According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2025, around percent of respondents stated that they owned a smartphone, up from about percent in 2011. Since 2023, 5G has made up the biggest share of all smartphones.
A digital life
The high smartphone penetration rate among South Koreans is by no means a surprise. In the homeland of smartphone giant Samsung smartphones are an integral part of everyday lives. From online shopping to communication, mobile tickets to mobile payment, smartphones have found their place in almost every aspect of the average South Korean’s life. Unfortunately, this also has its side effects – almost percent of smartphone users were considered to be dependent on their smartphone in 2024.
5G
As 5G is still a fairly new technology, the whole world was watching when South Korea launched their 5G networks as early as in April 2019. While the initial enthusiasm of consumers is gone, the number of subscribers is rising. As of March 2025, South Korea saw around million 5G subscriptions. With the development of the new technology, the country is hoping to be in the center of future smartphone developments and inventions. The government of South Korea is aiming for a market share of percent in the global 5G market by 2026.