Smartphone Shipments Fall 11 Percent in Q2 2026 to Lowest Level Since 2013

Global smartphone shipments declined 11 percent in the second quarter of 2026 from the previous quarter and reached their lowest second-quarter level since 2013. Counterpoint analysts attributed the drop to higher prices for DRAM and NAND chips. Memory chip makers have redirected production capacity to meet demand from the AI computing boom, reducing supply available for smartphones and other consumer devices.

Higher memory costs have cut consumer demand, especially for lower-priced phones. Omdia reported that memory now accounts for half of total manufacturing cost for devices priced at $500 or less and more than one quarter for flagship models, with costs rising sharply over the past year for both segments. Samsung, Apple, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi ranked as the top five manufacturers by shipments.

Most of those companies recorded lower sales, but Apple posted 3 percent growth while holding prices steady on its current models, in contrast to price increases by most other makers.