According to Gartner’s forecast, global smartphone sales will reach 1.5 billion units in 2021, increasing 11.4% year-on-year.
Anshul Gupta, senior research director of Gartner, said: “In 2020, consumers reduced their consumption of smartphones, but the introduction of new products will lead to a much increase in user demand in 2021. The delay in smartphone updates and the launch of 5G low-end smartphones will drive sales growth in 2021.”
Smartphone sales in 2021 are expected to be close to the level of 2019.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry, smartphone sales have fallen by 10.5% in 2020 and are expected to rebound in 2021. The mature Asia-Pacific region, Western Europe and Latin America are expected to show the largest growth between 2020 and 2021.
5G is the next growth frontier for smartphones
The increasing maturity of 5G networks, coupled with the increase in 5G smartphones starting at $200, will lead to mature markets and China’s demand. Demand in emerging countries will drive the need to seek higher specification smartphones and 5G connectivity as optional features. Gartner predicts that global 5G smartphone sales will reach 538 million units in 2021, accounting for 35% of total smartphone sales that year.
