Strategy Analytics: Apple will capture top spot in 5G smartphone sales in 2020

Strategy Analytics forecasts that Apple’s entry into the 5G race in the third quarter of 2020 will catapult the vendor into the lead in 5G smartphones. The research group says the tech giant will capture a dominant share in the emerging smartphone technology segment.

“It may seem counterintuitive that Apple, which currently has no 5G phones in its portfolio will be able to pass current 5G market leaders Samsung and Huawei,” says Ken Hyers, director at Strategy Analytics. “But with three new 5G models coming next year, Apple merely needs to match its current upgrade rates for newly introduced iPhone models to take the lead next year.”

“Currently Samsung is the undisputed market leader in 5G smartphones,” adds Ville-Petteri Ukonaho, associate director at Strategy Analytics. “But with the two largest 5G markets in 2020, China and the USA, dominated by Huawei and Apple respectively, these two vendors are set to lead in 5G next year.”

However, despite the strong showing that is expected for Apple in 5G in 2020 in the longer term Samsung will regain the 5G crown, says Hyers.