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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [TECHNOLOGY]

59 clusters · 419 sources · 168 days · First seen 6 months ago · Last updated 2 days ago

Global smartphone market shifts toward premium models

Overview

The global smartphone market is undergoing a structural shift toward premiumization, driven by a severe memory component crisis. Rising costs for NAND and DRAM, often referred to as ‘RAMageddon’, are forcing manufacturers to increase prices, signaling the end of the budget-friendly era. While shipment volumes are projected to contract, the total market value is expected to rise due to significantly higher average selling prices.

Market leadership is characterized by a tightening duopoly between Samsung and Apple. In the first half of 2026, Samsung secured the top global position with a 22 percent market share, followed closely by Apple at 21 percent. While the iPhone 17 emerged as the world’s best-selling model, Samsung has seen success with its premium Galaxy S26 Ultra and foldable Z Fold8 series. Notably, Apple has overtaken Samsung in the European mobile operator channel, where contract-based sales for high-end models have proven more resilient than the open retail market.

Regional dynamics show significant variation. In China, Huawei has seen a resurgence, reaching a 23 percent market share by Q2 2026 due to the return of Kirin chips. In Vietnam, Samsung has significantly closed the sales gap with Apple on major e-commerce platforms during Q3 2026.

As manufacturers prioritize high-margin, AI-capable hardware, the entry-level segment is shrinking. This includes Samsung reducing production of its budget-friendly Galaxy A series by approximately 20 percent for Q4 2026. Consequently, the refurbished market is growing as consumers seek more affordable ways to access premium technology.

Entities

Samsung · Counterpoint Research · Apple · Xiaomi · Apple Inc.

Claims

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

[● 7 SOURCES] Qualcomm's total revenue declined 4 % year‑over‑year to $9.9 billion.
[● 5 SOURCES] Apple is expected to report Q3 2026 revenue of about $108.8 billion, a 15.5 % YoY increase.
[● 4 SOURCES] Qualcomm's revenue for the quarter was $9.95 billion, above analyst expectations of $9.69 billion.
[● 17 SOURCES] The iPhone 17 was the world's best-selling smartphone in Q2 2026, accounting for 6% of global unit sales.
[● 16 SOURCES] Global smartphone shipments declined 11% year-on-year during the second quarter of 2026.
[● 14 SOURCES] The smartphone industry is facing a global shortage of RAM.
[● 14 SOURCES] Apple and Samsung together occupied all ten of the top spots in the global smartphone ranking for Q2 2026.
[● 10 SOURCES] Qualcomm forecast adjusted profit of $2.05‑$2.25 per share for fiscal Q4 2026.
[● 10 SOURCES] Qualcomm forecast revenue of $9.7‑$10.5 billion for fiscal Q4 2026.
[● 9 SOURCES] Qualcomm expects its share of components in the next iPhone launch to fall well below the earlier estimate of 20 %.

Timeline

2 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Samsung narrows gap with Apple in Vietnam e-commerce market
Samsung is rapidly closing the sales gap with Apple on Vietnamese e-commerce platforms while simultaneously cutting production of its budget Galaxy A series due to rising component costs.
19 days ago

[BUSINESS] 7 sources
Apple overtakes Samsung in European operator smartphone sales
Apple has surpassed Samsung as the top brand in Europe's smartphone operator channel for Q2 2026, as carrier-based sales prove more resilient than open retail.
27 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Xiaomi and Apple see market gains in EV and smartphone sectors
Xiaomi shares rose 9.5% amid strong EV sales, while Apple surpassed Samsung in market share among European mobile network operators.
29 days ago

