One in three Russians translates instructions for Chinese gadgets as smartphone sales fuel language learning

The growing popularity of Chinese electronics in Russia is directly boosting interest in learning the Chinese language. According to a joint study by online school Skyeng and brand Tecno, 34% of Russians have encountered the need to translate manuals for purchased devices, making it their first practical experience with the language.

Nearly a third of respondents (30%) said they would like to learn Chinese out of curiosity. Among those studying a second foreign language, Chinese accounts for 26% of students. Changing the interface language of digital devices has become a popular immersion method: 28% of respondents tried learning this way. Of those, 17% switch all apps to a foreign language to create a full language environment, while 11% only change the smartphone system language — settings and app names.

Skyeng's academic director Gleb Cheng notes that learning through everyday activities lowers the psychological barrier. Instead of abstract words from a textbook, a person gets real context — figuring out settings or translating a manual. This approach is especially relevant for Chinese due to its unfamiliar script: even the first few dozen characters from daily surroundings make the language more accessible.

According to Tecno, sales of Chinese tech in Russia grew 27% in 2025 compared to 2024, driven mainly by mid-range models. The trend continues in 2026: the first two quarters show double-digit growth. Smartphones account for 72% of all purchases. Tablet sales rose 18%, while laptop sales climbed 34% year over year. Devices with artificial intelligence features draw particular interest: up to 39% of buyers in 2026 consider them when choosing a smartphone or laptop.