TOP 5 REASONS 2019 WILL BE AN EPIC YEAR IN MOBILE

Greetings and happy holidays to all!  We hope you have a safe and festive holiday!

2018 has been a banner year for Vertex and we would very much like to thank you for your business.  Together, we continue to grow our business by providing high-quality mobility products, distribution excellence, 3PL services, and customized Mobile Solutions to all of our customers.

On behalf of the entire Vertex Wireless and Conversa Solutions family – Thank you for your partnership in 2018.

Now, let’s talk about next year…by now you are probably finished with your 2019 strategic planning.  2018 was a great year but brace yourselves… I predict 2019 will be an EPIC year for mobility!  Here are my top 5 predictions and reasons why I believe 2019 will be so epic:

1. 5G Devices – Android Only!

5G will revolutionize how consumers and corporations consume data.  5G will bring greater speeds, lower latency, and the ability to connect a lot more devices at once (sensors and smart devices).  At this point, the only devices that will make use of a 5G network in 2019 will be Android flagship devices!  As an Android focused business, this is music to our ears.  Faster pipelines, larger screens, and iconic flagship devices.

2. Foldable Devices

The mobile industry has been starving for innovation.  Remember how many different form factors were available 10 years ago?  We had flip, candy bar, swivel, and sliders.  At that time, device platforms were rapidly evolving and innovating.  Unfortunately, over the past 3 years, innovation in platform hardware has stalled with more focus on screens, cameras, and other typically insignificant features.   However, in 2019, OEM’s will begin disrupting this lethargic streak and will begin to break this complacency with fascinating new hardware uses and designs.

3. Mid-Range Android Devices Will Return

With the launch of EIP, Leasing, and RTO programs by retailers, high end device sales soared in 2018.  OEMs also focused much of their attention and advertising on a strong push of their iconic devices.  I believe 2019 will spark a resurgence of mid-to-low end devices!  OEMs will shift their offerings into the Android mid-range device market.  Apple will continue to fail in the mid-range tier as they continue to focus much of their efforts on very high-end ($1000+) devices.  Look for a new portfolio of Android mid-range devices coming early 2019. 

4. Android Market Share

Android market share will continue to surpass iOS in 2019.  According to Statcounter.com, global Android holds a 72.35% market share.  Domestically, those numbers reflect a different shift, with Android at 62%.  I believe in 2019 we’ll see the U.S. market fall much closer to the global numbers.  Several factors will play into this shift such as those mentioned above; 5G, mid-range devices, and explosion of Android Enterprise mobility solutions. 

5. Explosion of Enterprise Mobility Solutions

“Beam me up Scotty”, 2019 is going to see the Starship Enterprise Evolution with a striking number of new enterprise mobile use cases.  More organizations will utilize mobility and develop new innovative solutions to meet the demand of enterprise.  Vertex’s sister company, Conversa Solutions will be among those providers launching new enterprise mobile solutions.  Watch for more details of our upcoming launch of Ensemble in early 2019.

With each passing year, mobility sees inspiring progress and 2019 will not disappoint.  It’s going to be an EPIC year and we look forward to working with you to build a long and mutually successful partnership.  Happy Holidays!!

Published December 20, 2018 by Brian Sipe, President, Vertex Wireless