Chinese Smartphone Market Down 13.2 Percent In 2022, IDC: The Lowest Number In One Decade

JAKARTA - The International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker report, revealed, there are as many as 285.8 million smartphones that have been sent to China in 2022.

Although this number looks large in plain view, IDC actually said that the number had decreased by 13.2 percent year-on-year (YoY), with a figure below 300 million for the first time in ten years.

In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2022, the smartphone market in China fell 12.6 percent YoY to 72.9 million units. This decline in shipments was caused by strict COVID-19 policies and a slowdown in the economy reduced demand.

Overall shipments, Honor is the only Top 5 player to achieve growth in 2022 due to its low-cost comparison basis and aggressive product portfolio development.

On the other hand, IDC revealed that Apple's iPhone assembly facility in Zhengzhou managed to return to its normal pace in December, despite COVID-19 disruptions the previous month. This production recovery comes at the same time as the Singles Day online shopping festival.

The low delivery has historically increased warnings for smartphone vendors to rethink how to build more sustainable business models and more directed marketing strategies, Will Wong said, Senior Research Manager for client devices at IDC Asia/Pacific, on its official website.

However, Wong added that the positive side of this zero-COVID policy provides a boost to the market (smartphone), although rapid recovery is unlikely.