China to drive 5G smartphone adoption rate, expected to be 10 times that of 4G era, says researcher IDC

In 2020, a total of 190 million 5G-enabled smartphones are expected to be shipped, accounting for 14% of the total that year. — SCMP

Although global smartphone growth is likely to remain subdued in coming years, consumers are expected to embrace the next-generation 5G network in its early stages, driving up the 5G share of the total market, according to a forecast by research firm International Data Corporation (IDC).

The researcher has raised its short-term 5G forecast due to recent developments in the China market and in anticipation of aggressive activity from the smartphone supply chain and outsourcing providers, said Ryan Reith, programme vice-president with IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers.