Despite its speed, 5G still has homework to do for 2019-2020. (Image via: Evening Standard)

Editorial: 5G Phones, Safe or Out?

Is it the right time to upgrade your phone? A broader, faster communication range, 5G, has been announced in UK last week, and it is a step up from the old, rocking chair 4G. In fact, it has started to run since April. In Korea, 85% of its metropolises have established 5G stations. Currently, there are 5 tech giants already signing up for the 5G: Samsung, Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei, and ZTE.

While of course 5G offers more speed and connectivity than its predecessors, is 2019 the right time for you to change your phone? Or should you wait 5-6 more months before finally replacing your old phones with 5G-compatible phones? Let us break it down for you in this article.

By data, it is surely faster than 4G. While 4G’s peak speed only reaches 1GB/s, 5G’s speed spans to 20GB/s! In addition, it runs on 30 to 300 Ghz, while 4G only runs on less than 6Ghz.

Statistically, 5G seems to win the speedy requirement. However, putting aside its speed, will 5G win the fight against 4G?

Let’s talk about its coverage, and put Verizon and Sprint as our examples. Speed is certain, but what is the speed for, if the 5G has not covered much areas yet? In US, Verizon and Sprint became the first torch bearers for 5G network. In 2019-2020, 4 network giants in USA are going to implement 5G in their network connectivity. They are Verizon and Sprint (who already got their head starts), T-Mobile, and AT&T.

Nonetheless, by the coverage map, provided on their website, no matter how hard they try to cover it, it is evident that US coverage is not that much. In addition, some people added that they should have concentrated on improving 4G network, which would cost less than opening a new signal range.

Since we have covered coverage (which is definitely a “No”), let’s talk about the price. For 5G-compatible phone, Verizon sells Samsung S10+ with 5G network for astronomical $1,300, and Sprint sells LG V50 with 5G network for $1,150!

Let alone the price, there are still a few phones that carry 5G carrier in their hardware. Thus, we can say that with great price, comes not great connectivity.

Let’s say that you have 5G phone in your hand, it is surely fast. But, it is fast only in certain, few regions. For Asian, African, European, Australian, even the most American, they have to wait for a moment to actually immerse themselves in the superfast, boastful 5G experience.

In brief, for our final verdict, we can suggest you that buying 5G phones in 2019 is not a safe option. We advice that you can grab it by 2020, where 5G coverage areas will be wider and the phone price will be more reasonable.

So, for this remaining months, let’s just enjoy the reviews. Who might know what will happen next to 5G, for better or worse?

Source: https://www.androidcentral.com/should-you-buy-5g-phone-2019