In-Depth Analysis of China's Mobile Phone Market in 2024: Rise of Domestic Brands and Promising Market Recovery

In-Depth Analysis of China's Mobile Phone Market in 2024: Rise of Domestic Brands and Promising Market RecoveryA report released on February 14, 2025, by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), titled "2024 China Mobile Phone Market Operation Analysis Report," reveals that China's mobile phone shipments reached 314 million units in 2024, an 8.7% year-on-year increase, showcasing a strong recovery

In-Depth Analysis of China's Mobile Phone Market in 2024: Rise of Domestic Brands and Promising Market Recovery

A report released on February 14, 2025, by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), titled "2024 China Mobile Phone Market Operation Analysis Report," reveals that China's mobile phone shipments reached 314 million units in 2024, an 8.7% year-on-year increase, showcasing a strong recovery. 5G phone shipments soared to 272 million units, a 13.4% year-on-year increase, accounting for 86.4% of total shipments and solidifying their dominance in the market. This data clearly indicates that the Chinese mobile phone market has emerged from a period of downturn and is demonstrating a positive upward trend.

However, the report also highlights the intense competition within the market. In 2024, 421 new phone models were launched in China, a 4.5% year-on-year decrease. Of these, 207 were 5G models, a 3.3% year-on-year decrease. The decline in new model launches suggests that manufacturers are slowing down their release schedules, focusing more on product quality and market positioning, and avoiding blind imitation in favor of differentiated competition.

Notably, domestic Chinese brands performed exceptionally well in 2024. The report shows that domestic brands shipped 269 million units, a 16.3% year-on-year increase, accounting for 85.6% of total shipments. This significantly outpaces the overall market growth rate, demonstrating the dominance of domestic brands in the domestic market, the rising consumer acceptance of these brands, and the relative weakening of overseas brands.

Furthermore, domestic brands held a clear advantage in new model launches. In 2024, domestic brands released 396 new models, a 2.5% year-on-year decrease, still accounting for 94.1% of all new models launched. This highlights the continued efforts of domestic manufacturers in technological innovation and product development, consistently introducing new products to meet consumer demand and solidify their market leadership. Despite increasingly fierce competition, domestic brands maintained high market share and growth rates, reflecting their strong competitiveness and adaptability.

The report's data indicates a growing consumer preference for domestic brands, a result of their dedication to technological innovation, product quality, and brand building. Domestic phones offer advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, diverse functionalities, and better alignment with local market needs, thus earning consumer trust.

Looking ahead, the outlook for China's smartphone market remains positive. IDC predicts that shipments will reach 289 million units in 2025, a 1.6% year-on-year increase, with steady growth expected in the coming years. This suggests that the Chinese smartphone market will maintain stable growth and exhibit a healthier, more sustainable development trajectory.

While the number of new models has declined, this doesn't signify a lack of market vitality. Instead, it may indicate market maturity, with manufacturers prioritizing product quality and user experience over sheer volume. Increased competition is driving manufacturers to enhance technological capabilities and innovate product features, providing consumers with better phones and services.

In conclusion, the Chinese mobile phone market in 2024 showcased the rise of domestic brands and a gradual market recovery. Despite a decrease in new model launches, shipments steadily increased, indicating a shift towards a healthier and more sustainable market. In the coming years, with the widespread adoption of 5G technology and expanding application scenarios, the Chinese smartphone market is expected to continue growing, making significant contributions to the global mobile phone market. The consistently strong performance of domestic brands has injected strong momentum into the long-term development of the Chinese mobile phone industry, heralding a more prosperous future. Market maturity and stable development better reflect the resilience and competitiveness of the Chinese mobile phone industry, offering consumers more choices and better experiences. Continued technological innovation and precise grasp of user needs will be key factors in future market competition.

Going forward, Chinese mobile phone manufacturers need to continue strengthening technological innovation, improving product quality and user experience to remain competitive. They should also actively explore new market opportunities, such as expanding into overseas markets and developing new application scenarios, to promote sustainable industry development. By continuously monitoring market changes and adapting to consumer needs, they can gain a leading edge in future competition. The performance of 2024 suggests that the Chinese mobile phone market is entering a more mature and stable development phase, with a promising future outlook.