Apple Expected to Lead 5G Smartphone Shipments in 2020

Though Apple has not yet come out with a 5G iPhone, the company is expected to lead the 5G smartphone market in 2020, according to a new report today from analytics firm Strategy Analytics.

Apple is expected to capture a dominant share of the emerging 5G market in 2020, following the launch of 5G iPhones. Strategy Analytics believes that Apple simply needs to match its current upgrade rates to dominate the 5G market after September 2020.

5gmarket2020

"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," comments Ken Hyers, Director at Strategy Analytics. "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," comments Ville-Petteri Ukonaho, 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."

All of the iPhones coming in 2020 are expected to include 5G technology, according to well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo originally believed that only the two higher-end iPhones coming in 2020 would support 5G, but later revised his prediction.

Apple will offer 5G speeds for all of its smartphones in order to better compete with lower-cost Android smartphones that support 5G. We're expecting a total of three iPhones in 2020, including a 5.4-inch model, a 6.7-inch model, and a 6.1-inch model.

The 5.4 and 6.7-inch iPhones are expected to be higher-end devices similar to the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, while the 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ will feature a lower price tag much like the ‌iPhone‌ 11.

Though Apple is expected to do well in the 5G smartphone market in 2020, Strategy Analytics ultimately believes that Samsung will be the 5G leader longterm due to its "dominance of the overall smartphone market" and broader range of price points.

Huawei's success, meanwhile, is limited by the US trade ban, but it is still expected to be the dominant 5G smartphone provider in China.

For more on Apple's plans for a ‌5G iPhone‌, make sure to check out our guide.

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Top Rated Comments

Neepman Avatar
65 months ago

And the 1149€ 11 pro will be worthless. No 5g.
Whats going to be worthless outside of a few major population centers is 5g for at least 3 more years.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rjohnstone Avatar
65 months ago
Apple doesn't release phones until Q3, so how on earth can they start leading in Q2?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M-Life Avatar
65 months ago

And the 1149€ 11 pro will be worthless. No 5g.
You and I have a very different definition of worthless.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
65 months ago

The real question is, when will carriers fully roll out 5G that is usable in your community.
Exactly.

And even if you're in a 5G community... will it work indoors?

I remember when Verizon and AT&T invited reviewers to the first 5G rollout cities... but all they could do is stand on the street corner, outdoors within sight of the antenna, doing speedtests.

If there was a tree between you and the antenna... you lose your 5G signal. And it certainly doesn't go through glass or walls, either.

So I have no idea how this is supposed to scale beyond a few blocks downtown.

Granted... Verizon and AT&T are using high-frequency mmWave technology for their 5G that has these distance and penetration limitations.

Perhaps T-Mobile and their 600MHz 5G will be better. Who knows.

But I read an article that said even if you have a 5G phone in a 5G area... you'll probably remain on 4G most, if not all, of the time.

So personally... I'm not too concerned about my next phone having 5G. Or maybe the next phone after that.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pennypacker83 Avatar
65 months ago
Carriers can't even get 3G to work properly in 2019.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
elvisimprsntr Avatar
65 months ago

And the 1149€ 11 pro will be worthless. No 5g.
I'll give you $10 for yours next year if you think it's worthless.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)