China smartphone market drops 1% in 2025, Huawei regains top spot after 5 years
CHINA 07:04

China smartphone market drops 1% in 2025, Huawei regains top spot after 5 years

China's smartphone market fell 1 percent year-on-year in 2025, with full-year shipments reaching 282.3 million units, according to a report from Omdia. With a shipment of 46.8 million units, Huawei returned to the top spot, accounting for a 17 percent market share. Vivo ranked second with 46 million units shipped and a 16 percent market share.

MediaTek updates flagship range with Dimensity 9500s, 8500 chips
GLOBAL 15 JAN

MediaTek updates flagship range with Dimensity 9500s, 8500 chips

MediaTek is expanding its range of processors for flagship-class smartphones with the new Dimensity 9500s and Dimensity 8500 chips. These products focus on delivering outstanding performance, efficiency, AI, imaging, gaming and wireless connectivity for the latest generation of premium phones. No word was provided on the customers for the new processors. 

BT provides easyJet with mobile connectivity across Europe
EUROPE 15 JAN

BT provides easyJet with mobile connectivity across Europe

BT has won a contract to provide UK airline easyJet with thousands of mobile connections across Europe. It will provide 23,000 mobile connections across the EE network to support the airline's operations in 35 countries and more than 150,000 airports across the region. EasyJet will use the EE network to connect various devices, enabling all cabin crew and pilots to access flight information and real-time training.

Fairphone still a small player but market share growing in Netherlands
NETHERLANDS 15 JAN

Fairphone still a small player but market share growing in Netherlands

Fairphone remains a small player in its home market the Netherlands but the company is slowing expanding its share of the smartphone market. Data collected quarterly by the Telecompaper Consumer Insights panel shows the Fairphone was used by just 0.1 percent of Dutch smartphone owners in 2022 but the share increased to a peak of 0.3 percent of the installed base in 2025, showing clear structural growth. That means around 45,000 to 50,000 people use a Fairphone in the Netherlands, Telecompaper estimates. 

IDC figures show Q4 smartphone volumes up over 2% as Apple, Samsung outgrow competition
GLOBAL 14 JAN

IDC figures show Q4 smartphone volumes up over 2% as Apple, Samsung outgrow competition

A strong showing from market leaders Apple and Samsung fuelled by demand for premium handsets saw global Q4 smartphone shipments rise 2.3 percent year-on-year, according to preliminary estimates from the International Data Corp. Notably, the growth figure is below Omdia's 4 percent estimate for the same period. Nonetheless, IDC observed sustained expansion in the premium segment providing a lift to market leaders Samsung and Apple, which posted the highest twelve-month growth rates in this dataset.

China smartphone market shrinks 0.8% in Q4, Apple reclaims top spot following 21% sales growth
CHINA 14 JAN

China smartphone market shrinks 0.8% in Q4, Apple reclaims top spot following 21% sales growth

China's smartphone market saw a slight decline in 2025, with fourth-quarter shipments falling 0.8 percent year-on-year to 75.8 million units, and full-year shipments dropping 0.6 percent to a total of 285 million units, according to a report from IDC. The study also shows that this contraction was primarily driven by rising memory costs, which prompted domestic brands to reduce shipments of low-end models to protect profit margins, as well as the fading impact of government subsidies that failed to stimulat

Global smartphone shipments rise 4% in Q4 - Omdia
GLOBAL 14 JAN

Global smartphone shipments rise 4% in Q4 - Omdia

Worldwide shipments of smartphone devices in the fourth quarter to December 2025 rose 4 percent year-on-year, according to the latest figures from Omdia. In FY 2025, the industry shipped 1.25 billion units, an increase of 2 percent from FY24. Sales were boosted by strong customer demand in the holiday season, offset partly by cost pressures. Apple led the market in Q4 with a 25 percent share, as iPhone 17 interest propelled the company to its highest-ever volumes in the December period. The US firm also ran

OnePlus founder sought to answer Taiwan allegations under Cross-Strait Act
TAIWAN 14 JAN

OnePlus founder sought to answer Taiwan allegations under Cross-Strait Act

Prosecutors in Taiwan have issued a 'wanted' notice for the arrest of OnePlus founder Pete Lau, reports Taiwan News. Lau is being sought to answer accusations that his company brought more than 70 illegal engineering hires into its Taiwanese R&D subsidiary, funded using more than TWD 2.3 billion directed through a Hong Kong-registered entity.

