Will a 5G phone work locally without the 5G network being in place?

Please excuse a question from a self-admitted techno Klutz . I am considering updating my cellphone and have been recommended to get a 5G capable model. As I have also been told that the 5G network is not fully in place in this area, would this purchase be a reasonable one, or would it be advisable mot to make this purchase until the network is available? Thanks for any assistance.

Yes it will work but it's capabilities will be somewhat reduced. If you are here full time then I would wait to update until the 5G network is here as well.
https://www.airtel.in/blog/prepaid/can-i-use-4g-sim-in-my-5g-phone/#:~:text=The%20short%20and%20simple%20answer,work%20in%205G%2Dpowered%20phones.

Thank you, that is very helpful information. Best to wait until 5G is in full operation here, and who knows when that will be. Thanks again.

We don't even have very good 4G coverage here, so it may be a long wait. So certainly no reason to get a 5G phone just for that, but if you need a new phone and want a high end one it will likely have 5G capacity.

Ain't that the truth. I'm still chugging along with a Samsung S4 and it works fine for my needs.

Very soon all phones will be 5G capable.