Samsung Electronics unveils world’s first 5G phone

SEOUL (AFP) – Samsung Electronics on Friday released the Galaxy S10 5G, the world's first available smartphone with built- in fifth- generation communications technology, as South Korea seeks to build a lead in the transformative system.

On Wednesday the South became the first country to commercially launch nationwide 5G services, with three superfast networks going live offering data speeds that allow users to download entire movies in less than a second.

Hours later US giant Verizon began commercial services in Chicago and Minneapolis, after rival AT& T made a 5G- based system available to selected users in parts of 12 cities in December.

South Korea's three mobile carriers – SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus – held launch events across Seoul for the Galaxy S10, whose base version costs 1.39 million won ($1,200).

Interactive virtualreality displays and robot demonstrations were on show to tout the capabilities of the latest iteration of mobile internet speed, and new users were excited about the possibilities, especially live streaming of sports games and university lectures.

''I watch a lot of videos often, movies and lectures,'' said buyer Shim Ji-hye, 38. ''I hope faster speeds will help me manage my time better.''

Another user said he was most excited about virtual reality content – which includes games and even ''celebrity VR dating'' apps according to the country's mobile carriers.

With 5G, said researcher Lee Sang-yoon, VR content ''can be enjoyed in real time with no delay... I'll be able to enjoy it in better resolution and speed.''

Before Friday's roll- out of the Samsung phone, the 5G service had been restricted to a handful of specially selected users in South Korea.

Rival manufacturer LG is due to launch its V50 ThinQ, another 5G phone, in the South later this month, while in the US, Verizon's network works with Lenovo's Moto Z3 smartphone fitted with a special accessory.

Commercializing 5G gives South Korea the chance to build around the technology, which is crucial for the future development of devices such as autonomous vehicles and the Internet of Things.