According to new research commissioned by OPPO, and conducted by analyst firm Telsyte, almost two-thirds (61%) of respondents looking to purchase a smartphone consider 5G a must-have feature.

The 5G Futures report found this is in part due to the connectivity challenges, with nearly two-thirds (65%) of Australians claiming to have experienced delays or buffering during videos, for instance.

However, with the average cost of smartphones increasing by 13 per cent over the last year, many are expecting to be priced out of the opportunity with three quarters (75%) of current Australian flagship smartphone owners unwilling to pay in excess of $1,500 to own a 5G device.

OPPO Australia MD Michael Tran said 5G will open up a whole new world of innovation for Australians, but added that they shouldn’t have to break the bank in the process.

“There’s a lot of excitement around 5G at the moment, and rightly so. 5G will not only bring a new world of connectivity to Aussies, but will also open up the door for developers and companies to create innovative experiences and technologies,” he said.

“This is why OPPO has heavily invested in 5G, to bring these new innovations, experiences and features to Aussies. But, we want to stay true to our brand and make premium possible, not just for the few but for the many, and we’re really excited to share what we have in store later this week,” said Tran.

Telsyte MD Foad Fadaghi said, “The research found more than 70% of Australians who consider 5G a must-have feature believe it’s about future-proofing their purchase, which goes to show that despite the promise of new apps and lightning speeds – at this time it’s the basics most Australians care about such as the lifetime value of their devices.”

Smartphone maker OPPO is expected to be one of the first manufacturers to bring a 5G device to Australia. It launched its Reno 5G smartphone in Europe earlier in the month and confirmed the device is set to come to Australia imminently.