Wealthy North Koreans looking for the fanciest phone that money can buy have a choice of several fold- and flip-type models in Pyongyang. Research by NK TechLab shows at least one fold-type phone and five flip-type models are currently available in North Korea.
The availability of high-end smartphones is a further sign of the wealth currently circulating in the North Korean capital. One recent report noted the growing number of privately-owned cars in the city while visitors have spoken of a city that is noticeably more modern than before.
The arrival of top-of-the-line smartphones doesn’t just benefit the ultra wealthy. As users upgrade, their old handsets are often passed to other family members or sold on the secondhand market, thus spreading smartphone penetration. Today, North Korean smartphones offer e-payment, online shopping, video streaming and games in addition to state-supplied propaganda.
Madusan 2222
The Madusan 2222 is believed to be the first fold-type smartphone available in North Korea. The phone appears to be based on the Honor Magic V2 RSR, a high-end folding phone from the Shenzhen-based company.
The Honor version has “Porsche Design” printed prominently across the case but that’s missing from the Madusan version.
Posting on X with what appears to be a sample of the new phone, Fenibook quoted the specifications as an MT8350 processor, 16GB+512GB of memory, Android 14, and a triple camera.
However, a poster for the phone in North Korea advertises the main memory is actually 1TB rather than 512MB. It also says the phone has a 5,000mAh battery.
A video of the phone has also appeared on X.
So how much does the phone cost? The video shows the Madusan 2222 at a Madusan retail outlet and a price of “2,000.” The currency isn’t shown but it’s almost certainly US dollars. It matches the general price of the phone in other markets and 2,000 doesn’t make sense for local or foreign exchange won.
Madusan 1005
The Madusan 1005 is a flip-type Android phone that first appeared in a YouTube video shot at the IFA trade show in Germany in 2024. Chinese phone make Doogee was showing off the phone, based on its Doogee V Flip Pro handset and openly promoted its work with the North Korean company.
The phone is based on Android 13, has a 6.9-inch main display, 108-megapixel outer camera, 50-megapixel selfie camera and a 4,100 mAh battery.
Samtaesong 10
The Samtaesong 10 is a flip-type smartphone that appears to be based on the Blackview Hero 10 phone. Both have similar specifications and, while it’s difficult to see in the image below, a distinctive circular display on the outside of the case. The phone has been on sale since at least October 2025.
The phone runs Android 13, has a 108-megapixel outer camera, 256GB of main memory and a 4,000 mAh battery.
Chongsong Flip
Like the Samtaesong 10 above, the Chongsong (청송) phone appears to be based on the Blackview Hero 10. Chongsong is a brand associated with Buksae Electronic Trading Company (북새전자무역회사). The phone appeared on state television, but specifications are not known.
Mujigae Flip
A flip-type handset is also being sold by the Mujigae Economic Technology Exchange Company (무지개경제기술교류사) and was on display at the recent Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair in May. Specifications or the model number are unknown.
Chilsong 2333
The Tongmyong Technology Development Office (동명기술개발소) sells smartphones under the Chilsong (칠성) brand name. The Chilsong 2333 (질성2333) runs Android 13, has a 6.9-inch main screen and 108-megapixel outer camera. It has 256GB of memory and a 4,000 mAh battery.
For more, check the latest edition of Smartphones of North Korea.