[BUSINESS] 10 sources
Apple overtakes Samsung in European carrier smartphone market
Apple has surpassed Samsung to lead the European smartphone market via mobile operators, capturing 37 percent share in Q2 2026 as premium device sales prove more resilient than the budget segment.
about 1 month ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Apple iPhone 17 leads global smartphone sales in Q2 2026
Apple's iPhone 17 led global smartphone sales in Q2 2026, growing 5% despite a shrinking market. Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra was the top Android model.
about 1 month ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Apple and Samsung dominate global smartphone market amid entry-level decline
Apple and Samsung dominate the premium smartphone market, while rising component costs threaten to reduce shipments of sub-$200 devices by 230 million units by 2030.
about 1 month ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Samsung leads global smartphone market with 22% share
Samsung leads the global smartphone market with a 22% share in H1 2026, growing 9% annually despite a 7% contraction in the overall industry.
about 2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 9 sources
Samsung leads global smartphone market in H1 2026
Samsung led the global smartphone market in H1 2026 with a 22% share, narrowly beating Apple. The company is also advancing AI and robotics strategies for both consumer life and semiconductor manufacturing.
about 2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 7 sources
Smartphone market shifts toward premium models amid volume decline
The global smartphone market faces a 12% shipment decline in 2026, but total value is expected to rise 12% as consumers shift toward premium devices and refurbished models.
about 2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 10 sources
Smartphone industry faces shifting brand loyalty and rising costs in 2026
The 2026 smartphone market sees Samsung overtake Apple in brand intimacy, rising device prices due to component costs, and a surge in the refurbished device market as consumers manage economic pressures.
about 2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 8 sources
Smartphone production forecast raised to 1.07 billion units for 2026
TrendForce raised its 2026 global smartphone production forecast to 1.07 billion units as consumers buy early to avoid rising memory costs.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 8 sources
Smartphone market shifts toward premium models amid RAM shortages
A shortage of RAM and rising component costs are ending the era of cheap smartphones, driving consumers toward premium flagship models and foldable devices.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 7 sources
Global smartphone market faces decline amid shift toward premium devices
The global smartphone market is projected to decline 14.3% in 2026, as rising component costs and lower affordability drive a shift toward premium devices in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 8 sources
Smartphone market shifts as Huawei rises in China and Apple leads globally
Global smartphone markets show rising brand concentration as Apple and Samsung dominate top sales, while Huawei achieves record market share in China through chip resurgence.
2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 76 sources
Apple and Samsung dominate global smartphone market in Q2 2026
Apple and Samsung dominated the Q2 2026 smartphone market, capturing 26% of global sales and all top 10 spots, even as overall industry shipments fell 11% amid a global RAM shortage.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 22 sources
Smartphone market faces 16.7% shipment decline amid memory chip surge
Global smartphone shipments are projected to drop 16.7% in 2026 due to a 300% surge in NAND and DRAM costs driven by AI demand, effectively ending the era of low-cost budget devices.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources
Southeast Asia smartphone shipments fall 15% in Q2 2026
Southeast Asia smartphone shipments fell 15% in Q2 2026 due to high component costs, though the premium segment grew significantly. Samsung leads the market, while Apple maintains a top-five position.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 5 sources
Mid-range smartphone market faces rising costs in 2026
Rising memory chip costs are driving up mid-range smartphone prices in 2026. Key contenders include the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro and the sustainably-focused Fairphone 6+, which is now available in the US.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 24 sources
Smartphone market faces global decline amid rising component costs
Global smartphone shipments are projected to fall 14.3% in 2026 due to rising component costs. While premium brands like Apple and Samsung show resilience, the mass market faces significant declines.
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 4 sources
European smartphone market faces volatility amid sales decline and recovery
European smartphone sales fell 10% in Q2 2026 due to rising costs and economic instability, though a late June recovery was sparked by Amazon Prime Day and a shift toward premium devices.
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
India smartphone shipments fall 10% in Q2 2026
India's smartphone shipments fell 10% in Q2 2026, as affordable segments declined sharply while the super-premium segment surged 72% due to financing options.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
US budget smartphone sales drop 64% due to rising chip costs
U.S. sales of smartphones under $100 fell 64% in Q2 2026 as rising memory chip costs force manufacturers to raise prices or discontinue budget models.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
Memory cost surges threaten global PC and smartphone markets
Rising DRAM and SSD prices are expected to cause a significant contraction in PC and smartphone shipments by 2026, potentially eliminating the sub-$500 entry-level PC market by 2028.
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 5 sources
Smartphone market faces rising costs as entry-level sales plunge
Rising component costs are reshaping the smartphone market. While U.S. entry-level sales fell 64% in Q2 2026, Samsung and Motorola gained share, and Huawei cut prices on its Mate X6 foldable.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 12 sources
Smartphone market faces decline as memory costs rise
Global smartphone shipments fell 7% in Q2 2026 due to rising memory costs driven by AI demand, prompting a shift toward premium devices and the refurbished market.
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Smartphone revenue hits $109 billion in Q2 2026 despite shipment declines
Global smartphone revenue hit $109 billion in Q2 2026, rising 7% despite lower shipments, as rising component costs push consumers toward higher-priced premium models.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
Global PC and Smartphone Markets Hit by 2026 Chip Shortage Price Hikes
Motherboard prices may rise 50% in Q3 2026 as component costs surge, while global smartphone shipments fell 11% in Q2 2026 amid DRAM/NAND shortages, prompting a shift to premium models.
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Qualcomm raises Snapdragon chip prices, driving up Android phone costs
Qualcomm’s September 2026 Snapdragon price hike and soaring memory costs have pushed Samsung’s mobile division into its first quarterly loss, signaling higher Android phone prices for 2026‑27 models.
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 22 sources
Apple captures 49% of global smartphone revenue as memory‑chip shortage drives price hikes
Q2 2026 smartphone revenue hit $109 bn (+7 %) with ASP $400 (+17 %). Apple took 49 % of revenue, Samsung led shipments, Xiaomi fell 26 %. Memory‑chip prices quadrupled, prompting price hikes.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 11 sources
Qualcomm Announces Double-Digit Snapdragon Chip Price Hike Amid Semiconductor Cost Surge
Qualcomm will raise Snapdragon prices by double‑digits from Sep 1 2026 as memory and component costs surge, cutting smartphone‑chip revenue 20 % and prompting Apple to shift to its own modems.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources
Samsung leads as global smartphone shipments fall 6% in Q2 2026
Q2 2026 smartphone shipments fell 6% to 272 million; Samsung stayed top with 22% share, Apple grew 23% to 20% share, while Xiaomi dropped 26% to 11% share, amid high memory costs.
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 51 sources
Qualcomm forecasts weak profit as Apple component revenue set to fall sharply
Qualcomm posted $9.9 bn Q3 revenue, forecast $9.7‑$10.5 bn Q4 and EPS $2.05‑$2.25, warns Apple component share will fall below 20% and will raise prices from Sep 1. Apple expects $108‑$109 bn revenue, 15.5% YoY
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 11 sources
Global Smartphone and PC Shipments Fall as Memory Chip Prices Surge
Q2 2026 global smartphone shipments fell 6 % to 272 M and PC shipments fell 4.9 % to 68.2 M as memory‑chip price hikes force vendors, including Apple, to raise prices and launch lease programs.
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
Apple iPhone Loyalty Hits 87% as Android Switches Decline in Q1 2026
CIRP data shows 87% of Q1 2026 iPhone buyers were existing iPhone users, up from 84% a year earlier, while only 12% switched from Android, down from 14%.
4 months ago

