Is this the right time to buy a 5G smartphone or should we wait some more? A question we might ask ourselves, especially in 2022. It seems that there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding when 5G networks will be fully operational around the world. However, we believe that it will be rolled out in major cities starting in the second half of this year and will later roll out across the country starting in the coming years. And if you can't wait to take advantage of this high-performance network, it makes a lot of sense to make sure your next new phone is 5G compatible. Before you make the purchase, here's what you should consider when buying a 5G-enabled phone.
Quick, what is 5G technology?
5G networks are the fifth generation of mobile networks that will replace 4G, which can provide ultra-fast download speeds, better network reliability, huge coverage area, increased network availability in poorly connected areas, high performance along with improved efficiency. Therefore, the emergence of 5G networks heralds the entry of a new era in mobile technology that will expand our dependence on the Internet in various areas of our lives, and thus provide a world of benefits for smartphone users in addition to high speed.
Currently, 5G phones are available across different price categories, unlike what was the case in early 2020, when the technology was limited to the leading category of phones such as the Galaxy S class of Samsung phones or iPhone phones and other phones whose price starts from $ 1,000. You do not have to pay that amount at all in order to enjoy 5G technology in 2022, but there are many phones in price categories less than $ 300 even, that support 5G networks.
With the increase in competition and the multiplicity of choices in front of the user by offering many smartphones of different brands, it is expected that the price of phones that support 5G networks will decrease to start from 100-150 dollars, which is not far from us at all. So, in case you are going to buy a new phone, there are a few aspects to consider before buying a 5G smartphone:
Supporting 5G technology does not mean that you will get high-speed internet
We all know that the most important thing that distinguishes 5G networks from 4G is the high speed offered by 5G frequencies but note that while many 5G phones are released daily, it is necessary to look at the number of bands that the phone can support, most mid-range phones already support 5G but At weak frequencies, the user will not feel a significant improvement in speed when comparing 4G to 5G. For example, if you choose to try the new technology on a modern phone like the Galaxy S22, you can get coverage from 17 bands, which will ensure a stable connection to a high-quality 5G network no matter where you are.
Expensive price plans and packages
You should be well aware before buying a 5G phone that some telecom service providers provide the service to connect to their 5G towers as a “paid feature” and therefore you may have a phone that supports the fifth generation and in a country with fifth generation coverage, but you are forced to use the fourth generation connections, otherwise you have to subscribe to the packages Designed for the latest generation, which provides incredible browsing and download speeds.
However, there are companies that do not require the user to charge an additional fee to use 4G, So before buying a new phone just because it supports 5G networks, it is better to see the website of the contracted telecommunications company to see if there are fees charged for using the service if it is supported and if additional fees are needed, is it worth it or not.
5G networks drain battery
There is no doubt that the “cellular data” or “mobile data” feature of 4G connection is one of the most prominent factors that clearly drain battery power, and this increases with 5G networks, as connecting to them requires high power to be able to receive the signal and process the received data. Thus, 5G phones usually suffer from the problem of overheating, even when performing normal tasks, in addition to the short battery life even though 5G phones have larger batteries than 4G phones. And here we are only talking about the actual use of 5G networks and not the general impression of those phones.
Do you need a 5G phone right now?
I think most users don't need 5G networks at the moment. Just like when we started switching from 3G to 4G networks, we still have a very long way to go and we have the infrastructure that needs a complete modernization. I completely agree with you that phones that support this technology have invaded the market, but that does not mean that they are suitable for most users at the moment.
Many regions still have not even obtained 4G networks and there are many who are not making the most of those networks at the time of writing these lines, and therefore I think that the full arrival of 5G networks is still many years away.
It will be at least several years before we can really get the most out of 5G phones. We are now somewhat safe with 4G phones and there is no way for you to upgrade to a new phone just because it supports 5G networks and pay a noticeable price difference unless you want to book a ticket for the future and prepare for the world of the fifth generation!
Conclusion: There's not much wrong with buying a 5G smartphone right now, just keep in mind the potential additional costs. If you find a better deal on a phone that is only cheaper and does not support 5G, make the decision to buy and there is absolutely no blame on you because the financial aspect has become a deciding factor in any purchase nowadays.