The World's First Commercial and Truly 5G Phones: A Historical Overview
The world of mobile communication has seen numerous milestones, but one particularly significant moment was the debut of the very first commercial 5G phones. This article will delve into the history of 5G technology and explore who truly claimed the title of 'world's first 5G phone.'
Enter the First 5G Phone: The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
Amid the rapid advancements in mobile technology, the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G stands as a landmark achievement. Announced in February 2019 and released in April 2019, this device was the first to bring 5G capability to commercial markets. Samsung leveraged its extensive resources and expertise to design a phone capable of making the most of the unprecedented speeds and lower latency provided by 5G networks.
Other companies, such as OnePlus and LG, soon followed with their own 5G models. Though these firms were not the first to market, the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G remains notable for being the first commercial device capable of utilizing 5G technology in a widespread and consumer-friendly manner.
The Controversy: The Lava Blaze and Motorola Z3
While Samsung took the lion's share of limelight, it's worth noting a few other contenders for the title of 'world's first 5G phone.' The Lava Blaze, manufactured in India, sparked some controversy. Lava claimed their device was the first to offer 5G capabilities, hinting at a more extensive 5G deployment plan than initially recognized. However, this initial claim was later deemed controversial, as the Lava Blaze required an external add-on to use 5G, unlike standalone 5G modems found in other devices.
Motorola, on the other hand, had another contender - the Motorola Z3. While it came with a Snapdragon 855 processor which can support 5G, the device required an additional Motorola Mod to activate 5G capabilities. This configuration makes it less usable out of the box for 5G, albeit being technically capable.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855: The Engine of 5G Capability
With the advent of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, many devices began to see enhanced 5G support. This processor, touted for its power and efficiency, allowed for a variety of devices to support 5G. It's no surprise that devices like the OnePlus 7 and Samsung Galaxy S10, which ran on Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, were heavily promoted as 5G capable, despite mixed feedback about the actual implementation.
Official Confirmations and Future Prospects
While manufacturers like Huawei and other telecom companies started with 5G modems, the true 5G phones still awaited official confirmation. It is important to note that while Snapdragon 855 can support 5G, other processors with 5G support include Snapdragon 845 (though more limited compared to 855).
As of the writing of this article, no brand has officially launched their first 5G smartphone. However, it is expected that major players like Lenovo's Motorola, with its Moto Z3, will launch their 5G capable smartphone soon. The Moto Z3, equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X50 5G modem, might be considered the first with a standalone 5G modem, but it is exclusive to the Verizon network and may expand beyond that.
The journey of 5G technology in smartphones is still unfolding. With ongoing advancements and technological innovations, we can expect more devices to enter the market, each bringing its unique take on 5G capabilities.