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:
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:
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.
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?"
*** *******, **** **** ***** ***** its *********** ******* ** ******, ***** repeatedly **** **** **** ***** ******** are "******** ** ***** ** **********" and "************ ****** *** *****." ********* this *********** ******* ******* ********* *** sale, **** *** **** ** ******* that **** *** "********* ** *****."
***** **** **** ************ ********, ****** their ******** *** "******** ** *******" and "************ ** *****, *****, *** Vietnam."
IPVM conducts reporting, tutorials and software funded by subscriber's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.
Comments (25)
Donald Maye
******:
Sony **** ******* **** **** ** ***** – ***'* ******* *************
**** ***** **** **** ******* ************ about *** ****** ******, ** ***** ****** **** ********** ***** **** from ***** ** ********. **** **** ********* ** **** stating ****** ****** “*********** ** ** Japan”, *** ***** *** ******* ************* to *******, ******** *** ******* **** not ******** **** *********** "*** ** confidentially".
** **** ******* ******** **** *** company ********** **** ******** *** **** In *****, ** **** ****** **** report.
Create New Topic
Shannon Davis
***'* **** ***** ******* *** **** to **** ***** *** ******** *** made?
Create New Topic
Robert Shih
12/03/21 08:06pm
********* *** ****** * (*** *** version, *** *** ******* ******** *** operation *** *** ****):
*********, *** ** ** ******* ****** by *** ** *** *** ***** issues.
Create New Topic
Brian Anderson, CPP®
***! ****, * ******* *** *** making **** ******! ** ********* (*** individuals) ***** ** *** **** **** would ****** ** **** **** **** and ****** ****** *** ******** ** Chinese *****. *'* ******* *** ***** for **** ** *** *.*. *'** been ******* ****** ***** ******* * filter *** **** ** ***.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #1
** **** ** *** *******.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Manufacturer #2
** **** *** ***** *** ***** is ********* ** ***********? **** ***** relates ** ***** ************ *******....?
*****: *** ********* ** ***** ************
**** ** *** *****'* ******* ********* on ***** ************, ********** ********* *********, research, *** **** *******.
***, ********* **** ******** ***** ****...
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #4
****,
*** *** ****** ******* **** *** and ** ***** **** ********* *** see *** ******** ** ***** *** post ** "***********"?
Create New Topic