As 5G becomes the standard for mobile connectivity in the Philippines, the competition between Globe and Smart has never been more intense. Both telcos are investing heavily in expanding coverage, improving speed, and delivering reliable experiences. But in 2025, which network truly stands out? Let’s dive into the data.
1. Network Coverage – Who Covers More?
- Globe has pushed hard on infrastructure, achieving 98.71% 5G coverage in Metro Manila and 97.97% in key Visayas and Mindanao cities as of Q1 2025. They rolled out 235 new 5G sites and upgraded hundreds of towers using advanced Massive MIMO technology.
- Smart, on the other hand, may not boast the same infrastructure numbers, but Opensignal’s April 2025 report shows that it leads in 5G Coverage Experience with a score of 1.6/10, compared to Globe’s 0.8/10.
Takeaway: Globe has the broader infrastructure footprint, but Smart delivers a better real-world 5G availability experience.
2. Speed, Reliability & Consistency
Performance is where things get more interesting:
- DITO surprisingly dominates the speed race in 2025, clocking in at 280.8 Mbps average 5G download speed, far ahead of Smart (131.5 Mbps) and Globe.
- Smart vs. Globe:
- Smart leads in 5G Coverage Experience.
- Globe slightly edges out Smart in overall coverage across all networks (7.4/10 vs. 7.2/10).
Takeaway: Smart performs better in 5G accessibility, while Globe still holds strong in overall coverage. But for sheer speed, DITO is now the fastest.
3. Quick Comparison Table
| Metric | Globe | Smart |
|---|---|---|
| 5G Physical Coverage | ~98% key areas (Q1 2025) | Slightly less visible buildout |
| 5G Coverage Experience Score | 0.8 / 10 | 1.6 / 10 |
| Overall Coverage (All-networks) | 7.4 / 10 | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5G Download Speed | Moderate | ~131 Mbps (but below DITO) |
| Reliability & Consistency | Lower than Smart & DITO | Moderate but still trails DITO |
4. Why the Difference?
- Globe is aggressively building infrastructure and preparing for 5G Standalone (SA) rollout in mid-2025, which promises faster uplink and better consistency.
- Smart is focused on optimizing real-world 5G experience, making connections more accessible in populated areas.
- DITO has carved out a new position as the speed leader, surprising both major telcos.
5. What Users Are Saying
On platforms like Reddit, many users note:
“In my experience, Smart is better, especially with their Unli 5G promo. It’s cheaper and faster.”
This echoes the data: Smart feels faster and more practical in certain locations.
Conclusion: Globe vs Smart in 2025
- Infrastructure edge: Globe, with near-universal 5G coverage and a future-ready SA rollout.
- Instant experience edge: Smart, offering smoother and more accessible 5G connections today.
- Speed edge: Neither—because DITO now leads in performance.
At the end of the day, the “better” choice depends on what you value most:
- Globe if you want wide coverage and future-proof networks.
- Smart if you want better 5G accessibility right now.
- DITO if raw speed is your top priority.
