South Korea’s smartphone shipments reached 3.8 million units in the first quarter increased by 1.8% year-on-year – Passionategeekz –

[CNMO Technology News]IDC data shows that South Korea’s smartphone shipments in the first quarter of 2025 increased by 1.8% year-on-year to 3.8 million units. Passionategeekz learned that although the consumer psychology index is still below 100, the release of flagship new products from manufacturers such as Samsung and Apple has driven the growth of the high-end market. However, the foldable screen mobile phone market has seen a significant decline.

Samsung folding screen mobile phone

Data shows that the shipments of foldable screen mobile phones by manufacturers such as Samsung surged year-on-year, but fell by 57.5% month-on-month. IDC pointed out that some consumers have shifted their budgets for folding screens to traditional flagship models such as the Samsung S25 series.

In addition to Samsung and Apple, mid- and low-end models of manufacturers such as Xiaomi and Motorola are also accelerating their localization. Since Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 14T in early 2025, it has successively released products such as Redmi Note 14 Pro, and its POCO brand has also launched the X7 Pro starting from 500,000 won and the F7 Pro starting from 700,000 won.

South Korean media pointed out that although high-end models such as Samsung S25 Ultra are in high demand, the market share of flagship models above US$800 has dropped from 73.7% in the same period last year to 59.5%. The director of the South Korean IDC research office analyzed that the high exchange rate and the freezing of new products by some manufacturers have caused the price of high-end models to fall below US$800.

IDC pointed out that despite rising economic uncertainty in South Korea, the popularity of generative AI capabilities has injected vitality into the sluggish mobile phone market. Mid- and low-end manufacturers such as Xiaomi are also accelerating the launch of devices equipped with AI functions to promote market inversion.

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