5G, the next-generation cellular network technology, is here. With all the hype building around it, several questions need to be asked. Consider this your handy guide to learning all you need to know about this breakthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why You Should You Upgrade to 5G?
In an interview with ABC News, Nokia's Sandro Tavares said that compared to previous mobile network generations, 5G "promises much higher speeds, much larger capacity, and much lower latency."
According to Qualcomm, 5G can run between 10 and 100 times faster than today's 4G connections. This means that if you try to download 4K episodes of an entire series, you can do it in a minute.
Verdict: If you want to experience a faster-than-Wi-Fi connection, you should definitely upgrade. However, if you are okay with your current phone's 4G capabilities, it is best you wait until 5G has matured.
Should You Buy a New Phone to Enjoy 5G?
Yes. Unfortunately, you cannot enjoy 5G capabilities using a 4G phone.
Should You Do a 5G Phone Upgrade NOW?
Major telecom carriers in the U.S., including Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, have already jumped on the 5G bandwagon. You can also now buy 5G-enabled phones from major vendors, such as Huawei, Motorola, LG, and Samsung.
But then again, there is a good reason the latest iPhone did not feature the new generation of mobile technology: 5G has not matured yet. Also, since it is still in its early days, coverage is still limited.
Verdict: No need to shell out lots of bucks yet. In five years' time, your 4G phone will still work just fine.
Will 5G Phones Be Expensive?
For Tavares, 5G will not be more expensive than 4G.
"If you look into the initial packages that the service providers have been offering with 5G, I wouldn't say they are much more expensive than what we've seen for 4G, and a lot of them provide a lot more services," he said. "It is in general regulated by the competition, so I wouldn't expect services to be that much more expensive."
Verdict: 5G will not cost more than 4G, although it will offer more services.
See also: Huawei Official Says 5G is the 'New Electricity'
Will Your 4G LTE Phone Go Obsolete?
When 4G technology was introduced in the late 2000s, it quickly overtook 3G and forced many users to upgrade their handsets to enjoy faster connectivity and wider network coverage.
But according to CNN, the same thing is unlikely to happen with 5G. The fifth-generation technology will just build on 4G, which means it will use outdated software and radios to lift its capabilities.
Verdict: 4G-enabled phones are not going anywhere.
When Is the Right Time to Upgrade to 5G?
According to a report by GSMA Intelligence, 15 percent of mobile connections in the world will be on 5G by 2025.
"For operators in many parts of the world, LTE is and will be the foundation for the next 10 years at least," the report said. "LTE speeds are improving, which makes 5G less compelling without new services such as AR/VR."
Verdict: While we can't say for certain when major service providers will roll out the best 5G version, we know for sure that there's no need to rush your upgrade.
Related link: Is 5G or Wi-Fi 6 the Future for IoT?
