Press Release | 23 May 2019

Vodafone UK announces exclusive partnership with the world’s first cloud-based mobile gaming platform alongside the first 5G ready handsets

  • New Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G available in store and online today and the new Samsung Galaxy S10 5G available to pre-order – with more device announcements to follow.
  • Vodafone’s UK 5G network will go live on 3rd July with 5G live in 19 towns and cities by the end of the year.
  • World’s first network to announce 5G roaming, which launches this summer.
  • Exclusive partnership with Hatch – the game streaming service, built for 5G.
  • 5G pricing the same as 4G, with choice of Spotify, Sky Sports TV, Amazon Prime and Now TV Entertainment Pass.

The first 5G ready handsets have landed in Vodafone stores and online. Customers can now pick up the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G, which features a 24 megapixel and 2 megapixel dual camera system, 6.39-inch full screen display, plus an incredible 960 frames per second recording. Pricing will start from £50 per month.

The new 5G ready Samsung Galaxy S10 is a bigger, better and faster S-Series device, boasting a huge 6.7-inch Cinematic Infinity-O display, six cameras with 3D Depth Sensor, a long-lasting battery and super-fast 25W wired charging. Promotional pre-order pricing will start from £58.

The new 5G ready devices are similarly priced to high-end 4G smartphones. All 5G devices will come with 24 months warranty and there is no premium for the 5G service over 4G. Vodafone’s Red Entertainment plans are the perfect companion to a 5G ready device and give customers a choice of four entertainment partners – Spotify Premium, Sky Sports Mobile TV, Amazon Prime Video and a NOW TV Entertainment Pass. Customers will be able to stream and download content faster and more reliably than ever before thanks to Vodafone’s 5G network – even in busy or crowded areas.

Vodafone is the UK’s best network according to Trusted Reviews and will switch on its 5G network in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and London on 3rd July, followed by 12 more towns and cities by the end of the year. 5G ready smartphones can initially be used over 4G, and will use 5G when the network is switched on and all manufacturer software updates are completed.

Vodafone is already the UK’s best network for roaming over 4G and in a world first, announced 5G roaming last week. Customers will be able to use their new device to stream, download or game over 5G in Italy, Spain and Germany, starting this summer.

Vodafone UK also announces an exclusive partnership with Hatch – the world’s first cloud-based mobile gaming platform built for the 5G network. Streaming games from Hatch on the Vodafone network allows gamers to play instantly, with no downloads, updates or adverts to interrupt play. With access to more than 100 premium mobile games, the service is ideal for the casual gamer. Customers who redeem the offer via Vodafone’s VeryMe Rewards will also be able to connect with friends and join live tournaments. Vodafone pay monthly customers will also gain access to Hatch Kids, a safe space for children to play, create and learn without in-game purchasing or advertisements.

Customers on a 4G plan can still enjoy the features and range of games from Hatch, however the 5G network will bring faster speeds and super low latency, delivering an unrivalled gaming experience for gamers using an Android handset.

From the 3rd of July, Vodafone Pay monthly customers will get three months access to Hatch Premium at no extra cost. After that, the service will cost £6.99 a month.

 

5G Ready smartphones available to buy and pre-order from Vodafone today are:

ON SALE NOW : 5G Ready Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 – available to buy now from £50 per month
With a 24 megapixel and 2 megapixel dual camera system, 6.39-inch full screen display, plus an incredible 960 frames per second recording.

See here for all price plans: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/phones/pay-monthly-contracts/xiaomi/mi-mix-3-5g

5G Ready Samsung Galaxy S10 5G – available to pre-order from £58 per month (Promotional pre-order pricing) A bigger, better and faster S-Series device than ever before. The Galaxy S10 5G boasts a huge 6.7-inch Cinematic Infinity-O display, six cameras with 3D Depth Sensor, a long-lasting battery and super-fast 25W wired charging.
See here for all price plans: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/phones/pay-monthly-contracts/samsung/galaxy-s10-5g

-ends-

Notes to editors:

To experience 5G, customers must have a 5G ready device, downloaded with the manufacturer’s 5G software, a Vodafone 5G plan and 5G coverage in the area that you are in. 

Best UK Mobile Network where readers of Trusted Reviews voted Vodafone as the winner of the Best UK Mobile Network of the Year category, as of 09.11.2018, verification: https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/best-mobile-network-uk-2018-3616855.

Pay monthly plans are subject to RPI increase, credit check and terms Vodafone.co.uk/terms

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About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.

Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.

For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.

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