Best 5G phones you can buy and coming soon
Depending on where you live, you might be lucky enough to already have access to a 5G network. If so, you are probably wondering which are the best 5G phones.
Below, you’ll find our list of all the 5G phones that are currently for sale or will imminently be available. We have left out any phones that a company has mentioned but hasn’t officially launched.
Keep in mind that any 5G phone you buy will work on 4G too so you don’t need to live in a 5G area to buy one of these handsets. However, many of these devices are based on existing models and thus have a cheaper, non-5G variant you can grab instead. Continue on to check out the best 5G phones!
Best 5G phones:
Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best 5G phones regularly as new devices launch or are announced.
1. Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G wasn’t the first 5G device to launch but it is certainly one of the easiest to get in the United States. Unlike the LG V50 ThinQ 5G (which you can read more about further down the page), buying the Galaxy S10 5G is as easy as heading to Samsung.com and buying one. Nice and simple!
The Galaxy S10 5G is not only one of the best 5G phones available right now, but it’s one of the best phones in general. It’s almost like a souped-up Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus in that it’s bigger with better specs, a better camera, and, of course, 5G connectivity.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, and S10e specs: Memory overload
Unfortunately, there is one minor flaw to the Galaxy S10 5G which is that, unlike the other members of the S10 family, it doesn’t have a microSD slot. If that’s a deal-breaker for you, unfortunately, you’ll need to pass this one by.
If you’re simply looking for one of the best 5G phones, though, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G specs:
- Display: 6.7-inch, QHD+
- Chipset: Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Rear cameras: 12, 12, and 16MP + 3D depth
- Front cameras: 10MP + 3D depth
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
2. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 5G / Note 10 Plus 5G
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G is the newest device on this list. Samsung revealed the device — and its cheaper sibling, the Galaxy Note 10 5G — in early August 2019.
The key thing to remember is that the Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G will be far easier to obtain than the regular Note 10 5G. As of now, we only expect the Note 10 5G to land in Samsung’s native Korea. That could change in the future, though.
As the name suggests, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 5G is a 5G-capable version of the regular Note 10 Plus. Aside from 5G connectivity, there won’t be any major differences between the two devices, which means you’ll get the same specs, the S Pen, the quad-lens rear camera, etc. You will, however, have fewer choices when it comes to colors.
As of today, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G isn’t available to buy or pre-order from Samsung, but you can pre-order it from Verizon here. Of course, you’ll need to use that device on the Verizon network. If you don’t care for Verizon, you’ll need to wait until Samsung makes it generally available.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G specs:
- Display: 6.8-inch, QHD+
- Chipset: Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9825
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256, 512GB, or 1TB
- Rear cameras: 12, 12, and 16MP + depth
- Front camera: 10MP
- Battery: 4,300mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
3. LG V50 ThinQ 5G
The LG V50 ThinQ 5G was the first standalone smartphone with 5G connectivity to be sold in the U.S.. However, you could only buy it through Sprint and even then you could only buy it if you lived in certain parts of the country where 5G connectivity exists. Eventually, the phone became a little easier to buy, but it’s still a bit tricky. Regardless, it is one of the best 5G phones you can get your hands on at the moment!
LG decided to make its G series phone — such as the most recent LG G8 ThinQ — 4G-only and the V-series 5G-only. That new system starts with the V5o ThinQ 5G. However, aside from the name, the V50 ThinQ 5G is essentially a souped-up LG G8. The devices look remarkably similar and share many of the same specs, albeit not 5G connectivity.
Don’t let that sway you, though, because this is still a terrific smartphone. Its triple-rear camera system is quite nice and its headphone jack with a quad-DAC built-in will be a real treat for audiophiles. The device also has an IP68 rating against water and dust and a microSD slot.
As of right now, the best way to get the phone is through Verizon. You won’t need to be a Verizon customer if you buy it outright and request an unlock (or just wait 60 days for it to automatically unlock). If you buy it from Sprint, you’ll need to be a Sprint customer and live in a Sprint 5G-activated area of the country.
LG V50 ThinQ 5G specs:
- Display: 6.4-inch, QHD+
- Chipset: Snapdragon 855
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Rear cameras: 12, 12, and 16MP
- Front cameras: 5 and 10MP
- Battery: 4,000mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
4. OnePlus 7 Pro 5G
The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G was the first 5G-enabled smartphone to launch commercially in the U.K.. Unfortunately, as of today, you can only buy the device in the United Kingdom.
The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G is literally exactly the same as the traditional OnePlus 7 Pro, albeit with 5G connectivity enabled. Other than that, though, there are no differences — it even comes in the same Nebula Blue colorway.
Read more: 5G UK: Plans, phones, coverage, and everything else you need to know!
There is a rumor that OnePlus could bring a 5G smartphone to Sprint in the United States, which possibly means the U.S. could see a OnePlus 7 Pro 5G at some point soon. However, that’s just a rumor at this point and seems strange considering OnePlus’ partnership with T-Mobile.
If you happen to live in the U.K. — and use exclusive wireless provider EE — you can grab the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G using the button below.
OnePlus 7 Pro 5G specs:
- Display: 6.7-inch, QHD+
- Chipset: Snapdragon 855
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Rear cameras: 48, 16, and 8MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Battery: 4,000mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
5. Huawei Mate 20 X 5G
The Huawei Mate 20 X 5G wasn’t the first 5G-capable device announced by the company, but it is the first to actually sell commercially. For obvious reasons, you can’t get the Mate 20 X 5G in the United States, but you can get it in various other countries.
