5G is the next big thing in mobile technology, but right now it comes at a high price from mobile carriers, has limited availability, and is tied to expensive smartphones 5G phones.
The good news is that Nokia brand phone-maker HMD Global has plans to change one aspect of that equation with a more affordable 5G smartphone, Digital Trends reports.
Speaking to Digital Trends, Juho Sarvikas, HMD’s chief product officer, said that the company sees a “particular opportunity” in bringing 5G to a more affordable segment as it enters the market. “I would say affordable in relation to what’s available today. I would love to see us at half of the price where you have 5G today,” said Sarvikas.
Current options in the 5G smartphone market are understandably limited and expensive for the most part. Both the Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G and the LG V50 ThinQ 5G are upwards of $1,100. Cheaper options like the Motorola Z3/Z4 come in at around $800 if you count in the 5G Moto Mod accessory while the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G is only available with the UK carrier EE. Nokia 5G phones are also expected to be carrier-locked when they launch, like all 5G phones at present, due to the lack of interoperability between service providers.
Although Nokia can expect stiff competition from companies like Motorola and OnePlus, among others who’d be pushing 5G’s adoption with their own cheaper offerings, a 5G Nokia phone in the $500-700 range could set an attractive price point among the competition.
After being the fastest to upgrade Nokia phones from N to O and O to P, I am super excited to share with you that the Q(ueue) for Nokia phones is moving fast as we get ready to welcome Android 10 on Nokia smartphones – roll out starts in Q4, 2019! #Nokiamobile #android10 pic.twitter.com/qXM4ZXAPBo
— Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) August 22, 2019
Early next year, the company will bring Android 10 to most of its remaining devices while the Nokia 1, 2.1, 3.1 and 5.1 would be the last candidates in its current line-up that’ll be receiving the Android 10 update in the second quarter of 2020.
