Chinese consumers to account for one-third of 5G smartphones globally by 2023, says research firm

With the commercialisation phase of the next-generation 5G network officially underway, Chinese consumers are expected to account for one-third of 5G-enabled handsets globally within five years, according to research agency Canalys.

Greater China, including mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, will account for 34 per cent of 5G smartphone shipments in 2023, followed by North America at 18.8 per cent and Asia-Pacific at 17.4 per cent, according to a Canalys research note released this week.

The research agency also expects that 5G-enabled handsets will reach nearly 800 million units by 2023, accounting for 51.4 per cent of all smartphone shipments, exceeding 4G smartphones within five years of 5G’s global commercial launch.

5G is also expected to lead global smartphone market expansion in 2020 after an overall decline in the market this year, according to Counterpoint, a Hong Kong-based research agency.

In a report last week Counterpoint said China would dominate the global 5G smartphone market, with its share of 5G shipments above 30 per cent in 2020, up from an estimated 25 per cent this year.

Following South Korea, the US, Australia and the UK launched initial commercial 5G mobile services in the second quarter.