In its preliminary report on global smartphone shipments during the first quarter of 2026, IDC revealed a decline in demand, as shipments reached 289.7 million devices, a decrease of 4.1% compared to the same period last year.
This is the first quarterly decline since 2023, as a result of a shortage in supplies of memory chips and high component costs, which prompted some companies to raise prices.
Samsung topped the market during the same period with shipments of 62.8 million devices and a 21.7% share, supported by demand for the Galaxy S26 Ultra and mid-range versions. Apple came in second place with shipments of 61.1 million devices and a share of approximately 21%, with continued strong sales of the iPhone 17 series, especially in China.
Xiaomi ranked third with shipments of 33.8 million devices, followed by Oppo in fourth place with 30.7 million devices, then Vivo in fifth place with shipments of 21.2 million devices. Samsung and Apple were the only two companies in the Big Five to record positive annual growth.
IDC analysts expect continued market volatility in the coming months, with the memory crisis affecting prices, especially in emerging markets that rely on low-cost phones.
