Global smartphone shipments dropped 11 percent in the second quarter to the lowest level since 2013, according to Counterpoint Research. The decline stems from rising prices for DRAM and NAND chips as manufacturers prioritize demand for Artificial Intelligence. Apple and Samsung gained market share while other makers struggled.
Counterpoint Research reported that the memory-chip shortage pushed up prices and reduced demand, hitting entry-level and midtier phones hardest. Brands such as Xiaomi, Vivo and Oppo recorded double-digit shipment declines year over year.
Apple increased shipments by 3 percent and reached a record 20 percent market share on demand for premium iPhones. Samsung raised shipments by 4 percent to reclaim the top position with 24 percent share, supported by strong sales of its Galaxy S26 series.
The firm expects global shipments to fall about 14 percent for the full year and the shortage to continue into 2027. Budget manufacturers may reduce low-margin models and shift toward refurbished devices.
A separate Omdia report showed a smaller 4 percent drop for the quarter but confirmed the same pattern of resilience at Apple and Samsung.
