Research group: 5G iPhone sales will soar in 2020

Strategy Analytics in a newly published report from the Device Technologies (EDT) practice, forecasts that 5G devices, from a sluggish start in 2019 will take off in 2020. The report, Global Smartphone Sales Forecast by Technology for 88 Countries to 2024 shows that within five years 5G phones will equal nearly half of all phones sold.

“2020 will be the turning point when 5G phone sales take off” comments Ken Hyers, director at Strategy Analytics. “All major smartphone vendors including Apple are developing 5G handsets and will many more devices will launch in 2020.” he adds. From 2020 onwards, 5G smartphone sales will skyrocket, led by China, the U.S. and other developed nations in Asia and Western Europe.”

The first devices will be premium- and high-tier devices, but by the end of 2020 there will be more mid-range devices available, especially in China, adds Ville-Petteri Ukonaho, associate director at Strategy Analytics. The research group estimates that less than 1% of phones sold in 2019 will be 5G devices, but that share will grow to nearly 10% in 2020.

“Price is the main concern for early adopters” says Hyers. “Consumers do not want to spend top dollar on a device when there are few usable networks yet. Operators must widen 5G availability significantly in order for the technology to become attractive for consumers.”