Chinese smartphone makers based in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area are advancing in the global mid-to-premium handset market, a trend that underscores the rising quality of “Made in China” products and the stability of the region’s supply chain ecosystem, industry insiders said.

Manufacturers, including Huawei, Oppo and Vivo, have stepped up efforts on developing mid-to-high-end products, hoping to gain a slice of the pie in the burgeoning premium smartphone market.

Oppo, for example, launched its Find X9 series in overseas markets last month, with its Find X9 Pro model priced at up to €1,299 ($1,507), on par with the price of a flagship iPhone model.

Huawei is set to unveil its Mate 80 series on Nov 25, expanding its portfolio of high-end smartphones.

ALSO READ: Greater Bay Area products named Time’s yearly best inventions

“Success in the mid-to-high-end smartphone segment hinges on meeting stringent requirements for durability, stability and innovative experiences, an area where Greater Bay Area manufacturers have proven their mettle,” said Zhang Yi, CEO and chief analyst of market consultancy iiMedia Research.

“Backed by China’s manufacturing advancement, they’ve achieved holistic improvements in chip development, precision manufacturing and quality management systems, shaking off the ‘low-cost’ label and gaining traction with global premium users.”

IDC China research manager Guo Tianxiang shared a similar view. Once linked to “low-cost” and “counterfeit” labels, “Made in China” has evolved dramatically, he said.

“These firms have built rigorous quality control systems and testing standards, backed by deep manufacturing and materials expertise. Long OEM experience and widespread automation have boosted efficiency while ensuring product consistency and precision, fueling their push into the global mid-to-premium market,” he noted.

At Oppo’s intelligent manufacturing factory in Dongguan, Guangdong province, employees showcased the stringent quality control measures the Chinese tech giant has put in place for its smartphones. According to the company, each phone undergoes over 180 tests to ensure real-world durability and reliability, including high-temperature tests at up to 75°C for 168 hours, 2.5m drop tests, and over 73 battery-related tests.

“Quality is the foundation of everything,” said Grus Shan, director of manufacturing at the Dongguan-based company. “Through continuous breakthroughs in quality, we are committed to protecting the freedom of every user on their journey in life.”

The intensified efforts by smartphone producers in the Greater Bay Area to tap into the mid-to-premium sector come as global demand for high-quality, feature-rich smartphones continues to grow amid a rise in average selling prices (ASP) across the industry.

READ MORE: Chinese smart devices accelerate global push with AI ecosystem edge

According to Counterpoint Research, the global ASP of smartphones hit an all-time high for a Q3 period in the third quarter of 2025. Oppo posted the strongest growth momentum of 3.4 percent year-on-year among the world’s top five smartphone brands — Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo.

The report found that Oppo and Vivo ranked third and fourth, respectively, in third quarter ASP, just behind Apple and Samsung.

“The global ASP hit the highest ever Q3 level, reaching $351, driven by sustained premiumization across regions due to the growing mix of mature users who are upgrading to more expensive devices,” said Shilpi Jain, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.

IDC forecast that the global ASP of smartphones could rise by 5 percent on a yearly basis this year, with the proportion of mid-to-premium models in total shipments continuing to grow.

Amid ongoing global supply chain fluctuations, the Greater Bay Area’s well-established and resilient supply chain stands as a critical competitive edge for Chinese smartphone suppliers in their mid-to-premium market expansion, Guo said.

“The Greater Bay Area’s supply chain remains largely irreplaceable. Its unique combination of concentrated component resources, efficient logistics networks, skilled workforce and dense supplier clustering cannot be easily replicated,” he said.

Nevertheless, challenges and uncertainties loom. Zhang said core tech gaps remain, particularly in high-end chips, precision equipment and advanced materials.

“Moreover, spillover from global supply chain volatility risks raising costs and disrupting operations. Boosting talent development and cross-industry innovation collaboration will be critical to sustaining high-end expansion momentum,” Zhang added.

Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com