The 5G revolution is nearly upon us. Here’s when to expect super-fast 5G devices from top phone makers.
5G, the latest generation of cellular tech that will connect users to a superfast mobile network, is nearly upon us. The biggest initial wave of 5G deployment will likely take place this year and throughout 2020, and carriers everywhere are laying the groundwork to roll out a faster and more expansive wireless network.
While it’s true that many industries will benefit from faster connectivity — self-driving cars, drones and the internet of things, to name a few — most people will likely experience the benefits of a robust 5G network only through a 5G-enabled phone. After all, the grand promises Qualcomm and carriers are making with 5G coverage don’t mean much if you can’t access the network with your own device.
Since the beginning of this year, many phone-makers unveiled their upcoming 5G phones. Samsung was one of the first to introduce its Galaxy S10 5G at its Unpacked event in February, and many others have followed that up with their own announcements at the MWC 2019 conference.
To help you keep tabs on when we can expect 5G phones, here’s what the major phone-makers have announced, and what they haven’t announced, about their 5G phone plans so far.
Editors’ note, March 5,2019: This piece was originally published on Oct. 23,2018, and is updated whenever 5G news and devices are announced.
Apple’s in no rush to launch a 5G iPhone — don’t expect one this year or maybe even 2020. Save for abandoning the headphone jack (the iPhone 7 was one of the first phones to lack one), Apple usually isn’t the first in on mobile trends, preferring instead to perfect an emerging technology before committing to it. For example, it was behind its competitors in making phones with 3G and 4G LTE connectivity when those networks just launched. Furthermore, Intel company executives said that Intel won’t have 5G modem chips until 2020 (Apple uses Intel chips in its iPhones).
That doesn’t mean it’s not altogether ignoring 5G. In January AT&T caught heat (and is getting sued) for displaying « 5G E » connectivity on some of its phones, including iPhones. This is despite the fact that its network technology remains unchanged from 4G.
Apple did not respond for a request to comment.
Samsung’s Galaxy S10 5G phone, unveiled during Unpacked, has a 6.7-inch display, three rear cameras and the ability to wirelessly charge other devices. In the US the phone will launch on Verizon first in the second quarter, then head to AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. Though no exact price was given, it’s expected to cost between $1,000 and $1,980.
But the Galaxy S10 5G won’t be the only 5G phone from Samsung. Its foldable Galaxy Fold will have a 5G variant too. And AT&T announced it will carry additional Samsung 5G phones by the second half of 2019 (no word yet on the specific devices though).
Google hasn’t revealed its plans for 5G, and the company declined to reply to a request to comment. What we do know is that Verizon said it’s planning to roll out its 5G network in early 2019, similar to other carriers.
What does that have to do with Google exactly? For the past few years, Google has tapped Verizon as its exclusive carrier partner for its Pixel phones, including the new Pixel 3, though the company also sells the phone unlocked or on its Wi-Fi-first network, Google Fi.
