Number of smartphone users in China 2015-2026

In 2020, the number of smartphone users in China amounted to almost 670 million. According to the forecast, the user number was expected to increase to around 1.3 billion by 2026. With around six billion people who use smartphones around the world, China accounts for over 10 percent of total users.

From copycats to global players

Over the past decade, Chinese smartphone manufacturers evolved from cheap alternatives to established, global brands. At the beginning of the 2010s, the market was still dominated by traditional cell phone vendors like Nokia and Sony. Halfway through the decade, Chinese manufacturers like Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPO entered the market. Aided by the popularity among domestic consumers, these brands became integral parts of the global industry.

Like a Swiss army knife

Along with user base growth, the significance of the smartphone in Chinese every day life increased as well. Today, Chinese citizens use the smartphone for everything. From paying for groceries using mobile payment services, ordering take out, to finding a taxi, all require smartphone. Furthermore, during the pandemic, the Chinese government introduced digital health codes to monitor the citizen’s risk status.