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Is 5G that important? Isn’t it just faster?
Last year, although many companies rushed to launch new mobile phones that support 5G mobile networks, Apple was still reluctant to follow up. The iPhone 11 they launched last year caused huge controversy because they did not support 5G. Many analysts believe that the iPhone without 5G will image sales in China, but there are also many analysts who believe that the current 5G is not easy to use and will not have much impact on the iPhone 11.
After various users and various media quarreled with each other, without the 5G iPhone 11, the domestic sales did not increase significantly in the end, but it still sold better than many domestic brands , which is not lost. A year later, the iPhone 12 that supports 5G finally appeared, and this time Apple is even more indifferent to 5G last year. As the most important selling point of the iPhone 12, it ranks compared to the A14 chip, which is in the same group. , Or powerful shooting ability, but also more advanced.
But at the same time, there are still analysts saying that the current 5G is still not easy to use, so it is not known whether Apple really needs to launch a 5G mobile phone. So what exactly does 5G bring to the iPhone 12? Now we will analyze for everyone:
- What changes does 5G bring to the iPhone?
- What are the current limitations of 5G mobile phones?
- If 5G has so many limitations, why does the iPhone still need to support 5G?
- Do we need to buy iPhone 12 for 5G?
The iPhone’s 5G is only “fast”?
Let me start with the conclusion: the current 5G network does not bring much improvement to our lives. When Tiger Sniff has reported and analyzed 5G-related technologies many times, most readers responded: Is 5G so important? Isn’t it just faster? Undoubtedly, at present, the improvement that 5G brings to our daily life is only the substantial increase in network speed. As the tiger sniffing Zhang Bowen said earlier :
For the most commonly used scenarios of 5G, most users just “find the 5G signal and run the network speed to see.”
In the past, the 4G download speed of iPhone 11 was only about 100Mbps at most. However, according to the current test of foreign media , the 5G iPhone 12 can achieve download speeds of up to 2000Mbps under the support of millimeter wave, which is not only more than 10 times faster than 4G, but also faster than home Wi-Fi. Although the download speed of 5G is so fast, we still think: Is 5G really that important? Isn’t it just faster?
Regarding this issue, the famous UP master of station B, student He, has made an explanation of the explosion (pictured below). He believes that when 4G first started many years ago, many people thought, “Is 4G that important? Isn’t it faster?” But 4G has changed our lives, but we didn’t foresee it. He believes that the speed is actually It is the most boring application of 5G.
The picture is taken from the teacher. My name is He .
From the 2G to 4G era, every time the mobile network speeds up, it will also have a profound impact on the global industry, but why do we think that 5G network speeds are fast and still useless?
In fact, the speed of the mobile network has always been slower than the broadband at home. The industrial revolution caused by 2G to 4G is in fact often shifting the fixed-line broadband to the smart phone. In the 2000s, when the 2G network was able to help us send text messages with mobile phones, in fact, we were able to dial-up Internet at home and browse various web pages. In the 2010s, when the 3G network allowed us to view web pages and microblogs on our mobile phones, in fact, we could already use fiber-optic broadband to watch Korean dramas over the Internet.
At the time when we are boasting about 4G high-speed networks, leading to the explosion of mobile video and bringing huge changes to the industry, we often ignore that many users have long used fixed-line broadband to upload videos at home and become big oil pipeline bloggers. 4G has indeed brought about tremendous changes, but this change is actually based on the transfer of existing network multimedia to mobile scenarios such as mobile phones, liberating the restrictions imposed on us by wires.
But when the 4G network speed is very close to the home Wi-Fi, and the 5G network speed has even surpassed Wi-Fi, what other scenarios can we achieve through fixed-line broadband and transfer to 5G mobile phones?
5G killer applications from low-latency networks
So speed is indeed the most boring application in 5G, but in fact, the participants who formulate the 5G standard have already known that speed is the most boring application, and they are also ready for related application scenarios.
