Significant Increase in Foreign Smartphone Shipments in China

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

In November, the shipments of foreign-branded smartphones in China saw a remarkable increase, primarily fueled by robust demand for Apple’s iPhones, as reported by official industry statistics.

According to calculations by Reuters using figures from a government-associated research organization, foreign phone shipments soared by 128.4% year-on-year, reaching 6.93 million units. This surge represents one of the most significant monthly increases for international smartphone brands in China this year.

Data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) indicated that the overall mobile phone shipment figures in China grew by 1.9% compared to the previous year, totaling 30.16 million units in November. While the overall market exhibited only slight growth, foreign brands significantly outshined domestic manufacturers during the month.

Experts in the industry credit this surge largely to the revitalized performance of Apple, whose iPhone models continue to dominate the foreign smartphone segment in China. Seasonal demand driven by year-end promotions and a rising consumer interest in premium devices also contributed to the increased shipment figures.

The November statistics imply that foreign smartphone brands, after experiencing challenges earlier in the year due to fierce competition from local counterparts, have reclaimed market share as Chinese consumers increasingly lean towards high-end devices. Market analysts will be monitoring whether this momentum persists as the year draws to a close, particularly with new product launches and holiday sales approaching.