iPhone users can now access Orange’s 5G+ network, also known as 5G standalone (SA), which has been available on many Android smartphones for several months.

While Orange introduced its initial 5G+ offerings last March, iPhones were initially excluded. However, after prosperous negotiations with Apple, Orange is now enabling customers with compatible Apple smartphones to activate the 5G+ option through their customer accounts.

Orange does not currently offer specific 5G+ packages. instead, 5G+ is an option that can be activated by customers who subscribe to a compatible plan. The specific requirements for plan compatibility with 5G SA activation are not clearly defined by Orange.

The only known restriction is that the option is « incompatible with multi-Sim and Esim Watch options ». Customers with a standard Orange 5G plan (excluding SOSH) should be able to activate the 5G+ option via their account settings.

Currently, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models are capable of utilizing 5G+. These iPhones join a growing list of compatible Android smartphones, which can be found on Orange’s website.

What are the benefits of 5G+?

5G+ can be considered “true 5G.” Unlike conventional 5G, which shares frequency bands with 4G, 5G+, or 5G SA, uses dedicated bands.This results in higher data speeds and reduced network congestion.

This leads to lower latency and improved call quality through Voice over New Radio (VoNR) technology. 5G+ is particularly beneficial in crowded locations like airports and stadiums, as it helps to alleviate congestion on 4G networks, which are currently the most heavily used.

Currently, Free and Orange are the only providers offering 5G+ to their customers.Bouygues and SFR provide 5G services for buisness clients, but have not yet extended the offering to individual consumers.

“5G+ occupies dedicated bands offering higher flow rates and lower congestion.”

5G+ explained