Samtaeseong 9, North Korea’s newest smartphone (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – North Korea has experienced a rapid surge in smartphone adoption since easing pandemic-related lockdowns two years ago, with a recent analysis suggesting that the number of smartphone users in the country may have reached up to 7 million.
Martin Williams, a researcher at the U.S. think tank Crimson Center, published a report titled “North Korean Smartphones in 2024″ on the 38 North website on September 24. The study indicates that the reopening of international trade has breathed new life into North Korea’s smartphone market.
Estimating North Korea’s population at 24 million, the report suggests that despite government regulations, the number of mobile phone subscribers has grown significantly to between 6.5 and 7 million. This figure far surpasses the estimated 1.2 million landline users in the country.
Over the past two years, the variety of smartphone models available in North Korea has doubled, with new brands entering the market. Currently, 10 companies are known to be selling smartphones and feature phones in the country.
The specifications of the latest North Korean smartphones are comparable to mid-range models sold in other countries, with the report noting impressive technical features such as high-megapixel cameras.
These devices reportedly run on Android 12, an operating system released by Google in 2021.
Notably, recent North Korean smartphones have begun to offer different models at various price points, mirroring the strategy employed by global giants like Samsung and Apple.
For instance, the Hwawon smartphone is available in two versions priced at $500 and $750, while the Jindallae 6 comes in three different models.
While the report highlights the unprecedented diversity of smartphones available in North Korea, it emphasizes that none of these devices are actually manufactured within the country.
All smartphones sold in North Korea are produced by Chinese companies and supplied to North Korean firms through Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) arrangements.
Chinese companies design and produce these smartphones to order, branding them with North Korean company names. While the hardware relies on foreign suppliers, the software is a localized version tailored for use in North Korea.
The devices run on a restricted Android operating system that only allows connections to approved networks and blocks the installation of unauthorized apps.
Access to unapproved videos, e-books, and foreign media is strictly prohibited. Internet access is also blocked, but the report notes that demand for smartphones is growing due to their usefulness for easy communication, checking weather forecasts, and playing games.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
