India beats the US to emerge as the second-biggest market for 5G smartphones

• India has overtaken the US to become the second biggest market for 5G smartphones.
• Apple leads 5G smartphone shipments with a 25% market share.
• The share of 5G smartphones is expected to rise to 65% in 2025.

India has emerged as the second biggest market for 5G smartphones in the world, beating the US to take its spot, amid a rise in 5G smartphone shipments across the world.

According to a report by Counterpoint Research, global 5G smartphone shipments recorded a 20% growth in the first six months of 2024 amid a decline in 5G smartphone prices.

5G smartphone share crosses 50%

For the first time, the share of 5G smartphones in the overall smartphone shipments crossed 50% in the first half of 2024.


“5G handset shipments have been growing steadily and with the increased availability of 5G handsets in the budget segment, the emerging markets have witnessed high growth in this segment,” said Prachir Singh, senior analyst, Counterpoint Research.

India emerges as the second biggest market for 5G smartphones

India has emerged as the second biggest market for 5G smartphones behind China in the first six months of 2024, overtaking the US.

As per the report, strong shipment of 5G devices from Xiaomi, Samsung and Vivo, among other brands in the budget segment helped fuel the rise of 5G devices in the country.

“Other emerging markets also witnessed high growth in 5G handsets. Consumers in emerging markets are looking at 5G handsets as an upgrade to their devices, even in the lower price segments,” Singh added.

India recorded the highest growth in 5G smartphone shipments among the top five countries.

India’s 5G smartphone shipments increased by 60% from H1 2023 to H1 2024. During the same period, China recorded a 14% growth, while the US recorded a mere 2% growth.

Out of the total 5G smartphones shipped globally, 32% were shipped to China, followed by 13% each to India and the US.

Apple leads 5G smartphone shipments

With all of Apple’s smartphones being 5G enabled, the Cupertino tech giant leads the 5G race, accounting for over 25% of 5G smartphone shipments. Samsung comes in second with a 21% share.

“ As the democratisation of 5G handsets increases with increasing 5G penetration in lower price segments as well as increasing expansion of 5G networks, this trend will further grow. The ongoing global premiumization trend will further fuel this growth. According to our market outlook, 5G share will cross 57% in 2024 and 65% in 2025,” said Tarun Pathak, research director, Counterpoint Research.

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