Are devices that support only sub6 or high band dead in the water?

[cnotes2019]

I mean just look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5g. It only supports sub6. So why buy it especially at that price? At&t had a phone (was it the s10 5g?) that only supported high band but it was never released just like its first 5g hotspot. I know. I know. Smart money is on waiting until at least next year or longer when phones start supporting mid band. But I’m trigger happy. I need new phones every year lol. So I’m holding out for the Fold 2 5g, the top two iPhones and maybe a last minute buy of the note 20 ultra. Not sure about that one though. What do you think?

 

[JHBThree]

I mean just look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5g. It only supports sub6. So why buy it especially at that price? At&t had a phone (was it the s10 5g?) that only supported high band but it was never released just like its first 5g hotspot. I know. I know. Smart money is on waiting until at least next year or longer when phones start supporting mid band. But I’m trigger happy. I need new phones every year lol. So I’m holding out for the Fold 2 5g, the top two iPhones and maybe a last minute buy of the note 20 ultra. Not sure about that one though. What do you think?

MmWave is hot garbage and should not be on anyone's criteria list for a 5G device. Sub6 networks are what actual, nationwide 5G networks will be built on, and it should be the only network you should care about. As companies launch their nationwide networks, don't be surprised if mmWave stops being supported on new devices.

 

[cnotes2019]

MmWave is hot garbage and should not be on anyone's criteria list for a 5G device. Sub6 networks are what actual, nationwide 5G networks will be built on, and it should be the only network you should care about. As companies launch their nationwide networks, don't be surprised if mmWave stops being supported on new devices.

Sorry but that’s a lie. High band will never be obsolete lol. That’s crazy talk. And caring about only sub6? Wow. Not! It’s nice but the MOST important band is mid band btw. Why do you even think T-Mobile went so hard at merging with Sprint?? High band will definitely be important in dense areas etc. that’s what I’m looking forward to in the near future. Sub6 is not much better than LTE. Mid band will be relevant maybe by late 2021 going forward. I’ll be having fun this year with my Fold 2 and iPhone 12 that support both. Thanks

 

[JHBThree]

Sorry but that’s a lie. High band will never be obsolete lol. That’s crazy talk. And caring about only sub6? Wow. Not! It’s nice but the MOST important band is mid band btw. Why do you even think T-Mobile went so hard at merging with Sprint?? High band will definitely be important in dense areas etc. that’s what I’m looking forward to in the near future. Sub6 is not much better than LTE. Mid band will be relevant maybe by late 2021 going forward. I’ll be having fun this year with my Fold 2 and iPhone 12 that support both. Thanks

High band IS already obsolete. It will have no place in future networks. MmWave is inherently limited by physics and will never be able to provide adequate service because you have to have line of sight to the transmitters and the signal is easily blocked by everything from people to glass.

You also seem to be misunderstanding what sub6 is. It includes midband, and low band. Anything under 6ghz. That TMobile network that is using Sprint's spectrum you mention is a sub6 network running in the 2.5ghz band. Their low band network also is technically sub6. Again, it is what all nationwide networks will be built on. It's the only version of 5G that actually matters.

 

[cnotes2019]

High band IS already obsolete. It will have no place in future networks. MmWave is inherently limited by physics and will never be able to provide adequate service because you have to have line of sight to the transmitters and the signal is easily blocked by everything from people to glass.

You also seem to be misunderstanding what sub6 is. It includes midband, and low band. Anything under 6ghz. That TMobile network that is using Sprint's spectrum you mention is a sub6 network running in the 2.5ghz band. Their low band network also is technically sub6. Again, it is what all nationwide networks will be built on. It's the only version of 5G that actually matters.

And you seem to be misunderstanding what tech like beam forming etc WILL make high band relevant. I’m differentiating purely between low band and mid band. T-Mobile DID NOT launch nationwide low band/mid band by your own definition. They only launched low band. Same for At&T and Verizon next.

 

[Mooncatt]

I say ask yourself this: What, if any, functional difference will you get out of any current or near future 5G capable device over a 4G device? Sure, download speeds will be faster, but 4G is already fast enough to stream videos in FHD. So is that faster speed helping anything? Not really.

The tech is so early in its infancy that it's unlikely any phone will truly take advantage of it. By the time anything noteworthy comes from it, you'll be on to the next upgrade anyway.

 

[JHBThree]

And you seem to be misunderstanding what tech like beam forming etc WILL make high band relevant. I’m differentiating purely between low band and mid band. T-Mobile DID NOT launch nationwide low band/mid band by your own definition. They only launched low band. Same for At&T and Verizon next.

TMobile has a 2.5ghz network active as we speak. Both that and their low band network are sub6.

Beamforming cannot overcome basic physics. MmWave doesn't work well when it rains out. It doesn't matter how you bounce or focus the signal, it cannot penetrate buildings in the slightest.

 

[merlin29]

Where I live it was over two years to get a good 4G signal, it will be the same for 5G probably 2022,
It appears that the sub6 will cover long distance between masts and will go through walls, and MM wave masts will need to be close to each other up to 500 metres and line of sight, ok in cities and built up areas here in the country not economic for networks, we only have mobile network internet no fibre optic cables again not enough customers,
So even a phone with sub6 will be an extra not usable yet, better to have a 4G only phone and cheaper for now, those fortunate to have either 5G systems enjoy your good fortune.