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It won’t be too long before you can buy a much cheaper 5G phone
Save your money until 5G modems show up in more affordable phones next year
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This article originally appeared on ABACUS
If you want to take advantage of 5G today, compatible smartphones are already available. But it will cost you.
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Early 5G phones can cost a significant premium over similar 4G models. The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, for example, sells for US$1,300 on Verizon and Sprint. The S10+ starts at $1,000, but with half the storage. More affordable options exist, but even Xiaomi’s Mi MIX 3 5G still costs about US$670 in Europe. The regular Mi Mix 3 can be found for under US$500. And if you don’t need a flagship-tier device, you’re just out of luck.
Why 5G isn't just faster video streaming on your smartphone
It’s true that, depending on where you live, most of you might want to wait a bit before purchasing a 5G handset anyway. Network providers in the US, China and other places are only beginning to expand coverage from a handful of specific areas in select cities.
But you might also be wondering whether you’ll actually be able to afford a handset that allows you to take advantage of 5G when it finally arrives in your hometown.
The answer is very likely to be yes.
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One reason why 5G phones are so costly right now is the hardware they require.
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