5G smartphone shipments gain momentum

Shenzhen-based Huawei shipped over 15 million 5G handsets in the first quarter this year, ranking it first in China’s 5G market. It seized 63 percent of the domestic 5G smartphone market and 40 percent of the global market as well in the first three months, according to Shenzhen Economic Daily, quoting executives of Huawei Technologies at a recent summit.

A report released by Counterpoint Research showed that Huawei had overtaken Samsung in April in the global smartphone market due to COVID-19 forcing the closure of physical stores and damped down the smartphone demand in Samsung’s markets in India, the U.S., Latin America, and parts of Europe.

The growth of Huawei could be attributed to the Chinese market that has recovered since April, while demand for new smartphones has collapsed in most international markets.

The Counterpoint Research report shows sales of 5G smartphones in China jumped over 15 percent in the first quarter with Huawei accounting for over half of the total sales.

Huawei has released more than 19 models of 5G phones with prices ranging from 2,000 yuan to 16,000 yuan (US$285-2,284), targeting different consumer groups. 5G handsets like the Mate 30 are in great demand across China, as many users have shown interest in upgrading to a 5G phone.