Author: Gareth Beavis / Source: TechRadar
Why are 5G phones even being unveiled already? It feels like it’s barely months since 4G networks launched… so why are we even talking about selling 5G handsets already? Why did we see multiple phones being announced at MWC this year packing the new technology on board?
I’m certainly not against the idea of 5G coming into the smartphone world… and wider. It’s genuinely going to be a revolution.
It’s going to allow multiple sensors to be connected together on a network at once – this is going to have a huge effect on things like large factories, where multiple elements can be monitored to bring large-scale efficiencies. That might sound dull, but it’s game-changing stuff to businesses.
Driverless cars will be able to be connected and controlled with almost zero lag, so pinpoint corrections can be made from the cloud.
Gaming on the go will be possible, as you’ll be able to connect to a console-quality server and stream games to your phone. Heck, even your pets will no longer go missing when they’ve got a 5G chip around their neck.
But the 5G network has barely begun (there are limited trials or very small rollouts in key areas of Asia and the US), and yet Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S10 5G and a 5G variant of the Galaxy Fold, the Huawei Mate X is 5G ready, the LG V50 is 5G-enabled, Xaomi has rebooted its Mi Mix 3 as a cheap 5G model, and ZTE has also gotten in on the act.
So why are brands launching phones that support 5G already, when it costs more and needs bigger batteries to support the technology?
The revolution is coming
“[5G] is around the corner,” John Chan, product PR lead for Xiaomi, told TechRadar. “So the key thing for us is making technology accessible to everyone.
“When 5G comes out [owning a 5G phone means] you are right on it, there’s no barrier to the 5G era from your phone – that’s the vision we have. We want to provide the tools and the innovation needed.”
When quizzed about whether it was more of a marketing strategy to have a 5G phone out before the networks are deployed, Chan admitted that it does have a certain value for brands.
“You could say that it does have a [marketing] effect, proving to people that we are able to make a 5G phone – and we want to be able to provide people with that device,” he added.
Sony was one of the biggest brands not to bring out a 5G phone at the conference, although it did have a concept device on show, a move mirrored by OnePlus on the Qualcomm stand.
Mitsuya Kishida, President of Sony Mobile told TechRadar that Sony was intending to have a device on the market when the 5G wave begins in earnest, and was working closely with partners to bring it to market, but added that it didn’t see the point in having a model available just now.
“Obviously, we are heavily cooperating with our partners to develop for 5G, and depending on the country and the customers need we will introduce the 5G model accordingly,” he told us.
“It will be a separate model and depend on the country, again. How to introduce the solution is going to be different for our customers.”
2019 is going to be the year that 5G really begins to rollout around the world, so you can understand that a few phones might be landing onto the market… after all, there’s no point in the likes of Verizon in the US, or EE in the UK, bringing out these faster networks without phones to sell it on.
These carriers also going to be pressing the manufacturers to bring out high-end, feature-rich smartphones to entice conusumers to make the jump to 5G.
But as Chan from Xiaomi proved, it’s as much a show of technical clout as anything else for these brands to unveil a 5G smartphone, a marketing punch that confirms their status as innovative.
Even though these phones exist, they’re unlikely to be available everywhere – there are multiple, different 5G technologies being deployed around the world so each model of phone will need to connect to all of them if they’re to be a global release.
At what cost?
We know that 5G plans are going to cost a little more at the start (both on contract and SIM free), as networks look to recoup the cost of deploying the 5G connections around the world and brands need to add in more advanced, experiensve modems and bigger batteries.
The handsets are set to be pricey too, with the cheapest price we’ve heard about so far being €599 (around $680 / £515 / AU$1,000) for the Xiaomi Mi Mix 5G.
Other phones will easily crest the $2,000 mark, such as the Huawei Mate X, and we’re not even sure of the price of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, Galaxy S10 5G or the LG V50 5G.
Such a high price might not entice many consumers at the start, as many will feel that the broadband-like speeds they’re getting with 4G are good enough… but there’s another key element of 5G that will change the experience you get from your phone.
The thing that seems to have gone under the radar is the fact that, on 5G, more connections can be handled at once. So you’ll find, for example, that at a gig or a large sporting event you won’t have to sit there and wait for everyone else to go home before you can finally check an email or catch up on Instagram.
It’ll mean less time spent staring at a loading screen, wondering why a connection isn’t there.
