India has emerged as the world’s second-largest 5G handset market, surpassing the US for the first time, according to a report by Counterpoint Research. China remains the leading market for 5G handsets. The global shipment of 5G devices grew by 20% year-on-year in the first half of 2024, with Apple dominating the market, holding over 25% of the global share.
The rise in 5G handset shipments is attributed to the increased availability of budget-friendly 5G devices, which has significantly boosted growth in emerging markets. In India, strong shipments from brands like Xiaomi, Vivo, and Samsung contributed to this achievement. Senior analyst Prachir Singh noted that these budget segment shipments played a crucial role in India’s ascension in the rankings.
Samsung captured more than 21% of the global 5G handset market, driven by its Galaxy A and S24 series. Apple and Samsung each occupied five spots in the top-10 list for 5G models during the first half of 2024, with Apple claiming the top four spots.
The Asia-Pacific region led global growth, accounting for 63% of new 5G net adds and a 58% share of 5G shipments. Europe, the Middle East, and Africa also saw double-digit growth in 5G handset shipments.
Research Director Tarun Pathak emphasized that the expansion of 5G networks and the increasing availability of 5G devices at lower price points are expected to drive further growth in this sector.
