Verizon is now selling LG Electronics’ first 5G smartphone, the V50 ThinQ. It is the second device capable of supporting 5G networks.
Both consumers and businesses will be able to purchase the V50 smartphone that will run on Verizon’s ultra-wideband millimeter wave network in the two cities where it is deployed — Chicago and Minneapolis. Later, the smartphone along with the Samsung S10 5G phone will be available in more than 30 U.S. cities. Verizon plans to deploy the 5G network before the end of the year.
Verizon introduced the Samsung S10 5G in May as the first carrier to provide the smartphone to customers, but since that time it has become available for others to sell.
The LG V50 ThinQ 5G smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 mobile platform featuring Qualcomm’s 5G modem with a 6.4 in OLED display and five cameras — three in the rear and two in the front.
Verizon is offering deals for the smartphone where customers can trade in existing smartphones and save up to $450 or they can be purchased for $999 retail. Additionally, Verizon is continuing to waive the $10 5G service plan fee for a few months.
While current 5G networks are only live in two cities and in limited locations in these cities, Verizon will roll out its network in 2019 to Atlanta; Boston; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Des Moines, Iowa; Denver; Detroit; Houston; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Phoenix; Providence, Rhode Island; San Diego; Salt Lake City; and Washington D.C.
Verizon said that while coverage is limited, when a consumer moves outside the 5G network, the network hands off the signal to the 4G LTE network. However, it remains to be seen if a user would experience a dropped call or an interruption in data connection.