Those who are familiar with 5G technology know that “speed” is only one part of the three major scenarios of 5G. The three so-called 5G scenarios, in addition to enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) that can increase network speeds, are more importantly derived from two new scenarios independent of Wi-Fi: Mass Machine Communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low Delayed communication (URLLC).
Three major application scenarios of 5G. Image source: 5G empowers artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing via Chinese Internet database .
You should squeeze through the subway during the peak traffic period, and then find that when there is a lot of people, the mobile phone network becomes unreliable. This is because 4G network cables can support limited devices at the same time. When using mobile phones to surf the Internet at the same time and at the same place, the network will be very unstable. And 5G’s massive machine-to-machine communication (mMTC) means that the network can support 1 million devices per square kilometer, which is 10 times that of 4G. Therefore, in the future, when people crowd on the subway during peak traffic periods, they will no longer be stuck watching short videos of others.
However, 5G massive machine-to-machine communication will not bring too obvious help to mobile phone users. It is designed to a greater extent for the Internet of Things. Only when devices such as cars, lamp posts or water meters are not connected to the Internet, All of them can be connected to the Internet through 5G, and the vision of a smart city can come true. But no matter whether it is a smart city or the Internet of Things, the core scene of 5G is more experienced in industry applications, and it has little relationship with iPhone 12 users. All the time, Tiger Sniff also mentioned the huge changes and opportunities brought by 5G, not on the C side, but on the B side.
But although 5G’s help to iPhone 12 is not obvious, it does not mean that 5G is not helpful to mobile phones at all.
Many people have also tried video conferencing on iPhone, and the picture is always two shots slow; also when using Siri, the voice response is always sluggish. The reason is that the delay of Wi-Fi and 4G networks is too high, causing the application to respond. Too slow. However, 5G’s low-latency communication (URLLC) can achieve response speeds as low as 1ms, which is much lower than 4G or Wi-Fi’s 50ms. So as long as the high network speed of 5G is matched with low-latency technology, we can realize true cloud computing through 5G network, and iPhone can also obtain powerful killer applications.
Currently, translation headsets are limited by mobile phone performance and network speed, and cannot truly achieve real-time translation. But with 5G low latency capabilities, it is different. The video comes from Pear Video .
In the future, we can remotely operate large games installed on the server on the iPhone through a low-latency 5G network. This is the hot “cloud game” concept earlier. We can also connect the iPhone 12 to the high-performance artificial intelligence server through the low-latency 5G network, and then we can use the real-time voice translation function on AirPods (the video above). It will be more convenient to travel abroad in the future . This shows that Internet speed is really the most boring application of 5G.
As long as the iPhone has a low-latency 5G network, in the future it will be able to rely on a cloud-based supercomputer to realize unlimited possibilities. So, will 5G help the iPhone? I can tell you responsibly that 5G will have a revolutionary impact on the iPhone and even the global mobile phone industry, but for now, it is still only the “future”.
Why is 5G the “future” of the iPhone, not the “now”? This is because most of the 5G mobile phones in the world still cannot use related technologies for ultra-reliable and low-latency communication.
Limitations of iPhone 12
Although a large number of 5G base stations have been built around the world, many operators are pushing 5G packages, and many mobile phone companies are pushing 5G mobile phones. Even the iPhone 12 supports 5G. But in fact, the pace of global 5G networks has actually only advanced by about one-third. For the three major scenarios of 5G, only enhanced mobile broadband (eMMB) that can bring high-speed download speeds is currently implemented, while massive machine communication (mMTC) and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) have not yet entered large-scale commercial use. stage.
It has been almost two years since 5G has been commercialized. Why is it still unable to achieve ultra-reliable and low-latency communication capabilities? This is because the ultra-reliable and low-latency communication capabilities rely heavily on various new technologies in the 5G core network, but the current 5G core network is not yet ready.
