Pakistan to Have 51% Smartphones by 2020: GSMA

With dropping prices of smartphones, in Pakistan and elsewhere, adoption rate of smartphones — as compared to feature phones — is expected to reach 51% by 2020, said a report published by GSMA.

Report titled as  “Building Digital Societies in Asia” said that current smartphone adoption rate of 15% in Pakistan is likely to grow to over 300% to reach 51% with-in next five years as primary barrier for adoption of smartphones, i.e. prices are coming down to below 100$ dollars.

Report said that average price of smartphones dropped down to 200$ in 2014, down from 329$ in 2008. Further down the line, smartphones below 100$ are now becoming a reality, however, there is a clear need for more vendors manufacturing these low prices phones to become more common in growth markets like Pakistan.

Report said that under 100$ smartphones currently account for over 40% of total smartphones in India and since below 100$ smartphones have started to surface in Pakistan, the smartphone adoption rate will grow incrementally to around 80 million by year 2020.

Report said that ultra-low-end smartphones are of particular relevance in emerging markets because handset subsidy from operators — such as they offer in various developed markets —  has comparatively low application in developing markets, making it hard for masses to adopt smartphones.

Moreover, since low-income segment dominates in developing markets, these ultra-low end smartphone becomes handy and only way for them to adopt smartphones and ultimately the internet.

Tech and telecom reporter for over 15 years


  • Pakistan is likely to grow to over 300% to reach 51% with-in next five months as primary barrier

    five years dude ! – i guess

  • D Aamir Attaa , first please remove this ad of UZV lamba and Mota.The women are not donkies. Secondly with this add the young suffer from complex and waste money with adverse health consequences.
    Pakistan can earn more than100 b US dollars per year from telecom and IT only provided our Govt puts a professional Pakistani (not a dual national) in-charge of PTA and ministry.


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