Pixel 10: Verifying the ‘5G+’ Icon on Rakuten Mobile

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📝 Key Points of This Article

• Confirmed the “5G+” indicator during 5G communication on a Pixel 10 updated to Android 16 QPR2.
• The “5G+” indicator appears when communicating with a base station equipped for 5G (Sub-6 / mmWave).
• This was observed on a Pixel 10 with the Android 16 QPR2 update, using a Rakuten Mobile (Rakuten Strongest Plan) SIM.

On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Google Pixel devices received the “Android 16 QPR2” minor update for the next-generation Android 16 OS. This update includes various minor new features that Google has not officially announced.

One of these suspected new features is the “5G+” indicator, which I confirmed appears during communication on the next-generation 5G network. The “5G+” indicator is displayed when connected to a base station equipped for 5G (Sub-6 / mmWave) and has started being introduced by some carriers and on some devices.

Previously on Google Pixel devices, a simple “5G” indicator was shown during 5G communication, regardless of whether it was a repurposed 4G base station or a dedicated 5G base station. However, with the Android 16 QPR2 update, it seems the “5G+” indicator now appears when using a 5G base station for what is known as “true 5G” communication.

In other words, the “5G+” indicator means you are in a higher-speed 5G communication state.

In my case, I confirmed the “5G+” indicator on my Pixel 10, which has the Android 16 QPR2 update and a Rakuten Mobile (Rakuten Strongest Plan) SIM installed. Rakuten Mobile has not deployed repurposed 4G base stations and has offered “true 5G” from the beginning, so it’s likely that what was previously displayed as “5G” has simply changed to “5G+”. Still, it’s a little exciting.