[BUSINESS] 6 sources
Memory price surge cuts global smartphone and PC shipments in Q2 2026
Rising memory costs caused global smartphone shipments to drop 4% and PC shipments to fall 3.6% in Q2 2026, with Samsung and Apple gaining share while overall demand weakens.
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 5 sources
Apple iPhone loyalty reaches 87% in 2026 while Samsung and Xiaomi see record brand confidence
2026 surveys show 87% iPhone loyalty, record 96% Apple and 90% Samsung brand loyalty, and Xiaomi tops reliability at 94.1%.
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 12 sources
Samsung reclaims global lead as smartphone shipments plunge 11% amid memory‑chip crunch
Smartphone shipments fell 11% YoY in Q2 2026, the lowest since 2013. Samsung leads with 24% share, Apple hits a record 20%; a memory‑chip shortage drives price hikes and hurts budget models worldwide.
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
PC sales drop 4% globally as Chinese smartphone shipments fall 4.3% in Q2
Q2 saw a 4% global PC sales drop and a 4.3% decline in Chinese smartphone shipments, both linked to rising component prices; Apple grew while Huawei fell.
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 86 sources
Samsung retakes global lead as smartphone shipments hit 13‑year low
Smartphone shipments fell 11% in Q2 2026, the lowest since 2013, as a memory‑chip shortage lifts prices. Samsung retook #1 with 24% share and Apple hit a record 20% share despite the market slump.
4 months ago

