Smartphone Sales Rebound in 2020... Up 3% Year-on-Year
Published2020.01.29 08:26Introduction of 5G network coverage · Launch of Apple's first 5G iPhone
Smartphone demand driven by the Middle East, North Africa, Greater China, and the Asia-Pacific region
Global smartphone sales this year are expected to reach 1.57 billion units, a 3% increase from last year.
With the introduction of 5G network coverage in many countries, consumers who were expecting price drops are expected to resume purchasing smartphones.
The global smartphone market is expected to shift to a recovery trend in 2020.
According to the 2020 global smartphone sales forecast released by IT advisory firm Gartner, 5G mobile phone sales are projected to surpass 221 million units in 2020, accounting for 12% of total mobile phone sales, and more than double to 489 million units in 2021.
In terms of smartphone sales by region, the Middle East and North Africa are expected to record 5.9%, the Asia-Pacific region 5.7%, and the Greater China region (including China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong) 5.1%, showing the highest growth rates in 2020.
Driven by strong demand for 5G phones and Apple's first launch of a 5G phone, sales are expected to drive the growth of smartphone demand in Greater China and the emerging Asia-Pacific region, recording 432.3 million and 376.8 million units, respectively.tyle="text-align: center;">
▲ Global smartphone sales to end users by region, 2019-2021
"In 2019, smartphone manufacturers struggled as the overall replacement cycle lengthened due to an oversupply of high-priced smartphones in mature markets," said Annette Zimmermann, Executive Vice President of Research at Gartner. "While global smartphone sales fell 2% year-over-year in 2019, marking the first decline in the global smartphone market since 2008, the market is expected to recover in 2020."
He added, “The commercialization of 5G phones will accelerate in 2020,” and “As 5G phones priced under $300 have been released, the growth rate of 5G phone sales will surpass that of 4G phone sales in 12 months.”
Meanwhile, at MWC 2020, attention is focused on all 5G devices regardless of price range, and manufacturers are expected to focus on 5G access and improvements in in-device camera technology.
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