Smartphone manufacturers are still working to make 2019 the year of 5G. Several devices powering the next-generation network capability have released so far, but smartphone makers are not finished showcasing some of their most powerful devices to date.
We’ve already seen the launch of 5G models including the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, Oppo Reno 5G, LG V50 ThinQ 5G, Xiaomi Mi Mix 5G, and Motorola Moto Z4. Since these devices have become available, mobile carriers around the world have launched or continuously expanded their 5G networks. And with 5G rollouts increasing, manufacturers are adamant about having new hardware to showcase.
While some devices have been in the news for many months, they all remain in the new category — either newly announced, new to the market, or soon to be unveiled. Here’s a rundown of 5G smartphones we expect to see announced and released before the end of 2019.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G
Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G last week as apart of the new Note 10 family. The device is currently a Verizon exclusive that will well for $1299.99 or for $54.16 per month for 24 months, or for $36.11 per month for 36 months.
The Galaxy Note 10+ 5G will release on Verizon on August 23, alongside the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ but other carriers, including T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint, will offer the smartphone at a later date.
Samsung Galaxy Fold
Samsung has also announced plans to finally release its Galaxy Fold smartphone in September. The device has been delayed since late April after unexpected display malfunctions surfaced on pre-release review models that went to the media.
Amid the delay hullaballoo, many may have forgotten than the Galaxy Fold is expected to be available in both 4G and 5G versions. Samsung mentioned at the Galaxy Fold unveiling in February that there would be a 5G model of the foldable. However, details about the device have been scarce since then.
Samsung has not shared an exact relaunch date for the Galaxy Fold, but we do know that T-Mobile has backed out of plans to offer the updated device. AT&T and Best Buy were also expected to carry the Galaxy Fold for its original release but both affiliates were forced to cancel preorders of the device when Samsung failed to give an update on the product in sufficient time. There is no word on whether either retailer will sell the device once it is cleared for relaunch.
Huawei Mate 20 X (5G)
Huawei’s Mate 20 X 5G went on sale in China Friday and sold out in minutes on Vmall.com. Prior to the launch, the manufacturer received over one million pre-registrations for the device. The smartphone is available for CNY 6,199 or about $900 in an 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage model.
The Mate 20 X 5G is also available in Europe. Carriers EE and Vodafone were originally against offering the device amid the manufacturer’s trading ban with the U.S., but recently backtracked and now sell the smartphone both in stores and online. Three, Sky Mobile, and Carphone Warehouse have offered the Mate 20 X since late July.
Huawei Mate X
Huawei may also have a second 5G device on the market before the end of 2019. The Mate X foldable smartphone is also 5G-enabled, but its original June release was delayed so that Huawei could ensure the device was structurally sound.
Huawei followed suit after Samsung delayed its Galaxy Fold smartphone. The Chinese manufacturer recently hosted a press event in Shenzhen, where it shared details about the upgrades it has made to the Mate X. Huawei also revealed the foldable will likely launch between September and November of 2019.
LG V60
LG has been teasing details for its upcoming product launch at the IFA conference in September. Hints suggest the upcoming device could be a 5G-enabled foldable, possibly called the LG V60. The device could be a follow up after the LG V50 5G was announced and released earlier this year.
The LG V50 5G has a folio case accessory that includes a second screen on the inner panel, which gives the illusion of a foldable device. The V50 5G could have been LG’s preamble to a real 5G-powered foldable. LG already has a carrier affiliation with Sprint for its 5G device, which could hint at a future model also being offered by the network.
Second OnePlus 5G smartphone
OnePlus CEO Pete Lau recently confirmed that the manufacturer will announce a second 5G-enabled smartphone in the fourth quarter of 2019. The company announced the OnePlus 7 5G as part of the early 2019 device family; however, the model is not available in the U.S., but rather in the U.K. and other international markets.
The new Oneplus 5G smartphone is expected to release on the Sprint network when it becomes available. As OnePlus typically unveils its T model upgrades later in the year, the device may be the OnePlus 7T 5G or the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G (that’s quite a name).
Xiaomi Mi 9S 5G
The Mi 9S 5G may also be Xiaomi’s second 5G smartphone in 2019 after the Mi Mix 3 5G released in February. The device recently surfaced on the 3C and TENAA certification platforms in China, detailing specs including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ chip and a 4,000 mAh battery.
While the M1908F1XE model is not completely confirmed as the Xiaomi Mi 9S 5G pundits believe the devices are one and the same.
vivo iQOO Pro
The vivo iQOO Pro may be the cheapest 5G-powered smartphone when it releases to market. The device is expected to be unveiled on August 22 and is intended for the Chinese market. The 5G device may sell for between CNY4,498 (about $640) and CNY4,998 (about $710) when it becomes available. Current 5G devices on the market easily surpass $1,000.
Having recently passed TENAA certification, specs for the vivo iQOO Pro are all but confirmed. The device is expected to feature a 6.41-inch display with a waterdrop notch to house its 12-megapixel front-facing camera. Hardware may include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ chip, 12GB of RAM, 512GB of internal storage and a 4,410 mAh battery with 44W fast charging.
Its triple camera set up may include 48-megapixel, 13-megapixel, and 12-megapixel lenses. For software, the vivo iQOO Pro is expected to run Android 9 Pie with a vivo Funtouch 9 custom skin.