[BUSINESS] 4 sources
Global Smartphone Prices Rise as Memory Costs Soar
Memory cost hikes are pushing entry‑level smartphone prices up, prompting Omdia to predict a 12% drop in 2026 shipments and a 22% shrinkage of the sub‑$400 segment.
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Apple and Huawei drive smartphone sales as China's market contracts, Taiwan sees Apple surge
China's H1 2026 smartphone market fell 10%, with only Huawei and Apple growing; Taiwan's weekly rankings show Apple topping the list with six models in the top ten.
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 11 sources
Apple Watch Holds 90% of Edge‑AI Smartwatch Shipments in Q1 2026
Apple Watch captured about 90 % of Edge‑AI smartwatch shipments in Q1 2026, as Edge‑AI hit 25 % of the market with 70 % YoY growth; Apple’s Neural Engine leads health features while rivals like Huawei, Qualcomm
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
Samsung Galaxy S26 sales surge as Apple trims iPhone 17 output; Trump Phone draws criticism
Samsung's Galaxy S26 sales jump while Apple cuts iPhone 17 production; the Trump Phone faces criticism for poor specs and security risks.
4 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Global low‑cost smartphone shipments set to fall 22% as storage prices surge
Omdia forecasts a >22% drop in sub‑$400 smartphone shipments in 2026 due to soaring storage costs, while Japanese retailers promote value‑focused mid‑range Android phones such as the arrows Alpha and Redmi Note
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Global Smartphone Prices Set to Rise 21% in 2026 as Market Shifts to Premium
Omdia projects smartphone shipments to fall 12% in 2026 while average prices jump 21% to $565, driven by soaring memory and display‑panel costs, prompting makers to drop low‑end models.
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Apple Leads Global Smartphone Sales in Q1 2026
Apple took 21% of Q1 2026 global smartphone sales, topping the list with three iPhone 17 models; Samsung filled five spots, while overall shipments fell 6% amid chip shortages.
4 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Global smartphone market average price to hit $565 in 2026
Omdia projects a 12.2% drop in 2026 smartphone shipments to 1.09 bn units, while average selling price climbs to $565, driven by soaring component costs and a shift toward premium models.
5 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 10 sources
Global Smartphone Shipments to Drop 12% as Prices Reach $565 in 2026
Global smartphone shipments are expected to fall 12% in 2026 as average prices hit a record $565, driven by soaring memory costs; GenAI phones will reach 45% of shipments, and refurbished sales are growing amid
5 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
India's smartphone exports to the US surge 47% in April 2026, led by Apple
India's smartphone exports to the US jumped 47% in April 2026 to $2.43 bn, driven largely by Apple’s iPhone production, raising India’s share of US imports to about 70%.
5 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Apple Watch Leads Global Smartwatch Market in Q1 2026 with 23% Share
Apple Watch held 23 % of global smartwatch shipments in Q1 2026, up 21 % YoY, leading market recovery; Huawei 17 % and Samsung fell to 5 %.
5 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Apple Watch drives global smartwatch market growth as Samsung shares plunge
Smartwatch shipments grew 4% in Q1 2026, led by Apple’s 21% boost to 23% market share, while Samsung’s share fell 28% to 5%; Huawei dominates a Chinese market that expanded 15%.
5 months ago

