Chinese smartphone market hits the lowest in a decade, 13% in 2022

Chinese smartphone market plunged to its lowest in the decade with a 13% year-on-year drop in 2022, IDC reports. The key phone market’s suffering reflects the bleak state of the global smartphone business in recent years.

As per the report, a total of 286 million devices were shipped which is a decline from 329 million in 2022. This makes the sales volume the lowest in a decade since 2013 as per the IDC report. It’s the first-time phone sales have plunged below 300 million annually.

While many factors played its part, resurge in Covid-19 infections, and restrictions across cities stagnated smartphone businesses heavily in China. As a result, major smartphone OEMs failed miserably to draw customers. Launch of flagship phones such as iPhone 14 still couldn’t save markets from turning dismal.

Check out: Apple ranked the top smartphone brand globally in Q3, 2022

Vivo on top, Honor, OPPO stays prominent

For all the undermining businesses, Vivo was the top-selling smartphone brand in China in 2022. The giant enjoyed an 18.6% market share but its year-to-year shipment fell 25.1%.

Honor came second with its shipments growing over 34%. Apple Inc was the third highest-selling brand in 2022 tied with OPPO. The US brand also saw its sales fall 4.4% year-to-year, with the launch of iPhone 14 pro max.

Despite iPhones being the top-selling brand in 2022, the company’s year-on-year sales still fell. Apple grappled with worker issues at the Foxconn plant in Zhengzhou further worsening its sales.

The slump in the Chinese smartphone market in 2022 reflects the similar fate of the industry. In 2022, global smartphone shipments touched 1.2 billion, the lowest since 2013. Experts don’t see the falling trajectory reversing either. Chip shortage, low consumer confidence, and shipment issues are likely to maintain the negative smartphone business run for the starting months of 2023.

But the easing of market, opening of cities, and the launch of Samsung Galaxy S23 series and other devices could help bring back life for the industry once again later in 2023.

Are you planning on buying any phone soon? You can share if your choice is a flagship or a mid-range device in the comments below.