The main point of concern raised by the NPD report, though, is 5G adoption.
5G phones will likely be unaffordable for many consumers at first, with the first wave of mainstream 5G phones in 2020 likely to cost at least $1,000 in most cases.
And speaking of cities and regions, the report also found notable differences in smartphone buying habits across different designated market areas (DMAs).
For example, the NPD claims that Americans in major urban centers like New York City or Los Angeles are more likely to spend $1,000 or more on a smartphone.
It's unclear from the data whether this is a result of comparatively high average incomes in those areas or other factors.
Consumers in developing markets may be even more unlikely to spend $1,000 or more on a smartphone.
This NPD report on gadgets, of all things, provides some evidence to back up that diagnosis, at least in part. »
