China smart lock market contracts, De Shi Man tops volume and high‑end sales

In the first half of 2026 China's smart‑lock market showed a clear downturn. Online retail volume fell 18.1% year‑on‑year and sales value dropped 22.7% to an average price of 996 yuan, according to AV‑C data. Across all channels the market sold 821,900 units for ¥49.1 billion, down 8.3% in volume and 11.2% in revenue, as reported by LuoTu Technology.

Market concentration rose, with the top ten brands accounting for 76.8% of volume. De Shi Man (德施曼) secured both the highest online volume and sales value and dominated the high‑end segment (‑¥2,000 and above) with its AI‑enabled Kirin R9 series. Xiaomi, Kaadi (凯迪仕) and Huawei rounded out the leading trio, together holding 55.7% of total sales value.

The price mix shifted toward sub‑¥1,000 models, while mid‑high‑end categories shrank. A new mandatory safety standard for locks, effective 1 March 2026, raises compliance costs for smaller players, further strengthening incumbents. Despite overall pressure from tighter subsidies and tighter consumer budgets, the high‑end, AI‑feature‑rich segment remains resilient, highlighting the sector’s move from price competition to standards‑driven differentiation.