Fulfilling the requirements of 5G applications necessitates the design of low-cost, compact, and high-performance antennas capable of supporting high data rates. As these antennas are often in direct contact with the human body, it is imperative to limit radiation exposure. This study presents the design of a Microstrip Patch Antenna (MSPA) with a resonant frequency of 28 GHz. The performance of the proposed design is evaluated using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software. Considering the importance of compactness in 5G applications, the dimensions of the proposed antenna have been optimized for this purpose. This paper also discusses the role of the ground plane in reducing the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). The proposed MSPA design demonstrates a high gain of 7.3 dB, a radiation efficiency of 89.4%, and compact dimensions of 5.18×3.36×0.3 mm. The maximum SAR value is 1.68 W/kg (per 1 g of tissue), or 0.121 W/kg (per 10 g of tissue). These results suggest that the proposed design holds promising potential for enabling low-cost, compact, high-speed 5G devices that are safe for human tissues. This is particularly relevant for wearable devices, the Internet of Things (IoT), and mobile wireless networks.