Global smartphone shipments drop 20% in third quarter Vlad Schepkov Mon, October 12, 2026 at 9:59 AM EDT 2 min read 005930.KS -4.39% AAPL +1.18% 1810.HK -5.55% Trade Apple on Coinbase Trading disclosure Trading disclosure The above button links to Coinbase. Yahoo Finance is not a broker-dealer or investment adviser and does not offer securities or cryptocurrencies for sale or facilitate trading. Coinbase pays us for certain activity generated through this link. Prices displayed are informational.
Investing.com -- Global smartphone shipments dropped 20% year-over-year in the third quarter to reach their lowest level for that period since 2012, according to preliminary estimates from Counterpoint Research released on Monday.
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The decline stems from rising memory chip costs and supply shortages that have increased production expenses and pushed manufacturers to raise retail prices. AI infrastructure projects have absorbed much of the available memory component supply, forcing smartphone makers to reduce shipment volumes and focus on profitability rather than sales volume.
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Consumers are keeping their phones for longer periods, showing increased interest in refurbished devices and placing greater emphasis on higher-value products, according to Counterpoint senior analyst Shilpi Jain.
Samsung maintained its position as the market leader with a 23% market share. The company's shipments fell 3% from the previous year during the quarter. Demand for its Galaxy Z Fold8 series and steady component supplies for mid-range devices supported its market position.
Apple captured a 22% market share, marking the first time the company has exceeded 20% in a third quarter. The company's shipments declined year-over-year. The absence of a base iPhone 18 model led to a smaller launch-month channel fill compared to the full iPhone 17 lineup from a year earlier, Counterpoint said.
OPPO and vivo both recorded shipment declines exceeding 20%. Xiaomi saw shipments fall more than 30%, reducing its market share to 10%. The company reduced its exposure to lower-priced devices and certain overseas markets to protect profit margins.
Global smartphone shipments drop 20% in third quarter
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