Apple ramps up iPhone output in Q1 2026 as global smartphone production falls

Apple increased its iPhone manufacturing to roughly 60.2 million units in the first quarter of 2026, a 19.7% year‑on‑year rise, driven largely by the launch of the iPhone 17e. The boost helped Apple become the world’s second‑largest smartphone producer after Samsung, which made about 62.6 million devices in the same period.

TrendForce data show that global smartphone production slipped 1.7% YoY to around 284 million units in Q1 2026 and is expected to decline further, with a projected 16.2% drop to 1.051 billion units for the full year. Higher memory‑chip prices are pressuring margins, but Apple appears better positioned to absorb the cost increases than many rivals, while brands such as Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo face tighter profitability.

The surge in Apple’s output aims to meet demand despite a broader market slowdown and component‑price pressures, signalling the company’s focus on preserving market share and supporting future software and services revenue growth.