INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
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 boardI'm certainly
not against the idea of 5G coming into the smartphone world and wider
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
console-quality server and stream games to your phone
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
Xiaomi, told TheIndianSubcontinent
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
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."The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is coming in a 5G variant this year2019 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 costSamsung is going early with its 5G variant of the S10.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
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
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:
TheIndianSubcontinentRVxf4j7rxkMTjtAQq5XxHN.jpg#
