The latest research from Strategy Analytics' Device Technologies service shows that 5G smartphone sales as a proportion of total smartphone sales, have nearly reached the half-way mark. In 2021 5G smartphones will account for 46% of all smartphones sold globally.  Early in 2022 they will officially pass the 50% mark - that's faster than any previous "G" has hit that point, indicating the importance that operators, vendors and governments put into shifting to 5G.

5G Countries & 5G Penetration of the 3 Largest Smartphone Countries



But 4G still is and will remain a core G for smartphones for years to come. It's incredibly relevant to many emerging markets where 5G networks are years away from being launched. And even in fast growing 5G markets like China, the USA and elsewhere, 4G networks will remain the backbone of cellular networks, carrying substantial traffic for the foreseeable future; while consumers will be using 5G smartphones like the latest iPhone 13 for all of their smartphone activities, much/most of that traffic will be moving on LTE networks.

Strategy Analytics latest Device Technologies report, Global Smartphone Sales Forecast by Technology for 88 Countries: 2017 to 2026, tracks and forecasts 5G smartphone sales, as well as smartphone sales for 2G, 3G and 4G phones.  Clients of our Device Technologies service can access the report here.