Global smartphone sales are currently dominated by 4G LTE, but the technology will eventually be surpassed by 5G. Beginning first in China, Japan, South Korea and the USA, sales of 5G smartphones will grow rapidly in other countries from 2020 onwards.  The next tier of countries to drive rapid 5G smartphone sales volumes in the coming decade will include France, Germany and the UK. By mid-decade all major global regions will be transitioning to 5G and 5G smartphone sales volumes will surpass 4G LTE in 2024.

In a key new report, Strategy Analytics' Device Technology practice breaks down where the growth in smartphone technology will come from, including where 5G smartphone sales will grow fastest, 4G will remain strongest, and where 3G smartphones will retain a foothold longest.  Clients of our Device Technology practice can access the report, Global Smartphone Sales Forecasts by Technology for 88 Countries to 2024, here.