Report Overview

South Africa 5G Devices Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2031

South Africa 5G Devices Market size was estimated at USD 1,381.63 million in 2024. During the forecast period between 2025 and 2031, South Africa 5G Devices Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 36.5% reaching a value of USD 12,198.87 million by 2031. Prominent drivers of South Africa 5G Devices Market include the rapid expansion of 5G coverage which was already accessible to over half of the population by end 2024 led by major operators, including MTN and Vodacom, and the rising affordability of 5G enabled handsets. Subscriber numbers reached 10.8 million in 2025 combining mobile and fixed wireless access (FWA) users and are forecast to climb to 42 million with 73% population coverage by 2029. Increasing investments, growing adoption of FWA solutions, and upcoming technologies, such as 5.5G and direct to consumer satellite connectivity, are set to reshape South Africa 5G Devices Market enabling faster speeds, lower latency, and broader digital inclusion. While high device costs infrastructure demands and regulatory challenges remain the market is poised for substantial growth fostering innovation across sectors like healthcare manufacturing and agriculture and positioning South Africa as a key player in the continent’s digital transformation.

5G Devices – Overview

5G devices are electronic equipment that connect to fifth generation mobile networks, offering ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and reliable connectivity. They include smartphones, tablets, laptops, fixed wireless access equipment, wearables, and IoT products, enabling advanced applications like streaming, gaming, and real time communication across consumer, enterprise, and industrial sectors.

South Africa 5G Devices Market

Growth Drivers

Increasing Affordability of 5G Smartphones

The falling cost of 5G smartphones is emerging as a significant catalyst for the growth of South Africa 5G Devices Market. By early 2025, consumers could access a diverse selection of 5G-enabled devices for under ZAR 5,000, with certain models, such as the MTN Icon 5G, retailing for as low as ZAR 1,899 following price reductions. Competitive pricing strategies, including operator-led subsidies and promotional discounts, are making 5G technology accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, government measures such as ad valorem duty exemptions on devices below ZAR 2,500 are helping reduce retail prices even further. These developments are not only enabling greater consumer adoption but also encouraging the migration from legacy 2G and 3G networks to advanced 5G infrastructure. With brands like ZTE, Hisense, Samsung, Oppo, and Tecno introducing budget-friendly models, the availability of affordable 5G smartphones is expanding rapidly. This surge in accessibility is bridging the digital divide, fostering inclusive connectivity, and strengthening the overall growth trajectory of South Africa 5G Devices Market.

Challenges

High Upfront Costs of Premium Devices

While budget-friendly 5G smartphones are gaining traction, the high upfront cost of premium devices continues to pose a significant barrier to growth of South Africa 5G Devices Market. Flagship models from leading brands often retail above ZAR 20,000, putting them out of reach for most consumers in a price-sensitive market. Limited access to financing options and the preference for lower-cost alternatives further slow the adoption of these high-performance devices. Consequently, a substantial segment of potential users remains excluded from the advanced features and capabilities of premium 5G smartphones, which in turn restricts the pace of overall expansion of South Africa 5G Devices Market.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on South Africa 5G Devices Market

Escalating geopolitical tensions could significantly impact the growth of South Africa 5G Devices Market by disrupting global supply chains, increasing production costs, and creating uncertainties in technology partnerships. Restrictions on trade with key manufacturing nations, sanctions, and component shortages can delay product availability and push up device prices. Additionally, strained diplomatic relations may hinder collaborations between South African telecom operators and foreign 5G technology providers. Such instability can slow network rollouts, limit access to advanced hardware, and reduce consumer adoption rates. Ultimately, geopolitical pressures may constrain market growth by affecting both the supply and affordability of 5G devices in South Africa.

