Global smartphone shipments fall 22% in third quarter, IDC says

Global smartphone shipments fell 22% year on year to 255.3 million devices in the third quarter of 2026, according to preliminary IDC figures. The research firm described it as its largest recorded annual decline.

IDC linked the contraction to memory shortages and rising costs amid demand from the artificial intelligence industry. Senior research director Nabila Popal said memory costs had risen about 350% over a year. The firm also cited expensive components and strained supply chains.

Samsung shipped 57.8 million smartphones, down 5.8% from a year earlier, for a 22.6% market share. Apple shipped 57.3 million, down 4%, taking 22.4% of the market.

Xiaomi remained third with 30.7 million devices and a 12% share after a 29.2% shipment decline. Oppo's shipments fell 34.5% to 25.6 million and Vivo's fell 31.5% to 19.1 million. Their market shares were 10% and 7.5%, respectively.

IDC expects component costs to continue constraining the market. Its forecast puts a return to growth no earlier than 2028.