Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 4 hrs ago
Global smartphone shipments fell 20% in the third quarter as memory costs rose
Worldwide smartphone shipments fell 20% in the third quarter of 2026, their lowest level since 2012.
The decline comes as phone makers face rising costs for DRAM and NAND memory chips.
Demand for those chips has grown as companies build AI infrastructure, leaving less supply for phones and other products.
Higher memory costs have contributed to phone prices rising by 20% overall this year, while concerns about inflation may also be holding back buyers.
Samsung and Apple each gained market share compared with a year earlier, but both shipped fewer phones.
A survey found that half of respondents in the US, UK, India, China and Germany planned to wait for holiday sales before buying a phone.
Phone makers and carriers may turn to refurbished devices, repairs, trade-ins, financing and bundled services to attract customers, but memory costs are not expected to ease soon.
Global smartphone shipments fell 20% year over year in the third quarter of 2026, reaching their lowest level since 2012, according to Counterpoint Research.
Rising DRAM and NAND costs amid a memory shortage pushed manufacturers to raise prices, while inflation concerns also weighed on demand.
Samsung had 23% of the market and Apple had 22%, although both companies’ shipments declined from a year earlier.
A Counterpoint survey found that half of respondents in five countries planned to wait for holiday sales before buying a phone.
- Who
- Smartphone makers and buyers worldwide.
- What
- Global smartphone shipments fell 20% year over year. Rising memory costs contributed to higher phone prices.
- When
- The third quarter of 2026.
- Where
- Worldwide.
- Why
- Memory costs rose amid limited chip supply and demand from AI infrastructure investment; inflation concerns also likely suppressed sales.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Phone prices were up 20% overall, according to Counterpoint Research.
Global smartphone shipments fell 20% year over year, reaching their lowest level since 2012.
- Shipment decline
- 20% year over year in the third quarter of 2026
- Lowest level
- Since 2012
- Samsung market share
- 23%, up from 19% in 2025
- Apple market share
- 22% in the third quarter
- Survey respondents waiting for holiday sales
- 50% across the US, UK, India, China and Germany
What people are saying
It was the second consecutive quarter to take “the full brunt of the memory crisis
For many, the question is straightforward: why replace a perfectly functioning smartphone that continues to meet their everyday needs?
Sources
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