#Smart 5G coverage

Despite an earlier forecast showing strong growth for the smartphone market entering into 2022, the International Data Corporation (IDC) reports that smartphone demand in the Philippines weakened for the first quarter of 2022. "While 5G smartphones have increased to almost 20 percent of total shipments in 1Q22, 4G Android smartphones fell 16.3 percent YoY and 24.4 percent QoQ due to tight supplies, with smartphones priced less than USD 200 impacted the most," said Angela Medez, Client Devices Market Analyst at IDC Philippines. "The silver lining could be the acceleration of 5G smartphones in the Philippines as vendors focus on their 5G portfolio to drive growth." Realme keeps the highest market share for five consecutive quarters with 20.2 percent. Nearly 90 percent of its shipments were composed of 4G smartphones.   While IDC anticipates eventual recovery in the smartphone market with sales of 5G capable devices picking up later in the year, Opensignal's Mobile Network Experience Report released last April shows that much remains to be done in expanding 5G coverage in the Philippines. "Turning to 5G Availability, Smart has the largest haul, winning outright in three out of four regions — Calabarzon, Central Luzon and Metropolitan Manila — and tying with Globe for first place in Central Visayas. A very similar story plays out for 5G Reach, with the only difference being that Globe and Smart tie for first place in Metropolitan Manila," the report stated. Read more in our articles including "IDC: realme PH still on top in midst of weaker smartphone demand for Q1 2022" and "Smart Unli 5G now available in all 5G-covered sites nationwide".