Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Carrier Wildly different 5G Speed tests between 12 Pro Max and 12 Mini

L

LongWayHome

Suspended
Original poster
Oct 18, 2020
503
1,010
Would anyone know why I would be seeing such wildly different 5G speed tests between these two devices. I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max and an iPhone 12 Mini. When I run a speed test from both phones at the exact same location and server the 12 Mini crushes the 12 Pro Max on the speed test.

Here is the 12 Mini's speed test over 5G:

IMG_0004.PNG




And here is the 12 Pro Max's speed test over 5G:



IMG_0066.PNG



The 12 Mini does have a new sim card in it but I didn't think that AT&T required a new one to get the best speeds (at least that's what I was told). Does anyone have any idea on why these speeds would be so drastically different? Thanks!!

Edit: I tried resetting network settings and still the same.
 
Last edited:
You don't need a new SIM for 5G on AT&T, just an eligible plan, and make sure your IMEI has been updated on your account. You will most likely need a new SIM when AT&T implements standalone 5G.

Can you select 5G on your iPhone 12 Pro Max?
Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data

GmOp0UX.png
 
webbuzz said:
You don't need a new SIM for 5G on AT&T, just an eligible plan, and make sure your IMEI has been updated on your account. You will most likely need a new SIM when AT&T implements standalone 5G.

Can you select 5G on your iPhone 12 Pro Max?
Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data

GmOp0UX.png
Click to expand...
Yes that option is there on both phones.
 
webbuzz said:
You don't need a new SIM for 5G on AT&T, just an eligible plan, and make sure your IMEI has been updated on your account. You will most likely need a new SIM when AT&T implements standalone 5G.

Can you select 5G on your iPhone 12 Pro Max?
Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data

GmOp0UX.png
Click to expand...

that option doesn’t mean anything to be honest. I don’t even have a 5G plan and I see it
 
  • Like
Reactions: webbuzz
LongWayHome said:
Yes that option is there on both phones.
Click to expand...
And 5G is selected? Turn WiFi off on your Pro Max, does 5G appear?

You can check to see if your IMEI has updated on you AT&T account.

Login to your AT&T account > Scroll down to My Services > Manage My Wireless > Scroll to My Devices: Does your iPhone 12 Pro Max appear?
 
webbuzz said:
And 5G is selected? Turn WiFi off on your Pro Max, does 5G appear?

You can check to see if your IMEI has updated on you AT&T account.

Login to your AT&T account > Scroll down to My Services > Manage My Wireless > Scroll to My Devices: Does your iPhone 12 Pro Max appear?
Click to expand...

Yes, if I turn off WiFi 5G appears. On AT&T's website it shows that the 12 Pro Max is provisioned with the correct 5G plan.

I'm starting to think it does have something to do with the sim card. If I turn off 5G and just use LTE both phones get the exact same speeds on the speedtest.
 
So its definitely the sim card. It does appear that AT&T uses different sim cards for 5G. The Mini is using a brand new sim card and the 12 Pro max is using one that is at least a year old if not more.

If I put the 12 mini sim into the 12 Pro Max I get the better speed that the 12 mini was seeing. I'm going to go to an AT&T store today and get a new one as that definitely seems to be what the issue is here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Strangedream
LongWayHome said:
Yes, if I turn off WiFi 5G appears. On AT&T's website it shows that the 12 Pro Max is provisioned with the correct 5G plan.

I'm starting to think it does have something to do with the sim card. If I turn off 5G and just use LTE both phones get the exact same speeds on the speedtest.
Click to expand...
You could call 611 from your iPhone Mini (they might ask you to reboot your Pro Max) and ask them to check your iPhone 12 Pro max.
 
ric_d said:
Looking at your screenshots, your 12 Pro Max is on Wifi and your 12 Mini is on 5g, so you're comparing apples and oranges.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I had turned WiFi back on before I took the screenshot. My WiFi destroys these speeds. it was definitely just on 5G. Here is another screen shot:

IMG_0070.PNG
 
webbuzz said:
You could call 611 from your iPhone Mini (they might ask you to reboot your Pro Max) and ask them to check your iPhone 12 Pro max.
Click to expand...

I've tried that and it doesn't help. It does appear that the difference is the sim card. The 12 Mini sim card is brand new and if I put it in the 12 Pro Max I get the better speed immediately.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jdlindsey7 and webbuzz
LongWayHome said:
I've tried that and it doesn't help. It does appear that the difference is the sim card. The 12 Mini sim card is brand new and if I put it in the 12 Pro Max I get the better speed immediately.
Click to expand...
My comment about 611 asking you to reboot your phone would be after they re-provision the device.

Just go to the store and get a new SIM. :)
 
Yeah if you want a more accurate test you should use the same SIM in both handsets. I'm still waiting for my provider to issue 5G SIM.
 
I dont think my iphone can hang with my fold 2 both on Verizon. My mini barely broke 1000 mbps.
Screenshot_20201116-091420_Speedtest.jpg

Also first time any of my phones broke 2000 mbps
 
In Brookfield, Wisconsin, I am experiencing the following. No Ultrawide here (select locations in Milwaukee only), so this is Verizon 5G Nationwide. This is on a 12PM. From top to bottom, LTE, 5G Auto, 5G On.

IMG_5549.jpg


Thanks,
Ben
 
  • Like
Reactions: MrAperture
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back