These are the most affordable 5G smartphones you can buy today

5G smartphones are designed to run on the 5th generation mobile wireless networks to deliver much faster Internet speeds and lower latency. However, the first generation of these phones arrived with hefty price tags. As 5G networks spread around the world, more mobile subscribers are on the hunt for the cheapest 5G phones.

We saw the world’s first 5G phone in 2017 and soon after, commercial 5G smartphones hit the market, but bearing hefty price tags. Thankfully, as the technology becomes more mainstream, we are seeing more 5G devices at much more affordable prices. If you do not want to spend anything close to $1000 to enjoy 5G Internet on your smartphone, we have curated a list of the most afforadable and cheapest 5G phones available to buy in 2020.

The Cheapest 5G Phones You Can Buy In 2020

The 5G smartphones on this list cost $600 and below. You will also be surprised to find out that there are now 5G phones that cost as low as $200 too.

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G

• Network Support: Dual Mode 5G  (SA/NSA). Sub6
• Display: 6.7 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels, Super AMOLED
• Processor: Snapdragon 765G/EXYNOS 980
• RAM: 6 GB / 8 GB
• Storage: 128 GB
• Battery Capacity: 4500 mAh
• Battery Charging: 25W fast charging
• Main Camera: 64 MP+  12 MP + 5 MP + 5 MP
• Front Camera: 32 MP
• Operating System: Android 10
• Price: $600
• Available in: United States. Europe. Asia.

Samsung Galaxy A51 5G

• Network Support: Dual Mode 5G  (SA/NSA). Sub6
• Display: 6.5 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels, Super AMOLED
• Processor: EXYNOS 980
• RAM: 6 GB / 8 GB
• Storage: 128 GB
• Battery Capacity: 4500 mAh
• Battery Charging: 15W fast charging
• Main Camera: 48 MP +  12 MP + 5 MP + 5 MP
• Front Camera: 32 MP
• Operating System: Android 10
• Price: $500
• Available in: United States. Europe. Asia.

Vivo Z6 5G

• Network: Dual Mode 5G  (SA/NSA)
• Display: 6.57 inches, 2400×1080 pixels
• Processor: Snapdragon 765G
• RAM: 6 GB / 8 GB
• Storage: 128 GB
• Battery Capacity: 5,000 mAh
• Battery Charging: 44W fast charging
• Main Camera: 48 MP +  8 MP depth + 2 MP depth + 2 MP macro
• Front Camera: 16 MP
• Operating System: Android 10
• Price: CNY2,298/$330/€300 (6/128GB). CNY300/$43/€39 (8/128GB)
• Available in: China.

CoolPad Legacy 5G

• Network Support: sub-6GHz 5G
• Display:  6.53 inches, 2220×1080 pixels, HDR10, IPS LCD
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: 64 GB
• Battery Capacity: 4000 mAh
• Battery Charging: 18W fast charging (Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0)
• Main Camera: 48 MP + 8 MP
• Front Camera: 16 MP
• Operating System: Android 10
• Price: Under $400
• Available in: United States of America (with support for T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint). China.

Samsung Galaxy A42 5G

• Network Support:
• Display: 6.6-inch, 1080P, Super AMOLED
• Processor:
• RAM: 6 GB
• Storage: 64 GB
• Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh
• Battery Charging: 15W fast charging
• Main Camera: 48MP +  8 MP + 5 MP + 5 MP
• Front Camera: 20 MP
• Operating System: Android 10
• Price: €369
• Available in: Europe from November 2020

Redmi K30 5G

• Network Support:
• Display: 6.67-inch FHD+ LCD, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 765G
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 4,500 mAh
• Battery Charging:  30W fast charging
• Main Camera: 64 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP
• Front Camera: 20 MP + 2 MP
• Operating System: Android 10
• Price: CNY1,999/$285/€255) (6/64 GB).  CNY2,299/$325/€295 (6/128 GB). CNY2,599/$370/€335 (8/128 GB)
• Available in: China

Redmi K30i 5G

• Network Support: Dual Mode 5G  (SA/NSA)
• Display: 6.67-inch FHD+ LCD, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 765G
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 4,500 mAh
• Battery Charging:  30W fast charging
• Main Camera: 48 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP
• Front Camera: 20 MP + 2 MP
• Operating System: Android 10
• Price: CNY 1,899/$266
• Available in: China

Realme v3

• Network Support:
• Display: 6.52 inches, 720×1600 pixels
• Processor: Dimensity 720G
• RAM: 4GB / 6GB / 8GB
• Storage: 64GB / 128 GB
• Battery Capacity: 5000mAh battery
• Battery Charging: 18W fast charging
• Main Camera: 13MP +  2MP depth + 2MP macro
• Front Camera: 8 MP
• Operating System: Android 10
• Price: CNY 999/$150 (4/64GB); CNY 1,399/$205 (6/64GB); CNY 1599/$235 (8/128GB)
• Available in: China.

Clearly, the very cheapest 5G phones are available the most in China, followed by Asia. But more and more affordable 5G smartphones are showing up in North America and Europe too.

Glossary

What is dual-mode 5G?

Dual Mode 5G refers to the support of two primary types of 5G networks NSA (Non-Standalone Access) and SA (Standalone Access). Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G networks are those that are supported by existing 4G infrastructure.

Most earlier 5G phones supported 5G NSA only.

What is 5G sub 6GHz?

In 5G networks, mmWave refers to radio frequency spectrum above 6 GHz. Spectrum below 6 GHz is not mmWave.

What is 5G mmWave?

Think of 6 GHz as the dividing line for mmWave. mmWave refers to radio frequency spectrum above 6 GHz. Spectrum below 6 GHz is not mmWave.