Though relatively new to the market, it has now been over a year since most wireless network providers have started offering 5G networks in the country. The technology has been expanding its horizons ever since and trying to meet the ever-growing need of fast internet. Users now increasingly want to opt for the best 5G smartphones to take advantage of the ultra-fast 5G networks.
What is 5G technology?
5G or fifth generation is the latest in the line of wireless communication technology. It began with 2G, which came with a group of standards to govern wireless calls on the telephone. At that time, the mobile web was still a distant possibility. However, with the advent of 3G technology, surfing the internet on a smartphone became possible. Soon, 4G came and replaced its predecessor with high-speed internet that enabled live video streaming.
In the year 2017, a standard was issued by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, which is the group responsible for creating guidelines and rules related to wireless connectivity. According to its new standard, 5G was allowed to coexist with 4G. By mid-2018, a new standard was issued by the same body, which allowed 5G to stand alone. Since then, giants of the mobile phone market, such as Nokia, have collaborated with major wireless service providers in the country to develop 5G networks and conduct testing on well-equipped 5G radios that could match the rules of the latest standard.
This would mean that not all smartphones can operate with 5G technology. For a device to use 5G technology, it must comply with the new standard. In these devices, it would be possible to get the download speed of up to 1 Gbps and, if theories are to be believed, they can even peak at a speed of 10 Gbps. To put it simply, at this speed, downloading a full movie will only be a matter of seconds.
5G smartphones
In 2020, major smartphone giants were already offering 5-6 phones that supported 5G technology. In the list were Samsung’s much-talked-about Galaxy S10 5G and Note 10 Plus 5G. OnePlus also offered the opportunity to enjoy high-speed internet with its 7 Pro 5G and 7T Pro 5G McLaren phones. While LG came out with V50 ThinQ 5G, Moto also entered the market with Z3 and Z4. However, Motorola phones are still not equipped with technology that can support 5G. They need an additional accessory to be compatible with 5G, and the accessory is a little pricey.
For anyone looking to enjoy the benefits of becoming an early adopter of 5G, these are the phones you can choose from. Galaxy S10 5G priced at USD 1,299, comes with 5G network connectivity from carriers such as Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, and T-mobile. Similarly, T-mobile is offering 5G connectivity with LG’s V50 ThinQ for USD 1,152. Exclusively offered with Sprint’s 5G network, the OnePlus 7 Pro and OnePlus 7T McLaren are available for USD 840 and USD 899, respectively.
For the whole of 2019, Apple chose to keep out of the 5G market and did not launch the iPhone 11 with 5G capabilities. However, in 2020, it is reported to enter the 5G gambit with iPhone 12.
The new processing platform for mobiles, Snapdragon 865, is specially designed to be compatible with 5G modems. This implies that there will be a significant number of 5G phones entering the market in the foreseeable future.
Benefits of buying 5G smartphones
One of the primary reasons to choose a 5G smartphone is to benefit from the early advantages you can gain before the technology becomes mainstream. Moreover, with smartphones shifting from luxury to necessity, being ahead of the curve, will surely make your life easier. Below are some of the various benefits that 5G smartphones can offer.
Speed
One of the primary benefits of a 5G network is speed, and with 5G smartphones, you can leverage this to your advantage. The current 4G network offers a speed of 300 Mbps, with 5G, you can access a speed that is 200 times faster than 4G up to 10 Gbps. With this high-speed download, you will be able to enjoy high-def uninterrupted video streaming, gaming, and internet telephony on the go. To put this into a calculable perspective, you can download an entire feature-length film in just a minute over a 5G network. However, to avail of the benefits of high-speed wireless network connectivity, you need to ensure that you choose the right 5G smartphone and network carrier.
Reduced latency
Latency is defined as the lag in the time which occurs between your action and the response of the network. With 5G smartphones, you will enjoy relatively lower latency, ensuring faster response and higher internet speed. No more waiting for a video to buffer, for a game to load or accessing any cloud-based files.
Service reliability
While 4G service reliability has considerably improved over the years, 5G network service is bound to be impeccable and of a higher standard. You can wholeheartedly look forward to improved call quality, signal strength, and internet speed. Additionally, 5G network has improved bandwidth connectivity, being able to operate in spectrums ranging from 30 GHz to 300 GHz. This will ensure zero chances of call drops or downtime, in addition to better reliability and performance.
Preparing for the future
5G is undoubtedly the future of wireless networks, making owning a 5G smartphone a necessary and future-proof investment. Additionally, 5G smartphones not only connect to the 5G network, but also consist of highly improved specs and components such as longer battery life, faster and improved processors, enhanced multitasking capabilities, and powerful cameras. Acquiring a 5G smartphone now will ensure you are ahead of the curve and in sync with rapidly changing technology for years to come.
