• by Chuck Martin , February 21, 2020

Global shipments of 5G smartphones are estimated to reach 199 million units in 2020, according to a new forecast by Strategy Analytics.

That's growth from 19 million units shipped in 2019 amid disruption caused by the coronavirus scare.

“The global 5G smartphone industry is growing quickly, but the ongoing coronavirus scare and subsequent economic slowdown will put a cap on overall 5G demand this year,” stated Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics. “The COVID-19 outbreak is restricting smartphone production in Asia, disrupting supply chains and deterring consumers from visiting retail stores to buy new 5G devices in some parts of China. The first half of 2020 will be much weaker than expected for the 5G industry, but we expect a strong bounce-back in the second half of the year if the coronavirus spread is brought under control.”

The 5G segment is projected to be the fastest-growing part of the global smartphone industry this year.

Total smartphone shipments globally in 2020 are estimated at 1.3 billion, with 5G phones at 15% of the total.