The global sales of 5G smartphones have now surpassed the 2 billion mark, significantly propelled by Apple's introduction of the iPhone 12 series, which were the company's initial foray into 5G technology. Despite its late launch in October 2020, the iPhone 12 quickly became the leading 5G smartphone worldwide within a fortnight of its release. It played a crucial role in driving the shift towards 5G, as highlighted by Counterpoint Research.
According to recent data from Counterpoint, the global transition to 5G has been rapid, reaching the 2 billion sales milestone a year quicker than the transition to 4G. The introduction of the 5G-capable iPhone 12 series was a pivotal moment, boosting global 5G smartphone shipments to over 100 million units in a single quarter for the first time during Q4 2020. This momentum was sustained, with shipments reaching a record 200 million units in a single quarter by Q4 2023.
Apple and Samsung have emerged as the leading 5G smartphone brands, jointly accounting for the sale of one billion units. The report also notes that the decreasing price difference between 4G and 5G components is facilitating the inclusion of 5G technology in more affordable models, thereby benefiting major Chinese manufacturers. In regions like China, Japan, the US, and most of Europe, 5G smartphones constituted over 80% of all smartphone shipments in 2023. Moreover, 5G penetration has reached 50% or higher in 40 countries, while only 13 countries, including Nigeria and Paraguay, have less than 20% of their smartphone sales featuring 5G.
Interestingly, the demand for 5G smartphones does not solely depend on the availability or prevalence of 5G networks within a market. Consumers in areas where 5G networks are yet to be fully operational are choosing 5G smartphones to ensure their devices are future-proof.
Currently, all iPhone models are equipped with a 5G modem supplied by Qualcomm. Nevertheless, Apple has been investing in the development of its own 5G chipset, although the project has reportedly faced several challenges.