That may not be something that makes it worth spending several hundred more dollars or pounds on a new phone right now, but don’t dismiss 5G as just an expensive, faster extra that won’t bring any other benefits.
It’s coming quickly, and whether the brands just want to show off their technical expertise or genuinely want to make sure everyone can get online as soon as possible, 5G is still only going to be soft-launched this year… and it’s great that we’re getting some half-decent phones to begin with.
Image credits: TechRadar
What is 5G?
5G networks are the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections on smartphones and other devices than ever before.
Combining cutting-edge network technology and the very latest research, 5G should offer connections that are multitudes faster than current connections, with average download speeds of around 1GBps expected to soon be the norm.
The networks will help power a huge rise in Internet of Things technology, providing the infrastructure needed to carry huge amounts of data, allowing for a smarter and more connected world.
With development well underway, 5G networks are expected to launch across the world by 2020, working alongside existing 3G and 4G technology to provide speedier connections that stay online no matter where you are.
So with only a matter of months to go until 5G networks are set to go live, here’s our run-down of all the latest news and updates.
– The US, China and South Korea are expected to be some of the first nations to install full 5G networks, with others including the UK not far behind
– Many companies are busy making sure their networks and devices are ‘5G ready’ in time for 2020, meaning some networks may launch before then
5G – the latest news
28/02 – NETWORKS – BT hires 1,600 apprentices ahead of EE 5G launch – BT looks for apprentice and graduates to future proof workforce…
27/02 – NETWORKS – Security and cost worries could harm 5G – Business and technology executives underestimate the disruptive prospects of 5G…
27/02 – NETWORKS – FC Barcelona’s Nou Camp will be ‘first’ 5G stadium – Fans to benefit from immersive 5G experiences…
26/02 – DEVICES – Sprint 5G: all the phones coming to the next-gen network – Top networks require top phones…
26/02 – NETWORKS – Nokia says it is the one-stop shop for 5G network gear – Nokia details new equipment and operator partnerships…
26/02 – NETWORKS – Google Fi customers will get 5G from Sprint’s network – MVNO gets 5G…
25/02 – NETWORKS – Security flaws in 4G and 5G revealed – New flaws allow attackers to intercept calls and track user locations…
25/02 – DEVICES – Sony will make a 5G phone, but only when the tech rolls out – It won’t be left behind in 5G race…
25/02 – DEVICES – Lenovo teases first 5G laptop powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx – But, what’s taking so long – and where are the rest?
25/02 – NETWORKS – GSMA: One in seven connections will be 5G by 2025 – GSMA kicks off MWC with prediction for the market…
25/02 – DEVICES – Affordable 5G phones will arrive in early 2020 – Not a flagship exclusive for long…
25/02 – DEVICES – HTC 5G home hub gets you ready for superfast internet – Get your home or office 5G-ready…
24/02 – DEVICES – Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G may be your first 5G-ready phone – One of the first 5G phones of MWC 2019…
22/02 – DEVICES – Will Samsung enjoy first mover advantage with 5G? – Samsung beats rivals to 5G smartphone…
22/02 – ANALYSIS – Huawei: We make it cheaper and simpler to deploy 5G – Head of carrier business touts benefits of 5G kit ahead of MWC…
21/02 – NETWORKS – 5G could solve major 4G congestion – Current 4G download speeds differ greatly depending on country and time of day…
21/02 – DEVICES – Gemalto makes 5G SIM card available to operators – Gemalto pitches “world-first” 5G SIM card…
