As wireless carriers are starting to build 5G infrastructure, phone manufacturers are beginning to roll out 5G cell phones. You might be wondering whether it's worth buying a 5G phone now as 5G becomes more widely available. In this article, I’ll help you decide if you should get a 5G cell phone in 2021.
What Is 5G?
The phrase “5G” represents the fifth mobile phone generation. As mobile technology advances, so does the efficiency and speed in which people are able to send and receive information over wireless networks.
As you have probably guessed, 5G networks will be faster than our current 4G networks. Although 5G may sound appealing, there are a lot of reasons why you probably shouldn't get a 5G phone right now.
Check out our video if you want to learn more about 5G and what carriers aren't telling you about the next generation in mobile technology.
The Pros And Cons Of A 5G Cell Phone
With COVID-19 changing the way people work and live, slow internet speeds and a spinning wheel just won't do anymore. New nationwide 5G networks might just be the solution to some of those problems.
However, most 5G phones are very expensive. That's starting to change, as Samsung just released the Galaxy S20 FE 5G, which starts at $699. Apple also released the iPhone 12 Mini, which supports 5G and starts at $699.
The 12 Mini is a bit cheaper than Apple's other 5G iPhones: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
If you want more information about 5G networks in general, check out the video below!
T-Mobile's Low-Band 5G
T-Mobile rolled out their “nationwide” 5G network in late 2019. However, it's important to point out that this coverage is low-band 5G. Low-band 5G is much slower than mid-band and high-band 5G. 5G phones are capable of switching between frequencies depending on what's available.
High-band frequencies generally have the lowest range and are unable to penetrate structures like brick buildings. Mid-band and low-band 5G have better range, but slower speeds.
The frequency T-Mobile accesses for their 5G network is the same one that cable providers used for old-school antenna TVs. To put T-Mobile's low-band quality in perspective, we need only compare it to a competitor's 4G network. Some studies show Verizon 4G is faster than T-Mobile's low-band 5G.
T-Mobile's 5G network should get faster and more expansive over time, but it's important to temper expectations for now.
AT&T and Verizon have since followed T-Mobile's lead on rolling out “nationwide” low-band 5G.
Best 5G Cell Phones
It can be difficult to decide on the perfect 5G phone for you. The tail end of 2020 brought us a wave a new 5G cell phones, including the first line of 5G iPhones. Below, we'll tell you about the best 5G phones. If you're more of a visual learner, check out our video titled Best 5G Cell Phones of 2021.
iPhone 12
Apple announced four 5G iPhones at their October 2020 Event. As we mentioned above, the iPhone 12 Mini is the best option if you're looking to save money. This isn't to say the 12 Mini is cheap. It has the same great features as the rest of iPhone 12 line, including the A14 processor, Ceramic Shield, and MagSafe.
The 12 and 12 Pro are the middle-tier 5G iPhones. The iPhone 12 is $200 cheaper, but it has a slightly inferior battery life and no Telephoto camera lens. Overall, the iPhone 12 Pro has the superior camera, but if you're just a casual photographer, we'd recommend saving the $200 and going with the iPhone 12.
Apple's top-of-the-line 5G iPhone is the 12 Pro Max. It has the similar specs to the iPhone 12 Pro, but a much larger display. At 6.7 inches, the 12 Pro has a larger screen than any other iPhone.
Samsung Galaxy S20 5G
Samsung has raised the bar of contemporary cell phone technology with the Galaxy S20 5G. Apart from its compatibility with 5G networks, it has a number of other cutting edge features that sets it apart from its competitors.
One component of this phone that might draw your attention is its triple rear facing camera, capable of 64 MP telephoto photography, 12 MP wide and ultrawide photography, and 8K high definition video. Featuring optical zoom and Samsung's Night Bright feature, you'll be able to take high resolution pictures from long distances and in dim settings with unprecedented ease.
The Galaxy S20 5G comes with 128 GB of storage and the Snapdragon 865 processor. Starting anywhere from $800 to $1000, depending on the retailer, you'll be able to enjoy this phone's 6.2 inch display for up to 28 hours of active use. Even when it's asleep, the Galaxy S20 5G's always-on feature allows you to access select information without sacrificing an increment of battery life.
For even more impressive features, check out the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G or the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
If you're thinking about getting a 5G phone, this is the one we'd recommend. The Galaxy S21 5G has a large display, an excellent rear triple camera, and a powerful battery. You can get this phone with either 256 or 512 GB of storage space.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is available for purchase from Verizon, and T-Mobile.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G has a sharp display and a brilliant rear camera capable of recording 4K videos. This phone has two storage variants: 256 and 512 GB. Either of these are more than enough for the average user. This device has 8 GB GB of random access memory (RAM), making it one of the most powerful phones available today.
OnePlus 8 5G
The OnePlus 8 5G is the latest and greatest premium smartphone from OnePlus, offering one of the best experiences possible from Android with their software skin called OxygenOS. It stands tall against other flagship smartphones thanks to its all-day 4300 mAh battery, superior processing power, and beautiful 6.5 inch AMOLED display.
The OnePlus 8 5G also carries an elite triple rear camera array, providing users the power of 48 MP wide, 16 MP ultrawide, and 2 MP macro cameras. With a maximum video recording framerate of 240 frames per second, slow motion video has never been easier to record.
The base model of this phone has 128 GB of internal storage and 8 GB of RAM, upgradable to 256 GB of storage and 12 GB of RAM. With this much storage and memory, the OnePlus 8 5G is more than capable of storing all your photos and videos as well as multitasking without a second thought.
OnePlus 7 Pro 5G
The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G has a 6.7 inch display, a sharp rear triple camera, and a battery life that supports up to thirty-six hours of talk time. This powerful phone has 8 GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 855 processor.
A couple carriers also offer a OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren, which works with the T-Mobile's 5G network. The 7T Pro has a nicer display and a faster processor, but it also costs a few hundred dollars more than it's non-5G variant.
Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G
If you're looking for a unique experience, you may want consider the Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G. With a 7.3 inch display, the Galaxy Fold 5G is one of the first cell phones that users can fold open to use as a cell phone or tablet. Its screen is made of a unique flexible polymer with an AMOLED display for high quality visuals in all settings.
Aside from its innovative hardware, another unique aspect of this phone is its Multi-Active Window function. This feature allows users to fully engage in up to three apps on their screen at once. If you're a serious multitasker who's often frustrated by the need to constantly toggle between pages and apps, the Galaxy Fold 5G could revolutionize your personal technology experience.
In total, the Galaxy Fold 5G has six high-resolution cameras for you to choose from. With 512 GB of built-in storage and 12 GB of RAM, you'll be able to record hours of high-quality video and perform high-powered tasks at very fast speeds.
5G: Coming Soon To A Phone Near You
5G is still a fairly new technology, so it might not be a wise decision to get a 5G cell phone right now. However, as carriers continue to expand their 5G networks, you may want to consider getting a 5G phone in the next couple of years. Leave any other questions you have about 5G phones in the comments section below!
