Mobile World Live reported that during the first quarter, smartphone shipments in China doubled year-over-year, with 5G models accounting for much of the total.

The Chinese Academy of Information and Communications (CAICT) reported that total shipments increased by 101.5%, reaching 96.2 million units, of which 71.3% were compatible with 5G technology compared to 29.5% in the first quarter of 2020.

In the recent period, vendors launched 64 5G models and local manufacturers produced 88.5% of the total smartphones shipped. A major factor driving the growth of China's 5G shipments is the rapid decline in prices: Data from Counterpoint Research showed that nearly a third of compatible devices sold in January were priced under $300.

In the first quarter of 2020, shipments were affected by Covid-19 restrictions, falling 34.7% year-on-year, to a total of 47.7 million units. The global smartphone market returned to growth in the final quarter of 2020 and IDC figures show shipments increased by 4.3%, reaching 385.9 million units.