Global smartphone shipments fall to 13-year Q2 low

First PCs, now smartphones: Global smartphone shipments fell 11% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, marking the weakest second-quarter performance since 2013, according to preliminary estimates from Counterpoint Research. Behind the decline is the memory crisis, which is starting to sound like a broken record at this point. It has pushed up manufacturing costs and forced smartphone makers to raise prices, particularly in the budget segment. Consequently, demand for lower-cost devices has weakened significantly as consumers delay upgrades.

Manufacturers have been hit unevenly by the memory crisis, with brands that rely heavily on affordable handsets facing the greatest pressure. Samsung regained the top position with a 24% global shipment share, driven by strong Galaxy A-series sales and steady demand across multiple regions. Apple secured a record 20% share for a second quarter, supported by resilient iPhone demand despite the broader market slowdown. Xiaomi ranks third with a 12% share, followed by Oppo at 11% and Vivo at 8%.

Counterpoint expects the industry to remain under pressure through the rest of 2026 as memory supplies remain constrained. While flagship smartphones are expected to weather the slowdown better than entry-level models, analysts believe ongoing component shortages and higher retail prices will continue to dampen consumer demand until supply conditions improve.