As its name suggests, the Huawei Mate 20 X 5G is just a 5G-capable version of the previously-released Huawei Mate 20 X. That device is a massive phone (7.2-inch display!) with a focus on gaming. The 5G variant adds in the Balong 5000 modem, which allows it to connect to 5G networks.
Other than that, though, the specs and body design remain very similar. If you are looking for a massive device (the biggest non-foldable on this list), this is probably one of the best 5G phones for you.
The Huawei Mate 20 X 5G is available now in the U.K. via Three and the UAE via Etisalat. You can also find it on Amazon in certain countries. Depending on where you live, clicking the link below might work for you!
Huawei Mate 20 X 5G specs:
- Display: 7.2-inch, Full HD+
- Chipset: Kirin 980
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Rear cameras: 40, 20, and 8MP
- Front camera: 24MP
- Battery: 4,200mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
6. Motorola 5G Moto Mod
Ok, we’ll admit that this device only kind of counts as it’s not really a phone. However, by snapping the Motorola 5G Moto Mod onto the back of compatible Motorola smartphones, you can access 5G service on the Verizon network, so this list wouldn’t be complete without it. The 5G Moto Mod is compatible with the Motorola Moto Z3 and Motorola Moto Z4. At some point in the future, it will also work on the Motorola Moto Z2 Force.
However, you will need to buy the 5G Moto Mod from Verizon and you will need to have one of the compatible devices active on your account or buy one directly through the carrier.
If you’re willing to jump through those hoops, the Motorola 5G Moto Mod is probably the cheapest way to enjoy 5G connectivity in the U.S., as both the Moto Z4 and Z3 start at under $500 and the Mod itself costs $350. Even buying both together you’ll still spend much less than you would on something like the Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G which starts at a whopping $1,299.
Click the button below to buy the Motorola 5G Moto Mod, but remember you’ll need a compatible phone with Verizon service for it to work!
7. Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G
As is the case for many of the phones on this list, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G looks incredibly similar to the already-released Mi Mix 3. The two devices even have the same slider design.
However, the Mi Mix 3 5G does have a different processor and modem which allows it to be 5G-capable. It also has a bigger battery, which is certainly a plus!
The thing that really makes the Mi Mix 3 5G stands out, though, is its price: it starts at just 599 euros ($670), making it the cheapest 5G device you can get as far as we know (unfortunately, it’s not available in the United States).
As of now, the Mi Mix 3 5G is exclusive to Vodafone in the United Kingdom. Click the button below to see what’s on offer!
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G specs:
- Display: 6.4-inch, Full HD+
- Chipset: Snapdragon 855
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Rear cameras: 12 and 12MP
- Front cameras: 24 and 2MP
- Battery: 3,800mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
8. Oppo Reno 10X Zoom 5G
The Oppo Reno 10X Zoom 5G stands out among the crowd of the best 5G phones on this list in that it has a cool pop-up selfie cam colloquially referred to as the “shark fin cam.” You can see how it got its name in the picture above.
Once again, the Oppo Reno 10X Zoom 5G is just a 5G variant of the Reno 10X Zoom and shares the same design and specs as its sibling. And no, the phone doesn’t have 10x optical zoom, despite its name: it has 5x optical zoom and uses AI smarts to make that 10x digital zoom.
Related: Oppo Reno 10x Zoom Edition specs: Zoom with a side of zoom
Oppo doesn’t have a presence in the United States so you’ll only be able to get the Reno 10X Zoom 5G in places like Europe and the United Kingdom. There, the device sells for around €899 ($1,006) which is considerably more expensive than the Mi Mix 3 5G, which we discussed in the previous entry on this list.
Click the button below to grab the 10X Zoom 5G in the United Kingdom!
Oppo Reno 10X Zoom 5G specs:
- Display: 6.6-inch, Full HD+
- Chipset: Snapdragon 855
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Rear cameras: 48, 13, and 8MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Battery: 4,065mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
9. ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G
The ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G has the distinction of being the first 5G-capable smartphone to launch commercially in China. Unfortunately, there are no 5G network connections in the country at the moment, so using the Axon 10 Pro there won’t get you 5G speeds.
Read more: ZTE Axon 10 Pro review: It packs a huge punch
Still, it is notable that ZTE was the first to the table in China and not Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, or any others. This is especially notable when you realize that Huawei has a 5G phone on this list that’s for sale in countries outside China!
Although the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G is available in China, it is not available anywhere else at the moment. Bookmark this page and we will update this section with a buy link as soon as it’s available!
ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G specs:
- Display: 6.5-inch, Full HD+
- Chipset: Snapdragon 855
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Rear cameras: 48, 20, and 8MP
- Front camera: 20MP
- Battery: 4,000mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
10. Huawei Mate X
The Huawei Mate X is the only phone on this list that hasn’t seen a release in any part of the world. It’s also the only foldable phone on this list!
Huawei revealed the Mate X at Mobile World Congress earlier this year setting a release date for mid-2019. However, with the debacle surrounding the Samsung Galaxy Fold — as well as the problems Huawei faces from the U.S. government — that release was delayed.
Last we heard, the Huawei Mate X will launch in select areas of the world sometime in September, which is when Samsung says the Galaxy Fold should land. We are skeptical though. Stay tuned!
Huawei Mate X specs:
- Display: 6.6-inch folded, QHD+
- Chipset: Kirin 980
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Rear cameras: 40, 16, and 8MP
- Front camera: None
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
These are our picks for the best 5G phones you can buy now or will be able to buy soon. We’ll be sure to update this post once new models hit the market.
from Android Authority https://ift.tt/2Sc2cDX
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