According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global sales of 5G smartphones will reach 160 million in 2020 – if 5G takes off as expected in China. Huawei is best positioned to capture the majority of China’s 5G smartphone sales and could leverage that success to regain its global smartphone standing.

Ken Hyers, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “As China goes, so goes the 5G ambitions of chip-makers Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Unisoc, all of whom have been applauding the rapid rise in the number of 5G models licensed in recent months.”

Ville Petteri-Ukonaho, Associate Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Significantly, China holds the key to 5G volumes in 2020. The winner in China will have huge leverage for driving down the learning curve of 5G devices.”

David Kerr, Senior Vice President at Strategy Analytics, added, “Samsung is the undisputed global 5G leader, but currently has just a 1% share of the Chinese smartphone market. China is expected to be the largest 5G smartphone market, with 5G phone sales potentially hitting 80 million in 2020. Huawei has recently accelerated and intensified its efforts in its home market to counter international uncertainty. By Q2 2019 it had expanded its smartphone marketshare there to almost 40%, far outpacing all other competitors. It is well positioned to leverage that dominant position to take a commanding lead in China’s 5G smartphone market in 2020 and beyond.”

Kerr continued, “If China meets its aggressive targets, Huawei could cut deeply into Samsung’s 5G leadership, positioning it for recovery and growth in Western Europe and other global markets.”