21/02 – NETWORKS – O2 5G confirmed to launch in these four cities in 2019 – O2 5G will go live in UK capitals this year…
20/12 – NETWORKS – 5G will account for a quarter of UK mobile data traffic by 2022 – UK will be second only to the US in 5G…
20/02 – NETWORKS – Vodafone ‘world-first’ connects smartphones to 5G network – Vodafone connects handset in Barcelona ahead of MWC next week…
19/02 – DEVICES – You may want to hold off buying a 5G phone until 2020 – This second generation 5G modem will make a difference…
19/02 – NETWORKS – Three trials cloud core 5G network with staff – Full rollout expected later in 2019…
19/02 – ANALYSIS – Does sports content hold the key to 5G adoption? – Tokyo Olympics and Euro 2020 could be first time many experience 5G…
18/02 – NETWORKS – UK ‘doesn’t need to ban’ Huawei 5G kit – Huawei’s 5G equipment is a ‘manageable risk’, NCSC apparently claims…
18/02 – NETWORKS – Vodafone UK switches on first 5G airport – Manchester Airport upgraded to superfast speeds for consumers to try out 5G…
15/02 – NETWORKS – Three brings 5G to the catwalk and its flagship store – Three shows off 5G to consumers at London Fashion Week…
13/02 – NETWORKS – UK switches on first 5G factory trials – Worcestershire 5G testbed goes live…
11/02 – NETWORKS – Sprint sues AT&T over ‘5GE’ claim – Rivals clash in 5G row…
11/02 – ANALYSIS – AI, 5G and the race to completely autonomous vehicles – Now is the time to implement a data-centric architecture…
08/02 – NETWORKS – Trump anticipated to ban 5G networks from using Chinese tech – An executive order is expected to come before MWC…
07/02 – DEVICES – Vodafone trials 5G form factor device with Ericsson and Qualcomm – Operator takes step forward in 5G development…
06/02 – NETWORKS – US urges EU to reconsider role of Huawei in 5G – US ramps up pressure on Huawei with stark warning…
05/02 – NETWORKS – Ericsson joins O-RAN to drive intelligent 5G radio development – Ericsson extends commitment to open standards…
04/02 – NETWORKS – GSMA suggests Huawei 5G talks at MWC – Industry concerned at Huawei 5G exclusion following long-term controversies…
01/02 – DEVICES – Huawei 5G foldable phone teased in MWC 2019 press conference invite – Our first look at the world’s first foldable 5G phone…
31/01 – ANALYSIS – Investing in a 5G future: The role of MNOs – 5G’s 2020 rollout is fast approaching…
31/01 – NETWORKS – Nokia predicts staggered demand for 5G kit in 2019 – Nokia reports increased revenue and profit in Q4…
31/01 – DEVICES – 5G phones: these are going to be the first next-gen handsets – The new 5G phones of 2019 and beyond…
31/01 – DEVICES – LG hints strongly at 5G foldable phones for 2019 – Taking the fight to Samsung’s Galaxy X…
28/01 – NETWORKS – Chinese EU Ambassador says Huawei 5G ban would be ‘self-defeating’ – Senior diplomat dismisses security fears as fabrications…
25/01 – DEVICES – Huawei says it’ll show off a foldable 5G phone at MWC 2019 – The world’s first 5G phone with a foldable screen…
24/01 – HARDWARE – Huawei reveals 5G modem and base station chips – Huawei chips will ease deployment and widen support…
22/01 – NETWORKS – Vodafone and O2 team up on 5G network sharing – Two operators look at options for mast infrastructure as they extend network sharing deal to cover 5G…
17/01 – NETWORKS – Huawei faces US probe as Germany considers 5G options – US DoJ reportedly accuses Huawei of trade secret theft…
14/01 – NETWORKS – US government shutdown is threat to 5G rollout – Industry body warns about impact of FCC shutdown…
14/01 – HARDWARE – Intel wants to be your one-stop shop for 5G – Intel VP tells us that “5G runs on Intel”…
14/01 – DEVICES – Apple looks at Samsung and MediaTek modems for 5G iPhone – Latest revelations from Qualcomm’s antitrust trial…
12/01 – DEVICES – iPhone 11 tipped to have faster Wi-Fi, but 5G might have to wait – Better speeds for the 2019 iPhones?
