Will my phone work in USA and Canada?
Will My Phone Work in the USA / Canada? A Guide for European, Australian & Asian Travellers
Heading to the USA or Canada from Europe, Australia, or Asia? Your phone may work perfectly - or you could run into signal issues. The difference comes down to cellular frequency bands and whether your device is unlocked. Here’s a simple guide for travellers to stay connected without surprises.
TL;DR
✅ Late model flagship iPhones and Android phones should work fine.
⚠️ Excluding region specific models or firmware locked models.
📖 Read below article for an explanation, due to the nature of many phones sub-models we also recommend checking your user manual.
📡 What Are Cellular Frequency Bands?
A “band” is a range of radio frequencies used by mobile carriers. If your phone doesn’t support a band used in North America, you may notice:
- Weak signal or call dropouts
- Slower internet (or no 5G)
- Problems making calls or sending SMS
🇺🇸 USA & 🇨🇦 Canada: Common Bands
| Network | Bands / Frequencies |
|---|---|
| 2G / GSM | 850 MHz, 1900 MHz |
| 3G / UMTS | Bands 2 (1900 MHz), 4 (1700/2100 MHz), 5 (850 MHz) |
| 4G / LTE | Bands 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 66, 71 |
| 5G | n71, n41, n77, n78 (sub-6GHz), plus n260/n261 (mmWave in US cities) |
🌍 Europe / Australia / Asia: How They Differ
Many regions use different bands:
- Europe: LTE bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28. 5G often uses n78.
- Australia: LTE bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40. 5G mostly mid-band (n78).
- Asia: Mixed use of LTE/5G bands, often similar to Europe, but varies by country.
Result: Most modern phones work fine in North America’s big cities, but weaker coverage can happen in rural areas without Band 12, 13 or 71.
📱 Popular Phone Models & Possible Issues
| Phone | Good News | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 15 / 16 / 17 | Supports most LTE & 5G bands in USA/Canada | Non-US versions may lack mmWave 5G or some low bands (e.g. Band 71) |
| Samsung Galaxy Flagships | Wide global band support, usually fine | Budget/mid-range models may miss rural US bands |
| Older / 2018–2021 phones | Basic 4G in cities | No 5G support, missing key bands for rural coverage |
✅ Checklist Before You Travel
- Check your phone’s supported LTE/5G bands in the spec sheet (user manual).
- Make sure your device is carrier unlocked.
- Confirm VoLTE / Vo5G compatibility (important for calls).
- Know your model variant (Europe vs US versions can differ).
📌 Summary
Travellers from Europe, Australia, and Asia should check cellular frequencies before visiting the USA or Canada. Flagship (top of the line) iPhones and Samsung devices usually work well, but older or region-specific models may struggle with coverage in rural areas or miss out on 5G.
Tip: Get a travel eSIM from AirSims.com.au to ensure affordable and reliable data wherever you go.
