Q2 2026 Smartphone Shipments Fall 11% to Lowest Since 2013 on Memory Shortage
The memory chip shortage has shifted from a supply-side issue to a demand-side crisis, reshaping the smartphone market around premium models.
Reporting from 1 source: GIGAZINE.
Global smartphone shipments in the second quarter of 2026 dropped 11 percent year-over-year, the lowest Q2 total in 13 years, as a shortage of DRAM and NAND memory drove up component costs. Memory suppliers prioritized AI data centers over consumer electronics, forcing price increases on entry-level and mid-range models. Samsung and Apple grew their market share, while Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo saw double-digit declines. Google and Huawei posted gains.
The second quarter of 2026 saw global smartphone shipments drop to their lowest level in 13 years, according to Counterpoint Research. The 11 percent year-over-year decline was driven by a persistent shortage of DRAM and NAND flash memory, as suppliers continued to prioritize AI data center demand over consumer electronics. The resulting price increases hit entry-level and mid-range devices hardest, forcing manufacturers to raise prices, extend older model lifecycles, or cut production. Samsung held the top spot with 24 percent market share, buoyed by its Galaxy S26 series, while Apple reached a record 20 percent share without raising iPhone prices. Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo each saw double-digit declines. Google and Huawei posted gains of 16 percent and 6 percent respectively.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.