PRESS: Top smartphone makers may lose 760 bln rbl under sanctions

MOSCOW, Feb 7 (PRIME) -- Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Realme may lose 760 billion rubles annually if supplies of U.S. microelectronics to Russia are banned, business daily Kommersant reported on Monday quoting research center GS Group as saying.

The country imported 35.2 million smartphones worth 832 billion rubles in 2021, and Russians’ spending on smartphones increased by 32% because prices of new models advanced, GS Group said.

The group thinks that the country’s imports of smartphones may decrease to 34.9 million in 2022 amid weakening purchasing power. In case of technological sanctions and a ban on direct supplies of devices by the largest vendors, the total loss of Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Realme is seen at 760 billion rubles, half of which would be of Apple.

Media reported earlier that the U.S. is preparing a ban on exports of any consumer goods with U.S.-made components to Russia if the situation on the Ukrainian border deteriorates.

Under the sanctions, the share of the key producers on the market would plunge to 10–20% from more than 80%.

(76.0509 rubles – U.S. $1)

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