Apple’s iPhone 13 and 13 Pro models are poised to drive 5G-capable phone adoption in Canada, especially as we head into the holiday season.
According to Counterpoint Research observations, Apple devices continue to account for more than half of all smartphones sold in Canada. Additionally, Counterpoint notes that the iPhone has been a major factor in 5G penetration among wireless subscribers.
As we approach the fourth quarter of 2021, the holiday season and related promotional events will likely drive sales. Although it is rare to see promotions on the latest iPhones, there are likely to be deals on last year’s 5G-capable iPhone 12 lineup, which will encourage the adoption of 5G devices. Counterpoint notes that in the fourth quarter of 2020, Apple accounted for 60 percent of the total smartphone market in Canada and 64 percent of all 5G-enabled smartphones sold in Canada that quarter.
Furthermore, looking at 2020 as a whole, the fourth quarter alone accounts for 78 percent of 5G smartphone sales and 34 percent of total smartphones sold in Canada.
While last year’s data could indicate how sales will develop this year, Counterpoint also offers several… counterpoints to why things could play out differently this year. Factors like extended travel restrictions reducing immigration and international students or more moderate spending by Canadians as government support begins to dry up.
Counterpoint also highlights the mmWave issue. If you are not familiar with it, the short version is that the iPhone 13 models will not support mmWave 5G outside of the US That shouldn’t be a deal breaker for Canadians as no carrier currently offers mmWave 5G. Additionally, Canadian carriers’ 5G offerings barely count as 5G, and they won’t until they start rolling out 3,500MHz spectrum in the coming months and years. You can learn more about that here.