5G is the next standard to take the cellular communication to the next level. According to reports, the first phase of 5G connectivity is expected to complete in March 2019 to ensure rapid commercial availability. Smartphone markers and SoC makers including Qualcomm are working both on the design of 5G-enabled smartphones as well as the internal components that will enable the 5G connectivity including the antenna, radio and the modem.
Most of the stakeholders that include the SoC makers, smartphone makers, and telecom operators are racing to grab the bragging rights for the first to support 5G in the world. Recent reports have indicated that the upcoming flagship smartphone from Chinese smartphone maker, Xiaomi, the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 is likely to come with 5G support. According to a report by Engadget, Christiano Amon, the President for SoC maker Qualcomm announced that the company is expected “at least two major flagships” with 5G support in 2019 while addressing a 4G/5G Summit in Hong Kong.
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At the same event, Carl Pei, the co-founder for OnePlus joined Amon on stage to reveal that OnePlus will be releasing a 5G smartphone next year. According to the report, it is likely that this device is expected to arrive in the first half of the year. Though the report noted that the company will be “one of the first” and did not go claiming that it will be “the first” to launch a 5G-enabled device.
It is likely that the statement by OnePlus takes into account, any 5G-enabled device that may launch before the end of 2018. It is also possible that OnePlus may launch the device in the second half of the device, right before the holiday season which either means a possible OnePlus 7T or a delayed OnePlus 7. Digging further, it is likely that the 5G devices that are set to launch next year will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G modem along with a smaller QTM052 mmWave antenna module.
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