Apple surpassed Samsung to retake the top global smartphone spot. The last time Apple was the leading smartphone vendor in the fourth quarter of 2016. "The availability of “lower end 5G smartphones and innovative features will be deciding factors for end users to upgrade their existing smartphones"- Gupta said. It has already been a deciding factor in terms of Apples sale increase. The sole reason was the rise of Apples 5G smartphone sells in the 4th quarter.