5GE - iPhone 12 - still running at cellular data speeds identical to my iPhone 11 Pro Max on 5GE

@sandblaster and @TonyFlann  - I have a sneaky suspicion that this problem is because you aren't actively on a wireless plan that offers 5G. This is what I've been told; as I have a family plan. AT&T doesn't want people retaining old plans and using 5G.

For the purposes of helping others, I am updating this thread:

The solution was in fact to have AT&T change my wireless plan to a 5G friendly plan.

Once this occured, my iPhone showed cellular data options including 5G.

If you’re not in a 5G area, or can’t get the 5G signal where you are, then you’ll get the slower 5Ge speed just like on the IPhone 11.  The 5G phone is only capable of receiving 5G, and will only get it if it can receive the signal.  If the 12 isn’t working out for you, return the phone and get your money back.  You’re still in the return period.

5Ge is not 5G. You were able to get 5Ge on your iPhone 11 also. I guess you won’t know if 5G is any better until you actually connect to 5G. Hopefully, you have a plan that supports 5G too. Not only do you need to be in a 5G coverage area, you also need a plan that supports 5G.

Thank you both @sandblaster and @dwill05 -- However I am aware of both of your points already.

FIRST: The AT&T CURRENT 5G coverage map shows my ENTIRE AREA as covered.

SECOND: I know that 5GE isn't true 5G -- that's the point of my post and my contention here...

5G on verizon is just rebranded 850mhz 3g and LTE just like on ATT.  My guess is your phone is connecting to the closest LTE tower that does not have 5G check your setting menu under cellular roaming.

My iPhone 12 Pro doesn’t let me choose a 5G or 5G Auto like you see in the commercials, as an option. I have had the iPhone 12 since it came out. It still says 5GE and only lets me choose LTE.  Is it my phone or AT&T?

@TonyFlann Do you have a 5G plan? If so, the problem could be ATT’s system has not updated your imei. I’ve seen at least one post of someone who’s imei associated with their number was still their old iPhone. Once they called and got the imei updated, they got 5G.

That's why att is recommending sim card replacement.

@FireFish So what was your old plan? As it turns out, you possibly didn’t need to upgrade. ATT recently announced they would be adding 5G to older plans. It hasn’t actually happened yet but supposedly soon.