Should I buy a 5G smartphone?According to the U.S. users ...

Unless there is something ...

"5G" seems to be gradually becoming "next generation" to "current generation", with Samsung (Samsung) announcing Galaxy S10 5G.But Gizmodo's SAM Rutherford is still the "next generation".Below, let's look back on the current situation calmly.

In MWC, each company has a variety of devices that are powerful or innovative, but the big topic is not just the terminal.Another hot topic is that it is definitely 5G communication.

Most of the major mobile carriers are now starting to develop 5G in the United States, and some smartphones are 5G, besides the 5G modem announcement from the chip maker Qualcomm and the Galaxy S10 5G.I feel that 5G is no longer the next generation, but even if it is already in that era.

"5G" is the fifth generation of mobile communication, and the tech companies have been promoting them.Communication speed exceeding 1Gbps, 10 milliseconds (reaction time) (reaction time), capacity that can handle the explosive IoT device communication.

But before someone comes out, "Then 5G! I have to buy it!"

5G can hardly be used yet

First of all, it is important to note that the place where the 5G network can be used is very limited (translation: It cannot be used in Japan yet).If you check the area where you can use 5G, you can see in the United States, there are some places in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Texas at the time of writing.If you look at this map, you will see how small it is.The company has not started a mobile carrier, and Sprint has not yet started, and will start in nine cities in May this year.

Looking at the circumstances by carrier, AT & T is already in 12 cities, but there are also restrictions on this.If you read it carefully, AT & T's "5G +" (they call the true 5G like this) is "only available in a limited area" in 12 cities.In other words, even if you are somewhere in 12 cities, you should not always be able to use 5G.

Verizon has launched an infrastructure for 5G -compatible smartphones released in 2019 while launching a 5G hot spot that can be used at home last year.Currently, Verizon's 5G can be used only in Los Angeles, Sacramenton, Houston and Indianapolis.

T-Mobile has begun to deploy 5G using a 600MHz band different from other companies, whether it is an expression of a rebellious spirit to AT & T or Verizon.In contrast to 5G using millimeters such as AT & T and Verizon, low -frequency bands such as the 600MHz band have high propagation characteristics and are said to be more transmitted to buildings.However, the disadvantage is that in the low -frequency band, the gigabit -class speed and the reduction of the latency can not be expected, and the meaning of 5G is reduced.In addition, T-MOBILE says that it will deploy 5G in 30 cities by the end of 2019, but it also acknowledges that it will not be possible to expand the United States in 2020.

5G compatible smartphones are expensive

The second hurdle is the price of the terminal.As of last year, most people can't use 5G unless they buy Moto Z3 and just wear a 5G attachment.By the way, the price of Moto Z3 is $ 480 (about 53,000 yen), and it is necessary to attach unreleased "5G Moto Mod" attachment to use 5G, but the price is not yet known.

I think that many people want a 5G compatible smartphone, rather than retrofitting a 5G function.Then, if you put the 5G communication function, it will be about how much it takes, but according to ONEPLUS's founder Carl Pei, 5G smartphone will be added $ 200-300 (about 22,000 to 30,000 yen) than 4G LTE.is.Using 2,000 30,000 for 5g that you don't know how much you can still use seems to be quite adventurous.

In the case of Samsung, Galaxy S10E is $ 750 (about 83,000 yen), the S10 is $ 900 (about 100,000 yen), the S10 + is $ 1,000 (about 110,000 yen), and Fold is $ 2,000 (about 22,000 yen).However, the price of S10 5G has not been announced.Giant S10 5G huge 6 based on $ 1000 of S10 +.Considering the 7 -inch screen and two deep cameras, 5G modem and antenna, it will probably cost more than $ 1500 (about 170,000 yen).

The LG V50 5G is almost the same.The terminal itself was announced, but the price of LG or Sprint, a carrier that can use V50 5G first, has not been announced.In addition, the smartphone maker is a wind that thinks that 5G smartphones cannot be sold with only 5G, and LG and Samsung have various functions such as deep cameras and dual screen.

In short, those who buy a 5G phone in 2019 need to put in $ 1,000 (about 110,000 yen), and the communication fee may be 5g.Mobile carriers have not yet revealed what will be the 5G price setting.

There is no application that makes use of 5G yet

For many people in 2019, the 5G communication speed is not worth a bother.One of the 5G benefits is that all things such as drones, cars with communication functions, and TV are always wirelessly connected.The problem is that there are still few 5G -compatible devices, and there is no way to use them all the time.

At this time, considering that a 5G smartphone can be connected to a 5G network at a maximum speed, maybe you can download movies and music very fast.But about streaming, 4K content is not so much yet.

At the MWC Samsung booth, the Galaxy S10 5G was connected to a live 5G network, where the major league games were shown in a demonstration.This is a demonstration that allows you to control the video of the video from many cameras.I was able to switch from the camera on the back of the home base to the first -base -based camera, and I felt that I was using the thick band of 5g.But this app was just made for demonstration, and it is not possible for baseball fans who bought a 5G smartphone to use it right now.

Then, if the latency is shortened at 5G, you may be able to play multi -players such as PUBG, Smash and Apex Legends without rugs as well as Wi -Fi at your smartphone.But that's right now.The so -called "5G revolution" impact occurs when all devices are connected at that speed, and it doesn't make much sense to have a 5G compatible smartphone.

It seems that the only company that can make effective use of mobile 5G in 2019 is the company who wants to secure huge files in multiple places other than the office.

Summary: 5G is still in the future

That's why 5G is useless or not usable, but I think there are of course potential.It's fun to try a new technology, and if you jump early in a new one, you can experience it gradually spread and grow.

But now, you should understand that mobile 5G is still a magnificent beta test.If I try to spend money at this stage, I was aware that it was the same thing as a kickstarter to provide pre -orders and funds, and that I was motivated by dreams and hopes, not reality.Is wiser.

So, I think it's all right to buy a 5G smartphone for those who have extra money and are very interested in 5g, or those who want to try anything first and upload it to YouTube.However, if you are not, you should save that much money.The penetration rate of 5G is still 0 in 2019.Because it is expected to be 4 %, there is almost no missing something even if you don't jump now.

Source: Qualcomm, Cellularmaps, Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, The Verge, Trend Force