Strategy Analytics Device Technologies research service reports that Chinese vendors OPPO, vivo and Xiaomi captured $15 billion in 5G smartphone sales in Q1 2021.  5G revenues for these three vendors alone were nearly double their LTE revenues in the same period.  The data shows how rapidly Chinese smartphone vendors are shifting from 4G to 5G. The LTE phone market's value was cut in half in Q1 2021 as premium and high-tier devices migrated to 5G.

The report Global 5G and LTE Revenue and ASP by Vendor shows that revenues for 5G grew by over 500% annually in Q1 2021.  Apple led in 5G shipments and revenue in the most recent quarter. Apple also led in 4G LTE revenues.

In the global top-10 list by revenue for 5G, there are seven Chinese vendors such as OPPO, vivo and Xiaomi, who are moving upstream revenue-wise with aspirational devices. While Chinese vendors are succeeding in capturing a growing share of 5G volumes as they transition away from 4G, they cannot yet match the ASPs enjoyed by iconic brands Apple and Samsung in terms of customer willingness to pay. However, Chinese vendors are actively targeting more profitable upper-mid and high-tier devices and are closing the 5G ASP gap.

Chinese vendors are bringing much better value to international markets and in the process are forcing other brands to improve their mid-tier portfolios.

Clients of our Device Technologies service can access the report here.