Network upgrade

Get with the programme and prepare yourself for the future: 5G promises a better, faster and stronger connection

Singapore is blessed to have the fastest 4G network in the world, according to a 2019 report by UK-based wireless technology company Opensignal. But being the fastest is not enough — the local telecommunications providers are now giving us a better, faster and stronger connection with the new 5G network.

Already, Singapore’s network providers — M1, Singtel and StarHub — have released their 5G trial services at speeds of about 1Gbps. This is a significant jump from just about 50Mbps with the 4G network. Can you imagine how fast your movies will download and how smoothly your games will run?

Moreover, 5G is not just about fast connectivity on your mobile phone or tablet: it means also being able to power fully-autonomous drones, robots and vehicles; immersive AR and VR entertainment; cloud gaming; enhanced remote working capabilities; as well as plug-and-play fixed wireless access.

Singtel has even managed to power a whole store with 5G, making it Singapore’s first unmanned telco pop-up store. With 24/7 accessibility, the pop-up store is “assisted” by Stanley (main image), Singtel’s smart robot who can help customers navigate through the store. Alongside Stanley is Stella, an emotionally intelligent digital assistant that can provide personalised recommendations to every individual.

Also found in the pop-up store is an array of programmes and applications powered by 5G, to showcase its high-quality connection and real-time responsiveness without buffering or lag.

Can’t wait to take advantage of this latest technology and need a new phone to do so? Here are a couple to consider.

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5G Phones to have

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is one of Samsung’s first devices that is able to power new mobile experiences that take advantage of both sub-6 and mmWave, providing the user with better coverage and higher speed downlink on the 5G network.

The Galaxy S20 series comes with an entirely new AI-powered camera system with Samsung’s biggest image sensor yet. The Galaxy S20 Ultra has all that and a stunning 108MP camera with large sensors to take in more light, for richer image quality even in low-light situations.

Huawei P40 Pro+ 5G

Huawei’s P40 series claims to be able to deliver the best 5G experience possible, as the phones are powered by Kirin 990 5G, allowing them to support up to 2.3Gbps download and up to 1.25Gbps upload speed. It supports both non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) networking modes, as well as comprehensive support for 5G frequency bands to offer hassle-free global travels.

Huawei phones have always been popular for their high-quality Leica camera systems. The P40 Pro+ introduces the Ultra Vision Leica Penta Camera and the largest smartphone main camera sensor ever on a Huawei smartphone, allowing it to deliver a super-definition photography experience.

Oppo Find X2 Pro

The Oppo Find X2 series uses a 360-degree surround antenna group design to intelligently match the best antenna group and ensure the mobile phone signal remains in the optimum state. To effectively navigate the complex network environments such as 4G, 5G, and WiFi, the Find X2 series integrates OPPO Smart 5G technology, enabling it to freely switch network systems according to network conditions.

The Find X2 series is also one of the first smartphones to run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Mobile Platform, allowing the phone to run at a fast 120Hz refresh. Bolstered by a massive storage capacity and RAM, the Find X2 Pro can handle practically anything with ease and guarantees a seamless user experience.