Chip Prices Fall, Enabling More 5G Chips in Phones

By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief

5G is increasingly available in cheaper phones, making faster mobile service affordable to more lower-income consumers around the world, according to market researchers. The reason behind this broader access to 5G is the falling price of specialized semiconductors needed for 5G phones, a trend that analysts expect to continue over the next two years. The lower price makes it economically feasible for manufacturers to include the chips in a wider range of phones, reports The Wall Street Journal. Already, 5G technology has moved beyond the premium smartphone market, in which devices sell for $550 or more, to the mid-tier market where devices sell for $250 to $550. Even less expensive 5G phones are available in some places, says Jeff Fieldhack, research director at Counterpoint Research. Continue Reading