The global 5G device market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 8.8%, reaching USD 1016.0 billion in 2031 from USD 666.4 billion in 2026.
Expansion of 5G services
The growth of 5G services holds the potential for numerous captivating applications, ushering in a more interconnected world through remarkable speeds from cutting-edge communication technologies. The pressing focus for providers engaged in constructing 5G network infrastructure and facilitating widespread service lies in creating sophisticated systems that can manage this surge in usage while also expediting deployment and reducing network technology expenses. This endeavor not only introduces novel customer experiences but also plays a pivotal role in fostering business expansion.
In January 2023, KDDI initiated the operational rollout of 5G Open vRAN sites in Japan, partnering with Samsung Electronics and Fujitsu Limited. This endeavor, driven by an open, wireless framework, seeks to enrich equipment acquisition choices and establish efficient, high-capacity infrastructure. Consequently, users possessing current 5G NSA smartphones can relish uninterrupted, seamless communication experiences akin to those enjoyed previously.
In May 2022, Fujikura partnered with Global Foundries to expedite the widespread adoption of 5G mmWave Technologies in both mobile and fixed wireless infrastructure sectors. Fujikura's investment in PAAM technology stems from its capability to deliver an optimized blend of performance, power efficiency, modularity, programmability, cost-effectiveness, and seamless integration for customers in the 5G mmWave infrastructure domain.
Evolving 5G Consumer Device Implementation
The growth of the 5G devices market is being driven by numerous opportunities, which stem from the positive reception of 5G technology in worldwide marketplaces. According to Ericsson Consumer Lab's July 2022 study, online interviews with 49,100 respondents were performed from April to July in 37 markets. According to studies, the next phase of 5G is emerging, with mainstream customers in early adopter markets demonstrating increased adoption of this technology. Another benefit of 5G is its ability to remotely manage machines and machinery, which could lead to improved medical services and procedures, particularly in neglected rural areas. Furthermore, 5G's remote control capabilities improve safety by allowing heavy machinery to be managed from a distance, reducing dangers in hazardous conditions.
In August 2023, Optus, Ericsson, and MediaTek announced the first over-the-air data call in Australia using Ericsson's RedCap software on Optus' 5G network. This achievement enables Optus to implement 5G in simpler, low-power RedCap devices, facilitated by Ericsson's advanced software utilizing the available 5G spectrum.
In August 2022, MediaTek unveiled its new inclusion in the 5G lineup – the T830 platform designed for 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) routers and mobile hotspot customer-premise equipment (CPE). The T830 incorporates MediaTek's M80 modem, featuring advanced Release 16 capabilities for sub-6GHz band functions, making it suitable for global 5G networks.
A rise in 5G subscriptions
The data by Ericsson reinforces 5G's status as the most rapidly expanding mobile connectivity generation. This growth is propelled by factors such as the timely availability of devices from various manufacturers, accompanied by falling prices more rapidly than seen in the 4G era. China's significant initial 5G rollouts also contribute to this trend.
According to Ericsson Mobility's projections, the global count of 5G subscriptions is expected to reach around 4.6 billion by the close of 2028, constituting over half of all mobile subscriptions. This trajectory will establish 5G as the dominant mobile access technology in terms of subscriptions by 2028. Over the period of July to September 2022, roughly 110 million 5G subscriptions were added worldwide, elevating the total to approximately 950.9 million. Aligning with earlier forecasts, 5G is still anticipated to achieve one billion subscriptions by the end of the projected year.
According to the April 2023 5G-Devices Ecosystem Member Report, the number of declared 5G devices increased by 3% between February and March 2023, totalling 1,896. Of these, 1,513 are proven to be consumer-accessible, accounting for 79.8% of all reported 5G devices. This is a 51.3% increase in the number of commercial 5G devices accessible since the end of March 2022.
The High Penetration of 5G Devices Ecosystem
According to the GSMA, as of March 2023, phones account for 989 percent of all 5G-capable devices disclosed, followed by 277 fixed wireless access customer-premises equipment (CPE) devices for indoor and outdoor use. The market, however, is substantially larger, with 219 modules, 68 battery-powered hot spots, and 46 tablets. Almost 1,000 other 5G devices, including fixed wireless access (FWA) equipment and battery-powered hotspots, are either commercially available or will be available soon. There has been a steady increase in commercially available devices since the start of the year, and this trend is expected to continue.
Smartphones are expected to grow the fastest
Market participants emphasize delivering a premium 5G smartphone experience to consumers. As an illustration, Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC in May 2022, featuring clock speeds reaching 3.2 GHz, tailored for significant smartphone integration. The chip incorporates the fourth-generation Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System, offering speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
Numerous smartphone manufacturers adjust their strategies and launch plans based on local market reactions, striving to succeed in fiercely competitive sectors. In August of the prior year, Samsung revealed intentions to introduce additional smartphones in the Indian market, following its accomplishment of recording INR 600 crore in sales within less than 12 hours for its latest generation of 5G-enabled foldable devices.
Some of the leading players in the market include Apple Inc., MediaTek, and Norsat International Inc., among others. The major corporations provide a range of products that include the following:
COMPANY NAME |
PRODUCT NAME |
DESCRIPTION |
Apple Inc. | iPhone | Apple's flagship product, the iPhone, is involved in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of smartphones. The inclusion of 5G technology in the iPhone enables users to achieve rapid download speeds for movies, seamless streaming of high-quality videos, and HD FaceTime calls at remarkable speed. |
MediaTek | CPE | The MediaTek T830 Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) provides an avenue for device manufacturers and mobile operators to develop exceptionally high-performing multi-gigabit products, like compact fixed wireless access (FWA) routers and even mobile hotspots (Mi-Fi), maximizing efficiency in compact designs. |
Norsat International Inc. | C-Band 5G Bandpass Filter | Norsat's bandpass filters effectively eliminate ground-based interference within the C-Band, effortlessly installable between the feed and an LNB. Designed to complement Norsat's existing C-Band LNBs, these filters are weather-sealed and moisture-resistant (IP66) under the BPF/BPF-C Series. |
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Companies |
|
By Device Type
Smartphones
Industrial Routers
FWA CPE
Modules
Others
By Deployment
Standalone (SA)
Non-Standalone (NSA)
By Geography
Americas
United States
Others
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Germany
UK
Others
Asia Pacific
China
Japan
South Korea
Others