China's $200 phones put Samsung on the run in Philippines [Nikkei]

Buffalox , 6 hours ago

This may get a lot worse for every non Chinese phone maker, as they get access to cheap subsidized chips from SMIC that are extremely competitive for low end phones.

skullgiver , 4 hours ago

What also doesn’t help is that Samsung and other western targeting brands are facing pressure to maintain their software and do the bare minimum for security updates, while these Chinese brands usually get away with one update or less.

kirk781 , 1 hour ago

Samsung isn’t under any sort of pressure. No one is forcing their hand to give updates. Their entry level phones still get 2 years only. Mid level 4 years. Where Samsung loses is price competiveness. Emerging markets are very price conscious. Chinese OEMs offer way better bang for buck than Samsung ever does. Heck, for a random mid level price, a Chinese OEM will give OLED screen, 120 Hz display (which Samsung has only for Flagships) and way faster charging(with an actual charger; and no, I don’t believe Samsung gives a darn about the environment by not bundling chargers, they only do so so they can sell their massively overpriced chargers).

emergencyfood , 45 minutes ago

I don’t think SMIC refuses to sell to non-Chinese companies. Nokia mostly uses Unisoc chips, which are made in China (not sure if by SMIC).

But if they did, it would be a pretty serious problem, since I don’t think SMIC even has a viable competitor in the entry-level smartphone chip market.

praise_idleness , 1 hour ago

I don’t buy $1000< phones but it’s also not something that I would cheap out that much. You get more specs than Samsung on paper, I guess, but that’s not a phone needs the most. It’s literally one thing you always use and all the most sensitive shits are in there. Chinese smartphone? Please.

istanbullu , 2 hours ago

Apple’s market-share in China collapsed recently because they can’t compete.