Going back in time to a decade ago, one could hardly realize that the smartphone industry would witness such explosive growth. Not too long ago, people had to carry around pagers for sending/ receiving messages which were then replaced with enormous cell phones for calling. With the advent of the first smartphone, people were mesmerized that they could send text messages and leverage advanced data features. Then came the advent of the 3G network, and overnight, people could even browse the internet and check their email. As 4G LTE brought in an era of mobile broadband, one could stream full-length movies, run advanced applications, collaborate with colleagues remotely, which turned smartphones into computers of the modern age. With the ushering of the 5G Technologys, what other changes beckon the smartphone industry?
Covered Topics
What is 5G?
5G stands for fifth-generation network and is the next step in cellular connectivity and a global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. 5G Technologys enables an enhanced network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything including machines, objects, and devices.
The benefits of 5G include faster downloading time, higher bandwidth, negligible latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience for users. 5G will cut through every industry and make transportation safer, remote healthcare more reliable, manufacturing more intuitive, supply chains more flawless and cities smarter.
The future of 5G in India
Commercial 5G networks are live in 61 countries worldwide however 5G rollout plans in India have been delayed due to ongoing challenges for telecom companies and the delay of spectrum allocation by the government.
Telecom major Bharti Airtel had demonstrated a live 5G service on a use case basis over a commercial network in Hyderabad on January 28 this year, while RIL’s Chairman Mukesh Ambani has publicly stated that the company is gearing up for India’s ‘5G revolution’ in the second half of 2021. With the growing positive sentiment, it is no wonder that 5G phones are prominent on the product portfolio of leading manufacturers like Xiaomi. Earlier this year, Xiaomi launched the Mi 10i at a starting price of Rs 21,999 with flagship features leading to the company’s strong performance in the mid-tier segment. In addition to 5G compatibility, the phone boasts of Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, 4820 mah battery, a phenomenal 108MP rear camera, 120Hz smooth display and smart eye protection features.
Clamour for 5G enabled smartphones
Amidst a gloomy buying sentiment around smartphone sales owing to the global pandemic, there are a couple of silver linings. 5G smartphone shipments crossed 3 million in 2020 which accounts for 2% of all smartphones purchased. Market intelligence firm CyberMedia Research (CMR) anticipates 5G smartphone shipments in 2021 to account for 10% of overall phones purchased which is around 11 million. The shipments of 5G phones are also predicted to overtake 4G phone shipments as early as 2022.
While 5G phones were confined to the mid-tier and premium segments, many companies are putting up a tough fight to make their 5G presence in the budget segment too. The second quarter of 2021 saw many companies releasing 5G phones in the budget segment. In fact Xiaomi has taken the 5G industry by storm by launching the Redmi 10T at a starting price of Rs 13,999 which will be the cheapest 5G phone in India. Equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, triple rear camera setup, MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, this phone will bridge the gap of 5G technology thereby making it more accessible to all.
5G – A must-have feature on smartphones?
With the bright future of 5G Technologys and the affordability of 5G handsets, more users are trending towards 5G compatible devices. And isn’t this a great way to future-proof your mobile? The obvious advantage remains the flexibility to use a 4G sim card and the seamless switch-over to 5G once it is available.
And if you thought you would need to compromise on features and specifications at the cost of 5G, then that’s not the case. The Mi 11x is a wonderful example of a 5G mobile priced under 30000 which comes with the latest Snapdragon 870 processor, large 4520mah battery, 33W fast charging (100% charge in 52 minutes), smooth 120Hz high refresh rate AMOLED display, 48 MP main camera and speakers with Dolby Atmos.
Buying a 5G phone on EMI
5G is the future of our world and there’s nothing to lose when you purchase a 5G mobile. Regardless of the availability of the technology, a 5G mobile will give you an edge by future-proofing your handset. And with brands like Xiaomi, you can be assured of the widest range of 5G mobiles from the budget to the premium flagship models. Opting for the Bajaj Finserv EMI scheme could be a lucrative option while purchasing your next 5G phone. These EMI’s safe-guard you from any hidden charges alongwith the flexibility to repay the amount across a tenor of 3 to 24 months. So don’t wait any further and grab your Mi 5G phone today to be future-ready!
