5G brings the following improvements to the table:
Greater speed, projected at 10-100x faster than 4G (Strictly speaking, the average speeds would be better than what we get with 4G). Better stability in connection Lower latency would make 5G useful for critical applications like self-driving cars, robotic surgeries, etc. Higher bandwidth will allow for a larger number of connected devices on a network.
Apart from being faster and more stable, 5G will make the internet more reliable thus making it ready for prime-time applications like Mixed Reality experience, edge computing, and better delivery of web-based services. In case you are interested, we have covered 5G in detail in a separate article.
Dual-mode 5G
The term dual-mode 5G was marketed a lot last year and it will be the same in 2021. All new 5G modems have full 5G support – both NSA and SA – and are being marketed as dual-mode 5G phones. In practice, dual-mode support doesn’t mean much as almost all 5G networks only support NSA architecture as of today. Perhaps having SA support makes your phone more future-proof. Perhaps not.
Integrated vs Discrete Modem
Another metric to decide between 5G phones is the use of a discrete or integrated modem. Having the modem integrated on the same SoC helps in reducing battery consumption and in reducing design complexity. Kirin 990 5G was the first chipset with an integrated 5G modem. And since then their counterparts have also joined the club.
List of best 5G phones available in 2022
5G is not yet ready in India, but in case you plan on sticking with your phone for at least the next couple of years and don’t want to miss out on the next-gen cellular connectivity when it arrives, here’s a list of 5G phones that you may consider.
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G
Samsung has taken its most innovative foldable series forward with the launch of the next Galaxy Z Fold Device. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor with Adreno 670 GPU. It runs Android 12 with One UI 4.1 and features a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1200 nits brightness. The foldable device comes with up to 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage capacity and a triple camera setup at the back including a 50MP main, 12MP telephoto and 12MP ultrawide camera. It has a 4MP under-display selfie camera and a 10MP visible selfie lens. The device packs a 4400mAh battery with 25W fast charging and supports SA/NSA/Sub6 5G bands. Also Read:
List of 5G phones in India that works with AirTel 5G Plus List of 5G phones in India that works with Jio 5G aka Jio True 5G
2. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 5G
The next-gen Galaxy Flip 4 5G smartphone is powered by Snapdragon 8+ gen 1 chipset and runs Android 12 with One UI 4.1. It is paired with up to 8GB RAM and up to 256GB internal storage capacity. It has a dual camera setup at the back with two 12MP lenses and a single 10MP selfie camera at the front. It packs a 3700mAh battery with 25W fast charging and comes with support for SA/NSA/Sub6 and mmWave 5G bands.
3. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has been just launched and it comes with top-of-the-line features. The smartphone comes with a pill-shaped punch-hole display. It sports a 6.1-inch Retina HDR display and is powered by an A16 Bionic chipset. In the camera department, there is a triple camera setup on the back that includes a 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto lens. It has an always-on-display, all-day battery life, iOS 16, and innovative new safety features like car crash detection, Emergency SOS via satellite, dual eSIM, and more. ALSO READ: Apple Ceramic Shield vs Gorilla Glass Victus – Which one is tougher?
4. Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+ & S22 Ultra
Samsung has launched the flagship Galaxy S22 Series in the Indian market. It consists of 3 devices- S22, S22+ & S22 Ultra. All the 3 devices come with support for NSA, SA, Sub6, and mmWave 5G bands. They come with up to 12GB RAM and up to 1TB storage capacity and are powered by Snapdragon 8 gen 1 chipset. The Galaxy S22 packs a 3700mAh battery while the S22+ packs a 4500mAh battery. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has a 5000mAh battery. While Galaxy S22 and S22+ have a triple camera setup at the rear, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a quad camera setup at the back.
