Global WiFi-enabled phone sales will decline in 2020 as the global Covid-19 pandemic affects smartphone sales. The WiFi standard 802.11ac remains the most used standard but new standards are emerging, such as 802.11ax, which promises faster data speeds, lower battery consumption and improved QoS. In a new report, Global WiFi Handset and Smartphone Sales Forecast by WiFi Technology: 2010 to 2025, Strategy Analytics analyzes and forecasts WiFi-enabled handsets and smartphones by standard and band on a global and regional basis.

The majority of handsets sold today, and all smartphones, are WiFi enabled. There are multiple WiFi standards; currently WiFi 5 (802.11ac) is the standard found in the majority of smartphones.

WiFi is an essential technology for smartphones, allowing them to communicate with access points for high-speed data and voice. Increasingly WiFi will also allow smartphones to directly communicate with each other. Outside of cellular technology, WiFi is the most important wireless technology found in smartphones today, and for the foreseeable future.  WiFi is a key complement to 5G communications.

Clients of Strategy Analytics Device Technologies practice can access the report here.