5G

benparker · 21 Apr 2020 at 16:14

Other than the speeds, there is nothing one phone is doing that others aren't right? Not including specs of any given phones.

grudas · 21 Apr 2020 at 19:47

that should be the case but some manufacturers include extra stuff on 5g phones for weird reasons.

benparker · 22 Apr 2020 at 07:52

grudas said:
that should be the case but some manufacturers include extra stuff on 5g phones for weird reasons.

Like what exactly?

kona786 · 22 Apr 2020 at 09:42

benparker said:
Like what exactly?

More ram and more storage for example.

But as per your question... If there were two identical phones.... One with 4G and the other with a 5G modem then yes the only difference would be maximum network speeds. And battery consumption as a result.

DataVampire · 22 Apr 2020 at 11:27

I would say one thing above all else future proofing, you may not have 5g in your area, you may be one of those people what only upgrade every 2-3 years on contract for example. so it is always worth getting the 5g variant over the 4g.

TheVoice · 22 Apr 2020 at 13:04

Will 4G be insufficient for most people's needs during those 2-3 years though? I mean, it's still pretty damn quick as-is and you're looking at potentially a £100 premium for a 5G equivalent model of some phones. I don't think future-proofing makes any sense in this context, by the time 5G is widespread and mature enough it'll be difficult to buy a phone without it anyway.

Sam__ · 22 Apr 2020 at 13:12

I'm of the opinion that the vast majority don't need data rates above 4G. Or at least won't be too bothered by the difference. Yes you could stream youtube at the next resolution step but what else is there?

kona786 · 22 Apr 2020 at 13:20

Other than the less congested network I see no benefits. I'm happy with the coverage and bandwidth of 4G. If anything better latency would be the icing on the cake.

Sam__ · 22 Apr 2020 at 13:31

kona786 said:
Other than the less congested network I see no benefits. I'm happy with the coverage and bandwidth of 4G. If anything better latency would be the icing on the cake.

I didn't think about the lower congestion, initially.

DataVampire · 22 Apr 2020 at 13:53

Sam__ said:
I'm of the opinion that the vast majority don't need data rates above 4G. Or at least won't be too bothered by the difference. Yes you could stream youtube at the next resolution step but what else is there?

No one really needs fiber broadband over 20mb but here we are lol

Sam__ · 22 Apr 2020 at 13:56

DataVampire said:
No one really needs fiber broadband over 20mb but here we are lol

That does hold some ground. I think what people get mixed up between is individual usage and the entire network usage. When it's loaded down by a large population the usable speed is what people see, which may make them think they need a faster package.

kona786 · 22 Apr 2020 at 14:01

DataVampire said:
No one really needs fiber broadband over 20mb but here we are lol

There's many more practical reasons for that than 5G speeds on a phone.

DataVampire · 22 Apr 2020 at 14:12

kona786 said:
There's many more practical reasons for that than 5G speeds on a phone.

Yes you are correct but then there are cases for people who would benefit from 5g/ i know some people who cannot even get fiber broadband yet rely on mobile broadband. but yes i defiantly get your point. with a larger pickup though it will be the norm especially when its more widely available just like that happend with the change from 3g to 4g. the same arguments was made.
Just like most things people will always want the best they can get, And there is always pros and cons for each points of view.

kona786 · 22 Apr 2020 at 14:16

Agreed there's always pros and cons.

For me as a techy, even I'm not bowled over with the improvements of 5G. I was impressed with 4G improvements over 3G however. Either way progress is welcome.