3G, H or H+ icon at the top of a phone: what does it mean?
The phone is on an older 3G mobile data network; H and H+ are faster versions of 3G.
What each maker says
- iPhone (Apple) — 3G. Your carrier’s 3G UMTS (GSM) or EV-DO (CDMA) network is available and iPhone can connect to the internet over it.
Source: Apple Support: Learn the meaning of iPhone status icons (iPhone User Guide) (checked 2026-09-29) - Samsung Galaxy — 3G network. Connected to a 3G mobile data network, which may be slower than newer network technologies.
Source: Samsung Canada support: Identify and understand the icons displayed in the top right corner of your Samsung Galaxy (checked 2026-09-29) - Samsung Galaxy — H (HSDPA) and H+ (HSPA+). H is HSDPA, an enhanced 3G that can be faster than standard 3G; H+ is HSPA+, faster again than HSDPA or standard 3G.
Source: Samsung Canada support: Identify and understand the icons displayed in the top right corner of your Samsung Galaxy (checked 2026-09-29)
- What it looks like
- The characters 3G, or on a Samsung Galaxy a capital H or H+, next to the signal bars.
- Shown by
- iPhone (Apple), Samsung Galaxy
Icons to compare
Sources
Each meaning above is taken from the maker’s own support page, fetched and read on the date shown. The drawing is ours; the real icon on your phone may be drawn a little differently and can change with software updates.
- iPhone (Apple) — Apple Support: Learn the meaning of iPhone status icons (iPhone User Guide). OS: iOS 27, the version the guide opened on; not dated on the page. Checked 2026-09-29.
- Samsung Galaxy — Samsung Canada support: Identify and understand the icons displayed in the top right corner of your Samsung Galaxy. OS: One UI; some icons marked One UI 7; last updated 4 September 2026. Checked 2026-09-29.