Smartphone industry shifts as refurbished demand rises and manufacturing moves

The global smartphone industry is experiencing significant shifts in manufacturing and consumer behavior. Research from Omdia indicates that for the first time, screen panel shipments for refurbished devices (298 million units) have surpassed those for new smartphones (289 million units) in Q1 2026. This surge is driven by rising production costs for new devices due to expensive memory components like DRAM and NAND, leading consumers toward the second-hand market, including premium OLED flagship models.

In terms of manufacturing, Google is reportedly planning to end all Pixel device production in China by 2027, shifting operations to Vietnam and India to reduce supply chain dependency. This follows successful high-end Pixel production in Vietnam.

Product launches continue to shape the market. Apple is preparing to debut the iPhone 18 Pro series, which is expected to feature improved battery efficiency via LTPO+ technology and enhanced camera systems. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, Tecno is launching the Pova 8 Pro, including a Lamborghini limited edition, and Huawei has introduced the MatePad Air tablet featuring an OLED PaperMatte display. The market also shows a growing availability of affordable large-screen AMOLED smartphones in the 2 million IDR range.