International Data Corporation reported a decline in global smartphone shipments for the first quarter, marking a return to negative growth after several quarters of recovery.
Shipments Fall in First Quarter
According to IDC’s preliminary data, global smartphone shipments reached 289.7 million units in Q1, representing a 4.1% drop compared to the same period last year. This is the first quarterly decline since 2023.
Analysts attributed the slowdown to acute memory supply constraints, which have affected both production and demand. Rising bill of materials costs have also led some manufacturers, including Samsung, to increase prices.
Samsung and Apple Lead Market
Samsung ranked first in global shipments with 62.8 million units, accounting for a 21.7% market share. Strong demand for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, along with earlier launches such as the Galaxy A367 and A57, contributed to its performance.
Apple followed closely with 61.1 million shipments and a 19.6% market share. The iPhone 17 series continued to attract buyers, particularly in China.
Samsung and Apple were the only companies among the top five to record year-over-year growth in both shipments and market share.
Top Smartphone Vendors in Q1 2026
| Company | Shipments (Million Units) | Market Share | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 62.8 | 21.7% | 3.6% |
| Apple | 61.1 | 19.6% | 3.3% |
| Xiaomi | 33.8 | 11.7% | -19.1% |
| OPPO | 30.7 | 10.6% | -9.9% |
| vivo | 21.2 | 7.3% | -6.8% |
Xiaomi ranked third with 33.8 million shipments, down significantly from the previous year. OPPO came in fourth with 30.7 million units, followed by vivo with 21.2 million shipments.
Market Outlook
IDC expects continued pressure on the smartphone market in the coming months due to the ongoing memory chip shortage. Rising component costs are likely to push average selling prices higher.
Developed markets such as the US are expected to be less affected by price increases. However, demand in emerging markets, particularly for devices priced below $200, may weaken further.
Memory prices are projected to stabilize in the second half of 2027.
