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14 clusters · 157 sources · 51 days · First seen · Last updated

Global PC, GPU, and Smartphone market trends 2026

Overview

By the third quarter of 2026, the PC and smartphone markets faced severe contractions driven by an AI-led memory crisis. Global smartphone shipments fell 22% year-on-year to 255.3 million units, marking the steepest quarterly decline recorded to date. This downturn is linked to DRAM and NAND component costs rising approximately 350% annually as high-bandwidth memory (HBM) demand for AI infrastructure diverts supply from mobile devices.

In the smartphone sector, analysts Jeff Pu and Henry Huang of GF Securities project that Apple may be the only major manufacturer to achieve shipment growth in 2026. While the global market is expected to shrink by approximately 14.2% to 1.08 billion units, Apple is forecasted to see a 4% year-over-year increase, reaching 257 million units and raising its global market share to 24%. In contrast, Samsung and Huawei are expected to see flat growth, while Xiaomi and OPPO/realme face significant declines. Apple faces internal challenges, including lukewarm receptions for the iPhone 18 Pro due to weight concerns and production constraints regarding hinge supplies and camera limitations.

Globally, the PC market saw a significant plunge in Q3 2026, with shipments falling 21% to 57 million units. This slump is attributed to rising costs for DRAM and NAND flash, a phenomenon described as “chipflation,” where higher manufacturing costs are passed to consumers. Lenovo maintained leadership with a 26.3% market share despite a 23% shipment decline. HP and Dell experienced steep declines of approximately 31% and 25%, respectively. Apple and ASUS showed more resilience; Apple’s market share rose to approximately 9.8%, while ASUS shipments fell by only 7%. Analysts credit the MacBook Neo, featuring the A18 Pro chip, with cushioning Apple’s decline, as demand for the device exceeded expectations and led to increased production targets.

Entities

Apple · Lenovo · Dell · Counterpoint Research · HP

Claims

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

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Apple increases PC market share despite global shipment decline

    Apple grew its PC market share to 9.8% in Q3 despite a 21% global market decline, bolstered by the MacBook Neo as rising component costs impact competitors.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 13 sources
    Global PC shipments fall 21% in Q3 2026 due to rising component costs

    Global PC shipments dropped 21% to 57 million units in Q3 2026 as rising DRAM and NAND prices drove up costs, causing consumers to delay purchases. Lenovo leads the market despite the decline.

  3. [TECHNOLOGY] 17 sources
    Apple gains PC market share as global shipments decline

    Global PC shipments fell 21% in Q3 2026 due to rising component costs, but Apple increased its market share to 9.8% thanks to the MacBook Neo.

  4. [TECHNOLOGY] 7 sources
    Global smartphone shipments drop 20% in Q3 2026

    Global smartphone shipments fell 20% in Q3 2026 due to soaring memory chip costs. Samsung and Apple gained market share while Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Oppo saw significant declines.

  5. [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    India technology market faces declines in smartphone and PC shipments

    India's tech market faces headwinds as 2026 Q3 smartphone shipments hit a decade-low 26% drop, while the PC market anticipates a 22% decline in the second half of the year due to rising costs.

  6. [TECHNOLOGY] 17 sources
    Smartphone shipments fall 22% in Q3 2026 amid rising memory costs

    Global smartphone shipments fell 22% in Q3 2026 to 255.3 million units, driven by a 350% surge in memory chip costs due to AI demand, disproportionately affecting budget-tier manufacturers.

  7. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Apple projected to lead smartphone market growth in 2026

    GF Securities analysts predict Apple will be the only major smartphone maker to grow in 2026, gaining 24% market share as global shipments are expected to drop 14.2% due to rising memory costs.

  8. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Global PC shipments decline over 20% in Q3

    Global PC shipments fell by over 20% in Q3 due to rising component costs and higher consumer prices, with Lenovo leading the market and Apple gaining share despite a general industry decline.

  9. [TECHNOLOGY] 57 sources
    Smartphone shipments fall 22% in Q3 2026 amid memory crisis

    Global smartphone shipments fell 22% in Q3 2026 due to an AI-driven memory shortage. Samsung and Apple lead the market, while rising component costs may delay recovery until 2028.

  10. [TECHNOLOGY] 45 sources
    Global PC shipments fall 20% in Q3 2026 amid rising component costs

    Global PC shipments fell approximately 20% in Q3 2026 due to high component costs and earlier inventory stockpiling. Lenovo remains the market leader, while HP saw the largest shipment decline.

  11. [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Desktop GPU shipments reach four-year high

    Global desktop GPU shipments hit a four-year high in Q2 2026 with 12.5 million units, led by Nvidia's 90 percent market share as buyers anticipate future price hikes.

  12. [TECHNOLOGY] 10 sources
    US PC market shipments grow 1% in Q2 2026 as average prices exceed $1,000

    US PC shipments grew 1% in Q2 2026 to 18.8 million units, with average prices exceeding $1,000 for the first time as the market shifts toward premium and AI-capable devices.

  13. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Global GPU shipments rise 10% driven by laptop demand

    Global PC GPU shipments rose 10.4% to 75.5 million units in Q2 2026, driven by a 16.8% surge in laptop demand despite a decline in desktop sales.

  14. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    GPU shipments rise 10.4% in Q2 2026 driven by notebook demand

    In Q2 2026, consumer GPU shipments rose 10.4% to 75.5 million units, driven by a 16.8% surge in notebook GPUs despite a 4% decline in desktop shipments and ongoing memory shortages.

Sources

072info.com · 199it.com · 9to5google.com · 9to5mac.com · ad-hoc-news.de · aksam.com.tr · aktuelno.me · alborsaanews.com · alloforfait.fr · analistamodelosdenegocios.com.br · android-mt.ouest-france.fr · androidcentral.com · apfelnews.eu · apfelpage.de · arabhardware.net · arstechnica.com · arts-spectacles.com · batista70phone.com · bhaskarlive.in · biz.heraldcorp.com · blog-nouvelles-technologies.fr · blogspan.net · borncity.com · bug.hr · canaltech.com.br · cnbcindonesia.com · cnmo.com · compsmag.com · computerbase.de · connect.ro · crn.pl · digitaltrends.com · dijitaliyidir.com · dinero.hn · disabledperson.com · dotekomanie.cz · economiematin.fr · economx.hu · eetasia.com · elchapuzasinformatico.com · emarketerz.fr · en.overclocking.com · eprice.com.hk · eteknix.com · exame.com · expansion.com · finance.technews.tw · financiarul.ro

This summary has been updated 32 times: see revision history