The Pixel 5 and LG Wing do not have much in common – perhaps apart from the fact that neither will sell very well – but the two phones will receive an update related to 5G. FCC documents indicate that both Google and LG have been given permission for phones to access the new Band 5G n77 released as part of the C band auction. With nothing more than a software update, both devices can connect to the new frequency 5G once American operators start using it.
We detected the change in FCC records last week and today Sasha Segan of PC Mag confirms that the FCC has granted its approval, allowing the Pixel 5 and LG Wing to remotely enable functionality at their convenience. Apparently, support for Band n77 requires no hardware changes beyond what the two phones come with, just a software update.
Interestingly, the Pixel 4a 5G does not appear to have been included in the fun, although it shares many of its specifications with the more expensive Pixel 5. There may be some difference in the physical design for this, or the related documents may simply not have been published yet – the ones we have for Pixel 5 and Wing were retained for a few weeks before publication.
Although we still don’t know exactly who “won” with the recent C band auction, indications are that Verizon is near the top. We’ll know for sure in March. There is also no information on when the support of the n77 band will be implemented in the devices. (We contacted Google for more information, but it’s probably too early to say.) Whichever operators use it, Pixel 5 owners can still rest assured that their phone will have access to the new 5G frequency, no hardware upgrade required.
