South America 5G Device - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026 - 2031)

According to Mordor Intelligence, the South America 5G device market size in terms of shipment volume is projected to expand from 0.27 billion units in 2025 and 0.31 billion units in 2026 to 0.55 billion units by 2031, registering a CAGR of 12.15% from 2026 to 2031.

This report is Segmented by Form Factor (Smartphones, Customer-Premises Equipment (Indoor/Outdoor), and More), Spectrum Support (Sub-6 GHz, Mmwave, and Hybrid (Sub-6 GHz and MmWave)), End User Industry (Consumer Electronics, Industrial and Manufacturing, and More), Application (Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), and More), and Country. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Volume (Units).

South America 5G Device Market Trends and Insights

Rising 5G-Enabled Smartphone Replacement Cycles

Smartphone replacement cycles have shortened since 2024 as 5G coverage reached levels that allow more consumers to use the service. Brazil added 18.2 million 5G connections in 2025, bringing its total to 58.1 million and representing 46.6% year-over-year growth. The increase points to upgrades from 4G-capable devices during carrier promotions, rather than subscriber growth alone. Samsung introduced the Galaxy A06 5G with Vivo at BRL 899 (USD 157) in April 2025, setting a lower reference price for 5G handsets. Motorola, Xiaomi, and Jovi have competed in the same mid-range range as operators promote device upgrades. As 5G handset ownership rises, higher network use can support additional network investment and data-plan upgrades.

Expansion of 5G Fixed Wireless Access Device Demand in Underserved Areas

The gap between fiber deployment economics and population distribution is supporting demand for fixed wireless access customer-premises equipment. Brazil's Ministry of Communications completed a 5G FWA outdoor CPE trial at 3 rural schools in Rio Grande do Norte in July 2025, in partnership with CPQD, Qualcomm, Brisanet, and Intelbras. The trial found that outdoor 5G CPE delivered speeds comparable to those of fiber connections at the tested locations. Brisanet and Qualcomm announced the Northeast Connected with FWA collaboration in March 2026 to supply subsidized SDX62-based CPE to rural communities. Claro Argentina also began commercial 5G FWA services in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and other provincial capitals in 2025. Public connectivity objectives in education, health care, agribusiness, and financial services are making this demand less dependent on consumer handset purchase decisions.

Premium Pricing of 5G Devices Versus 4G Alternatives

The price difference between 5G and 4G devices remains a major limit on adoption in price-sensitive consumer segments. Brazilian regulator data indicated that 5G smartphones cost 40% to 60% more than comparable 4G handsets in 2025. Import duties, exchange-rate effects, and brand positioning add to the retail premium. The impact is strongest among prepaid customers, who account for the majority of mobile connections in the region. Operators and manufacturers have responded with installment plans, subsidies, and lower-priced 5G models, but those actions have not yet kept pace with network expansion. This mismatch delays device upgrades and operator revenue from 5G service plans.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

1. Network Operator Subsidy Programs for 5G Handsets and CPE
2. Enterprise Digitization Driving 5G Routers, Gateways, and Industrial Devices
3. Uneven 5G Network Coverage Outside Major Urban Corridors

For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.

Segment Analysis

Smartphones accounted for 70.80% of the South America 5G device market share in 2025, reflecting the region's mobile-first connectivity base and the replacement of legacy 4G handsets. Samsung supported shipments through local production in Campinas, Sao Paulo, and Manaus, Amazonas. Motorola and Xiaomi increased competition in the BRL 1,000 (USD 174) to BRL 3,500 (USD 609) range. Jovi entered Brazil in June 2025 through partnerships with Claro and TIM, offering the V50 Lite 5G at BRL 1,799 (USD 315) via carrier plans. Wearables, XR devices, hotspots, modules, and laptops and tablets had lower volumes, though modules saw increased use in IoT and agricultural automation equipment.

Customer-premises equipment is projected to expand at a 13.40% CAGR through 2031, the fastest rate among form factors. Brisanet, Claro Argentina, and Telecom Argentina have expanded their FWA programs, which created supply pressure on CPE during 2025. Indoor and outdoor CPE is supporting broadband access where fiber deployment is not economical. Industrial-grade routers and gateways have expanded more gradually because enterprise procurement cycles are longer. Deployments by Usiminas, Gerdau, and Nestle's Cacapava facility show a growing need for dedicated industrial connectivity devices.

Sub-6 GHz devices held 66.30% of the South America 5G device market share in 2025, supported by Brazil's standalone 5G network architecture. An analysis of 5G readings in Brazil found that 99% originated from the 3.5 GHz C-band in October 2024. This network design has concentrated demand on Sub-6 GHz-compatible handsets and CPE. mmWave devices remained limited to dense venues such as stadiums, airports, and convention centers in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasilia. Their use is linked to locations where additional capacity per square meter has clear value.

Hybrid Sub-6 GHz and mmWave devices are expected to expand at a 13.61% CAGR through 2031. Premium smartphone makers are standardizing mmWave support in flagship models, while private network operators are evaluating the band for factory and port automation. Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile have moved ahead with mmWave spectrum auctions, though broad commercial availability remains limited. Qualcomm and Ericsson completed 5G Standalone RedCap trials in Sao Paulo in March 2026 using the RHINO H1 hotspot and Snapdragon X35 modem. Cost-efficient RedCap modules and CPE can drive demand in the Sub-6 GHz ecosystem, while hybrid products address higher-value use cases.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Form Factor
  • Smartphones
  • Customer-Premises Equipment (Indoor/Outdoor)
  • Industrial Grade Routers/Gateways
  • Modules
  • Laptops/Tablets
  • Hotspots
  • Wearables and XR Devices
• By Spectrum Support
  • Sub-6 GHz
  • mmWave
  • Hybrid (Sub-6 GHz and mmWave)
• By End-User Industry
  • Consumer Electronics
  • Industrial and Manufacturing
  • Automotive and Transportation
  • Healthcare
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Enterprise/Commercial
• By Application
  • Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)
  • Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Comms (URLLC)
  • Massive Machine-Type Comms (mMTC)
  • Fixed Wireless Access
  • Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)
• By Country
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

1. Apple Inc.
2. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
3. Xiaomi Corporation
4. Motorola Mobility LLC
5. Lenovo Group Limited
6. OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp. Ltd.
7. Vivo Communication Technology Co., Ltd.
8. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
9. Nokia Corporation
10. Qualcomm Incorporated
11. MediaTek Inc.
12. Ericsson AB
13. ZTE Corporation
14. TCL Technology Group Corporation
15. Intelbras SA
16. Realme Technology (Realme Chongqing Mobile Telecommunications Co., Ltd.)
17. TP-Link Technologies Co., Ltd.
18. CommScope Holding Company, Inc.
19. Cisco Systems, Inc.
20. Inseego Corp.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support