It may be hard for some us to remember what it was like before 3G and 4G enabled devices, which allow us to browse the internet, send messages, and check our email at lightning speed. The demand for an even faster connection coupled with a desire for progressively smarter and more advanced technology has propelled the global 3G/4G devices market.
Two major “events” have led to an increase in the proliferation of 3G and 4G devices: the shutting down of 2G networks across the globe, and the emergence of the Internet of Things, one of technology’s hottest topics. Both require faster internet and play a crucial role in driving the market, which was valued at $447.8 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $533.2 billion by 2020, with a CAGR of 3.55%.
Top vendors in the global 3G/4G devices market
Vendors are broken down into 3 categories: smartphones (the largest, making up over 95% of the market landscape), tablets, and mobile hotspots. There is some overlap between categories, as mentioned below.
Smartphones
Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Its hardware products include the iPhone smartphone, the iPad tablet computer, the Mac personal computer, the iPod portable media player, and the Apple Watch smartwatch.
Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Driven by responsible operations, ongoing innovation, and open collaboration, the company has established a competitive ICT portfolio of end-to-end solutions in telecom and enterprise networks, devices, and cloud computing.
Founded in 1984, Lenovo grew to become China’s leading PC company, and then acquired IBM’s Personal Computing Division, the creators of the first personal computer. It designs, develops, manufactures and sells personal computers, tablet computers, smartphones, workstations, servers, electronic storage devices, IT management software and smart televisions.
LG Electronics was established in 1958 and has since led the way into the advanced digital era thanks to the technological expertise acquired by manufacturing many home appliances such as radios and TVs. LG Electronics has unveiled many new products, applied new technologies in the form of mobile devices and digital TVs in the 21st century and continues to reinforce its status as a global company.
For over 70 years, Samsung has been dedicated to making a better world through diverse businesses that today span advanced technology, semiconductors, skyscraper and plant construction, petrochemicals, fashion, medicine, finance, hotels, and more. Our flagship company, Samsung Electronics, leads the global market in high-tech electronics manufacturing and digital media.
Xiaomi was founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneur Lei Jun. The company creates remarkable hardware, software, and internet services for and with the help of our Mi fans. With more than 61 million handsets sold in 2014, and products launched in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, India, Indonesia and Brazil, Xiaomi is expanding its footprint across the world to become a global brand.
Tablets*
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. is a Taiwanese multinational computer hardware and electronics company headquartered in Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan. Its products include desktops, laptops, netbooks, mobile phones, networking equipment, monitors, projectors, motherboards, graphics cards, optical storage, multimedia products, peripherals, wearables, servers, workstations, and tablet PCs. Asus is the world’s 4th-largest PC vendor by 2015 unit sales.
Amazon.com, Inc. is an American electronic commerce and cloud computing company with headquarters in Seattle, Washington. It is the largest Internet-based retailer in the United States. Amazon.com started as an online bookstore; the company also produces consumer electronics—notably, Amazon Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets, and Fire TV —and is the world’s largest provider of cloud infrastructure services (IaaS).
*Apple, Samsung, and Lenovo are also included in this segment
Mobile Hotspots*
NETGEAR, Inc. is an American global networking company that delivers products to consumers, businesses and service providers. Netgear sells products through multiple sales channels worldwide, including traditional retailers, online retailers, wholesale distributors, direct market resellers (“DMRs”), value-added resellers (“VARs”), and broadband service providers.
NovAtel’s GPS legacy began in the early 1990s with a small dedicated group of geomatics engineers driven by the exciting possibilities of an emerging technology. Since then it has evolved into a global leader of over 350 employees with the industry’s most comprehensive line of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) products.
ZTE Corporation is a global leader in telecommunications and information technology. As part of ZTE’s M-ICT strategy, the company is committed to provide integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value to consumers, carriers, businesses and public sector customers around the world, enabling increased connectivity and productivity to unlock the power of technology for society.
*Huawei is also included in this segment
