Apple does not yet offer a 5G smartphone, but when the company enters the market the second half of 2020, it is expected to take the lead in 5G smartphones, according to a report by Strategy Analytics titled “Global 5G Smartphone Shipments Forecast by Vendor by Region by Quarter.”
“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,” said Ken Hyers, Director at Strategy Analytics, in a statement. “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,” added Sravan Kundojjala, 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.”
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“Huawei’s potential in 5G smartphone sales is currently limited by the U.S. technology trade ban,” noted Strategy Analytics analyst Ville-Petteri Ukonaho. “Huawei is dominant in China and will likely remain so. But until the ban is lifted, prospects for Huawei in 5G smartphone sales elsewhere are limited.
“Regardless of its long-term prospects in terms of 5G smartphone market share,” Ukonaho added, “2020 will be Apple’s time to grab bragging rights in 5G.”