Bargain 5G smartphones might be coming far sooner than we expected
Realme has announced it will start releasing 5G smartphones in 2019, and we’re hoping that this finally means an budget-friendly 5G smartphone is almost here.
The CEO of Realme, Madhav Sheth, revealed on Twitter that the company would start releasing 5G smartphones globally before the end of 2019.
Realme (a subsidiary of Oppo) has a reputation for manufacturing budget handsets, so is this the first sign that 5G phones will actually start to become affordable for the average consumer? Let’s hope so.
#5GisReal …. Straight out of meeting room with Mr. Sky Li. Glad to share you our latest R&D updates: #realme will be among the first brands to bring 5G products globally this year. And we are determined to bring the best of technology to India as early as possible. pic.twitter.com/cVNOA6f9Iw
— Madhav 5G (@MadhavSheth1) June 6, 2019
Related: Best Phones
Currently, 5G smartphones are cripplingly expensive. The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G boasts flagship specifications such as an excellent triple camera and a gorgeous 6.7-inch screen, but it currently retails at an eye-watering £1099 SIM-free. Similarly, the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G is available on a two-year contract from EE, with the cheapest option costing £79 up-front and £59 per month. But Realme’s reputation for affordability might offer us the chance to experience the blistering high speeds of 5G without the prohibitive price tag.
Related: Mid-Range Phones
Take the Realme 3 Pro for instance. This mid-range rival to the Google Pixel 3a features a Snapdragon 710 processor, a 25-megapixel rear camera, and a 4045mAh battery, yet has a starting price of just €249 (~£220/$280). If Realme can price a 5G smartphone at a similarly competitive price, it would be a great breakthrough for 5G becoming more accessible. Be warned though — 5G data plans are also still very expensive regardless of the handset you choose.
Related: Budget Phones
So, is it worth buying a 5G phone? We advise you to hold off for now. As already mentioned, the handsets and contracts are still very pricey — and there’s still not much choice.
Even more reason for being wary is that 5G connectivity is very patchy: EE has launched its 5G network in six UK cities, but even within these cities the coverage is focused on a handful of locations; Vodafone will also launch its network later in the year, and from there we can only expect 5G coverage to keep improving. All these factors mean you’re best advised to wait for at least another few months before switching to 5G.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
