Strategy Analytics: Global 5G smartphone sales are expected to reach 160 million in 2020

Strategy Analytics' latest research report, "5G Smartphone Sales: China to Drive Rapid Growth in 2020", points out that if 5G can take off in China as expected, global sales of 5G smartphones will reach 160 million in 2020. Huawei has an excellent advantage in occupying most of China's 5G smartphone sales and regaining its position as a global smartphone.

Ken Hyers, director at Strategy Analytics, said: “As China develops, so too do the 5G ambitions of chipmakers Qualcomm, MediaTek and Unisoc, who have all lamented the rapid increase in the number of 5G models licensed in recent months.”

Ville Petteri-Ukonaho, associate director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Clearly, China is key to 5G phone shipments in 2020. Winners in China will help drive the learning curve for 5G devices.”

David Kerr, Senior Vice President at Strategy Analytics, added, “Samsung is the undisputed global 5G leader but currently only has 1% of the Chinese smartphone market share. China is expected to become the largest 5G smartphone market, with 5G phone sales likely to reach 80 million in 2020. Huawei has recently accelerated and increased its development efforts in the domestic market in response to international uncertainty. By Q2 2019, Huawei had expanded its smartphone market share to nearly 40%, far exceeding all other competitors; leveraging this dominant position, Huawei will take the lead in the Chinese 5G smartphone market in 2020 and beyond.”

Kerr continued, “If China meets its challenging targets, Huawei could undermine Samsung’s 5G leadership and enable recovery and growth in Western Europe and other global markets.”