In early 2020, before the fear of the COVID-19 virus gripped the world, the Indian smartphone industry became the breeding ground for intense competition between smartphone brands. Realme eventually won the bragging rights when it released the first 5G-enabled smartphone in the country, Realme X50 Pro 5G. However, other brands soon caught up, and the Indian consumers believed that there would be an intense tussle between smartphone OEMs for the rest of the year. However, all that enthusiasm and zest fizzled out as reality set in, and the Coronavirus pandemic forced businesses and companies to shut shop for a while.
Things got back on track during the third quarter of 2020, as smartphone brands shipped millions of units to the technology-starved user base. Most of the phones that were sold were 5G-enabled, and today, almost all the new smartphone devices are 5G-enabled. However, the reality is that we are no more closer to rolling out 5G networks than we were towards the end of 2020.
This begs the question: If you are thinking about buying a new device, should you purchase one that is 5G-enabled? Or should you not spend the extra few thousand rupees, and buy a 4G mobile phone instead? We give you the pros and cons of purchasing a 5G-enabled smartphone in 2021.
Pros:
Better features
5G mobiles inherently come with better features and latest technology. Given the fact that 5G phones require the latest chipsets, these phones are faster with fast base clock speeds, and come with impressive features and specifications. If you want a smartphone that can play graphically-intensive games, or is better equipped to handle intensive tasks, then you have to purchase a 5G-enabled smartphone.
Decreasing prices
When brands started pushing out 5G-enabled devices, they were expensive. This also led many to believe that 5G-enabled phones would be costly, which made them a luxury. Today, however, you get 5G-enabled devices for less than Rs. 25,000! For instance, OnePlus Nord, arguably the best mobile under 30,000 INR is 5G-enabled, while brands are rumoured to be working on 5G-enabled devices that cost as low as Rs. 15,000.
Future-proofing phones
As Indians, we are wary of what the future might entail, and purchasing a 5G-enabled phone right now would mean you won’t have to splurge the cash again for 18 – 24 months. This way, you can future-proof your smartphone, and won’t have to worry about buying a new 5G smartphone when the 5G rollout happens in the country.
Cons:
Practically same as 4G mobile phones
If you put the latest 4G handset and a 5G-enabled smartphone next to each other, you might not even be able to differentiate between the two. 5G smartphones are expected to revolutionize the way we work and live, but until they serve their purpose, they aren’t very different from a 4G smartphone.
Still relatively more expensive
While it is true that the cost of 5G phones in India has been on the decline, they are still relatively more expensive than 4G smartphones. Thus, you will have to weigh the pros and cons before you make a purchasing decision. If you have additional Rs. 5,000 to spend on a smartphone, you can purchase a 5G-enabled device. However, if you have budget constraints, purchasing a 5G smartphone might not make much sense right now.
No clarity surrounding 5G rollout
Arguably the most important point against purchasing a 5G smartphone right away is the fact that there is still no clarity regarding the 5G network rollout in the country. Consumers in particular are still in the dark about the 5G spectrum auction, and whether the infrastructure is being put in place in order to rollout with 5G network. While it was initially predicted that consumers might get to experience the blazing fast speeds of 5G connectivity either by the end of 2021, or at the start of 2022, we might still be quite a long way away from experiencing 5G connectivity.
Looking at the pros and cons, you can make a purchasing decision. If you have some leeway when it comes to the amount you can spend, then you can purchase a 5G smartphone. Otherwise, you would be better off getting a 4G mobile instead. That said, you can avail the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card, and not let your budget get in the way. Use the EMI Network Card to purchase your favourite smartphone model, and repay the cost in convenient monthly instalments.