Demand for 5G cell phones increases, but switching is not always advantageous

The arrival of 5G in Brasilia in the last week has increased interest in cell phones compatible with the connection. However, while the technology’s debut appeals to early adopters – those willing to spend to get new things – acquiring it early on may not be the best option for everyone.

Data from Google Trends shows that searches for 5G grew by more than 70% in Brazil last week (July 1st to 7th) compared to the previous week. In addition, searches for the list of compatible devices have registered a sudden increase – when there is a growth of 5,000% or more.

Today, there are a variety of options on the market. The prices of the ten most sought after 5G cell phones on the Buscapé platform range from R$1,200 (Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G) to R$7,200 (Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G).

But replacing the incompatible smartphone with a new one will not always be advantageous to the consumer. For Eduardo Pellanda, professor at PUC-RS and specialist in information technologies, this will depend on what the user does with the mobile network.

“If it’s a professional issue, someone who works in several places at the same time, I think 5G represents another type of work possibility. different uses of the network, in addition to WhatsApp and other social networks,” he said.

For the average consumer, 4G already serves entertainment, work and education activities well. Because of the increased speed and stability and reduced latency, 5G is associated with increased productivity in industry, agribusiness, healthcare and other sectors.

A survey by the consultancy GfK shows that, between January and May 2022, sales of 5G-compatible smartphones in Brazil grew 230% compared to the same period in 2021.

However, cell phones with the technology are still more expensive than their predecessors. The average price in this period was BRL 3,738 for devices with 5G, compared to BRL 1,601 for those without an antenna, a difference of 133%.

With the popularization of the devices and the official launch of the network, the tendency is for prices to fall. In the last year, the average value of these cell phones dropped 30%.

But, according to Buscapé, there was no increase in demand for the devices after the launch of 5G on the 6th, with the exception of the Samsung Galaxy A52s, the company’s intermediate model.

“Even if that price comes down, it’s a higher price. But, we see a price drop curve month by month, so this will reach a great point where the demand for everything that is not 5G will disappear”, explains Felipe Mendes, general director of GfK.

For Mendes, the main advantage of the 5G cell phone is the download speed. He explains that this is important for those who travel on public transport listening to music or watching video content. Thus, the new connection would avoid stuttering and slowdowns.

The speed of pure 5G reaches, on average, 1Gbps (Gigabit per second), which is ten times higher than the average of 4G. For example, to download a 5GB file (a HD movie) on pure 5G, you would have to wait 42 seconds. And this connection can reach up to 20 Gbps.

However, tests carried out by Sheet showed that “pure” 5G in Brasilia showed fluctuating speed, partial coverage and “impurities” and that “impure” in São Paulo failed to surpass 4G.

Despite the recent launch, the PUC-RS professor recommends that anyone who is changing their cell phone today replaces it with one compatible with 5G. “The average time to switch cell phones is about two years. So, switching to 5G now is worth it when the network is already more stable,” he said.

HOW TO USE 5G?

To use pure 5G, it is necessary to have a device compatible with the connection, be a customer of an operator that offers the service and be in the coverage area. A few compatible devices require a new SIM card. The connection started to work in Brasília on July 6th. Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre are advanced in the process of technical suitability and should be the next capitals to launch the service.

MY PHONE ALREADY SHOWED THE 5G ICON. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

The 5G available before July 6th in some capitals is called 5G DSS (Dynamic Spectrum Sharing) or NSA (non-standalone). The connection is considered “impure” because it operates in the same frequency band as 4G (2.3 GHz), which limits its performance. The “pure” version, or standalone, has a band dedicated only to it, at 3.5 GHz.

WHAT IS AND WHAT CAN 5G DO?

5G is the next generation of mobile internet connection, used in cell phones and other wireless devices. The technology offers higher speeds for downloading and sending files and lower latency for transmitting data in real time.

For the average consumer, 4G already serves entertainment, work and education activities well. But 5G is associated with increased productivity in industry, agribusiness, healthcare and other sectors. Therefore, the promised higher speeds and minimal latency are to be expected.

The arrival of 5G should also move the job market in Brazil by generating jobs and demanding new professional skills. The technology and telecommunications sectors will be the most affected.

By 2027, the year in which technology should become dominant, according to Ericsson’s projections, there will be 4.4 billion 5G users worldwide. By the end of this year, it should reach 1 billion.