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Global Smartphone Shipments Hit 14-Year Low in Third Quarter Amid Memory Shortage
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CNBC TV18•12-10-2026, 19:58
Global Smartphone Shipments Hit 14-Year Low in Third Quarter Amid Memory Shortage
- •Global smartphone shipments dropped 20% year-on-year to the lowest third-quarter level since 2012 due to soaring memory chip costs and supply shortages.
- •Rising memory component prices driven by AI infrastructure projects have increased production costs and prompted brands to raise retail prices and prioritize profitability.
- •Samsung maintained its lead with a 23% market share, supported by demand for the Galaxy Z Fold8 series and stable mid-range component supplies.
- •Apple captured 22% of the market share, exceeding 20% in a third quarter for the first time despite lower overall shipments.
- •OPPO and vivo saw shipment drops exceeding 20%, while Xiaomi suffered a fall of over 30% as it reduced exposure to low-priced devices to protect profit margins.
Key Questions Answered
Global smartphone shipments fell by 20% due to soaring memory chip costs and supply shortages that pressured manufacturers, pushed up prices, and caused AI infrastructure projects to corner component supplies.
Samsung retained its top position with a 23% market share, supported by demand for its Galaxy Z Fold8 series and stable component supplies for its mid-range devices.
Apple achieved a 22% market share, crossing 20% for the first time in a third quarter, despite experiencing a year-on-year decline in its overall shipments.
