A new report by CounterPoint has predicted that the year 2020 will be the breakout year for 5G with estimates of over 200 million smartphones, riding on the 5G network will be shipped globally.
Though the report cautioned that high prices will discourage spending on 5G smartphones and compromise the effort of pushing forward the large-scale commercialization of 5G, it is also 5G-enabled platforms that will proliferate by 2020.
“As cheaper solutions emerge, we believe that the smartphone market in 2020 will benefit from the escalating competition among major platform providers, as well as the support of 5G connectivity in mid-end segments. Thanks to the availability of more affordable 5G smartphones, the global smartphone market is expected to get back on the growth track in the first half of 2020,” the report says.
The estimation by CounterPoint shows there will be more than 200 million 5G smartphones shipped in 2020, representing a mid-double-digit 5G penetration.
The 5G market, according to the report, will be led by Android brands, which has shown a keen interest in the adoption of 5G in their premium models. China will also pick up from Q1, primarily driven by the new launches from Huawei and BBK group, while the sales boom in the US market will happen in Q3 with the launch of Apple 5G models.
Looking at the current scenario, Xiaomi, famous for its commitment to affordability, launched the cheapest 5G model in China at the end of September. The new flagship of Xiaomi’s number series, MI 9 Pro 5G, has a starting price of roughly US$520.