To be far we did not test it against a Verizon LTE phone, but we did test them against AT&T 4G HSPA+ and it crushed their 2Mbps down and 800k up. So far this is the best iPhone I have owned.
Final note on battery life. I have had it a week and I have noticed that compared to my iPhone 4 the battery does not last quit as long. At least that's my perception. When the phone gets low 8 or 9 percent the iPhone 4 would live on for hours. The iPhone 5 doesn't quit have the same will for life and just keeps chugging away on that battery. To be far though I am running LTE, location, wifi, and I sill get a full day+ out of it. Really it barley noticeable to me but i did notice it.