As tech-savvy consumers, every time we hear about a new device hitting the market, our first instinct is to see how different it is from the one we own. This applies to smartphones in particular; as brands continue to fight for market dominance, premium brands try to out-do their competitors by offering phones with high-end specs and features, while brands catering to the mid-range segment try to pack as many features as possible. From stylish designs, to faster processors and high-quality cameras, there are numerous areas brands try to improve to provide best-in-class products.
When it comes to offering the latest technology, we are now seeing smartphone brands roll out with 5G-enabled smartphones. 5G technology is expected to change the way we live and work, with faster data speeds and lower latency. Furthermore, 5G is also touted as a game-changer when it comes to finally developing autonomous vehicle technology, and 5G’s impact on the internet of things (IoT) cannot be understated.
While 5G technology will revolutionize the way we live and change the world around us, it might be too soon for Indian consumers to opt for a 5G smartphone just yet. Here are a few reasons why you should wait for a few months before purchasing a 5G mobile phone in India.
- Prices are Coming Down
When brands initially started to roll out with 5G mobile phones in the country, they were being catered to the premium segment. With iQoo, Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme and OnePlus unveiling 5G-enabled smartphones, everyone believed that if you had to own a 5G mobile phone, you had to shell out a significant amount. However, all that changed when OnePlus announced the OnePlus Nord, a 5G-enabled device catered to the mid-range segment.
With OnePlus Nord — OnePlus’s conscious effort to return to its roots becoming a smashing success, it is now expected that other smartphone brands will follow suit, offering 5G mobile phones to consumers at attractive rates. It is now plausible that other brands like Xiaomi and Realme, two brands that have consistently delivered the best mobile under 15000 with best camera such as Xiaomi Mi A3 and Realme 5s, will soon offer 5G smartphones under Rs. 20,000.
- 5G Expected to Reach Mainstream in 2023
Considering the fact that it took both 3G and 4G technology around 6-7 years to become mainstream in India, 5G is expected to take at least a couple of years to reach the masses. While Cisco’s report stated that India is projected to have around 966 million mobile users by 2023, with less than 5 percent having 5G, another report by Ericsson Mobility stated that 5G network would be made available in India by 2022, with around 10 million subscriptions on 5G in India by the end of 2023.
Thus, 5G will not be the standard for at least 4-5 years from now, which is another reason why it would be better for consumers to wait for a few more months, at least until telecom service providers start rolling out with 5G network in the country, to purchase 5G-enabled handsets.
- No 5G Network for At Least a Year
While the race to 5G has seen smartphone brands roll out with 5G mobile phone, it is now being speculated that consumers will have to wait at least until late 2021, or early 2022 to experience 5G network. While 5G is expected to be at least 10 times faster than 4G, India currently does not possess the infrastructure required to support 5G. Furthermore, the government still hasn’t begun auctioning 5G spectrum, with the price being a sticking point for telecom service providers.
Even after the service providers buy the spectrum, it will take at least a few more months on final tests, after which the service providers will begin rolling out with 5G network. That would mean it could easily take anywhere between 12 – 18 months for the service providers to roll out with 5G network from today.