4G technology already seems to be getting old with Qualcomm’s announcement of turning the 5G dream into a reality. Besides the company’s flagship Snapdragon 8xx processor series, the Snapdragon X50 modems will be rolling out for faster 5G connectivity.
Snapdragon X50 will be featured in several smartphones starting from 2019. 18 different OEMS are expected to release a 5G phone by that time including:
- Asus
- Fujitsu
- HMD Global
- HTC
- LG
- Oppo/Vivo
- Sharp
- Sony
- Xiaomi
- ZTE
Apple isn’t on the list of companies partnering with Qualcomm in this venture due to obvious reasons. For those thinking about Samsung, it has actually signed off a separate extended partnership last week.
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When?
5G internet standards were in discussion for a long time and still, the research work is ongoing. Live trials of the 5G NR standard are planned to be paraded by the end of this year, with some of the 5G supported devices rolling out by 2019.
This leads us to believe that the 5G compatible flagship smartphones and headsets of some of the biggest manufacturing companies will be available in the market by next year. The usage of 5G in headsets includes VR/AR headsets and Always Connected PCs.
We will also see big names including AT&T, China Mobile, Orange, SK Telecom, Verizon, and Vodafone conducting trials for the 5G NR standard to optimize their networks.
Qualcomm is ready to demonstrate the ultra-fast internet at the MWC 2018 as well. The company claims that the Snapdragon X50 5G modem is capable of achieving “several gigabits per second” which will be flaunted in the upcoming live demonstration.
Via GSMArena
