According to a new report from Counterpoint Research, global 5G smartphone shipments grew 20% year-on-year in the first half of 2024. While India has become the second-largest 5G smartphone market, surpassing the US, Apple continues to dominate the segment globally.
The iPhone, king of 5G
In the first six months of the year, more than one in four 5G smartphones sold worldwide was an iPhone. Apple benefited from the success of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 ranges to claim 25% market share in this fast-growing segment.
The Cupertino firm even places five models in the top 10 of the most popular 5G smartphones, taking the first four places. A feat that it shares with its eternal rival Samsung, which completes this ranking with five devices as well, including the Galaxy A and S24.
India, the new engine of 5G growth
But the real surprise comes from India. The country became the second largest market for 5G smartphones in the world in the first half of the year, overtaking the United States. A performance driven by deliveries from Chinese brands Xiaomi and Vivo, as well as Samsung, in the affordable segment.
India’s rise reflects the gradual democratization of 5G. “The contribution of 5G handsets to the overall smartphone market has surpassed 54% in the first half of 2024, crossing the 50% mark for the first time,” said Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint.
5G will continue its progression
This trend is expected to further accelerate in the coming months, driven by the increasing penetration of 5G in lower price segments and the expansion of networks. Counterpoint estimates that the share of 5G will exceed 57% for the whole of 2024, then 65% in 2025.
A dynamic that Apple should continue to benefit from. With the imminent launch of the new iPhone 16 range, the apple brand has a good chance of maintaining its leadership in the 5G smartphone market. But it will have to deal with increasingly aggressive competition, particularly in emerging markets where Chinese brands are gaining momentum.
The battle for 5G supremacy is only just beginning. But one thing is for sure: with more than one in two smartphones now compatible with this technology, 5G is set to become the new market standard. A paradigm shift from which Apple intends to remain the main beneficiary.