Russia sells a wide variety of smartphones, dominated by Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Tecno, Infinix, and Realme, alongside major players like Samsung, which remains popular, and even Apple iPhones available through parallel imports despite official sales halts. You can find major global brands, budget options, and niche devices through online marketplaces and retailers, with Android being the primary OS but iPhones still common.
Data presented by Burga indicates that Samsung is the most popular smartphone brand in Russia, with a market share of 34% as of Q3 2021. China-based Xiaomi ranks second with a share of 26%. Apple comes a distant third with a share of 15% more than half compared to Samsung.
Samsung Electronics has ranked in No. 1 in Russia's smartphone market with a 30 percent market share as of the fourth quarter of 2021, according to market tracker Counterpoint.
AAPL officially stopped selling in Russia after the 2022 Ukraine invasion, the tech giant's iPhone 17 models are now available in Moscow stores. These new smartphones have reached Russian buyers through the government's parallel imports initiative. Check out the current price of AAPL stock here.
In July 2022, Xiaomi and its sub-brand POCO combined held a 42% market share in the Russian smartphone market, ranking first.
In 2022, Google's local subsidiary was declared bankrupt and the company has stopped offering its commercial services in Russia, such as advertising. However, its products are not completely banned in the country. This development is the latest escalation between Russia and the US tech giant.
Neither Xiaomi nor Samsung is universally "better"; the choice depends on user priorities, as Xiaomi often excels in value, performance for the price, and fast charging, while Samsung offers refined hardware, longer software support, cleaner UI (One UI), and more reliable features, though at higher price points. Xiaomi provides more specs for your money, while Samsung delivers a more polished, reliable, premium experience, especially with long-term updates.
Prices for the iPhone 16 in Russia start at 112,999 roubles ($1,225), significantly higher than the $799 price tag in the US The Pro Max version, with 1TB storage, is priced at 249,999 roubles ($2,710), more than $1,000 over the US price.
1. List of Russia eSIM Compatible Devices
The company has official distributors in Russia. Apple announced that they pulled out of Russia in March 2022, but Russians can still buy the new iPhone 14. Apple decided to close the headquarters in Russia. The company continues to provide access to its services (Apple Music & TV +), accepting payment via SIM card.
Russia announced its plan to deploy 5G network in 16 cities by the year 2030, with the infrastructure development expected to start from 2026. This initiative will support a population of about 16 to 17 million users by providing high speed mobile internet service in key urban areas.
China Has The Highest Smartphone Addiction Rate
China also has the highest number of smartphone users globally, almost 1.5 times more than any other country.
The basic 256 GB iPhone 17 is listed at 119,990 roubles ($1,437.08) on Restore:'s online store, about 57% more than the U.S. retail price, and 29% more than Great Britain's. Apple was the top smartphone brand by sales revenue in Russia in 2024 according to retailer M.
If you're planning to stay in Russia for two weeks or more—or intend to visit regularly—purchasing a local Russian SIM card is highly recommended. Not only will it provide you with reliable mobile connectivity, but it also facilitates the opening of a Russian bank account with a MIR credit card.
The decision means Samsung is not restricted on its sales under Russian law, although the company said this month - in a move unrelated to the case - it would halt shipments of devices to Russia because of "geopolitical developments".
Russia is gradually introducing restrictive measures against WhatsApp, the country's communications regulator Roskomnadzor said on Monday. Citing a statement by Roskomnadzor's press service, the RBK news outlet reported that WhatsApp “continues to violate Russian law.”
Market dominance: Chinese brands—Xiaomi, Redmi/POCO, Realme, TECNO, and Infinix—market over 79% of Russia's smartphone imports in 2023 Infinix Mob.
Apple doesn't sell its products directly in Russia, but the Industry and Trade Ministry has approved the company's merchandise for parallel imports, and Apple devices remain widely available in retail chains across the country.
The United States and United Arab Emirates are the cheapest country to buy iPhone 17 due to lower taxes and competitive pricing. Japan and Hong Kong are also attractive options for the base and Pro models.
The cost of the iPhone 16 for a 128 GB memory configuration is 114.99 thousand rubles, for 256 GB — 129 . 99 thousand rubles, for 512 GB — 159.99 thousand rubles.
Redmi (stylized in all caps as REDMI) is a subsidiary brand owned by Chinese electronics company Xiaomi.
Potential drawbacks of Xiaomi phones include the presence of pre-installed apps (bloatware) and the MIUI interface, which may not suit everyone's preferences. While Xiaomi offers solid hardware, consumers may find comparable or superior features at competitive prices from other brands.
Samsung – three to six years. Huawei – two to four years. Xiaomi – two to four years. Oppo – two to three years.