India has become the second-largest 5G smartphone market globally, according to a report by Counterpoint Research, with China retaining its position as the leader. Prachir Singh, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, attributed India’s growth to strong performance in the budget segment by brands like Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi. He noted, “5G handset shipments have been growing steadily, and with increased availability of 5G handsets in the budget segment, emerging markets have witnessed significant growth.”

The report reveals that China holds 32% of the global 5G smartphone market, followed by India with 13%. The US, previously in second place, now holds 10% of the market.

Globally, Apple leads in 5G handset shipments with over 25% market share, driven primarily by the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 series. Samsung follows closely with 21% market share, boosted by its Galaxy A and S24 series. Both Apple and Samsung dominated the top-10 list of 5G smartphone models in the first half of 2024.

India played a crucial role in Xiaomi’s growth, helping the brand achieve a triple-digit growth rate in the country, alongside notable gains in the Middle East, Europe, and China. Vivo also experienced substantial growth in India, further boosting its global standing.

Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint, highlighted that over 54% of total handset sales in H1 2024 were 5G-enabled, marking the first time 5G penetration surpassed 50%. As 5G networks expand and prices drop, this trend is expected to continue.