What is the future of smartphone technology?

Posted by Bayley on September 20th, 2019

The Verizon network is responsible for launching 5G in the US. So far, it has made it accessible to users in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Indianapolis and Houston. It’s said that 5G will also be launching in the UK early this year. Considering 5G has been in the pipeline for a number of years, it’s only natural to wonder what else we can expect when it comes to the future of smartphones. Here’s a look at the impact of 5G and the technology we may be seeing very soon:

What is the Difference Between 5G and 4G?

Many people may be puzzled about why 5G is such a big deal, surely it’s just an upgrade from 4G the same way we upgraded from 3G? However, 5G offers a new world of possibilities thanks to its incredibly fast speed and capabilities. Smartphones will now be able to handle more data and connect to more devices simultaneously than ever before. 

Devices with 4G had download speeds of around 50 megabits per second. To compare, the new 5G phones can run at more than 100 times that speed. They will also be able to communicate via high and low-frequency waves thanks to a new receiver and transmitter technology. This wasn’t possible on 4G. 

The Impact on How We Use Our Phones 

The astonishing difference is sure to change the way we use our phones, not to mention the new opportunities for apps and gaming companies. One of the biggest benefits is the faster download speed. When we’re on our morning commutes there will no longer be a 10-minute wait to download a high-definition film, 5G can handle that in less than a second. 

The second greatest benefit is the increased connectivity. Whether you’re an entrepreneur planning to start an app to make open bridging loans easily accessible or sharing pioneering new developments in science with your colleagues, 5G will make it quicker and easier to operate. Smartphones with 5G will have a bigger capacity than 4G, meaning we will be able to communicate with more people at the same time. 

Other Predicted Changes:

Aside from 5G, there are other predicted changes in the tech world that will alter smartphones for the better, such as:

Design 

A lot has been speculated when it comes to where smartphone design is headed next. But none more so than flexible screens. Samsung and Apple are both fiercely competing to be the first to release the much talked about smartphone design, which is going to make phones more portable and convenient. 

Sophisticated Artificial Intelligence

The popularity of ‘Pokémon Go’ showed just how big virtual reality and artificial intelligence are for the future of smartphones. Further insights show a more immersive world, with big companies like Sony and Samsung targeting gamers with VR enabled devices. 

No Physical Ports

This is likely to be one of the quickest changes we see in smartphones – no physical charging ports. Wireless charging has been increasingly popular and is available on a number of devices, however, this is set to become mainstream within a few years.