Dialog launches Blackview 5G smartphone and tablet in Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA 14 JAN

Dialog launches Blackview 5G smartphone and tablet in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka operator Dialog Axiata has launched two Blackview 5G devices on the local market. The new Blackview Shark 6 5G features a 6.88-inch HD+ IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an octa-core 5G Unisoc T8100 processor.

Google shifts premium Pixel development to Vietnam - report
UNITED STATES 14 JAN

Google shifts premium Pixel development to Vietnam - report

Google will start developing and manufacturing premium smartphones in Vietnam this year, the Nikkei reports. Google will begin carrying out new product introductions (NPI) for its Pixel, Pixel Pro and Pixel Fold phones in Vietnam. Development of the lower-end Pixel A series will remain in China for now, according to one of the unnamed sources.

Samsung starts selling certified refurbished phones in Europe
EUROPE 14 JAN

Samsung starts selling certified refurbished phones in Europe

Samsung announced the launch of a circular economy initiative in France, Germany, and the UK under its Certified Re‑Newed (CRN) programme, already operating in the US and South Korean markets. As part of the initiative, consumers will have the option to purchase manufacturer-certified refurbished devices exclusively on the Samsung website, offering the same warranty as new Galaxy smartphones. Eligibility for the scheme is currently restricted to top‑grade returned products within the Galaxy S25 series. This

Kyivstar adds Starlink Direct to Cell support on Samsung Galaxy 4G phones
UKRAINE 13 JAN

Kyivstar adds Starlink Direct to Cell support on Samsung Galaxy 4G phones

Samsung has announced that the Samsung Galaxy-series smartphones have started supporting the Starlink Direct to Cell offered by Ukrainian operator Kyivstar. Kyivstar launched Starlink's Direct to Cell satellite technology for mobile customers in Ukraine in December of 2025. Powered by Starlink's satellite constellation, the service has enabled Ukrainians to stay connected on standard 4G smartphones in remote areas where the terrestrial mobile network is not available. Kyivstar is the first mobile operator

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 13 JAN

Xiaomi, Samsung lead smartphone sales in Russia in 2025 - MTS

Xiaomi led unit smartphone sales in Russia in 2025, according to figures from the operator MTS. The market share of Xiaomi totaled 22 percent, and Samsung followed with 14 percent. Tecno and Realme each took 13 percent of sales, and the shares of Apple and Poco reached 8 percent and 6 percent, respectively.

UNITED STATES 13 JAN

FCC lifts phone unlocking requirement for Verizon

The Federal Communications Commission has lifted a rule requiring Verizon to unlock customer phones 60 days after they become a customer. As a result, the operator will be able to impose a longer lock-in period, the same as other US mobile operators. The FCC said the 2007 rule created "an incentive for bad actors to steal those handsets for purposes of carrying out fraud and other illegal acts". 

GLOBAL 13 JAN

Apple chooses Google's Gemini to power iPhone's Siri

Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration which will see the next generation of Apple Foundation Models based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalised Siri due this year. The Siri deal unlocks a large market with Apple's installed base of more than two billion active devices, marking a strategic win for Google in the AI race against OpenAI.

POLAND 12 JAN

Play offers promo of 5G smartphone contracts

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, started s a promotion of 5G smartphones in its shops. Up to 50 percent discounts are offered to customers buying devices and connecting to S+, M, L or Homebox plans from the operator using number porting. That means the Xiaomi 15T Pro 5G costs PLN 1,799 instead of PLN 3,599, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G is reduced to PLN 1,499 from PLN 2,999, and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro 5G is offered for PLN 1,199 instead of PLN 2,399. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro is down to PLN 5

UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

Vodafone UK starts selling Honor Magic8

Vodafone UK is now selling the Honor Magic8 Series, including the Magic8 Pro and Lite smartphones. The Honor Magic8 Pro is available from GBP 50 per month (GBP 40 upfront), with the Magic8 Lite available from GBP 24 per month (GBP 20 upfront).

