It is no secret that available 5G phones are so expensive. Look at the Huawei Mate 20X 5G, Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G among others. However, similarly, 5G phones are so expensive, the 5G network is not yet commercially available in many countries.
Soon, 5G will become mainstream, and we shall need devices that can support the system. According to Nokia’s Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas, the company plans to bridge the gap on the affordability of 5G devices.
An opportunity exists in bringing 5G to more people with the primal focus on delivering affordable 5G handsets. Nokia aims at setting its upcoming value 5G flagship device to at roughly half the price of the current offerings.
“We see a particular opportunity for us in bringing 5G to a more affordable segment as we enter the market,” Sarvikas told DigitalTrends. “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.” He added.
Considering the cheapest 5G device at the moment Xiaomi’s Mi Mix 5G priced at 600 euros (~$680 approx. Ksh 70,000) – half the price means Nokia’s upcoming 5G device will set you back $350 (around Ksh 35,000).
In reality, a $350 5G phone sounds a great deal in comparison to what is currently on the market. But, in Kenya, these prices are still out of range for most people. In Kenya, Ksh 35,000 for a phone does not rhyme with affordability.
So, Nokia ‘s “affordable” 5G phone is still not made for Kenyans. All is not lost, however. Since MediaTek announced its 5G SoC, expect even more affordable 5G phones in 2020. There have been rumors about Huawei working on a low-cost 5G smartphone that will be powered by MediaTek’s 5G Chipset.
No pressure, yet
Since 5G is still in the incubation period in most countries globally -except South Korea, buying a 5G device is still not yet worth it. Moving forward in maybe 2021 or 2022, Kenya will probably have 5G available, and by then cheaper devices will have hit the shelves. Just like the 4G rollout, as time passes by, the more affordable 5G devices will get.
Follow us on Telegram, Twitter, Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates.