For example, edge computing is the core technology to improve the response speed of 5G, and it is also an important part of the 5G core network. Operators will set up high-performance computers as “edge servers” in the 5G base station computer room (right in the figure below). For example, when you perform real-time voice translation on the iPhone, the voice message may be translated early by the “edge server” next to the community before being uploaded to the Google server in the United States, and then transmitted back to the mobile phone immediately. Reduce the transmission distance of information, and improve the response speed.
Image source: Tech White Rice via Sohu .
But the ideal is full, but the reality is very skinny. Due to the high cost of setting up 5G networks, operators are forced to separate different stages and set up 5G networks. The current 5G pre-projects carried out by operators only basically upgrade 4G base stations (such as adding massive MIMO antennas) to meet the requirements of the first phase (enhanced mobile broadband). However, the base station still uses the 4G core network (left in the figure above), so most 5G networks in the world at present are just 4G networks with faster upload and download speeds.
Moreover, the 5G network standards have never been completely frozen, let alone large-scale commercial use. It is important to know that the R15 version of the standard frozen in 2019 only implements the enhanced mobile broadband scenario, and the related technical standards mainly focus on improving the upload and download speed. And the standard of the ultra-reliable low-latency (URLLC) related technology just mentioned? It will not be implemented until the R16 version, and the R16 version has just been frozen in July this year. At that time, the industry still said : 5G has finally changed from “usable” to “easy to use”.
But even so, you still can’t hold the iPhone 12 and truly experience the various applications brought about by 5G’s low latency. The Frozen R16 standard is just a carnival in the industry: network-based equipment suppliers have only begun to step up the production of 5G core network components, and operators have only begun to step up the construction of 5G core networks, and even server suppliers such as Intel have just begun to promote their own The edge server of, then waits for all large and small enterprises and even developers to introduce it, and use it to develop various related applications. Therefore, ultra-reliable and low-latency is currently only a construction site.
In other words, it is estimated that your iPhone will have to wait at least 1 to 2 years before real cloud computing can be realized, and then you can play cloud games, experience real-time translation, etc. At this time, the 5G function of iPhone 12 can be regarded as truly useful. .
That being the case, why does Apple support 5G on the iPhone 12? We must know that there have been rumors on the Internet that the cost of the iPhone 12 after supporting 5G is too high, and the only way to reduce the cost is by cutting off the charger. Since 5G is not very useful, it also increases the cost. Why doesn’t Apple just give up?
In fact, the reason is also very simple, that is, Apple dare not fail to 5G. 5G has always been a very important selling point. Last year, Apple insisted on not allowing the iPhone 11 to support 5G, which caused huge controversy.
5G’s “True Effect” on iPhone 12
Undoubtedly, iPhone users have to wait at least 1-2 years before they can experience the benefits of 5G, but iPhone users are often patient groups who can wait. Due to the high price of the iPhone, many users buy an iPhone and use it for several years. Analyst Toni Sacconaghi said just last year that the iPhone update cycle has been further reduced from 3 years in 2018 to 4 years in 2019, which forces users to consider whether to use the iPhone 3 to 4 years later when buying a new generation of iPhone. Get 5G.
Image source: Sellcell .
As 5G coverage increases, users will inevitably use 5G in the next few years. But what if the iPhone I bought in the early years prevented users from using 5G as scheduled? That would be very embarrassing. In September this year, a survey pointed out that 58% of respondents said that 5G will be the most important feature that attracts them to buy iPhone 12 (above), so Apple shouldn’t expect these users who are expecting 5G. There is a clear communication.
In addition to users expecting iPhone to support 5G, 5G operators also hope that the iPhone can support 5G as soon as possible so that they can continue to fill the 5G pit.
The cost for operators to build a 5G network is much higher than that of 4G. According to data , the cost of building a 5G base station is three times that of a 4G base station. The number of base stations required for 5G is said to be twice that of a 4G base station. the amount is 2 to 3 times 4G base stations, and even earlier reported pointed out that operators make 5G base station into the “deep sleep” at night, thereby reducing operating costs.
