Xiaomi 5G Slower Than 4G on UK Networks Issue

Xiaomi 5G Slower Than 4G on UK Networks – Fix

If your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device gets slower speeds on 5G than on 4G, this guide explains why and how to fix it.

Quick Answer:
5G being slower than 4G on UK networks is usually caused by weak 5G signal, 5G NSA (non-standalone) architecture limitations, or network congestion. Start by forcing 4G only to test if speeds improve, checking your signal strength, and restarting your phone. Only reset network settings if basic troubleshooting doesn't help.

Before Changing Your Phone Settings

If 5G is slower than 4G on your Xiaomi, test in different locations and at different times first. 5G coverage in the UK is still developing – performance varies significantly between urban and rural areas. If 5G is weak or unavailable where you are, your phone may struggle to maintain a stable 5G connection.

Test Outdoors

5G signals don't travel through walls as effectively as lower-frequency 4G signals. If speeds improve significantly outdoors, weak indoor coverage is likely the cause. Consider using 4G indoors or checking with your carrier about local 5G coverage.

Run a Speed Test

Get a baseline measurement before and after troubleshooting.

  1. Turn Wi-Fi off.
  2. Open Speedtest by Ookla or Fast.com.
  3. Run a test on 5G, then switch to 4G and run another test.
  4. Compare results to see if 5G is actually slower or just inconsistent.

Why 5G Can Be Slower Than 4G

  • Weak 5G signal – 5G operates on higher frequencies that don't travel as far as 4G. If you're on the edge of 5G coverage, speeds can drop below 4G performance.
  • 5G NSA (Non-Standalone) – Most UK 5G currently uses NSA, which relies on 4G infrastructure for control signals. If 4G is congested, 5G speeds can also suffer.
  • Network congestion on 5G – As more users switch to 5G, some networks experience congestion on their 5G bands.
  • Carrier-specific performance – Independent UK testing shows that 5G performance varies significantly between networks and locations. In some areas, 4G can still outperform 5G.
  • HyperOS update effect – If the issue started immediately after a HyperOS update, a restart or future update may resolve it.

Check 5G Coverage – Your UK Network

Before troubleshooting your phone, check if 5G is available in your area.

  • EE – Check coverage at ee.co.uk/coverage or call 150.
  • O2 – Check coverage at o2.co.uk/coverage or call 202.
  • Vodafone – Check coverage at vodafone.co.uk/coverage or call 191.
  • Three – Check coverage at three.co.uk/coverage or call 333.

If you're outside a 5G coverage area, your phone will fall back to 4G automatically.

Quick Fixes to Test First

Try these quick actions. Run a speed test after each step.

  1. Toggle Airplane mode – ON for 30 seconds, then OFF. Forces re-registration on the network.
  2. Restart your Xiaomi – Full reboot clears temporary glitches.
  3. Reinsert SIM – Power off, remove SIM, reinsert firmly, power on.

Force 4G Only – Compare Speeds

If 5G is slower, forcing 4G can confirm whether the issue is 5G-specific.

  1. Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → [Your carrier] SIM → Preferred network type.
  2. Select 4G (LTE) only or 4G (preferred).
  3. Run a speed test.
  4. If 4G is faster, you have a 5G issue. If 4G is also slow, the issue may be related to network coverage or congestion rather than 5G itself.

Note: Some Xiaomi models hide this option. If unavailable, check Settings → Mobile networks → Preferred network type.

Check Signal Strength

A weak or unstable signal can significantly reduce data speeds. Check your signal strength:

  1. Settings → About phone → Status → SIM status → Signal strength.
  2. Good: -50 to -80 dBm. Should provide reasonable speeds.
  3. Weak: -100 to -120 dBm. Speeds will be significantly reduced.

If signal is weak, try moving to a different location or near a window.

Compare with another phone: Insert your SIM into another 5G phone and compare. If the other phone gets faster 5G speeds, the issue is likely device-related.

Check Network Band and 5G NSA vs SA

UK 5G currently uses two types: NSA (Non-Standalone) and SA (Standalone).

  • 5G NSA – Relies on 4G for control signals. Most UK 5G still uses NSA, which depends partly on the 4G network. If the underlying 4G cell is congested, 5G performance may also suffer.
  • 5G SA – Independent of 4G. Testing shows 5G SA can deliver more consistent higher speeds than NSA.

If your carrier offers 5G SA and your Xiaomi supports it, you may experience better performance. Check with your carrier for SA availability.

Check SIM Age

If your SIM is several years old, ask your carrier whether a replacement SIM is recommended for optimal 5G performance. Older SIMs may not fully support 5G SA or VoNR features.

Disable Battery Saver (If Enabled)

Battery Saver may limit overall device performance, which can indirectly affect downloads.

  1. Settings → Battery → Battery saver → OFF.
  2. Check: Settings → Battery → Additional battery settings → Sleep standby optimization → OFF.

Check VoLTE Settings

Ensure VoLTE is enabled to support modern 5G voice and data handover.

  1. Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → [Your carrier] SIM → VoLTE → ON.

HyperOS / System Update Check

If the issue started immediately after a HyperOS update, a restart or future update may resolve it.

  • Settings → About phone → Check for updates. Install the latest available HyperOS update.
  • If the issue started after a recent update, restart your phone again and monitor if the second restart stabilises performance.

Reset Network Settings (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, reset network settings. This removes saved WiFi passwords and Bluetooth pairings.

  1. Settings → Additional settings → Backup & reset → Reset phone → Reset network settings.
  2. Confirm the reset.
  3. Restart your phone.
  4. Test 5G again.

Contact Your Carrier

Contact your carrier if:

  • Poor 5G performance persists after completing all steps above.
  • Your SIM works fine on 5G in another phone but not in your Xiaomi.
  • You suspect a network provisioning issue with your account.

UK carrier contact numbers:

  • EE: 150
  • O2: 202
  • Vodafone: 191
  • Three: 333

Final Verdict

In most cases, 5G slower than 4G isn't a hardware fault. It's usually weak 5G signal, 5G NSA limitations, or network congestion. Start by testing 5G in different locations and running speed tests on both 4G and 5G. Test outdoors to rule out indoor coverage issues. Force 4G only to compare performance. Check your signal strength and compare with another 5G device if possible. Only reset network settings if other steps don't resolve the issue. If all fails, contact your carrier to check your account and local 5G network conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 5G slower than 4G on my Xiaomi?
Most commonly caused by weak 5G signal, 5G NSA limitations, or network congestion. Test in different locations and times to confirm.

Does 5G drain more battery on Xiaomi?
Yes, 5G can consume more battery than 4G, especially with weak signal. Battery Saver may limit overall device performance, which can indirectly affect downloads.

Is 5G always faster than 4G?
No. 5G is generally faster, but performance varies by location, carrier, and network load. 4G can sometimes be faster if 5G signal is weak.

Why does my phone keep switching between 4G and 5G?
This happens when 5G signal is weak or unstable. The phone falls back to 4G to maintain a usable connection. Try moving to a location with better 5G coverage or use 4G only if switching is frequent.

Should I leave my phone on 4G if it's faster?
Yes. If 4G consistently provides better speeds and a more stable connection in your area, there's no disadvantage in using it until local 5G coverage improves.

Why does 5G work better outdoors?
5G signals use higher frequencies that don't penetrate walls as effectively as 4G signals. If speeds improve significantly outdoors, weak indoor 5G coverage is likely the cause.

How can I check 5G coverage in my area?
Visit your carrier's coverage checker website (ee.co.uk/coverage, o2.co.uk/coverage, vodafone.co.uk/coverage, three.co.uk/coverage).

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