BULGARIA 12 JAN

A1 Bulgaria intros discounts of up to 80% on smartphone purchases

A1 Bulgaria has launched a promotion, slashing smartphone prices by up to 80 percent for customers looking to upgrade their devices. This promotion will offer discounts on cash purchases and flexible leasing options paired with Unlimited plans.

UGANDA 12 JAN

ZTE Uganda introduces Blade A36

ZTE has introduced its Blade A36 smartphone aimed at Ugandan consumers seeking quality, durability and affordability. Jason Zhang, country director, said the Blade A36 embodies its vision of delivering world-class devices at prices that make sense for the market.  The cost in Uganda generally ranges from UGX 220,000 to UGX 250,000, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions, typically with 4GB RAM (expandable to 6 GB dynamic) and 64 GB storage.

GLOBAL 12 JAN

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 15 phones set for wider commercial availability from 15 January

Xiaomi has scheduled additional market entries on 15 January for its latest generation Redmi Note smartphones. While Xiaomi did not go into specifics on each territory's launch schedule, the Chinese release was in August 2025 and shipments to Indian consumers reportedly began on 06 January.

PAKISTAN 12 JAN

Pakistan to slash taxes on mobile phone imports

Pakistan's National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance has formally directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Ministry of Finance to reassess the current tax structure for imported mobile phones. The FBR is expected to submit a report with specific 'policy options' for tax reduction by March 2026.

POLAND 9 JAN

Samsung, Xiaomi, Apple lead Play bestsellers list in 2025

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, announced the best-selling smartphones in its shops in 2025. The top sellers, in alphabetical order, were the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G, Samsung Galaxy A36 5G, Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G. Among premium devices (also in alphabetical order) the bestsellers were the Apple iPhone 15 128 GB, Apple iPhone 16 128 GB, Apple iPhone 16 Pro 128 GB, Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 5G 128 GB and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G 256 GB.

POLAND 9 JAN

Orange Poland runs promotion for VoLTE smartphones after 3G switch-off

Orange Poland has introduced a promotion for VoLTE smartphones aimed at customers handing in obsolete devices after the operator switched off its 3G network in December. Orange is sending messages about the promotion to postpaid customers who are using smartphones that only support GSM/3G services. Customers can obtain a discount of up to PLN 500.

AZERBAIJAN 9 JAN

Azercell offers 56 GB data package for 6 months with iPhone 17 until 31 January

Azeri operator Azercell Telecom is running a promotion for the latest Apple smartphone models, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air. Customers buying one of these will receive a six-month subscription to Azercell's 56 GB internet package. The offer is available to both new and existing Azercell subscribers and runs until 31 January at selected Azercell sales and service centres.

Just In

08:43

Vantage Data Centers raises GBP 254 mln in debt for Cardiff site

08:38

US, Taiwan strike USD 500 billion semiconductor trade agreement

08:36

Egypt and UK agree to strengthen ICT cooperation

08:35

Federated Wireless launches spectrum coordination services for DAS in CBRS band

Commentary

2 JAN 13:21

Open Dutch Fiber's new management team takes up turnaround challenge

15 DEC 2025 13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

8 DEC 2025 11:38

Netflix buys Warner Bros to deepen content catalogue

31 OKT 2025 11:11

KPN's mixed performance in Q3 raises questions for strategy day

Background

15 JAN 08:55

Fairphone still a small player but market share growing in Netherlands

12 JAN 00:04

The week in telecoms: CES brings Wi-Fi 8 and more smart glasses, while Warner sticks with Netflix

5 JAN 00:52

The week in telecom: Finnish security check, M&A completions and telco job cuts

23 DEC 2025 10:32

Netherlands TV-video market grows 2.6% in Q3 to EUR 759 mln