5. OnePlus 10 Pro, OnePlus 10T & OnePlus 10R
OnePlus has launched 3 smartphones in its flagship OnePlus 10 Series. All three smartphones run Android 12 with Oxygen OS 12.1 on top. They have an identical display size but a difference in the kind of technology of the panel. While the OnePlus 10T is powered by Snapdragon 8+ gen 1, the OnePlus 10 Pro features Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and the OnePlus 10R features Dimensity 8100 Max chipset. All the 3 smartphones are equipped with 5G connectivity. OnePlus 10 Pro features- 1,2,3,5,7,8,20,25,30,38, 40,41,48,66, 71,77, 78, SA/NSA 5G bands. OnePlus 10R features 1,3,5,8,28,40,41,77,78,SA/NSA 5G bands. OnePlus 10T features- 1,3,5,8,20,28,38,40,41,77,78, SA/NSA 5G bands
6. Xiaomi 12 Pro
Xiaomi 12 Pro is the recently launched flagship by Xiaomi for the Indian market. It weighs 204 grams and features a 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The smartphone is powered by Snapdragon 8 gen 1 and runs Android 12 with MIUI 13. It has a 50MP+50MP+50MP camera setup at the back and a 32MP selfie lens at the front. It packs a 4600mAh battery with 120W fast charging and comes in gray, purple, blue, and green colors. It features the following 5G Bands- 1,3,5,7,8,20,28,40,41,66,77,78,79, SA, NSA. It is priced at Rs. 62,999.
6. Asus ROG Phone 6
Asus recently launched the Phone 6 Series which supports 5G connectivity. Asus ROG Phone 6 is powered by Snapdragon 8+ gen chipset and runs Android 12 with up to 16GB RAM and up to 512GB storage. It packs a 6000mAh battery with 65W fast charging and Quick Charge 5. It has a triple camera setup at the back including a 50MP Main, a 13MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens. The front has a 12MP selfie lens. The smartphone supports 5G bands- 1,2,3,5,7,8,12,13,18,20,25,26,28,38,40,41,48,66,71,77,78,79, SA, NSA Sub6.
8. Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G
The Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Max chipset and Mali G610 MC6 GPU. It has up to 12GB RAM and up to 256GB internal storage capacity. The smartphone features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 950 nits brightness. The Oppo Reno 8 Pro 5G has a triple camera setup at the back which includes a 50MP main, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. It has a 32MP selfie camera as well. The device packs a 4500mAh battery with 80W fast charging and features the following 5G bands as well- 1,3,5,7,8,20,28,38,40,41,77,78,SA/NSA.
9. Vivo X80 Series
Vivo has launched Vivo X80 and Vivo X80 Pro in India. The Vivo X80 Pro is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset whereas the Vivo X80 is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset. Both smartphones have a similar-sized 6.78-inch display but the Pro variant has an AMOLED display. The Vivo X80 packs a 4500mAh battery with 80W fast charging whereas the Vivo X80 Pro packs a 4700mAh battery with 80W fast charging. Both devices are 5G enabled. The Vivo X80 has support for 1,3,5,7,8,28,38,40,41 SA/NSA 5G bands whereas the Vivo X80 Pro has support for 1,2,3,5,7,8,20,28,38,40,41,66,77,78, SA/NSA 5G bands.
10. Realme GT 2 Pro 5G
The Realme GT 2 Pro 5G is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and Adreno 720 GPU. It has up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The smartphone has a triple camera setup at the back including a 50MP main, a 50MP ultrawide and a 3MP microscope lens. There is a 32MP selfie camera and support for Bluetooth 5.2 and WiFi 802.11. It packs a 5000mAh battery with 65W fast charging. It comes in Paper White, Paper Green and Steel Black colors with support for 1,3,5,7,8,20,28,38,40,41,66,77,78 SA/NSA 5G bands.
11. iQOO 9 Pro
iQOO 9 Pro weighs 204 grams and features a 6.78-inch LRPO2 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits brightness. It is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and Adreno 730 GPU along with up to 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage. The smartphone has a triple camera setup at the back and a single selfie camera at the front and packs a 4700mAh battery with 120W fast charging. It comes with support for 1,3,5,7,8,20,28,38,40,41,66,77,78,79 SA/NSA 5G bands.
12. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
The Motorola Edge 30 Pro sports a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10+. It runs Android 12 and is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. It comes with up to 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage and features an Adreno 730 GPU. It has a triple camera setup with a 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, and a 2MP depth sensor. There is a 60MP selfie camera as well. It packs a 4800mAh battery with 68W fast charging. The smartphone has support for 1,3,5,7,8,20,28,38,40,41,48,66,71,77,78 SA/NSA/Sub6 5G bands. ALSO READ: 10 Best Foldable Phones To Look Out For In 2021
13. Google Pixel 7 Pro
The Google Pixel 7 Pro gives a much sweeter deal at a little over 70% of the cost of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. It gives a better software experience and has the best camera setup of any Android phone in the country. It is powered by a Google Tensor G2 chipset with 12GB RAM and 128GB storage. It runs Android 13 and has a 10.8MP camera at the front. It sports a 6.70-inch display and is priced at Rs. 84,999 in India. 5G Bands- 1,2,3,5,7,8,12,14,20,25,28,30,38,40,41,48,66,71,76,76,77,78 SA/NSA/Sub6
14. Vivo V25 Pro 5G
The Vivo V25 Pro 5G is the top variant in Vivo’s latest V25 Series. It is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset along with up to 8GB RAM and up to 128GB storage. The smartphone packs a 4830mAh battery and sports a 6.56-inch 3D curved AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a touch sampling rate of 300Hz. The smartphone has a triple camera setup on the back that includes a 64MP main, an 8MP wide, and a 2MP macro lens. On the front is a 32MP selfie camera. It comes in Pure Black and Sailing Blue colors and the price starts at Rs. 35,999.
15. Xiaomi Redmi K50i
The Redmi K50i 5G comes with a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8100 chipset with up to 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB storage. It sports a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate and support for 90fps on games like BGMI. The phone runs MIUI 13 based on Android 12 and packs a 5080mAh battery with 67W fast charging. It is IP53-rated and has a triple camera setup at the back. The camera setup includes a 64MP main, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro camera. For selfies, there is a 16MP front camera as well. The price starts at Rs. 25,999.
16. Nothing Phone 1
Nothing has launched its first smartphone named Nothing Phone 1. It is powered by Snapdragon 778G Plus chipset along with up to 8GB RAM. The smartphone sports a 6.55-inch OLED display and packs a 4500mAh battery with 33W fast charging. It has a 50MP+50MP dual camera setup at the back and a 16MP camera at the front. The phone was launched on 13th July 2022 globally. It is priced at Rs. 33,999 and can be bought via Flipkart.com
17. Apple iPhone SE 3 (2022)
Apple has launched the 2022 version of its affordable 5G smartphone iPhone SE 3. It is powered by an A15 Bionic chipset and comes with 5G connectivity. The phone is IP67 rated and comes with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage. It runs iOS 15 and packs a Li-ion battery with 18W fast charging. It is priced at Rs. 43,990 in the country. 5G Bands-1,2,3,5,7,8,12,20,25,28,29,30,38,40,41,48,66,71,77,78,79 SA/NSA/Sub6
18. Realme 10 Pro Plus
Realme has recently launched the 10 Pro Series in the country. The Realme 10 Pro Plus is India’s latest entry to the 5G smartphone space. The brand has taken all the good aspects of the Realme 9 Pro+ and made the newest one even better. It has 120Hz curved AMOLED with a 108MP main camera sensor and MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset. Its starting price is Rs. 24,999. 5G Bands- 1,3,5,828,40,41,77,78 SA/NSA So, there are plenty of 5G phones to choose from. But the real question is —
Should You Be Excited About 5G?
5G expansion is a staged process that comes with its set of problems. The adoption by smartphone makers is just part of the puzzle. The 5G spectrum auctions have already taken place in India. Speaking of auction, the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has allocated not just Sub-6GHz, but also mmWave ultrawide bands. Following the auction, the Indian telecom operators will be offering 5G services in India soon. Smartphone manufacturers have already started launching 5G-enabled phones and soon telecom operators will start rolling out 5G plans as well. How it would benefit the consumers and how well it would work in India remains to be seen. Anyhow, just like you, we too wish for a trouble-less transition and can’t wait for the 5G utopia. Meanwhile, here’s a quick recap of the –
List of best 5G phones to buy in India in 2022
In terms of camera performance, it will have features like Ultra Night Video and Live HDR Video, which will allow users to shoot clear and bright videos whether there’s too much light, low light, or no light. OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G will also have a 4350mAh battery and 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 flash charging. Users will be able to get 4 hours of video playback with just 5 minutes of charging.
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