A 5G-capable Galaxy Note 10 has been confirmed to no one's surprise

Verizon CEO Hans Vestburg has confirmed that Samsung will be launching a 5G variant of the forthcoming Galaxy Note 10 later this year. Although entirely expected, it is the first time the device has been officially confirmed to be in the works. Vestburg revealed the news, perhaps out of turn, at Verizon’s Q1 2019 earnings call.

We already knew the LG V50 ThinQ was headed to Verizon, however, this will be joined by the Galaxy S10 5G and the Galaxy Note 10 5G. Speaking to investors, Vestburg revealed “The Note and the Galaxy coming this year will both have 5G.” Of course, the Galaxy Fold was supposed to ship in a 5G variant too, but those plans have spectacularly ground to a halt at least for the time being.

Verizon has already deployed 5G technology in parts of Chicago and Minneapolis, however coverage is very weak at this early stage. The fastest 5G speeds are achieved in the millimeter wave spectrum, however, signals don’t extend far beyond the base towers or penetrate buildings particularly well. As a result, 5G speeds for most people won’t approach theoretical maximums as coverage will generally be delivered, particularly when indoors, through the existing spectrum.