The latest innovation, in the smartphone industry, after displays is 5G technology. We saw that 4G connectivity launched a few years ago. Since then, we have been enjoying faster internet speeds compared to 3G across the globe. However, the 5G connectivity is expected to give twice or thrice as much speed compared to 4G.
Therefore, people are expecting smartphone manufacturers to come up with 5G-supported phones and carriers to roll out 5G networks sooner. While that may still take some time, we do have some 5G-supported phones already. For example, OnePlus and Samsung have launched the 5G variants of their OnePlus 7 Pro and Galaxy S10 respectively in Europe. Also, 5G networks are currently available only in Europe and some parts of the US.
So it is somewhat obvious that 5G-supported phones in other parts of the world are a waste at the moment. However, things are expected to change soon and we might see 5G rollout speed up by next year. Also, Apple is now expected to embrace 5G support too. While we will have to wait till next year for 5G-supported iPhones, it is expected to come for all variants.
This also makes the carriers speed up 5G networks across the globe as the biggest smartphone manufacturer industry is also likely to embrace 5G by next year. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple’s 5G decision is strategic too. Because we know that Intel’s smartphone modem business has now been acquired by Apple. Apart from that, carriers are unlikely to give subsidies to manufacturers who don’t have 5G support by next year.
One more thing to note is that Apple is expected to support most of the 5G networks meaning you will get millimetre wave 5G available in the US, as well as sub-6GHz 5G wave, found everywhere else.