It was widely speculated that Apple would release its latest iPhone iteration with 4G capabilities. Though, the rumors did not turn out to
be true, a report released by research firm ABI Research has suggested that 4G smartphones are going to be mainstream pretty soon. The report stated that 4G smartphone shipment is expected to grow at a compound rate of 72 percent per annum for the next five year.
4G technology is still in the nascent stage. While the handset makers are now warming up to the idea of making 4G compatible phones, the telecom companies are also betting big on installing 4G network. Year 2010 witnessed the shipment of only 4.6 million 4G phones, but the numbers are likely to increase to 245 million in 2016.
The report further suggests that smartphones are likely to consolidate their position as the most favored devices for accessing 4G networks. The growth of 4G capable smartphones is expected to grow more than any other device like tablets. The report also suggested that for the proliferation of 4G, LTE technology is likely to be favored over WiMax technology, despite the fact that WiMax is more universal in its approach and has lower component costs.
However, LTE is getting more popular due to the fact 'everyone else is using it'. The report explicitly states that, "Nearly all of the world's mobile operators, including the largest, are supporting LTE. It is an important driver for the LTE ecosystem that dwarfs any other drivers of 4G in general or of WiMAX and LTE, specifically."