First, I'd like to state that I'm aware of the issues associated with 5G cell towers and the health risks associated with them. Cities and communities across the world have vocally opposed and even banned their construction, and I think they are right to do so.
However, I am curious as to whether the 5G problem is associated with "5G" cell phones.
I have a based friend who may end up needing a new phone for work. Problem is, every phone on the market is "5G", and he wants to take care of himself as best as he can, hence why he's been hesitant to take the plunge on a newer phone.
Fortunately, we live in a county that recently denied multiple permit requests for 5G towers, so we're not as worried about 5G towers.
But do 5G smartphones have the same health risks as the 5G towers?
I'd appreciate feedback from people in the know.
Realistically the 5G towers could aim an energy beam at you whether or not you have a 5G phone. And they probably do beamforming with 4G as well. Wireless communication is a mature science now and many communication systems in use today operate close to the Shannon limit. Shannon's theorem sets a theoretical maximum data rate for a given bandwidth and signal to noise ratio. If bandwidth and noise levels are fixed then transmitting more data will require more power. So if a 5G tower is sending 10x the data then it will be need to transmit much more power to get the job done. *
5G uses many of the same frequencies as 4G, 3G, and 2G. 5G did add additional bands, C band and millimeter wave. Look at the bands supported by the phone. The mm-wave bands have band numbers in the n200 range. Millimeter wave is much higher frequency than the existing cellular bands. That doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. It has less ability to penetrate salt water (read "your body") than lower frequencies. Getting a phone without mm-wave would avoid one of the not so well tested features of 5G. It might be advantageous to get a 5G phone now before they all have mm-wave.
* The thing about mm-wave is that it operates with a much higher bandwidth. That is a knob that can be turned to reduce the amount of power required to send the data. So while most of us think that mm-wave is risky, it could also be a great deal for reducing RF exposure. More research is required. Beamforming at mm-wave frequencies can create a much smaller hot spot. Currently I would avoid mm-wave phones out of an abundance of caution.