Over 80% of phones sold in China in November are 5G smartphones

Today, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology released an analysis report on the operation of the Chinese smartphone market in November 2021. The report shows that in November 2021, smartphone shipments in the Chinese market hit 35.252 million units. This is a year-on-year increase of 19.2%. Among them, 5G mobile phones were 28.967 million units, a year-on-year increase of 43.9%. This means that 5G smartphones accounts for 82.2% of the total smartphone shipment in China in November.

Specifically, in November, 47 new smartphone models were launched in China. This is a year-on-year increase of 34.3%. Of this number, only 15 were 5G mobile phones, a year-on-year decrease of 16.7%. This means that of the new smartphones in November, only 31.9% were 5G smartphones.

The report pointed out that from January to November 2021, the total mobile phone shipments in the Chinese market totaled 317 million units, a year-on-year increase of 12.8%. Among them, 5G mobile phone shipments were 239 million units, a year-on-year increase of 65.3%. This data shows that 75.3% of smartphone shipments between January and November in China are 5G smartphones.

From this number, Chinese brands shipped a total of 275 million units, an increase of 10.5% year on year. This also accounts for 86.7% of mobile phone shipments during the same period. Within the year, a total of 388 new models hit the market, an increase of 5.4% year on year.

Apple's success in October

Market research organization CINNO Research announced the sales data of the five major brands in the Chinese smartphone market. The report shows that Apple returns to the top position in China. This is the first time in six years that Apple will be on top of the Chinese smartphone market. The iPhone 13 series is the major reason for Apple's latest performance. In October stand-alone sales, the iPhone 13 series sales hit 2.67 million units.

In terms of market share, Apple has 22% of the Chinese market in October. It surpasses Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi to claim the top spot for the first time since December 2015. Apple is on top of the Chinese smartphone market because of the iPhone 13 series.

Over the years, Apple was quite stiff with its pricing and other policies. However, since the iPhone 12 series, the company has been much more flexible. Relative to the iPhone 12 series, the starting price of the iPhone 13 series dropped by 300 yuan ($47) in China, Also, the difference in the starting price of individual storage versions can even reach 800 yuan ($125). For example, the 128G version of the iPhone 12 last year was priced at 6,799 yuan ($1068). Nevertheless, the iPhone 13 128GB version this year costs only 5,999 yuan ($842).