Chosen Solution
I am trying to keep using my iPhone 5s after 2020 ends, and would like to try and upgrade it to 5G capability! I have the tools, just need to know which components I need and how to get them.
That’s a no. It’s not designed for 5G. Sorry.
No - you need a entirely new generation of cellular radio to support it - along with new antennas. If you did try, you’d just fry the phone. If you are asking because you’re on Verizon and about to be forced into an upgrade, find a used iPhone 8 or a SE2 and wait until 5G is mature for the time being. Since Verizon cannot SIM lock phones because of the FCC*, you can take it to another carrier if you cannot afford the upgrade. *They SIM lock new phones for 60 days for verification now but it’s not a traditional SIM lock like the GSM carriers implement. The thing with 5G is it isn’t ready for prime time yet, so wait for 1-2 more generations of phones until you get one with it. The first phones are very carrier specific ti the point portability is a question, so many of them will be hard to carry over and get good 5G options until everyone agrees on a few bands and connection types. Let the people who want to be first take the beating with these first generation phones. Plus by that point, the ones with excellent radio support will be easier to sell then. The “bad” ones like the AT&T 5GE phones will largely only work over 5G if you’re an AT&T customer, so it does someone on T-Mobile almost no good to own. About the only 5G phone I can say is worth owning is the S20 5G since you can get it factory unlocked.