11/01 – NETWORKS – Ericsson tests strengthen wireless backhaul’s suitability for 5G – Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom trials achieve ‘fibre-like’ performance…
10/01 – NETWORKS – T-Mobile continues US 5G crusade with 600MHz call tests – T-Mobile completes multi-band call tests with Ericsson and Intel…
09/01 – DEVICES – 5G and fixed displays to drive smartphone sales in 2019 – Research suggests 5G might be silver bullet…
09/01 – NETWORKS – AT&T claims advanced 4G is ‘5G’ – Software update claims advanced 4G is 5G Evolution…
08/01 – DEVICES – 5G can be tonic for smartphone saturation – GSMA Intelligence finds 80 per cent of developed world owns a smartphone…
08/01 – HARDWARE – Intel targets 5G base stations with ‘Snow Ridge’ chips – Intel hopes edge computing advantage will pay off…
08/01 – NETWORKS – The Galaxy S10 isn’t at CES 2019, but Samsung’s 5G plans are here – Samsung Galaxy S10 is here in pieces if you look closely…
06/01 – DEVICES – Byton confirms M-Byte car will be available in 2019 with AI, 5G and 48-inch display – That’s a whole lot of screen…
04/01 – ANALYSIS – What to expect from 5G at CES 2019 – 5G could be the star of the show at CES 2019…
24/12 – ANALYSIS – Three CEO: Capacity, not speed is the true 5G revolution – Dave Dyson talks up Three’s 5G strategy…
21/12 – NETWORKS – O2 confirms 5G tests will use Huawei kit – London 5G tests will be carried out using Huawei equipment, O2 confirms…
19/12 – NETWORKS – ‘Strong’ business demand for 5G could be tempered by network transformation – Gartner says operator focus is on consumer applications…
19/12 – NETWORKS – AT&T is second US operator to launch 5G – AT&T gears up for limited 5G launch…
19/12 – DEVICES – Top Samsung Galaxy S10 could have a massive screen and support 5G – But it might not be available everywhere…
17/12 – ANALYSIS – The coming 5G revolution – How the next generation of mobile connectivity will bring emerging technologies to life…
17/12 – NETWORKS – Rivals claim Three’s spectrum variation will hand it 5G advantage – Three now has 100MHz of continuous 3.6GHz spectrum…
14/12 – NETWORKS – 5G could add billions to world GDP – Unlocking the right 5G spectrum will make all the difference…
13/12 – NETWORKS – Huawei will do ‘anything’ to be trusted 5G partner – Huawei says if there’s anything it can do to ease security concerns, it will do it…
10/12 – NETWORKS – Vodafone to use manhole covers to improve 4G and 5G – Vodafone hopes street level infrastructure will improve network…
10/12 – ANALYSIS – 5G is just the beginning for the future of smartphones – The future of mobile looks promising…
06/12 – ANALYSIS – Vodafone Business rebrand highlights strategic focus in 5G era – Vodafone Enterprise is now Vodafone Business…
06/12 – POLICY – EU approves new regulations to boost 5G rollout – EU passes new code despite industry opposition…
06/12 – PRODUCTS – OnePlus CEO confirms its 5G phone will cost $200 to $300 more than OnePlus 6T – But it isn’t done with 4G devices…
06/12 – NETWORKS – We need rigorous 5G testing before we get in the driverless car – Autonomous vehicles will rely heavily on next generation networks…
05/12 – PRODUCTS – OnePlus will be the first to release a 5G phone in Europe – It’s all thanks to some help from EE…
05/12 – NETWORKS – How 5G technologies can be implemented more efficiently – Knowing where to place ‘small cells’ will make all the difference…
05/12 – DEVICES – This Samsung 5G prototype phone has a notch… but it’s in the corner – Updated with an official comment from Samsung…
04/12 – DEVICES – Here’s the first 5G smartphone and, no, you can’t buy it – It’s a reference device from Qualcomm, but it promises a lot…
04/12 – NETWORKS – Nokia and Qualcomm complete 5G call interoperability tests – Another 5G testing hurdle is cleared ahead of launch…
04/12 – NETWORKS – Arqiva and CityFibre to build 5G small cell network in London – Hammersmith & Fulham will host UK’s largest pilot to date…
04/12 – ANALYSIS – 2019 telecoms forecast: the year of 5G and open source – Canonical takes a look at some of the most important trends for next year…
04/12 – NETWORKS – MI6 chief warns UK on role of China in 5G networks – Alex Younger says there needs to be a conversation about Huawei’s role…
03/12 – NETWORKS – Three Korean operators launch 5G networks – Operators bring forward South Korea 5G launch…
03/12 – DEVICES – Verizon and Samsung to launch 5G smartphone in 2019 – Companies will show off PoC this week…
29/11 – PRODUCTS – Toyota’s new humanoid robot can be controlled remotely via 5G – A helping hand from afar…
29/11 – NETWORKS – 5G will require mobile operators to rethink the role of Wi-Fi – Operators may need to de-prioritise Wi-Fi in 5G era…
28/11 – NETWORKS – New Zealand ‘blocks’ use of Huawei 5G kit – Spark application rejected by New Zealand government…
27/11 – NETWORKS – 5G will have ‘fastest ever’ global rollout – Ericsson Mobility Report says Europe will fall behind without market changes…
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