Compare 4G Phones
4G phones aren’t the fastest anymore, but they’re still the standard: 4G is the network that devices in the Netherlands fall back on, and it’s also the network used for making calls these days. Below are the devices that support 4G. We don’t earn more from one brand or device than another; use the filters to narrow down the list to the type of device you’re looking for.
Is 4G enough for you?
For calls, texting, navigation, music, and video, 4G is more than enough, and that won’t change anytime soon. The question that really matters when buying a new phone is a different one: can it make calls over 4G? The older networks that were once used for calls are being phased out, and as a result, 4G has gone from being a speed option to the minimum requirement for staying reachable.
How do 4G phones really differ?
Four factors make the difference here.
- Making calls over 4G (VoLTE): determines whether a device can still make calls with a carrier that has shut down 2G and 3G.
- Supported bands: a device doesn’t have to support all 4G bands. Devices for the European market cover the bands used here; an imported model may be missing one.
- LTE category: determines the maximum theoretical speed and whether a device supports 4G+.
- Basic devices: for flip phones, senior phones, and dumbphones, 4G is the standard.
You don’t have to worry much about the technology itself: 4G is available virtually everywhere in the Netherlands, and all the devices listed above work on it. What you might be missing is a specific band or the calling feature, and that mainly happens with devices not designed for this market.
Be aware of making calls over 4G if you’re considering an older or basic device; without that feature, you’ll be hard to reach or unreachable.
Pay attention to the bands if you’re purchasing the device through import or a foreign online store, as a band you need here might be missing.
Also consider 5G if the phone needs to last for years or if you’re often in crowded places; see the 5G phones.
Making calls over 4G: why VoLTE matters
VoLTE matters because the networks that used to handle calls are being phased out, and each provider is doing so at its own pace. Odido discontinued 2G on June 1, 2023, and is phasing out the Netherlands’ last 3G network. KPN reports that 3G is already off the air and that 2G will be shut down for customers who no longer need it, with December 1, 2027, as the end date. Vodafone shut down 3G back in 2020. With a provider that offers neither 2G nor 3G, a device will make calls over 4G or 5G—or it won’t make calls at all.
This method of calling is called calling via 4G, 4G calling, or VoLTE. Odido states explicitly regarding its own 3G phase-out that your device must support it and that the feature must be enabled. Three things are required: your device must be capable of it, your carrier must offer it, and it must be enabled in your settings.
Here’s how to check it yourself
In your device’s network settings, look for a toggle labeled VoLTE, 4G Calling, or Call via 4G. If it’s there, you can turn it on or off. If the toggle is missing, that doesn’t mean the device doesn’t support VoLTE: on some devices, the carrier’s network profile automatically enables calling over 4G. Therefore, check the specifications and contact the manufacturer, as they’ll indicate whether VoLTE is supported for each model.
A device that only supports 2G or 3G, or one that supports 4G but not VoLTE, will no longer be able to make calls on a carrier that doesn’t offer those networks. Where 2G is still active, calls will still work, but that won’t last forever.
What do the 4G bands mean?
Each band is a portion of the frequency spectrum on which a network transmits, with its own number specified by the standard. A device does not need to support all of these numbers, and manufacturers sometimes list only the frequency. Use this table to look up which band number corresponds to which frequency. It is a conversion table, not a list of what Dutch carriers use.
| Band | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2100 MHz |
| 3 | 1800 MHz |
| 7 | 2600 MHz |
| 8 | 900 MHz |
| 20 | 800 MHz |
| 28 | 700 MHz |
| 38 | 2600 MHz |
| 40 | 2300 MHz |
| 42 | 3500 MHz |
Band 7 and Band 38 are both in the 2600 MHz range, with Band 7 being an even band and Band 38 an odd band. The bands a provider uses are listed on its own network page.
As a rule of thumb, a low frequency has a long range and penetrates walls well, while a high frequency provides more capacity over short distances. We list the supported bands and the LTE category for each device in the specifications, to the extent that we have that information.
LTE Categories and 4G+
Not every 4G phone is equally fast, because the standard is divided into categories, each with its own maximum theoretical download speed. The higher the number, the faster: LTE Cat3 reaches 100 Mbit/s, Cat4 reaches 150 Mbit/s, Cat6 reaches 300 Mbit/s, and Cat9 reaches 450 Mbit/s.
4G+ isn’t a separate generation but an extension of 4G: providers bundle multiple frequencies into a single connection, which results in faster speeds. The marketing name is 4G+, the official term is LTE-Advanced, and the technology is called carrier aggregation. You’ll only notice a difference if your carrier, plan, and device all support it; typically, LTE Cat6 is the minimum requirement for the device.
What you actually experience depends less on that category than on the cell tower you’re connected to and how busy it is. A high category is an upper limit, not a guarantee.
Is a 4G-only device still a good choice?
For light use, yes, and there are some benefits: 4G-only models have fewer radio modules on board, often use less battery power, and are among the most affordable options available. On the other hand, without 5G, you’ll miss out on the extra capacity in crowded areas, and the rest of the specs in that segment are usually modest as well. If you want a phone that will last for years, compare this overview with the 5G phones and the budget phones.
