Highlights
- India has surpassed the US to become the second largest market for 5G smartphones.
- Apple leads the 5G smartphone market with a 25% share of global shipments.
- The proportion of 5G smartphones is projected to reach 65% by 2025.
India has now claimed the position as the second largest market for 5G smartphones globally, overtaking the US, according to recent data. This shift highlights a significant rise in 5G smartphone adoption worldwide.
A report from Counterpoint Research reveals that global shipments of 5G smartphones saw a 20% increase in the first half of 2024, driven by falling prices for these devices.
5G Smartphone Market Share Surpasses 50%
For the first time, 5G smartphones made up more than 50% of total smartphone shipments in the first half of 2024.
“5G handset shipments have been steadily rising, and with more 5G options available in the budget segment, emerging markets are experiencing substantial growth in this area,” noted Prachir Singh, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research.
India Becomes a Major 5G Market
In the first half of 2024, India emerged as the second largest market for 5G smartphones, trailing only China and surpassing the US. The growth in India is fueled by strong 5G device shipments from brands like Xiaomi, Samsung, and Vivo, particularly in the budget segment.
“Emerging markets are showing significant growth in 5G handsets as consumers upgrade their devices, even in lower price brackets,” Singh added.
India led the top five countries in 5G smartphone shipment growth, with a remarkable 60% increase from H1 2023 to H1 2024. In contrast, China saw a 14% increase, while the US experienced just a 2% rise. China received 32% of the global 5G smartphone shipments, followed by India and the US, each with 13%.
Apple Dominates 5G Smartphone Shipments
Apple, with its entire lineup being 5G-enabled, dominates the market with over 25% of global 5G smartphone shipments. Samsung holds the second spot with a 21% share.
“As 5G handsets become more accessible through lower price points and expanding 5G networks, the trend is expected to continue. Our forecast indicates that the share of 5G smartphones will exceed 57% in 2024 and reach 65% by 2025,” said Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research.
