New AT&T 5G announcement will delight iPhone 14 & some Samsung buyers but piss off Pixel 6 owners
By Anam Hamid
3comments
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
Up Next:
Only the iPhone 14 and a handful of recent smartphones from Samsung will be able to connect to AT&T's newer 3.45GHz midband 5G, reports CNET.
There are three types of 5G spectrum bands: low-band, midband, and millimeter-wave, and the midband flavor happens to deliver the best combination of range and speed improvements. This explains why AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have spent heavily to acquire and deploy 5G midband networks.
AT&T had initially said that only the latest high-end 2022 phones would support the 3.45 GHz network but later said that older devices that supported its C-band spectrum would also support it.
iPhone 14 AT&T deals
Apple iPhone 14 - 128GB - Midnight
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$799 off (100%)
$0
$799
iPhone 14 - 128GB - Blue
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$799 off (100%)
$0
$799
iPhone 14 - 128GB - Product Red
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$799 off (100%)
$0
$799
Phone 14 - 128GB - Starlight
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$799 off (100%)
$0
$799
iPhone 14 - 128GB - Purple
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$799 off (100%)
$0
$799
Apple iPhone 14 - 256GB - Blue
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$899 off (100%)
$0
$899
iPhone 14 - 256GB - Product Red
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$899 off (100%)
$0
$899
iPhone 14 - 256GB - Midnight
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$899 off (100%)
$0
$899
iPhone 14 - 256GB - Starlight
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$899 off (100%)
$0
$899
iPhone 14 - 256GB - Purple
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$899 off (100%)
$0
$899
iPhone 14 -512GB - Blue
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1099 off (100%)
$0
$1099
iPhone 14 -512GB - Purple
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$1099 off (100%)
$0
$1099
iPhone 14 -512GB - Midnight
6.1-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$1099 off (100%)
$0
$1099
iPhone 14 Plus - 128GB - Midnight
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$899 off (100%)
$0
$899
iPhone 14 Plus - 128GB - Starlight
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$899 off (100%)
$0
$899
iPhone 14 Plus - 128GB - Blue
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$899 off (100%)
$0
$899
iPhone 14 Plus - 128GB - Product Red
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$899 off (100%)
$0
$899
iPhone 14 Plus - 128GB - Purple
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$899 off (100%)
$0
$899
iPhone 14 Plus - 256GB - Midnight
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$999 off (100%)
$0
$999
iPhone 14 Plus - 256GB - Product Red
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$999 off (100%)
$0
$999
iPhone 14 Plus - 256GB - Blue
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$999 off (100%)
$0
$999
iPhone 14 Plus - 256GB - Starlight
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$999 off (100%)
$0
$999
iPhone 14 Plus - 256GB - Purple
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$999 off (100%)
$0
$999
iPhone 14 Plus -512GB - Purple
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$1199 off (100%)
$0
$1199
iPhone 14 Plus -512GB - Midnight
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$1199 off (100%)
$0
$1199
iPhone 14 Plus -512GB - Blue
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$1199 off (100%)
$0
$1199
iPhone 14 Plus -512GB - Starlight
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$1199 off (100%)
$0
$1199
iPhone 14 Plus -512GB - Product Red
6.7-inch screen | new dual-camera system | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | A15 Bionic chip
$1199 off (100%)
$0
$1199
America's third-largest carrier is now going back on its words. The company says that only a handful of premium phones will support 3.45GHz midband 5G, including the newly unveiled Apple iPhone 14 range and Samsung's best 2022 phones: the Galaxy S22 family and foldable Z Fold 4 and Flip 4.
AT&T had previously implied that many of its recent 5G phones, including the Google Pixel 6, iPhone 12 and 13, and the Galaxy S21, would also support 3.45GHz 5G.
Jim Greer, AT&T's assistant vice president of corporate communications, has said that "an inaccurate list of 3.45GHz compatible devices was provided by mistake."
This is a big deal because even though older 5G-ready devices will be able to connect to the C-band network that operates in a similar frequency, devices that support both 3.45GHz and C-band will be better off as both will work together to create a stronger midband network and this will result in better performance.
AT&T's executive vice president of network Chris Sambar had previously said that the majority of the cell sites would have access to both 3.45GHz and C-band.
iPhone 14 Pro AT&T deals
iPhone 14 Pro - 128GB - Gold
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$999 off (100%)
$0
$999
iPhone 14 Pro - 128GB - Deep Purple
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$999 off (100%)
$0
$999
Phone 14 Pro - 128GB - Silver
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$999 off (100%)
$0
$999
iPhone 14 Pro - 128GB - Space Black
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$999 off (100%)
$0
$999
iPhone 14 Pro - 256GB - Gold
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1099 off (100%)
$0
$1099
iPhone 14 Pro - 256GB - Space Black
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1099 off (100%)
$0
$1099
iPhone 14 Pro - 256GB - Deep Purple
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1099 off (100%)
$0
$1099
iPhone 14 Pro - 256GB - Silver
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1099 off (100%)
$0
$1099
14 Pro - 512GB - Space Black
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1299 off (100%)
$0
$1299
iPhone 14 Pro - 512GB - Deep Purple
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1299 off (100%)
$0
$1299
iPhone 14 Pro - 512GB - Gold
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1299 off (100%)
$0
$1299
iPhone 14 Pro - 512GB - Silver
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1299 off (100%)
$0
$1299
iPhone 14 Pro - 1TB - Silver
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1499 off (100%)
$0
$1499
iPhone 14 Pro - 1TB - Deep Purple
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1499 off (100%)
$0
$1499
iPhone 14 Pro - 1TB - Gold
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1499 off (100%)
$0
$1499
iPhone 14 Pro - 1TB - Space Black
6.1-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1499 off (100%)
$0
$1499
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 128GB - Silver
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1000 off (91%)
$99
$1099
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 128GB - Gold
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1000 off (91%)
$99
$1099
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 128GB - Deep Purple
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1000 off (91%)
$99
$1099
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 128GB - Space Black
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1000 off (91%)
$99
$1099
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 256GB - Silver
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1100 off (92%)
$99
$1199
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 256GB - Gold
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1100 off (92%)
$99
$1199
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 256GB - Space Black
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1100 off (92%)
$99
$1199
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 256GB - Deep Purple
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1100 off (92%)
$99
$1199
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 512GB - Gold
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1300 off (93%)
$99
$1399
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 512GB - Deep Purple
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1300 off (93%)
$99
$1399
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 512GB - Space Black
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1300 off (93%)
$99
$1399
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 512GB - Silver
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1300 off (93%)
$99
$1399
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 1TB - Space Black
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1500 off (94%)
$99
$1599
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 1TB - Deep Purple
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1500 off (94%)
$99
$1599
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 1TB - Gold
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1500 off (94%)
$99
$1599
iPhone 14 Pro Max - 1TB - Silver
6.7-inch Always-On display | 48MP camera | Crash Detection | Emergency SOS via satellite | Dynamic Island | A16 Bionic
$1500 off (94%)
$99
$1599
So, even though people who are rocking phones that were earlier expected to support AT&T's 3.45Ghz will be disappointed at the news, those planning to upgrade to the iPhone 14 have nothing to worry about. In fact, AT&T has announced a great deal that will let customers get the iPhone 14 Pro Max for just $99 and the other three models for absolutely nothing.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us!
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: