Sprint says it will bring first 5G smartphone to U.S. next year

Eli Blumenthal | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption 5G: The future of the mobile industry So what does it look like?

Sprint is getting ready for the 5G future, partnering with LG to bring what it says will be the first 5G smartphone to the U.S. capable of tapping into its faster, next-generation cellular network.

The device, which doesn't yet have a name, price or even firm release date, is slated to be available during the first half of 2019.

Sprint said it will be the first smartphone in the country with built-in 5G, a distinction that rival Verizon might contest as it launches its first 5G-capable phone this week.

While details remain a mystery, Sprint promised its 5G network will be capable of full-length HD movie downloads in "seconds instead of minutes" and the ability to play games without any "delays, hiccups or lag-time."

Sprint will launch its 5G network in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix and Washington next year before expanding to other parts of the country.

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The company is trying to merge with T-Mobile, in part because the two companies argue they will be better suited to compete against AT&T and Verizon's respective 5G networks as one entity as opposed to two.

John Tudhope, Sprint's director of product development, told USA TODAY the LG device is currently being designed to work with Sprint's 5G network, not T-Mobile's. The device should, however, still work with T-Mobile's 4G LTE network.

Verizon meanwhile, recently announced its first 5G-capable smartphone – the Motorola's Z3. The phone, available starting Thursday for $480, will be "upgradeable" through a module that users will be able to purchase sometime early next year.

While not as elegant as simply being built into the phone, once attached, Z3 owners will be able to tap into Verizon's 5G network.

Follow Eli Blumenthal on Twitter @eliblumenthal