[BUSINESS] 3 sources
Apple expands smartwatch lead as Samsung shares plunge
Q1 2026 smartwatch shipments grew 4%; Apple lifted its share to 23% while Samsung fell 28% in shipments, dropping to 5% share, with Huawei advancing to second place.
5 months ago

[BUSINESS] 7 sources
Apple Watch shipments jump 21% in Q1 2026, securing 23% market share
Apple Watch shipments rose 21% YoY in Q1 2026, capturing 23% of the global smartwatch market as overall shipments grew 4%; Huawei gained share while Samsung fell sharply.
5 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Apple ramps up iPhone output in Q1 2026 as global smartphone production falls
Apple boosted Q1 2026 iPhone production to 60.2 million units, up 19.7% YoY, while global smartphone output fell 1.7% to 284 million, with further declines forecast.
5 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
US Smartphone Market Q1 2026: Apple Holds 60% Share as Samsung Slips, Memory Shortage Looms
In Q1 2026 the US smartphone market fell 3% YoY; Apple kept about 60% share while Samsung slipped to 24% and Motorola grew 18%. A memory‑chip shortage risks a steeper 2026 decline, with production projected to
5 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Apple Boosts iPhone Production 20% as Global Smartphone Output Falls 1.7% in Q1
Apple increased iPhone output 20% YoY to 60.2 million units in Q1 2026, while global smartphone production fell 1.7% to 284 million; Samsung led with 62.6 million units and a 16% annual decline is projected.
5 months ago

[BUSINESS] 10 sources
Apple iPhone shipments up 8% in Latin America amid worldwide smartphone market slump of 13.9%
Apple’s iPhone shipments rose 8% in Latin America Q1 2026, while the global smartphone market is set to shrink 13.9% due to a worsening memory‑chip shortage, hitting budget phones hardest.
5 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
European smartphone market posts modest Q1 growth as HONOR logs double‑digit gains worldwide
European smartphone shipments grew 2% in Q1 2026, led by Samsung and Apple with record prices, while Chinese brand HONOR posted double‑digit growth globally, including 73% in the Middle East and 101% in Africa.
6 months ago

[BUSINESS] 5 sources
Apple iPhone sales jump 31% while Xiaomi grows 26% in Central America Q1 2026
Apple iPhone sales rose 31% in LATAM Q1 2026, led by Mexico, while Xiaomi posted 26% growth in Central America, boosting its regional share.

Sources

1001infos.net · 199it.com · 36kr.com · 36kr.jp · 4gnews.pt · 9to5google.com · 9to5mac.com · 9to5toys.com · acvila30.ro · ad-hoc-news.de · advanced-television.com · aktiencheck.de · aldohamagazine.com · allgaeuer-anzeigeblatt.de · analyticsinsight.net · android-mt.ouest-france.fr · androidgeek.pt · androidkenya.com · androidnews.de · androidplanet.nl · androidworld.nl · antaranews.com · apalos.es · apcmag.com · appgamers.de · appgefahren.de · applemust.com · appletvitalia.it · appleworld.today · archynetys.com · archyworldys.com · arenait.net · ariase.com · arstechnica.com · asaaseradio.com · assodigitale.it · asymco.com · avalanchenoticias.com.br · bajtbox.com · ballerstatus.com · baoquocte.vn · batista70phone.com · batmanpusula.com · bhaskarlive.in · bitfinanzas.com · biz.cafef.vn · biz.heraldcorp.com · blikk.hu

This summary has been updated 43 times: see revision history