Therefore, operators must increase the number of 5G users as soon as possible, and pay back a little bit. Otherwise, it will be difficult to advance the later stage of 5G under the situation of insufficient funds, and the initial large investment in 5G will not know that it will wait until the cattle Years and months can only be paid back. Unfortunately, due to the slowness of the public’s inability to perceive the benefits of 5G, the number of 5G users has grown slowly, and operators have to use the 5G phones launched by manufacturers to attract users to switch to 5G plans.
It is true that many analyses have pointed out that operators are counting on the iPhone to support 5G, which will help promote the growth of 5G users, but the iPhone user group with the strongest spending power is because iPhone 11 does not have 5G, so they are not willing to switch to it. 5G plans. In the long run, operators will inevitably continue to put pressure on Apple to let iPhone support 5G. The specific method is naturally the huge channel means of operators.
You must know that in 2012, PC Mag wrote an article that Verizon, the largest US operator, often only pushes 4G Android phones and coldly waits for iPhone 4s that do not support 4G. Since operators are an important part of mobile phone sales channels, if the iPhone 12 has no 5G, it will push operators to the Android camp. Therefore, even if 5G is not currently useful, as long as Apple wants the iPhone 12 to sell better, it has to embark on the 5G road.
Do we need to buy iPhone 12 for 5G?
Do we need to buy iPhone 12 now in order to upgrade to 5G?
Still feel that the current 5G is not easy to use, taking advantage of the price cut of the iPhone 11, continue to use 4G mobile phones?
Or wait until February next year to buy the cheap 4G iPhone 12 in the online rumor ?
5G standard roadmap. Image source: 3GPP via Technology Industry Information Room .
If you are a user who keeps up with the latest smart phone trends and replaces new phones every year, I suggest you consider the other selling points of iPhone 12 first, and do not upgrade for 5G specifically. As can be seen from the above figure, the industry originally expected to implement another 5G core R17 version in 2022. As the saying goes: “Buy early and enjoy early, buy late with discount”. The 5G technology version is still being updated and will be launched later. 5G mobile phones may also use more advanced 5G technology. You don’t need to rush to 5G for 5G.
But if you buy a new generation of iPhone every time, it will take at least 2~3 years? Then you must consider when you will need 5G in the future, and think carefully: If you didn’t buy a 5G phone this year, will you regret it in the next few years? Anyway, 5G is also a big trend. Sooner or later, you will be on this thief ship. If you need to use 5G next year, but your iPhone does not support 5G, it may affect your life instead.
In addition, when considering whether to buy the iPhone 12, the second-hand price of the iPhone should be considered as a factor. The iPhone has always maintained its value, and the second-hand price is quite stable, which also enables many users to lower the iteration cost by selling old iPhones. But if 5G becomes popular in the next few years, you will upgrade the new generation of iPhone? At that time, your iPhone that does not support 5G may not sell well, and the second-hand price will be worse. Just think: how many users are still willing to use iPhone 4 that does not support 4G?
Finally, as an old user who has been using iPhone since iPhone 3GS, has experienced the transition from 2G to 3G, and has also witnessed the 3G to 4G, Odin still recommends that you still buy iPhone 12 that supports 5G if conditions permit.
Many veterans in the communications industry have also said that if 5G wants to make a difference, it must first be on the C side. 3G and 4G have just been launched, and they are equally questioned. Until the relevant C-end products become popular and there are enough users, operators can vigorously lay the network and attract more developers to develop new applications for the new generation of mobile communication technology. .
Although the pace of 5G has not been able to keep up, the pace of human progress cannot be slowed down. With the support of the public, the application of 5G can grow awkwardly, and human beings can enjoy the technological progress brought by 5G earlier.
VIA:https://www.huxiu.com/article/388291.html