Smartphone market faces global decline amid rising component costs

smartphone market shipment decline component costs premium segment memory shortage

The global smartphone market is facing a significant downturn, with shipments projected to decline by approximately 14.3% in 2026 due to rising component costs, particularly for memory (DRAM and NAND), and reduced consumer purchasing power. Analysts from Counterpoint Research and Omdia suggest the market will remain under pressure through 2027, with a potential recovery starting in 2028.

Market performance is increasingly polarized. Premium brands like Apple and Samsung are showing resilience; Apple has seen growth in certain regions and segments despite the overall slump, while Samsung is expected to regain its global leadership position by 2026 due to its robust supply chain and vertical integration. Conversely, the mass market and entry-level segments are suffering most, with Chinese OEMs facing significant shipment declines as manufacturers raise prices or reduce low-margin product offerings to protect profitability.

In Europe, the market hit a three-year low in the second quarter of 2026, with shipments dropping 10% year-on-year. Apple and Samsung together control two-thirds of the European market, while Xiaomi holds a third place. Technological shifts, including the integration of generative AI, 5G, and foldable devices, continue to drive high-end specifications, even as the broader industry struggles with supply-side pressures and economic uncertainty.

Entities

Apple · Counterpoint Research · Motorola · Omdia · Samsung · Xiaomi

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] The global smartphone market is expected to recover starting in 2028. mreza.bug.hr · www.199it.com · borncity.com · www.itmedia.co.jp · k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp
[● 4 SOURCES] Apple and Samsung each held a 34% market share in Europe during Q2 2026. esport1.hu · dotekomanie.cz · fakti.bg · www.hwsw.hu
[● 4 SOURCES] Samsung is expected to regain the top global market position in 2026 with a 0.8% shipment increase. www.199it.com · mreza.bug.hr · www.itmedia.co.jp · k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp
[● 4 SOURCES] Xiaomi held a 15% market share in the European smartphone market in Q2 2026. esport1.hu · dotekomanie.cz · fakti.bg · www.hwsw.hu
[● 2 SOURCES] Huawei is projected to grow by approximately 8% in 2026 due to domestic demand and local component supply. www.itmedia.co.jp · k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp
[● 9 SOURCES] Rising component costs and inflation are driving smartphone price increases. esport1.hu · mreza.bug.hr · www.199it.com · borncity.com · dotekomanie.cz · +4 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Counterpoint Research predicts a 14.3% decline in global smartphone shipments in 2026. www.199it.com · borncity.com · mreza.bug.hr · www.itmedia.co.jp · k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp
[● 4 SOURCES] The European smartphone market saw a 10% year-on-year decline in shipments during Q2 2026. esport1.hu · dotekomanie.cz · fakti.bg · www.hwsw.hu