H1 2025 PayGO Smartphone Market Insights: Global Growth and the Upya Advantage

August 6, 2025

Articles

The global PayGO smartphone market reached 42 million activations in H1 2025—driven by falling device prices, innovative financing models, and expanding digital access. In this fast-evolving landscape, Upya helps businesses scale operations with secure, automated tools tailored for the PayGO model.

During the first half of 2025, the global pay-as-you-go (PayGo) smartphone market sustained strong momentum, reaching approximately 42 million activations—an 8% increase over H1 2024’s 39 million activations. This growth was driven by falling entry-level 4G/5G device prices and an expansion in digital sales channels, boosting internet access in emerging markets.

Regional Breakdown

South Asia

Led with about 17 million activations (India 13M, Pakistan 2.5M, Bangladesh 1.5M), primarily driven by prepaid plans offering generous data packages and retailer financing schemes

Africa

With 10 million activations, Nigeria led with 4M, followed by South Africa (2M) and Egypt (1.5M). The introduction of chip-included devices and OEM-operator partnerships supported affordability

Latin America

Recorded 8 million activations—Brazil (2.4M), Mexico (2.0M), and Argentina (1.2M)—where consumers favored long-battery, good-camera models under US$150

Southeast Asia

Saw 4 million activations, thanks to intense competition among regional OEMs and a digitally savvy consumer base. Consequently, even budget devices now include AI features like facial recognition and computational photography, which were previously reserved for premium models

MENA Region

3 million activations, especially in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, supported by long-term financing and bundled service offerings

Global PayGo smartphone revenue climbed to US$12 billion, an 11% YoY increase, reflecting both higher average selling prices (US$285 vs. US$270 in H1 2024) and greater adoption of value-added plans.

Market Trends to Watch (H2 2025)

Consolidation of 5G in sub-US$200 segments: With component prices dropping, expect 5G capabilities to become standard in more affordable models.
Acceleration of e-commerce and zero-entry marketplaces: As online platforms lower barriers to entry, more consumers will adopt PayGo smartphones via flexible purchase models
Expansion of sustainable trade-in programs: Device upgrades will be incentivized through environmentally conscious trade-in offers.

These trends signal a continued shift toward affordability, digital access, and sustainability.

Upya Insights: Powering the Next Phase of PayGo Smartphone Growth

At Upya, we empower businesses to scale their PayGo smartphone operations with complete visibility, control, and automation with:

✅ Loan Management System (LMS) enables:

Automatic device locking to reduce default risk
Streamlined contract and repayment management
Real-time data syncing for inventory and agent tracking

✅ Field and agent apps ensure:

Seamless data collection (even offline)
Transparent reporting across the distribution network

✅ Pricing and inventory tools allow:

Flexible pricing adaptation based on local market realities
Real-time stock and customer status monitoring

In the PayGo 2.0 era, customer-centricity and operational excellence aren’t differentiators—they’re baseline expectations. The key to scaling? Having a platform that aligns with how the PayGo smartphone market is evolving.

Want to launch or scale your PayGo smartphone business with control, security, and a better user experience?

The global PayGo smartphone market hit 42 million activations in H1 2025, fueled by falling prices and innovative financing. As competition grows, staying ahead means having the right tools. Upya empowers businesses to scale confidently with automated device locking, payment tracking, and inventory control.

Ready to unlock growth in the PayGo smartphone market? Book a demo with our team today and start scaling with confidence.