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There is so much discussion and hype regarding 5G. It’s an important technology and will play an important role in our industry’s future, but it’s also important to put it into perspective.

The most important driver of 5G adoption for the consumer segment is 5G capable smartphones. Consumers have to have 5G compatible devices to take advantage of 5G. Wireless industry association GSMA is shedding some light on the 5G device roadmap.

Smartphones will continue to be the dominant consumer device in the 2020s, according to this 5G adoption research from GSMA Intelligence. But despite the hype about 5G, researchers are not forecasting a big shift toward 5G devices in the near term.

Smartphone ownership among adults in most high- and middle-income countries is between 85% and 95%, according to the report, which was released at the Consumer Electronics Show.

But less than 40% of survey respondents in many of the largest markets (U.S., Europe and Australia) expected consumers to upgrade to 5G devices any time soon.

 “The device ecosystem will be critical in shaping the trajectory of 5G adoption,” said Peter Jarich, head of GSMA Intelligence, in a prepared statement. “However, it’s a mistake to believe that consumers in every market will look at 5G upgrades in the same way. Operators and device manufacturers will need to understand consumer demand on a granular level if they hope to make the most of the 5G opportunity.”

According to the report, smart speakers continue to grow in popularity as the devices are increasingly acting as a single control point within the home. Smart speakers were the fastest growing category in the 2019 survey. They are now owned by 21% of households, a strong increase from the previous year.

Fitness trackers and smartwatches also picked up in popularity 2019, and are now owned by 21% and 10% of adults, according to the report. These devices were most popular with millennials.