Three new smartphone designs have recently appeared in the hands of Pyongyang residents, NK News has found through analysis of state media, in the latest indication of sanctions breaches and a rebounding domestic tech market despite pandemic-related trade restrictions.

All three models feature square-shaped multi-camera housings in the upper-middle area of the back, resembling models made by top Chinese phone makers such as Xiaomi and Huawei and released between 2018 and 2021. 

They appear different from other new phonesthat showed up in North Korea earlier this year, which also feature similar square-shaped camera housings but in the upper-left rear