Best 5G smartphones to consider
There are a handful of options available for people who wish to invest in future-proofing their phones. However, before you buy a 5G smartphone, it is important that you check 5G connectivity in your area. Currently, 5G connectivity is not as widespread as 4G; however, this will change with time, but until then you need to be sure about its availability before buying an expensive phone.
Here are some of the best 5G smartphones that you can consider.
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
If you wish to enjoy 5G connectivity at its best, this is the most ideal phone you can lay your hands on. The phone comes with a 6.7-inch screen, making it considerably bigger in size as compared to S10+. It comes with curved Gorilla glass, a screen-to-body ratio of 89.4%, and a polished metal body. All this, and still the phone is as sleek as it can get! It has a 500ppi Super AMOLED display, which guarantees crystal-clear and engrossing viewing experience. The phone is equipped with six cameras in total that ensure life-like, detailed, and professional photography experience. The front as well as the rear cameras come with Time of Flight sensors. This enables users to get a blurred background effect like never before. The same effect can also be used on videos. The phone has 8GB RAM, which might not make it as efficient as its Snapdragon counterparts, but it is still a reliable option for people who like to indulge in immersive 3D gaming. Users can also enjoy a high storage capacity of 256GB, a port for headphones, and wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus
If you have been looking for a phone that works on every 5G network, you will not have to look any further. This model comes with a Snapdragon 865 processor, which makes 5G connectivity easy and also enhances the functionality of the phone, making it as good as any other Android phone. The display comes with a QHD AMOLED screen and has a refresh rate of 120Hz, which enables smoother navigation and gaming experience. However, the downside of a faster refresh rate can be a shorter battery life. There are 4 rear cameras on the phone. To ensure clear and crisp super zoom shots, the phone comes with a 64MP telephoto lens. Although the phone is priced at USD 1,199, you will find the features offered worth every penny that you spend.
OnePlus 8 Pro
Users looking for 5G smartphones can also go for this Android phone, which is replete with features and is USD 300 cheaper than Samsung Galaxy S20. However, in terms of connectivity, users might find some limitations as compared to other 5G smartphones . Also, buying OnePlus 8 Pro via a particular carrier might not be possible. The phone also works only on 5G networks that are sub-6Hz. If you are a Verizon customer, you could consider looking for some other options as the carrier relies mainly on mmWave for its 5G network. But, if your carrier builds the 5G network on a low or medium spectrum, this phone will be a good option for you. It comes with a fluid AMOLED display and a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring an immersive viewing experience. Additionally, it is powered by a Snapdragon 865 processor, guaranteeing enhanced multi-task capabilities, uninterrupted gaming, and faster functionality. Moreover, it is equipped with a 48MP quad rear camera setup, ensuring detailed and crisp pictures even in low light. The charging speed of the phone is also top-notch, which you will not find in many others.
Samsung Galaxy S20
5G modems and bigger batteries are used to make 5G smartphones compatible with 5G networks, resulting in huge and heavy phones. However, with Samsung Galaxy S20, this is not a problem. The phone is a little smaller than 6 inches in length and weighs less than 6oz. Despite its compactness, the phone offers a 6.2-inch widescreen, which is AMOLED. It also comes with a refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes it perfect for a smooth scrolling and lag-free gaming. It is offered at a price of USD 999 and so far, it has been one of the more affordable 5G smartphones by Samsung. Users do not have to compromise on the photo quality either. It comes with three improved rear lenses and a telephoto lens that offers impressive picture quality, even a 3x zoom. Right now, most carriers work with Samsung Galaxy S20, except for Verizon.
OnePlus 8
OnePlus 8 is one of the cheapest 5G smartphones replete with flagship phone features that you can get your hands on. The phone comes with a Snapdragon 865 processor. If you want a higher RAM, you can opt for the 12 GB variant for an extra USD 100. The OnePlus 8 comes with a 6.55-inch Fluid AMOLED display and has a refresh rate of 90Hz. It is powered by a 4300 mAh battery, which gives longer battery life and is supported by OnePlus Warp Charge 30T technology. It has a robust Snapdragon 865 processor that ensures lag-free functionality and gaming. Furthermore, it has a 48MP triple rear camera setup, using which you can capture detailed, vibrant, and professional photos even in low light surroundings. If you want a phone that is slim, light, and supports 5G connectivity without burning a hole in your pocket, the OnePlus8 should be your go-to choice. The base price of this phone is USD 699.
