Phone running in 4G when 5G icon is on

[SynthpopAddict]

My Samsung phone lost the Verizon 4G/5G icons a few months ago and began displaying the default Samsung icons instead where it displayed a 5G icon nearly all the time.  However, upon more careful observation I discovered the phone is not actually in 5G mode most of the time:

It was only when the 5G icon "lit up" that the phone was in 5G:

Yesterday I installed the One UI 6.1 update and this brought back the Verizon 4G/5G icons.  However, now there's just the Verizon 5G icon on my phone constantly now, but my phone is still almost always in 4G mode:

What gives?  The Verizon icon doesn't light up like the default Samsung icon does, so now I really don't know if I'm in 5G or not without speed testing.  And thanks Opensignal for "keeping your carrier honest"!  Ookla speed test app doesn't know and thinks I'm always in 5G so I get the craziest variation in speeds anywhere from "dial-up" to "my cable ISP is scared", haha.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hey SynthpopAddict, I appreciate you reaching back out about the icons. There are a few factors to take into consideration. 5G with the arrows is only going to show up when you're actively utilizing data. The regular 4G and 5G will reflect based on the area you're in. What are the speed test results for each of these? 

-Melissa

[SynthpopAddict]

I must respectfully disagree with you regarding 5G only appearing when data is actively being used.  With the Verizon 5G icon reappearing on my phone 2 days ago after installing a software update, I can't tell if I'm in 4G or 5G anymore without checking on Opensignal.  It just says "5G" all the time, but I know I'm not based upon my data speeds.

There have been many instances in which I was surfing the internet and have had webpages fail to load because my data is so slow.  And the 5G icon is still on.  As a prepaid customer, I understand my service will not be of the level those paying $100 or more a month for their line will receive, but Verizon can't at least be more transparent with us all and show us the true icon for whatever service our device is running in?  I can force my phone to display the 4G LTE icon, but only if I go into known weak signal strength spots of my apartment.

[SynthpopAddict]

Addendum per CS' question about my speed test data:  I get anywhere from:

to this (if I head to the part of town I call "Banging 5G Land") 😂:

If I move to this part of town, can I quit the cable ISP?

Maybe the upshot of the same icon all the time is I have no earthly idea what data speeds I'm going to get so it's like a big surprise box every time. 😉

[vzw_customer_support]

Good Afternoon, we hope your day is going well. 🖖🏻😀 We would be happy to help troubleshoot any connection issues you are having. Please send is a PM for further assistance.

*Jason

[SynthpopAddict]

I don't know if it's really a "connection issue"...apparently I just don't live in the best part of town for great service.  If I go to "Banging 5G Land" part of town, even little old prepaid me can get over 440Mbps down on 5G.  If I'm visiting family out of town, my service is about 80-90Mbps down.  It's only at home or at work that my data crawls.  Can't afford to move to the neighborhood with the awesome 5G...