The Best-Selling 5G Phone in October is the 'iPhone 12'

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[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The iPhone 12 became the best-selling 5G smartphone globally in October.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research on the 21st (local time), the iPhone 12 ranked first in 5G smartphone sales with a market share of 16%. The iPhone 12 Pro took second place with an 8% share. The combined market share of the two products reached 24%, accounting for one-quarter of total 5G smartphone sales.

The Galaxy Note20 Ultra, which ranked first in 5G smartphone sales in September, fell to third place with a 4% share. Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy S20 Plus each held a 2% share, ranking 8th and 9th in 5G smartphone sales respectively.

Top 10 Global 5G Smartphone Models by Sales in October (Source: Counterpoint Research)

Apple's first 5G iPhone caused a sensation from the early stages of its release. The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro began pre-sales on October 16 in the US, China, and other countries, and within two weeks secured the top two bestseller spots. In South Korea, pre-sales increased by more than 30% compared to the previous model. Even before the iPhone 12's release, analysts predicted a 'super cycle' in the 5G smartphone market, forecasting that Apple would achieve record-breaking sales.

The strong performance of the iPhone 12 is supported by promotions from US carriers and steady demand in China and Japan. In particular, US carriers led aggressive promotions such as trade-in offers and free iPhone 12 devices for unlimited plan subscribers, accounting for one-third of iPhone sales in a month.

The strong demand for the iPhone 12 is expected to be especially robust toward the end of the year and continue into early next year. Barun Misra, a researcher at Counterpoint Research, explained, "There is significant pent-up demand among iOS users to switch to 5G, and this is currently translating into sales," adding, "Thanks to the strong sales of the iPhone 12, Apple's global ASP is expected to increase."

Meanwhile, Counterpoint Research forecasted that the iPhone 12 will accelerate the spread of 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) technology. The iPhone 12 sold in the US supports millimeter wave, which helped increase the adoption rate of mmWave 5G smartphones from 5% in September to 12% in October.