South Africa 5G Devices Market

Segmental Coverage

South Africa 5G Devices Market – By Device Type

Based on device type, South Africa 5G Devices Market is divided into Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) / Fixed Wireless Access Devices, Wearables, and other device types (including AR/VR headsets) segments. The smartphones segment holds the largest share of South Africa 5G Devices Market by device type. The segment comprises 5G-enabled smartphones designed to provide ultra-fast internet speeds, low latency, and superior connectivity. A key growth driver is the rising availability of affordable models, making 5G technology accessible to a wider range of consumers. With an increasing number of manufacturers introducing diverse and feature-rich devices, demand continues to surge. This trend is accelerating the adoption of 5G across the mobile industry, solidifying smartphones as the dominant category in the country’s 5G devices market. Meanwhile, the laptops segment is expected to record fastest growth rate during the forecast period. It is driven by rising adoption of 5G-enabled portable computers. These devices integrate advanced 5G connectivity, enabling high-speed internet access anytime and anywhere. The growing preference for laptops that combine mobility with ultra-fast, reliable connectivity is fueling demand, particularly among professionals and remote workers who require seamless video conferencing, rapid downloads, and uninterrupted online collaboration. As digital transformation accelerates across work, education, and entertainment, 5G-enabled laptops are emerging as vital tools for enhancing productivity and ensuring smooth user experiences in both personal and professional environments.

South Africa 5G Devices Market – By Connectivity

By connectivity, South Africa 5G Devices Market is divided into Sub-6 GHz, mmWave, and Both segments. The sub-6 GHz segment holds the highest share in South Africa 5G Devices Market by connectivity. The frequency band delivers a balanced combination of coverage range and data speed, making it ideal for both urban and suburban deployments. Its strong penetration capabilities ensure reliable connectivity even through physical barriers, supporting a wide array of applications. The growing adoption of sub-6 GHz technology is driven by its ability to provide extensive coverage and stable performance, positioning it as a preferred spectrum choice for many 5G-enabled devices and a key driver of market expansion.

South Africa 5G Devices Market – By Distribution Channel

On the basis of distribution channel, South Africa 5G Devices Market is segmented into Online Retail, Offline Retail, and Telecom Operator Stores.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in South Africa 5G Devices Market include MTN Group Ltd, Vodacom Group Ltd, Telkom SA SOC Ltd, Cell C Ltd, Rain (Pty) Ltd, Huawei Technologies Africa (Pty) Ltd, Samsung Electronics South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Lenovo (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, Hisense SA Sales Holdings (Pty) Ltd, ZTE Corporation South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cellucity (Pty) Ltd, Mr Price Mobile (Pty) Ltd, and Mobicel. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025 - MTN MoMo South Africa introduced a rent-to-own smartphone service, enabling customers to acquire 4G or 5G devices from as little as R10 per day without credit checks or paperwork. This initiative positions MTN alongside competitors like Vodacom Easy2Own, FoneYam, and Rentoza in the growing rent-to-own segment, valued at R5.4 billion in 2024. The launch includes Samsung A05, A06, A16, and A26 models, with flexible repayment plans and eventual ownership.

Scope of the Report

By Device Type

• Smartphones

• Tablets

• Laptops

• Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) / Fixed Wireless Access Devices

• Wearables

• Others (e.g., AR/VR Headsets)

