The latest report from Juniper Research, 5G Smartphones: Trends, Regional Analysis, and Market Forecasts 2021-2026, predicts that 5G-enabled terminals will account for the majority of smartphone sales revenue by 2025. Global smartphone sales revenue will reach $337 billion by 2025, up from $108 billion in 2021, the report said.
The report predicts that successful handset providers must be able to provide products capable of handling large bandwidth and ultra-low latency rf to ensure mobile users can effectively use cloud computing services, while maintaining price competitiveness.
In addition, Juniper Research expects the launch of more low-end 5G smartphones to be a key driver of 5G adoption in emerging markets. In response, it said that by 2025, Android smartphones worldwide will be 65 percent cheaper than iphones.
This lower average price will lead to Android smartphones dominating the 5G smartphone market in regions such as Latin America, the report predicts, but by contrast, the continued popularity of iOS terminals in developed markets will see North America and Europe account for 40% of global 5G smartphone sales revenue by 2025.
Looking ahead, Juniper Research calls on handset manufacturers to ensure that hardware maximizes the benefits of future mobile cloud computing solutions. It highlights how mobile cloud computing enables service providers to move intensive tasks to the cloud, freeing up resources on the terminal for basic mobile processes.
Juniper Research also warned that upcoming "right to repair" bills in North America and Europe will limit long-term revenue from 5G smartphone shipments as more phone users choose to repair older phones rather than upgrade to next-generation devices.
Report author Adam Wears comments, "The effects of these [market forces] will not be felt initially as consumers adopt 5G smartphones to enjoy the super speeds and lower latency of 5G networks. "Hardware vendors must take advantage of this opportunity to build new device features that encourage consumers to continue to upgrade regularly and avoid switching to competitors."
