Narrative: Global 5G Smartphone Shipments Forecast to 2026
2 Min Read August 8, 2025
5G smartphone forecast: Apple leads 2024 shipments; Samsung gains by 2026. Analyze market trends and mmWave adoption. Access the full report today.
Global 5G smartphone shipments have resumed growth following a period of market stagnation. In 2024, Apple led all vendors with over 25% of global 5G shipments, followed by Samsung and Xiaomi. However, by 2026, Apple’s lead is expected to narrow as Samsung accelerates its shipment growth. Meanwhile, 5G mmWave technology remains largely confined to North America and Japan, where it is primarily used for fixed wireless access and niche high-speed applications.
