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That was fast. Part of Appleis (NASDAQ: AAPL) The new iPhone 12 lineup, which supports 5G connectivity on all models, has already become the world’s # 1 5G smartphone, according to recent estimates from Counterpoint Research. 5G penetration had increased prior to Apple’s official foray, but the Mac maker’s inclusion of 5G capability was expected to be a major catalyst for adoption of the nascent technology.
The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro were released in late October, quickly giving Apple a commanding lead in 5G.
IPhone 12 is the most popular 5G smartphone. Image source: Apple.
Grab 24% stake right away
Counterpoint estimates that Apple accounted for a whopping 24% of 5G smartphone unit sales worldwide in October, despite the new phones launching on October 23 after a week of pre-orders. These are the top five models for that month, according to the market researcher.
|
Model |
October 2020 Market Share |
|---|---|
|
Apple iPhone 12 |
sixteen% |
|
Apple iPhone 12 Pro |
8% |
|
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G |
4% |
|
Huawei Nova 7 5G |
3% |
|
Huawei P40 5G |
3% |
Data source: Counterpoint Research.
There were several factors that contributed to the strong performance of the Cupertino company. Not only is there considerable pent-up demand for 5G technology within the iOS user base, but wireless carriers in the US have been particularly aggressive with promotional activity during this product cycle. Operators have been pouring billions into 5G network upgrades and want to lock in consumers to help recoup those costs. The United States accounted for more than a third of iPhone 12 and 12 Pro sales in October, according to the report.
5G coverage in the US remains disappointing, but other markets like China have rolled out next-generation cellular technology on a broader scale. IPhone customers in those regions will be able to take advantage of much higher data speeds than the average American consumer.
Apple’s decision to include mmWave support is also incentivizing carriers to implement those frequencies, Counterpoint notes. The mmWave spectrum is capable of delivering incredibly high speeds but offset in range as these signals cannot penetrate buildings. MmWave penetration among 5G smartphones jumped from 5% in September to 12% in October.
Looking to the future
The estimates only apply to October, but there is reason to believe that Apple capitalized on its momentum. The iPhone 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max were launched in mid-November, a few weeks after the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro. This was the first time Apple has introduced four new iPhone models in one year, allowing it to cater to a spectrum. more diverse of prices and consumer preferences.
Counterpoint believes that demand for the iPhone 12 will remain strong during the important fourth quarter, in addition to heading into early 2021.
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