There’s been a consistent wave of 5G-ready smartphones arriving on the shores of Singapore. We have Samsung, which brought the 5G-capable Galaxy S20 Ultra despite it not being the first 5G-capable phone in their stable. Huawei has their P40 series, where the full line-up can connect to 5G mobile networks. Oppo and OnePlus brought their respective Find X2 Pro and OnePlus 8 series here, too.
More phones launching this year and the next will see more 5G compatible devices, but Singapore’s first few 5G networks aren’t slated for launch until January 2021 with a generous deadline of the year 2025 for a full, island-wide roll-out.
With 5G taking its time to reach our smartphone users here, do the current crop of 5G-ready smartphones matter in Singapore? Answering that will require us to understand whether 5G lives up to its hype, how we’d likely respond to it, and what our purchasing habits have become.
MIXED USER REVIEWS
If 5G networks around the world had user reviews like how games on Steam are rated, it would be mixed. South Korea accrued 5 million 5G network subscribers since its April 2019 launch. That was hardearned - in reality, the rising cost of mobile devices and the spotty 5G connectivity has led to locals questioning if it was worth switching from 4G. Over in the United States, 5G got off to a relatively good start in 2019, but they are still trying to rectify patchy connectivity issues. Japan saw their first 5G networks going live in March this year, and its locals are enjoying the speed despite lamenting the coverage. China, arguably the leader in 5G deployment today, has users that aren’t too excited, citing high costs such as pricey 5G mobile data plans and pricier 5G-ready phones.
This story is from the June 2020 edition of HWM Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2020 edition of HWM Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Take Even Better Photos With The iPhone 15 Pro And 15 Pro Max
We already covered the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Max's photography capabilities rather extensively in our review, but the general idea is that Apple has done a great job improving the software side and offering better sharpness, detail and a new 5x telephoto zoom lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Easier Editing with Final Cut Pro
Video editing is definitely on the rise these days, with many people starting to edit short videos on their phones for social media before getting into dedicated programs like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro and more.
Portable, But Is It Convenient?
Designed for content creators, journalists, and anyone needing a small, lightweight microphone system, the Shure MoveMic comes in three different configurations
This Game Needs C-P-ARRRR!
Oh boy, where do I even begin. My journey with Ubisoft’s Skull and Bones, which started way back in 2017 when it was announced, has been akin to navigating a stormy voyage.
FANTASTIC KEYBOARD
The Falchion RX Low Profile is an interesting keyboard. While it is a part of the ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) sub-brand, it has plenty of features for the non-gaming audience too.
SURPRISINGLY BIG SOUND
The Pebble X Plus is Creative's current lead 2.1-channel offering. The pair of satellites feature 2.75-inch full-range drivers, and, just like all other Pebble speakers, are tilted at a 45-degree angle aimed at the users' ears.
A Multiplayer Gem
As I picked up my PlayStation 5 controller to play Helldivers 2, I found myself grappling with an unexpected adversary – inaccessible servers.
A HEAD-TURNING LOW-PROFILE MECHANICAL KEYBOARD
DURING CES 2024, MONOKEI UNVEILED Systems, a beautifully designed, well-built, low-profile mechanical keyboard.
NVIDIA'S 200-BILLION TRANSISTOR BLACKWELL GPU WILL TACKLE XXXLSIZED GENERATIVE AI MODELS
Blackwell GPU release rumours for many months now, but most are postulating what the GeForce RTX 4090 successor could offer. While that's not focus of today's launch, the Blackwell GPU architecture has finally been announced at NVIDIA'S premier AI conference, GTC 2024. With a headline such as wielding power to drive the new industrial revolution, the Blackwell GPU is shaping up to be a key enabler for accelerated computing, breakthrough data processing, engineering simulation, drug design, quantum computing, and generative AI in a very big way.
OF EMBRACING ESCAPISM AND CONFRONTING REALITY
As you embark on the journey that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth offers, there’s a moment that distinctly shifts the narrative’s atmosphere: Aerith pauses to take in the in-game scenery with a sense of wonder, which stood in stark contrast to the earlier parts of the game, where the flower girl, alongside other FFVII key companions such as Cloud and Tifa, navigates the cramped slums and towering corporate skyscrapers of Midgar.
