Shipments of foreign branded mobile phones in China more than doubled in November, rising to 6.93 million units, according to government-affiliated data released on Dec. 25 by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT).
Reuters calculations based on the CAICT release show the figure represents a 128.4 percent jump from a year earlier, a sharp rebound for overseas brands in a market that has largely been dominated by domestic manufacturers.
Total mobile phone shipments in China reached 30.16 million units in November, up 1.9 percent year on year. Foreign-branded devices therefore accounted for roughly 23 percent of overall shipments during the month, a notable expansion of market share at a time when overall industry growth remains modest. The data point to a late-year resurgence in demand for imported smartphones, even as Chinese brands continue to compete aggressively on pricing, specifications, and distribution.
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The CAICT, described in its release as a government-affiliated research institute, identified Apple’s iPhone among the foreign-branded models contributing to the surge. However, the excerpts published did not provide a full brand-by-brand breakdown, nor did they specify which iPhone models were most in demand. The absence of details on sales channels, regions, or price tiers leaves open questions about whether the increase was driven primarily by high-end flagship purchases, promotional activity, or restocking by retailers ahead of year-end shopping.
The rebound stands out against the broader backdrop of China’s smartphone industry, which has faced slowing replacement cycles, cautious consumer spending, and intense competition among local players such as Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo.
In recent quarters, domestic brands have captured the bulk of unit sales by offering a wide range of mid- to low-priced devices, often bundled with incentives through online platforms and telecom operators. A near tripling of foreign-branded shipments year on year suggests that demand for premium imported models strengthened in November, potentially linked to seasonal buying patterns, new product launches earlier in the year, or renewed consumer interest in established global brands.
Market participants are likely to watch closely how this shift affects competitive dynamics. A stronger showing by foreign brands could pressure domestic manufacturers to adjust pricing, increase promotions, or accelerate feature upgrades, particularly in the premium segment where margins are higher but competition is fiercer. It may also influence inventory planning and supply chain decisions heading into early 2026, especially if retailers anticipate sustained demand rather than a one-off seasonal spike.
The data also arrive amid heightened scrutiny of technology supply chains and the broader geopolitical environment shaping the consumer electronics industry.
While the CAICT figures and Reuters calculations have been widely republished, the snapshot nature of the data leaves important gaps for investors, analysts, and competitors trying to gauge momentum by brand or segment.
However, the November numbers offer a clear signal that foreign-branded phones, led in part by iPhone shipments, have regained a meaningful foothold in China’s handset market as the year draws to a close. Whether this marks the start of a more durable shift in consumer preferences or simply a temporary rebound tied to seasonal factors will become clearer as data for the opening months of 2026 emerge.