Smart to launch 5G-certified handsets in PH "very soon"

During the launch of the first 5G-powered gaming hub in the country, local telco giant Smart was quoted saying that Smart 5G-certified handsets will be available "very soon."

File photo: Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G, the first 5G-powered smartphone in the country

Smart 5G-ready devices are coming!

Jane Basas, senior vice president and head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart revealed that the 5G future is closer than we think as the company is continuing to deploy its 5G network in the country.

The company earlier said that its 5G services will be available later this year. Smart has also started deploying 4G SIMs that are 5G-ready last year. It is a part of the company's effort to future-proof its SIM cards in preparation for 5G.

PLDT has a capex of around 63 billion for network upgrades in 2020.

Currently, the number of 5G-ready smartphones in the country is growing.

Leading the way is Huawei with a total of 7 5G-ready phones, followed by Xiaomi with 5 5G-ready phones, OnePlus with 2 5G-ready phones (OnePlus 8/8Pro), and Samsung with 1 5G-ready handset (Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra).

Fast-rising player realme also said that it is planning to make its 5G-ready smartphones available in the near future.

We still don't know what are the 5G-ready devices that Smart will bring in the first though.

We will keep you guys posted.

What do you guys think?