Global smartphone sales fell 5.4 percent year-over-year to 384.6 million devices in the fourth quarter. However, Apple increased sales by almost 15 percent to about 80 million. It replaced the world’s largest smartphone retailer, Samsung’s South Korean competitor, whose quarterly sales fell by almost 12 percent to about 62 million devices.
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Apple launched a new generation of its iPhone smartphones last fall. All devices from the new iPhone 12 series can use fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks. Gartner noted that growing demand for 5G phones helped ease the decline in the smartphone market in the fourth quarter.
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The individual models differ from each other mainly in the size of the screen. The new iPhone 12 will offer a 6.1-inch screen, the smaller version a 5.4-inch screen. Two sizes are also available for the more luxurious Pro edition, namely the iPhone 12 Pro boasts a 6.1-inch display and the iPhone 12 Pro Max a 6.7-inch display. The Pro versions are more luxurious and have an extra telephoto lens on the back.
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Of all four novelties, the cheapest version is 12 mini, and those interested will pay CZK 21,990 for it. People will then pay three thousand crowns for the iPhone 12 (CZK 24,990). Of course, the price tags are even higher for variants with the word Pro in the name, namely CZK 29,990 (iPhone 12 Pro) and CZK 33,990 (12 Pro Max).
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Introducing the Apple iPhone 12 smartphone
Video: manufacturer’s archive
Apple iPhone 12
Photo: manufacturer’s archive
Samsung reigns throughout the year
Throughout last year, Samsung maintained its leading position in the market, although sales fell by almost 15 percent to 253 million devices. Apple increased year-round sales by three percent to 200 million devices. He thus dropped the Chinese rival Huawei from second place, whose sales fell by 24 percent to about 183 million devices last year due to sanctions by the United States.
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In the fourth quarter alone, Huawei dropped to fifth place, with Chinese competitors Xiaomi and Oppo overtaking the company. Huawei’s quarterly sales fell 41 percent year-over-year to about 58 million.
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The United States accuses Huawei of stealing technology and suspects the company of spying for the Chinese government. But the company has been rejecting this for a long time. Last November, Huawei sold Honor to the low-cost phone division due to US sanctions.
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Gartner expects global smartphone sales to return to growth this year. “The availability of cheaper 5G smartphones and innovative features will be decisive factors this year to motivate users to replace phones with more modern models,” said Gartner analyst Anshul Gupta. In early February, Gartner predicted that worldwide smartphone sales could reach 1.5 billion devices this year.
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Revolution named 5G
5G will change everything – and it will be a much more dramatic change than the ones we associate with the advent of wireless technology. The 5G standard will not only be used to connect computers and mobile phones to the Internet. It will also be used by smart devices, which are gradually settling in domestic households.
The new generation of mobile internet will find application, for example, in transport, virtual reality, sports, but also in the field of health.
Likewise, smart washing machines and refrigerators will be connected to 5G networks, but also, for example, autonomous cars – a fast and stable Internet connection on the road is key to their development.
While 5G may only seem like another mobile standard, in reality its benefits will be far greater. According to Ericsson studies, the fifth generation of mobile networks will make high-speed Internet accessible to up to a billion people and devices. What’s more, it will allow the expansion of modern technology.
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