Smartphone market in MENA – statistics & facts

The smartphone market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has undergone remarkable transformation, emerging as one of the fastest-growing regions for mobile technology adoption, with

expected to rise from 540 million in 2024 to about 710 million by 2030. Driven by urbanization, rising internet penetration, and a growing middle class, smartphones have become essential tools transforming daily life across the region.

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Mobile technology and smartphones in MENA

Smartphone penetration in MENA is highest in the GCC sub-region, with countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) exceeding 97 percent in 2024. Governments in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are prioritizing investment in technologies such as 5G to accelerate digital transformation and build knowledge-based economies. Smartphones are at the center of this shift, driving the adoption of digital payments and other online services. The rollout of 5G, coupled with increased mobile internet usage, is expected to fuel demand for more advanced smartphones, with regional smartphone subscriptions projected to approach 720 billion by 2030.

The adoption of 5G in MENA is gaining momentum, with the number of 5G subscribers expected to reach 500 million by 2030. While 4G remains the dominant mobile technology today, 5G is forecasted to account for 50 percent of all connections in the region by the end of the decade. This rapid transition is being driven by network expansion and mobile operators’ efforts to migrate users from older networks. However, adoption rates vary across the region—GCC countries lead in 5G uptake due to their strong economies and government-led digital initiatives, while other parts of MENA remain in earlier stages of deployment. The number of 5G subscriptions in the GCC is expected to see significant growth in the coming years as infrastructure continues to expand.

Smartphone brands in the GCC

Saudi Arabia, the GCC’s largest smartphone market, accounts for over half of the region’s smartphone shipments, with growing demand for both premium and mid-range devices. As of January 2024, Apple’s market share in Saudi Arabia dropped to 30 percent, its lowest since 2019, while Samsung followed with 20.6 percent. Despite Apple’s decline, it remains dominant in the premium segment, while Samsung and Xiaomi continue to expand in the mid-range market. With increasing 5G adoption and evolving consumer preferences, competition in the GCC smartphone market is expected to intensify.

The MENA smartphone market is rapidly evolving with 5G expansion, shifting consumer preferences, and rising demand for both premium and budget-friendly devices, making it a key hub for mobile innovation.

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