NTT Docomo to offer low-priced 5G smartphones

New models will retail for $470 to $750 and go on sale by year's end

NTT Docomo began offering 5G service in March. The carrier hopes its planned low-priced 5G smartphone will attract new subscribers and pay for the company's heavy investment in the network.

AKIHIRO OTA and TOMOHIRO NOGUCHI, Nikkei staff writers

July 9, 2020 18:29 JST

TOKYO --- Japanese mobile operator NTT Docomo will introduce a new line of low-priced 5G smartphones by the end of the year as it tries to attract more subscribers, a top company official revealed Thursday.

The new smartphones are expected to be priced between 50,000 yen ($470) and 80,000 yen. Currently available 5G phones go for more than 100,000 yen ($940).