5G is now much more prevalent after an impressive 2020, but it’s still not mature enough as a reason to upgrade.
Next-gen internet connectivity has been available on smartphones since 2019, but 2020 was the year the technology began to shine, with most top-end devices you could buy this year sporting the new tech and more networks launching coverage around the world. Samsung’s entire Galaxy S20 range included 5G-ready handsets, OnePlus brought the feature into its top-end phones, a whole host of other Android manufacturers debuted 5G-ready devices, and every single member of the iPhone 12 family is built with 5G in mind. That’s impressive considering this time last year you only had a slim selection of 5G handsets on the market, with choices such as a specific Samsung Galaxy S10 5G variant if you wanted the next-gen tech. It’s great that manufacturers are embracing the technology, and there are now even cheap 5G alternatives to big name handsets like the Google Pixel 5 and iPhone 12 mini. For example, the Realme X50 5G only costs £300 in the UK, making it one of the cheapest ways to get 5G. One big rumor suggests 5G phones will become cheaper still in 2021. That makes sense as the technology becomes more commonplace, and there are rumors that Samsung will be introducing a handset called the Galaxy A22 5G that will cost only 200,000 Korean won (about $180, £135, AU$240).
