GfK China estimates that China 4G mobile phones retail sales volume is expected to exceed 100 million in 2014.
In first half of 2014, retail sales volume of LTE smartphones was 13 million; and in Q2, the volume was 10 million in China smartphone market according to data from GfK. In 3G times, smartphone industry chain has been completed and with rise of 4G, telecom operators and many mobile chip manufacturers increase investment in 4G market. The speed of 4G replacing 3G will be much faster than 3G replacing 2G.
In June 2014, China’s domestic mobile phone brands accounted for 72% in mobile phone market.
Domestic brands priced less than RMB2,000 ($326.45) strengthened cooperation with telecom operators and online e-commerce platforms to promote custom-made phones, reaching over 80% market share. Domestic brands priced over RMB2,000 continuously make efforts on innovation, branding and cooperation with different channels. Huawei, Oppo and Vivo have already made success in middle and high-end smartphone market.
GfK China believed that 2014 is an important year for shifting from 3G era to 4G era in China. China’s domestic smartphone brands have moved overseas. In H1 2014, online sales volume of mobile phones via e-commerce platforms exceeded 38 million with an increase of 91% YoY, accounting for 17% of total mobile phone retail volume in China. Online smartphone sales develop rapidly which has impact on offline mobile phone shops.
Also read: Samsung and Xiaomi Ahead of Apple, Leading China Smartphone Market
