This is a republished article we've picked from our shortlist from last year in our sequel to TechRadar Originals. "Who is 5G for?" It's a question many technology writers and business experts ask. Phone companies push themselves to release 5G smartphones, such as Samsung, Huawei, LG, OnePlus, and many others who advertise 5G variations of existing phones or new phones, even though 5G networks are not in place. . When it's in place, by the end of 2019 or early 2020, 5G will offer much faster Internet speeds of up to 1 Gbps and a more reliable connection than 4G, but who will benefit from these incredible connection speeds? For now, Netflix needs 1.5 Mbps to stream movies, while gaming requires a slightly faster connection, Fortnite requires around 3 Mbps, and HD streaming requires faster speeds, still at 5 Mbps, but even a fraction of the speed. maximum of 4G of 100 Mbps, only 1Gbps (or 1,000 Mbps) of 5G. Of course, not everyone hits top 4G speeds, with most providers in the 15-30Mbps range; but it's rare that you find yourself in a situation where 4G speeds just aren't enough, so 5G seems a bit overkill, which brings us back to our initial question of who needed those speeds. Of course, viewers will benefit from faster downloads, but it's more convenient than changing the game. Although 5G has important applications in the field of autonomous vehicles, it will take a few more years before self-driving cars hit the road. big time
The Moto Z3 with a 5G mod, the first 5G phone available. Image credit: TechRadar However, in the short term, gamers may be among the first to enjoy the benefits of 5G, thanks to Google's unveiling of its Google Stadia gaming platform.
What is Google Stadia?
Google Stadia is a cloud gaming platform, which means you can play on a computer, tablet, or smartphone without downloading as Google's cloud computing network will power the game. Solid internet is enough. . Google lists Stadia as the "Netflix of the game": You can scroll through a menu of games before choosing the game you want to start playing right away. No tedious downloads are required before you can take action. Although there is no information available on the release date, the pricing structure, the number or the caliber of games that will be available, the success of Stadia could transform the way we play games.
Google Stadia. Image credit: TechRadar In addition to playing games on your computer or phone, you can use Chromecast to stream TV on your phone with a new Google-designed Stadia controller. Since all of the game processing you play is cloud-based, you don't need the latest and most powerful devices to use Stadia, but you will need a fast connection speed to play online. . Google recommends a minimum of 15 Mbps, with a latency of less than 40 ms and a data loss of less than 5%, but these requirements will increase dramatically for games with more demanding graphics or that require high Internet speeds to play. Line at a speed greater than the speed of diffusion. Wi-Fi will suffice for gaming when you're at home, but if you're traveling or somewhere with an unreliable connection, you'll need an alternative, and that's where 5G goes. first plan.
What will mobile gaming look like with 5G and Stadia?
Although Google hasn't confirmed this, Stadia will likely allow you to stream hit games, which are typically reserved for high-end consoles or PCs, on your smartphone or tablet.
The Razer Phone 2, a specialized gaming phone. Image credit: TechRadar Thanks to the ultra-fast speeds of 5G available at home and on the go, playing mobile or non-traditional games isn't a problem; you can use the Stadia controller with your phone to play Borderlands 3 or Starfield on the train going to work or a coffee shop. You can also transfer your game from your phone to a TV or other screen, and use your phone as a small console where you can play all your games. Computers and handheld devices may have different libraries on Stadia, but since all the processing is done by Google, there's no reason why you can't play console games on a phone if you have sufficient internet speed.
What does Google Stadia mean for smartphones?
If gaming is cloud-based rather than device-based, phones will no longer need the latest and greatest chipsets to play new games – older phones with smaller processors will still be able to play. Play, which could reduce attention to the cut. Chipsets for new phones. For example, the Snapdragon 855, Qualcomm's latest chipset that powers, among others, the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Xiaomi Mi 9, is ideal for playing demanding mobile games; but if most people use cloud computing, such an advanced processor will not be needed in the phone. Of course, users use their phones for tasks other than gaming, but one of the most intensive tasks for a device is one of the main reasons for having an advanced chipset.
Soon, you can play high-end games on the Moto G7 Power, a resolutely low-end phone. Image credit: TechRadar This could be a problem for brands creating gaming-specific phones - the Razer Phone 2 and Asus ROG Phones, for example, are positioned as perfect phones for gaming - but if a semi-decent smartphone can play games State-of-the-art The unique selling point of gaming phones suddenly becomes a lot less unique. Instead of processors, features like screens or speakers could be more prominent in phones as companies are trying to make your device the best choice for streaming games and creating immersive experiences. . One possible implication, however, is that mobile gaming is traditionally at risk: if you're able to play the latest and greatest AAA games on a phone, fewer people will accept a mobile game more The simple and growing demand for big names could mean independent studios suffer.