Should you buy a 5G phone?

Published in El Pais, January 21st 2020.

5G has been in the news for a while now as it’s potential seems limitless. While the upgrade from 3G to 4G was simply a matter of speed and while 5G will certainly be faster than there is so much more to offer. The list of things it can allow is truly memorizing, things like remote surgery and driving may become the new norm and virtual reality will soon involve the sense of touch. Before getting too excited, many mobile companies that are slowly activating their own 5G network are warning that for now the only upgrade we will notice is the increase speed. With that you might get the illusion that your 4G phone is now obsolete but before you run to the store their may be a few things you need to consider.

Is 5G even available?

5G networks are slowly being rolled out in the United States but many countries might not see it for at least a year or two, making the point of upgrading pointless. It is true that we our holding onto our phones for a longer time now, especially with many costing well over $1000 so when purchasing a new phone you may want to consider a 5G phone if you thing you will still have it once 5G becomes available but it should not convince you to replace your working phone.

Cost of 5G Network.

5G may be fast but is it worth the cost? This will vary at different parts of the world, but it would not be surprising if carriers charge more for phones to access their 5G network than their 4G counterpart. Looking at the limited options in the US shows this will not be a guarantee as two carriers do not charge anything for their 5G network while one costs an extra $10 but it is certainly a possibility, budget carriers will also likely not provide this service for some time.

Cost of a 5G Phone

5G phones will inevitably be more expensive. The next iPhone is rumored to have a 4G and a 5G option giving those who will likely not have access to the service to save some money. It is likely that a few manufacturers will follow a similar strategy and for those who normally just get cheap phones it is unlikely those will exist with a 5G option for some time.

Its always hard to jump onto the latest tech trend, especially with the cost that is often associated with it. If your someone who does not work at the same place everyday 5G might be an attractive option, but if you just do emails and watch YouTube videos, I would not hurry to upgrade your current phone.