The 5G icon on your phone's status bar indicates that your device is connected to a 5G network[1]. Different 5G icons may appear depending on the carrier and the type of 5G network you're connected to[1][2]. Here's a breakdown of common 5G icons:
* 5G: This is the primary icon, indicating a standard 5G connection[1]. Verizon refers to this as "5G Nationwide"[2].
* 5G+, 5G UW, or 5G UC: These icons indicate a faster version of 5G is available from your carrier[1].
* 5G+: Denotes the fastest mmWave 5G network[2].
* 5G UW: This is Verizon's "5G Ultra Wideband" network[2].
* 5G UC: T-Mobile uses this icon for its higher capacity 5G network, known as "5G Ultra Capacity"[2].
* 5G E: This icon, used by AT&T, indicates an "5G Evolution" network, which is actually an improved version of 4G LTE, not true 5G[2].
Citations:
[1] https://esimcard.com/blog/iphone/5g-status-bar-issue/
[2] https://www.idownloadblog.com/2020/10/26/iphone-5g-icons-tutorial/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q72Tfv6j4X8
[4] https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/34948/what-is-the-status-icon-that-looks-like-a-house
[5] https://developer.android.com/design/ui/mobile/guides/foundations/system-bars
[6] https://support.apple.com/en-by/guide/iphone/iphef7bb57dc/ios
[7] https://www.samsung.com/pk/support/mobile-devices/what-do-the-different-indicator-icons-mean-on-your-galaxy-phone/
[8] https://support.apple.com/en-lb/guide/iphone/iphef7bb57dc/ios
[9] https://forums.androidcentral.com/threads/how-to-show-network-icon-and-network-5g-4g-etc-on-top-notification-bar.1036049/
[10] https://www.reddit.com/r/Visible/comments/1f0zicm/5g_icons_in_status_bar/
[11] https://xdaforums.com/t/op8-says-its-on-5g-in-the-status-bar-but-is-actually-on-lte.4133079/