AT&T Outperforms T-Mobile in 5G SA Speed Test, Achieving 1.5+Gbps Downlink and 35% Advantage

5G technology, especially in its standalone (SA) configuration, offers remarkable enhancements in terms of speed, latency, and network reliability compared to earlier generations. Recently, a test conducted on an AT&T 5G SA-ready device showcased impressive results, outpacing T-Mobile in bandwidth performance.

T-Mobile Exhibits Slight Advantage in Uplink Speeds and Latency Over AT&T

A speed test featured on the Tech Life Channel compared the performance of two smartphones: one operating on an AT&T 5G SA network and the other on T-Mobile’s network. Both phones connected to the same tower located approximately 70-80 meters away, ensuring a level playing field for this comparative analysis. Utilizing Speedtest, the channel uncovered the following speed metrics:

AT&T Performance

Downlink Speed: 1, 565 Mbps
Uplink Speed: 137 Mbps
Ping: 49 ms

T-Mobile Performance

Downlink Speed: 1, 156 Mbps
Uplink Speed: 141 Mbps
Ping: 17 ms

AT&T and T-Mobile 5G SA speed test comparison

Notably, AT&T’s 5G SA connection delivered downlink speeds surpassing T-Mobile’s by over 35%, which is a significant advantage. While the uplink speeds were closely matched, T-Mobile demonstrated superior latency with a notably lower ping. This disparity could be attributed to various factors, such as environmental obstacles that may have disrupted the signal path between the smartphones and the tower, or even the positioning of the devices.

The YouTube tester expressed general satisfaction with the results but indicated plans for further experiments, particularly with a focus on networks located farther from the testing site.

However, a drawback of AT&T’s 5G SA network remains its limited tower support for the enhanced bandwidth. Discussions on platforms like Reddit speculate that it may take until 2028 for a complete nationwide rollout. There’s also concern that AT&T’s gradual approach to 5G SA deployment may lag behind the technological curve, potentially coinciding with the introduction of 6G-capable devices by that time.

For more details, check out the video from Tech Life Channel.

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