China Smartphone Export Growth Driven by Foldable and AI Camera Demand
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- 来源：OrientDeck
Let’s cut through the noise: China’s smartphone exports didn’t just tick up in 2024 — they surged. According to China Customs data, smartphone exports hit $38.2 billion in H1 2024, up 19.7% YoY — the strongest first-half growth since 2021. And it’s not just volume: value per unit rose 12.3%, signaling a clear shift from budget devices to premium-tier innovation.
Two technologies are doing the heavy lifting: foldable displays and AI-powered computational photography. Foldables now account for 8.6% of China’s high-value smartphone exports (>$400 ASP), up from just 2.1% in 2022. Meanwhile, AI camera features — like real-time semantic HDR, low-light scene reconstruction, and on-device video bokeh — are appearing in 63% of new mid-to-high-end models shipped overseas (Counterpoint, Q2 2024).
Here’s how that breaks down across key markets:
| Region | % of Total Exports | Foldable Share (of regional shipment) | Avg. ASP (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASEAN | 31.4% | 5.2% | 328 |
| Middle East & Africa | 24.7% | 9.8% | 412 |
| Latin America | 18.9% | 7.1% | 376 |
| Europe (non-EU + EU) | 16.2% | 12.4% | 529 |
| Others | 8.8% | 6.9% | 443 |
Notice Europe’s standout ASP and foldable penetration? That’s no accident. Local carriers and retailers are actively bundling foldables with 5G plans — and Chinese OEMs like Huawei, Oppo, and Transsion are delivering localized AI camera tuning (e.g., optimized skin tone rendering for North African users or dynamic contrast for desert lighting). These aren’t gimmicks — they’re evidence-based differentiators.
Importantly, this growth isn’t coming at the cost of compliance. Over 92% of exported smartphones passed EU CE, GCC, and ANATEL certifications in 2024 — up from 78% in 2022 — reflecting tighter internal QA and deeper regulatory collaboration.
So what’s next? Expect AI camera co-development partnerships (e.g., with Leica, Hasselblad, and even open-source imaging stacks) to accelerate — and foldable supply chains to mature beyond Samsung Display dominance. For buyers and integrators, the message is clear: China’s smartphone export strength now lies in intelligent hardware, not just scale. If you're evaluating sourcing, certification, or feature benchmarking — start with these two vectors. They’re where ROI meets reality.