The intersection of 5G technology and Extended Reality (XR)—comprising Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR)—is ushering in a new era of immersive, real-time experiences. As 5G networks continue to expand globally, their ability to provide ultra-low latency, high throughput, and enhanced reliability is proving to be a key enabler for the next generation of XR applications. From industrial automation and remote medical procedures to next-gen entertainment and virtual collaboration, the integration of 5G and XR is transforming sectors in ways previously unimaginable.
Behind this technological revolution is a growing body of patents that showcase innovations in both XR technologies and 5G-enabled applications. These patents not only provide a roadmap for how 5G and XR will evolve together but also highlight the IPR trends shaping future developments in the space. By examining the patent landscape, we gain critical insights into how XR technologies are adapting to 5G networks, uncovering emerging opportunities for businesses to stay ahead of the curve.
Extended Reality (XR) is unlocking the full potential of 5G with immersive experiences and real-time responsiveness. Explore the latest ETSI-declared 5G patents driving next-gen XR applications.
Which Companies Are Leading in Declaring 5G Extended Reality Core SEPs and Their Patent Legal Status?
Lenovo leads the 5G XR patent race, followed by Qualcomm, Samsung, Ericsson and Nokia. A key trend emerges with Chinese firms—Huawei, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Datang Mobile—along with Taiwan’s Mediatek—holding only active patents (granted or in application), signaling a strong commercialization focus. The patent landscape is geographically concentrated, with China, the US, South Korea and Europe shaping the future of XR innovation within 5G.
What Are the Declaration Year Trends for 5G Extended Reality Patent Families in ETSI Data?
This chart illustrates the yearly trends in 5G Extended Reality SEPs submitted to ETSI, highlighting the progression of Extended Reality-related advancements in the 5G ecosystem.
Which 3GPP Specifications Have the Most 5G Extended Reality Patent Families Declared by ETSI?
The 3GPP specification numbers (TGPP Number) serve as vital identifiers within the technical standards developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), enabling the seamless integration of mobile network technologies, including 5G. These numbers correspond to specific features or technologies, such as XR (Extended Reality) technology, and play a pivotal role in mapping patents declared as 5G-related in the ETSI dataset. By linking patents to their relevant 3GPP specifications, this dataset provides valuable insights into the focus areas of innovation within Extended Reality technology.
| TGPP Number | 5G Extended Reality (XR) Patent Families | 3GPP Specification |
| 38.331 | 119 | NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification |
| 38.321 | 85 | NR; Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification |
| 38.213 | 57 | NR; Physical layer procedures for control |
| 23.501 | 50 | System architecture for the 5G System (5GS) |
| 38.214 | 35 | NR; Physical layer procedures for data |
| 38.212 | 28 | NR; Multiplexing and channel coding |
| 38.3 | 21 | NR; NR and NG-RAN Overall description; Stage-2 |
| 23.502 | 16 | Procedures for the 5G System (5GS) |
| 38.211 | 16 | NR; Physical channels and modulation |
| 26.114 | 15 | IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS); Multimedia Telephony; Media handling and interaction |
| 26.501 | 13 | 5G Media Streaming (5GMS); General description and architecture |
| 38.323 | 10 | NR; Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) specification |
| 23.503 | 9 | Policy and charging control framework for the 5G System (5GS); Stage 2 |
| 26.119 | 8 | Media Capabilities for Augmented Reality |
| 38.133 | 8 | NR; Requirements for support of radio resource management |
Which Companies Lead in 5G Extended Reality Patent Families Share in the Top 5 Countries?
The chart illustrates the geographical distribution of 5G XR patent families declared within ETSI, highlighting the percentage of patent family members filed in different regions for each company. A higher percentage in a country indicates a stronger patent presence in that jurisdiction.
China and the US lead the 5G XR patent race, with Huawei, Xiaomi and ZTE prioritizing China, while Qualcomm, Apple and Samsung focus on the US market. Europe remains a key but variable region, with Ericsson and Lenovo maintaining strong presence. South Korea serves as a strategic hub for display and mobile XR innovations, while Japan and Taiwan show selective IP activity. The data reflects how global players shape their IP strategies to align with market opportunities.
Top Companies Leading 5G Extended Reality Patent Families Share in the USA
Qualcomm leads the 5G XR patent race in the US with 26.58% of filings, reinforcing its dominance in XR and wireless innovations. Samsung (16.67%), Ericsson (9.91%) and Nokia (7.66%) hold strong positions, leveraging their 5G and telecom expertise. Apple’s 6.76% share suggests its growing focus on XR, while 32.43% of patents are spread across other players, highlighting a competitive and evolving US patent landscape in 5G XR technology.
Leading Companies in 5G Extended Reality Patent Families across Europe (EPO)
Ericsson leads 5G XR patent filings in Europe with a 20% share, reinforcing its telecom dominance. Nokia, Lenovo, and Datang Mobile each hold 14.29%, reflecting a mix of European and Chinese players in the region. LG (11.43%) and Xiaomi (5.71%) maintain a selective focus, while 20% of patents belong to various other firms, making Europe a competitive and diverse hub for 5G XR innovation.
Key Players in China’s 5G Extended Reality Patent Families Share
ZTE, Xiaomi and Vivo dominate 5G XR patent filings in China, each holding 19.23%, showcasing their leadership in XR innovations. Quectel Wireless Solutions (15.38%) strengthens China’s XR connectivity landscape, while Intel and Honor (7.69% each) maintain a strategic presence. With 11.54% of patents held by various other firms, China’s 5G XR ecosystem is diverse and highly competitive.
Methodology
This report is based on a detailed analysis of patents and applications declared essential to the 5G standard as of 2024, listed in the ETSI 5G Declaration List. It focuses exclusively on 5G-specific technologies identified through the 3GPP portal, consolidating 4,22,827 patent documents into 84,940 patent families for a clear view of the innovation landscape. For identifying 5G Extended Reality SEPs declared to ETSI, we have relied on search queries to capture the patent families related to Extended Reality technology.
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