Smartphones Not Made in PRC China

Extensive IPVM research has found there are just two smartphone manufacturers whose products are not made in PRC China, and one of those serves only a niche customer base.

In this report, IPVM outlines the few smartphones manufactured outside the PRC, the tech companies whose devices are made in the PRC, and how those companies attempt to conceal where the products are manufactured using wordplay and indirect answers.

Not Made in PRC China

Based on our research, there are only two smartphone manufacturers producing phones outside of PRC China:

• Samsung (South Korea)
• Purism (United States)

Others we contacted were made in PRC, though some attempted to avoid disclosing this, as discussed later in this report.

Samsung (South Korea)

Headquartered in Seoul, the electronics firm makes chips in South Korea, but manufactures the remainder of (and assembles) its Galaxy models in Vietnam, including:

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3

• OS: Android 11 One UI 3.1.1
• Price: $999.99 for 128GB or $1,049.99 for 256GB
• Processor: Snapdragon 888
• RAM: 8GB

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3

• OS: Android 11 One UI 3.1.1
• Price: $1,799.99 for 256 GB or $1,899.99 for 512GB
• Processor: Snapdragon 888
• RAM: 12GB

Samsung Galaxy S21

• OS: Android 11 One UI 3.1.1
• Price: $799.99 for 128GB or $849.99 for 256GB
• Processor: Octa-Core
• RAM: 8GB

Purism (USA)

The company markets its Librem 5 USA as entirely assembled in the US, with "all the electronics" made in a US facility. The Librum 5 USA sells for $1,999.99 (the Librem 5, which is not entirely made in the US, sells for $1,199.00).

The company provides no phone or live chat support for customers, with email the only option. IPVM sent an email to the company but did not receive a response. Additionally, Purism's website says the turnaround time from ordering the 5 USA device to delivery is about 90 days.

Purism - Librem 5 USA

• OS: PureOS
• Price: $1,999.99 for 32GB
• Processor: i.MX8M (Quad Core) max. 1.5GHz
• RAM: 3GB

Made In PRC China

IPVM research shows that nearly all smartphones are made in the PRC, including those sold by most US companies, such as:

• Apple
• Google
• Motorola
• Nokia
• Sony

Companies Avoid Disclosing Where Phones Are Made

During IPVM's investigation, most of these companies avoided directly answering questions regarding their products' country of origin. Use of inconsistent language has enabled some to mislead customers looking for a clear answer to the question: "Where are your phones made?"