Mobile Makers Bet Big on 5G Ready Phones

It is a known fact that the fifth-generation technology standards for broadband cellular networks-widely known as ‘5G' will kick in only by 2022-end in India. However, numerous smartphone players have already upped their ante by launching products compatible with this network in order to be future ready.  Why? 

Prachir Singh, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research maintains, “5G smartphone brands are looking for future-proof devices. Decreasing prices of 5G smartphones and the push from the government for the 5G roll-out are the major drivers for 5G smartphones in India."

Counterpoint Research’s ‘India Market Outlook’ report said the 5G smartphone shipments in India is expected to hit the 38 million units mark in  2021 and will account for a 21 per cent share of the total smartphone market. Already, 5G Ready handsets like those from Apple iPhone 12 series, One Plus, Samsung, OPPO, Vivo, Xiaomi and others all available inarge number's creating the demand for more such products. 

“We will launch more products in the 5G smartphone segments,” said a Xiaomi India spokesperson. Oppo Mobiles India, which is among the top 5 smartphone sellers in India, recently disrupted the 5G ready handsets market by bringing in its A53s 5G at a ticket price of Rs 14,990. 

Damyant Singh Khanoria, Chief Marketing Officer, OPPO India said, “One of the big drivers of the success of the F19 Plus is that the consumers are actively asking for 5G devices. That is a big shift and it has happened in a matter of months. It is a feature that the consumers are actively looking out for. So, the big driver of sales (for 2021) is going to be 5G (devices).” 

Another Chinese player Vivo introduced V21, country’s slimmest 5G smartphone, and the X60 Series to redefine smartphone photography. 

"5G is no longer in the distant future. With 5G roll out in sight, we have decided that all new launches above Rs 20,000 that we do in India will be 5G enabled,” said Nipun Marya, Director-Brand Strategy, Vivo India." 

Realme, which aims to be the 5G Leader in India, Europe and other global markets, claims to be the first brand to launch a 5G smartphone -X50 Pro 5G- in India and maintains that all its products above Rs. 20k will be 5G products. 

“We will continue to bring the latest 5G processors to products in the sub-20k segment so that users can experience the latest technology at versatile price points and be future-ready," said a Realme India spokesperson.