OnePlus Will Reportedly Release a 5G-Enabled Smartphone via a U.S. Carrier Next Year

Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus is gearing up to release one of the first 5G-enabled mobile devices next year, and the device will reportedly be launched via a carrier in the U.S.

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau was in attendance at the Shanghai leg of the Mobile World Congress this week, where he announced the future release of a OnePlus smartphone that supports 5G connectivity, according to reports.

The arrival of 5G networks has been in the cards for years now with the continuing development of tech and facilities for faster wireless connectivity. In fact, several United States-based carriers have seen substantial progress and have already installed facilities for 5G networks in select cities across the country.

Now, it is the smartphone-making companies’ task to also deliver new mobile devices that can support this advanced connectivity, and OnePlus has boldly accepted the challenge.

In previous years, OnePlus managed to release smartphone models with premium features and specifications that can fairly give Samsung and Apple handsets a good fight. If OnePlus manages to bring out a 5G-enabled smartphone before Samsung and Apple does, that would certainly give it a better position in the race.

The company realizes that its efforts will be most fruitful if it reaches more customers in major markets such as the North America region. But like other China-based smartphone manufacturers, OnePlus still has to fully capture the U.S. market, and a good partnership with telecommunication companies in the country is a good way to do it.

U.S.-based customers can now purchase OnePlus products but not without paying the full price of a device at once, and this normally turns off potential customers. Once OnePlus gets a deal with U.S. carriers, consumers can get its devices with flexible payment plans, which could entice more people to switch to OnePlus smartphones.

Other details on the 5G device from OnePlus is still unknown. But OnePlus smartphones are known for having Qualcomm chipsets, so reports suggest that the still-unnamed 5G handset will be powered by the Snapdragon X50.