How 4G devices in China are transforming the world’s largest mobile market

Smartphones are on track to account for two-thirds of mobile connections in China by the end of this year, according to a new study published today by GSMA Intelligence. The new study finds that smartphone adoption in the country had reached 62% of the 1.3 billion mobile connections registered at the end of Q1 2015, above the average level in Europe (55%). However, while unique mobile subscriber penetration in China has yet to surpass 50%, growth in smartphone connections has slowed in recent quarters as the market matures, suggesting that the majority of current smartphone sales are now being driven by replacements rather than new connections.

The report also provides analysis of the number of smartphone models available in the Chinese market and retail pricing trends. It reveals that the rapid adoption of smartphones across urban areas in China has been fuelled by the increasing popularity of both international device brands, such as Apple’s iPhone, and devices produced by a growing number of domestic smartphone vendors.

4G models are now the primary driver of smartphone sales, which is accelerating China’s migration from 3G to 4G networks. The study predicts there will not be any new non-4G models released by Chinese smartphone vendors after 2016, with many having taken this step already. It is forecast that 4G connections in China will reach 1 billion by 2020, representing about two-thirds of the market by this point, up from 100 million (8%) at the end of 2014.