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What is the difference between Vodafone 5G, 4G Calling and Wi-Fi Calling?
These are not three interchangeable voice options. Vodafone 5G is a mobile-network generation; 4G Calling and Wi-Fi Calling describe services that carry voice calls over different connections.
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| Option | Connection used | Best fit | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G Calling (VoLTE) | Vodafone’s 4G mobile network | Calls where mobile coverage is available and the phone supports the service | A compatible handset and eligible service |
| Wi-Fi Calling | A Wi-Fi connection to broadband, at home or elsewhere | Calls where mobile reception is poor but Wi-Fi is reliable | An eligible phone and plan, plus Wi-Fi Calling enabled on the account and handset |
| 5G / 5G+ | Vodafone’s mobile network | Access to 5G network services, including data, where available | For 5G+, Vodafone specifies a compatible device, eligible Pay monthly plan and coverage |
Vodafone says an enabled 4G Calling phone uses 4G instead of the usual 2G/3G for calls. Wi-Fi Calling uses broadband while retaining your regular phone app and number; the person you call does not need Wi-Fi Calling. Vodafone’s 5G+ requirements concern network access, not proof that a particular call uses 5G voice.
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Choose 4G Calling when mobile coverage is good
If Vodafone reception is adequate where you call and your handset and plan are eligible, 4G Calling is the straightforward choice for calls over the mobile network. Vodafone says it can let you continue using other data during a call. A phone that supports 4G data does not necessarily support VoLTE, so check the exact model rather than relying on a 4G icon.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Choose Wi-Fi Calling when indoor mobile signal is weak
Wi-Fi Calling can help at home or elsewhere when mobile reception is poor and the Wi-Fi connection is stable. Because calls depend on that internet connection, unreliable Wi-Fi can interrupt them. Check account and handset eligibility before troubleshooting the router or replacing equipment.
Choose 5G for 5G network access, not as a voice setting
If you want 5G network access, verify your device, plan and coverage separately. Vodafone says a device can use standard 5G or 4G outside 5G+ coverage. A 5G indicator does not establish that a voice call is being carried over 5G, and the Vodafone sources cited here do not confirm current UK Voice over New Radio (VoNR) availability. Do not buy a 5G phone solely to enable Wi-Fi Calling or 4G Calling.
Rank #2
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
How to check compatibility and turn the services on
Check 4G Calling
- Find your phone’s IMEI by dialling
*#06#, or look in device settings, on the SIM tray, or on the original box. Use the number labelled IMEI, not EID or IMEI2. - Enter the IMEI in Vodafone’s 4G Calling device check and follow the setup guidance for your model.
Enable Wi-Fi Calling
- Confirm that your exact phone and plan are eligible. Plan terms can change, so check current eligibility in your Vodafone account.
- In the My Vodafone app, open Manage Bars & Extras / Calling options and enable the Wi-Fi and 4G Calling control. Menu names may change.
- Turn on Wi-Fi Calling in the phone’s settings, following Vodafone’s model-specific device guide. Handset steps vary.
Vodafone’s Wi-Fi Calling explainer dates from 23 August 2021, so use it for the described setup route but check your account for current plan eligibility.
Check 5G+ separately
- Verify that your phone is compatible with 5G+.
- Check that your plan is eligible; Vodafone specifies an eligible Pay monthly plan for 5G+.
- Confirm coverage at the places you expect to use it. A compatible phone alone is not enough.
What to check when calls fail indoors
- Check Vodafone mobile coverage where calls fail. If it is usable, verify that the phone and plan support 4G Calling and that it is enabled.
- If mobile reception is weak, test Wi-Fi where you actually make calls. A working internet connection is essential, but a weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal can still disrupt calls.
- Confirm Wi-Fi Calling is enabled both in My Vodafone and in the handset settings, and that your exact phone and plan are eligible.
- If the phone was bought from another network or imported, verify compatibility for the exact model and account. Vodafone Business says phones bought from other UK providers are unlikely to support its Wi-Fi Calling, with Apple phones an exception in that business guidance. That statement is specific to Vodafone Business; check consumer eligibility rather than assuming it applies to every customer.
These checks help identify whether the constraint is mobile coverage, the Wi-Fi connection, settings or eligibility before you consider replacing a phone or changing home networking equipment.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Wi-Fi Calling reliability and emergency calls
Vodafone’s published Mobile Service Terms, version published 1 June 2018, say Wi-Fi Calling depends on the wireless network and internet connection, does not guarantee a particular level of performance, and can disconnect if Wi-Fi is lost. You may need to redial.
The same terms say a 999 call first attempts to use a normal mobile network. If no mobile network is available and the emergency call goes over Wi-Fi, emergency services may not automatically identify your location. Keep location information current where applicable, and do not assume Wi-Fi Calling will work as a dependable substitute for mobile-network emergency access. The terms are dated 2018; check Vodafone’s current terms for applicable charges and plan conditions. Those terms describe Wi-Fi calls as using the usual UK bundle allowances, with standard UK rates after allowances.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Immersive 120Hz display* and Dolby Atmos: Watch movies and play games on a fast, fluid 6.6" display backed by multidimensional stereo sound.
- 50MP Quad Pixel camera system**: Capture sharper photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity—and explore up close using the Macro Vision lens.
- Superfast 5G performance***: Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 octa-core processor.
- Massive battery and speedy charging: Work and play nonstop with a long-lasting 5000mAh battery, then fuel up fast with TurboPower.****
- Premium design within reach: Stand out with a stunning look and comfortable feel, including a vegan leather back cover that’s soft to the touch and fingerprint resistant.
Rank #4
- Unlocked: Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other major carriers.
- Super-bright 6.8" display + Bass Boost. Enjoy boundless entertainment on a massive, 120Hz display and stereo speakers with 1.7x more powerful bass***.
- Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging. Go over a day on a single charge with a 5000mAh battery and blazing-fast charging—even charge wirelessly.*
- 50MP** camera system with OIS. Capture sharper low-light photos and smoother videos with an unshakable camera system featuring Optical Image Stabilization.
- Stylish yet durable design. Enjoy the premium look and feel of vegan leather with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and underwater protection.
Vodafone sources
- Vodafone UK: Help set up 4G Calling
- Vodafone UK News Centre: WiFi Calling: Everything you need to know, 23 August 2021
- Vodafone UK: 5G+ | 5G Standalone
- Vodafone Limited: Vodafone Mobile Service Terms, version published 1 June 2018
- Vodafone UK News Centre: 3G switch-off: Do you know if you’ll be affected?
- Vodafone UK Business: WiFi Calling
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