models may be disappointed to learn that their phones no longer support 5G SA networks after a recent software update. While the phones can still connect to 5G networks on the NSA standard, this may not provide the same level of performance as 5G SA networks, especially in areas with weaker LTE coverage.
