5G is currently NSA (not standalone), it can't be used without 4G/LTE. It needs a 4G connection to anchor itself on, to act as a supplementary band. This is als

5G is currently NSA (not standalone), it can't be used without 4G/LTE. It needs a 4G connection to anchor itself on, to act as a supplementary band. This is also known as ENDC. This is an intermediary step to proper full blown, standalone 5G which will probably happen in a few years. It's often the case that when connected to a 4G site which can act as a master or anchor to 5G bands (ie it advertises ENDC capability) your average smartphone will show you the 5G icon, but in reality you are only connected to 4G/LTE and there may not even be a 5G site nearby to aggregate.. This is probably why it's called "fake". It is indeed very cheeky of the operators or manufacturers to show 5G when 5G is not actually in use. Marketing...