Welcome back to Market Mosaic. This week, we analyse the smartphone industry's shift toward premium pricing, explore why cash persists across diverse economies despite digital payment infrastructure, and much more.

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Now, let's dive into our insights for this week.

— Insights Team, Rwazi

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The premium smartphone era arrives as the industry matures

Do you know that the average smartphone prices are rising from 370 dollars this year to 412 dollars by 2029? Even with a revenue growth outpacing unit sales at 5% annually.

North America leads with prices approaching 984 dollars by 2026, driven by AI features and foldable devices. China shows measured growth at 3.6% as domestic brands push upward alongside Apple's Pro lineup recovery.

India remains most affordable under 250 dollars, but is trending toward 287 dollars by 2029 as secondary cities upgrade.

Generative AI features added up to $60 in production costs, yet consumers view these capabilities as essential rather than experimental, justifying premium pricing. Apple dominates with prices climbing toward 1,000 dollars by 2029 while preparing its first foldable for 2026.

Regional growth patterns show America's shifting economic centre

North Dakota and Texas now lead state GDP growth at 164% and 141% since 1998, driven by shale oil. Mountain West states like Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and Colorado posted 117% to 157% growth from population influx and business-friendly climates.

Tech hubs Washington, California, and Massachusetts grew 134%, 115%, and 87% respectively.

Traditional industrial states struggled dramatically. Louisiana, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut posted just 23% to 35 percent gains, reflecting manufacturing decline.

These patterns redefine resource allocation priorities as high-growth states offer expanding consumer bases while lower-growth regions require careful positioning.

Cash still dominates despite digital payment growth

Cash usage varies by development level. Poorest nations like Myanmar, Ethiopia, and Gambia register 95% to 98% cash usage due to limited infrastructure. Wealthy nations Sweden, Norway, and South Korea, show just 10% to 14%. Developing markets remain sticky with Mexico at 80%, India at 70%, and Thailand at 65%.

Surprising outliers include Japan at 60% despite technological advancement, reflecting cultural privacy preferences, and Germany at 51% due to surveillance concerns.

China's remarkable 10% also shows leapfrogging to mobile payments via Alipay and WeChat Pay, bypassing traditional card infrastructure entirely.

China escalates agricultural tariffs over EV dispute

China targets Western agricultural sectors worth billions in retaliation for 100% EV tariffs.

Western governments maintain EV tariffs despite agricultural pressure, viewing electric vehicle protection as strategically critical for competitiveness and climate goals.

Agricultural tariffs may raise Chinese food prices while Western producers lose market access. Supply chain managers face growing uncertainty, particularly difficult for perishable products with seasonal cycles requiring rapid adjustments.

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Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025

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Before You Go…

Leaving already? Not so fast. Our published data stories are packed with the kind of actionable insights you will wish you’d seen sooner:

• How retailers will win the holiday 2025 without deep discounts

• The great AI market cap collapse

• Inside the $1.5 trillion subscription economy: the breaking point