Telus appears to be in the final stages of a native 5G calling rollout, as the latest iOS 26.4 beta 1 has introduced a dedicated Voice over New Radio (VoNR) toggle for iPhone users.
This new carrier update allows compatible devices to stay on the 5G Standalone network during voice calls rather than dropping down to 4G LTE. VoNR calls take place over 5G Standalone for better quality calls.
Early testing from the user community reveals a mixed but promising landscape. While some testers noted their iPhones still defaulted to LTE bands during calls, others confirmed successful connections. One iPhone 16 Pro Max user verified via the field test menu that their device maintained a pure 5G Standalone connection throughout a call.
Image credit: ddsdude on Reddit
The discrepancy in results likely points to tower-specific upgrades. “It may be the tower around my home that hasn’t been upgraded yet,” suggested one Telus customer on Reddit, while others noted that Android users on devices like the Pixel 10 XL and Galaxy S24 have already had access to “Vo5G” in select areas for months.
VoNR is a big leap for Canadian wireless networks for the most part. By keeping voice traffic on 5G, carriers can offer near-instant call connections and superior audio quality. Experts tracking the rollout noted that while the codecs such as EVS-SWB 24.4 kbit/s are similar to high-end VoLTE, the stability and data speeds available during a call are greatly improved on a native 5G connection.
While Telus has operated a 5G Standalone network for several years, the arrival of the iPhone toggle suggests a wide-scale public launch is imminent. iOS 26.4 is expected to release sometime in March, when Apple is said to announce new products in the first week of the month.
So what iPhones support VoNR? The iPhone 12 series (12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max) and newer, including iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 series, and iPhone SE (3rd generation). Last fall, Bell activated Voice Over 5G Standalone for iPhone users.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
The point ? Their network is still garbage
5G only settings drain my iPhone 16pro battery twice as fast.