By Connectivity

• Sub-6 GHz

• mmWave

• Both

By Distribution Channel

• Online Retail

• Offline Retail

• Telecom Operator Stores

1. Research Framework
   1. Research Objective
   2. Product Overview
   3. Market Segmentation
2. Executive Summary
3. South Africa 5G Devices Market Insights
   1. Industry Value Chain Analysis
   2. DROC Analysis
      1. Growth Drivers
         1. Increasing Affordability of 5G Smartphones
         2. Rising Network Coverage by Major Telecom Operators
         3. Surging Demand for High-speed Connectivity in Digital Applications
      2. Restraints
         1. 1. High Upfront Costs of Premium Devices
         2. Limited Rural Network Penetration
      3. Opportunities
         1. Growing Adoption of Fixed Wireless Access Solutions
         2. Rising Demand for 5G Chipsets
      4. Challenges
         1. Increasing Competition Among Device Manufacturers
         2. Rapid Technology Upgrade Cycles
   3. Technological Advancements/Recent Developments
   4. Regulatory Framework
   5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of New Entrants
      4. Threat of Substitutes
      5. Intensity of Rivalry
4. South Africa 5G Devices Market: Marketing Strategies
5. South Africa 5G Devices Market: Pricing Analysis
6. South Africa 5G Devices Market Overview
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2031
      1. By Value (USD Million)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Device Type
         1. Smartphones
         2. Tablets
         3. Laptops
         4. Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) / Fixed Wireless Access Devices
         5. Wearables
         6. Others (e.g., AR/VR headsets)
      2. By Connectivity
         1. Sub-6 GHz
         2. mmWave
         3. Both
      3. By Distribution Channel
         1. Online Retail
         2. Offline Retail
         3. Telecom Operator Stores
7. Competitive Landscape
   1. List of Key Players and Their End Users
   2. South Africa 5G Devices Market, Company Market Share Analysis, 2024
   3. Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating Parameters
   4. Key Strategic Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships)
8. Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on South Africa 5G Devices Market
9. Company Profiles (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Competitive landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, Strategic Outlook, SWOT Analysis)
   1. MTN Group Ltd
   2. Vodacom Group Ltd
   3. Telkom SA SOC Ltd
   4. Cell C Ltd
   5. Rain (Pty) Ltd
   6. Huawei Technologies Africa (Pty) Ltd
   7. Samsung Electronics South Africa (Pty) Ltd
   8. Lenovo (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd
   9. Hisense SA Sales Holdings (Pty) Ltd
   10. ZTE Corporation South Africa (Pty) Ltd
   11. Cellucity (Pty) Ltd
   12. Mr Price Mobile (Pty) Ltd
   13. Mobicel
   14. Other Prominent Players
10. Key Strategic Recommendations
11. Research Methodology
    1. Qualitative Research
       1. Primary & Secondary Research
    2. Quantitative Research
    3. Market Breakdown & Data Triangulation
       1. Secondary Research
       2. Primary Research
    4. Breakdown of Primary Research Respondents
    5. Assumption & Limitation

*Financial information of non-listed companies will be provided as per availability

**The segmentation and the companies are subjected to modifications based on in-depth secondary for the final deliverable

List of Figures

Figure 1   South Africa 5G Devices Market Segmentation

Figure 2   South Africa 5G Devices Market Value Chain Analysis

Figure 3   Company Market Share Analysis, 2024

Figure 4   South Africa 5G Devices Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Figure 5   South Africa 5G Devices Market Share, By Device Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 6   South Africa 5G Devices Market Share, By Connectivity, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 7   South Africa 5G Devices Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

List of Tables

Table 1      South Africa 5G Devices Market Share, By Device Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 2      South Africa 5G Devices Market Share, By Connectivity, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 3      South Africa 5G Devices Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 4      MTN Group Ltd Company Overview

Table 5      MTN Group Ltd Financial Overview

Table 6      Vodacom Group Ltd Company Overview

Table 7      Vodacom Group Ltd Financial Overview

Table 8      Telkom SA SOC Ltd Company Overview

Table 9      Telkom SA SOC Ltd Financial Overview

Table 10    Cell C Ltd Company Overview

Table 11    Cell C Ltd Financial Overview

Table 12    Rain (Pty) Ltd Company Overview

Table 13    Rain (Pty) Ltd Financial Overview

Table 14    Huawei Technologies Africa (Pty) Ltd Company Overview

Table 15    Huawei Technologies Africa (Pty) Ltd Financial Overview

Table 16    Samsung Electronics South Africa (Pty) Ltd Company Overview

Table 17    Samsung Electronics South Africa (Pty) Ltd Financial Overview

Table 18    Lenovo (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd Company Overview

Table 19    Lenovo (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd Financial Overview

Table 20    Hisense SA Sales Holdings (Pty) Ltd Company Overview

Table 21    Hisense SA Sales Holdings (Pty) Ltd Financial Overview

Table 22    ZTE Corporation South Africa (Pty) Ltd Company Overview

Table 23    ZTE Corporation South Africa (Pty) Ltd Financial Overview

Table 24    Cellucity (Pty) Ltd Company Overview

Table 25    Cellucity (Pty) Ltd Financial Overview

Table 26    Mr Price Mobile (Pty) Ltd Company Overview

Table 27    Mr Price Mobile (Pty) Ltd Financial Overview

Table 28    Mobicel Company Overview

Table 29    Mobicel Financial Overview