3 essential technologies to future-proof your new gadget purchases

With the Samsung Galaxy S8 already out since April and major upcoming smartphone releases like the Galaxy Note 8 looming on the horizon over the next few months, you might be thinking about upgrading your mobile device. But before you make that sizable investment, you might want to pause to make sure your new purchase won’t become obsolete just as you’re starting to break it in. Technology is changing at a breakneck pace, and several major revolutionary developments are imminent. Here are three essentials you need to make sure your new tech investments are ready for the future.

Prepare for 5G Speeds

5G speeds up to hundreds or even a thousand times faster than current wireless connections are coming faster than originally anticipated. 5G test broadcasts are scheduled for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and 5G smartphones will become mainstream as early as 2019 before ramping up rapidly by 2021. While 5G networks aren’t available to the public yet, smartphones with components ready for 5G are already hitting the market. The mobile processors in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series are specifically designed to handle 5G speeds, and also include other cutting-edge features such as Quick Charge recharging up to five times faster than conventional methods, along with secure biometric authentication and malware detection. Getting a smartphone with a chip equipped for 5G will put you in a position to take advantage of accelerated wireless speeds when they do become available.

Get Set for 4K

One reason for 5G adoption is to make it easier to download streaming video. Taking full advantage of streaming video also requires a screen with resolution high enough to appreciate the latest 4K Ultra HD technology. 4K resolution delivers a resolution 4 times higher than regular HD, along with typically providing high dynamic range contrast for a vastly enhanced picture. 4K has become the norm for new TVs over the past couple years, as connected 4K TVs increasingly assume the center of smart home setups. Meanwhile smartphone providers have been racing to bring 4K screens to market, with Sony getting a jump by releasing the Xperia XZ Premium earlier this year. Other smartphone providers are expected to follow suit, so keep 4K in mind when you consider new mobile devices.

Equip Yourself for Virtual Reality

Another emerging technology 5G and 4K are helping empower is virtual reality. VR has been around for a few years now, but live VR broadcasts are not yet feasible due to current download speed limits. As 5G opens up faster connections, VR adoption is expected to grow rapidly. Meanwhile other applications of VR such as gaming are already gaining ground, with experts such as University of Portsmouth research fellow Tom Garner predicting that this year will be a pivotal one for VR adoption.

If you want to be in a position to enjoy the full benefits of the VR revolution, make sure you get a device compatible with a good VR headset. 5G-ready mobile processors, 4K Ultra HD screens and VR capability are three of the most essential elements you need to be future-proofed for upcoming technology upgrades. Keep these items in mind when shopping for new mobile devices, as well as other new technology such as smart TVs, in order to get the most out of your tech investments.