Chinese memory chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) said over the weekend it had advanced new chip architecture that increases memory density, prompting sharp declines in global memory stocks. Micron fell 3.7% in premarket trading, SK Hynix closed 10% lower in Seoul, and Samsung Electronics dropped 7.4%, with SanDisk, Seagate and Western Digital also declining. CXMT, which went public on Shanghai's STAR Market in July with a 466% debut surge, reportedly plans to launch a server-memory product based on the new architecture by the end of 2026.
Samsung's launch promotion for the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus remains active, giving buyers a free $200 Amazon gift card. The offer is limited to customers who hold an Amazon Prime membership.
SK Hynix fell more than 8% and Samsung Electronics dropped 7.9%, both hitting their lowest intraday levels since August, as a US semiconductor sell-off spread to Asian markets. SoftBank Group shares sank over 8% in Japan, dragging down chip-related names including Tokyo Electron, Advantest, Lasertec, Disco and Renesas Electronics. The moves followed a 0.44% Nasdaq decline and a 3.9% drop in Micron Technology after China's ChangXin Memory Technologies reported progress on a new chip architecture.
Counterpoint Research reports worldwide smartphone shipments dropped 20% in the third quarter of 2026, the lowest level since 2012, as a shortage of DRAM and NAND chips pushed phone prices up roughly 20% this year. Samsung and Apple both gained market share—23% and 22% respectively—but each still saw shipments decline year-over-year, while Samsung raised Galaxy S26 prices by $100 and Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro line launched $100 higher than its predecessor.
Counterpoint Research reports Apple captured 22% of global smartphone shipments in Q3 2026, up from 18% a year earlier, even as total industry shipments fell 20% year-over-year to their lowest third-quarter level in 14 years. Samsung held the top spot with 23% share, while Xiaomi, OPPO and vivo all saw their shares decline. Apple's own shipment volume fell due to the lack of a base iPhone 18 model, though iPhone 18 Pro launched more strongly than its predecessor, especially in China and India.
Samsung is facing a broader memory chip shortage affecting device shipments industry-wide, but strong demand for its Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable phone has helped the company maintain its position as a top smartphone shipper. The strength of this product lineup is credited with cushioning the company against the wider supply constraints.
Samsung has begun rolling out Android 17-based One UI 9 to newer devices like the Galaxy Fold 8 and Flip 8, while older models approach the end of their update lifespans. Support duration varies widely across Samsung's lineup, with budget A-series phones generally receiving fewer years of meaningful software updates than flagship models.
Unlike iPhones, which let users lock individual apps behind Face ID with a simple long-press, Samsung's Galaxy phones have no built-in one-tap app-lock feature. Instead, Samsung splits the function across two separate tools: Secure Folder, which hides and protects a set of apps behind authentication, and app pinning, which restricts the phone to a single app until unlocked.
Samsung has added a new 'Warranty and care' section to Settings on devices running One UI 9, letting users view coverage type, expiration dates and Samsung Care+ enrollment details in one place. The menu also links other Galaxy devices tied to the same Samsung account and includes hardware diagnostics for the battery, screen, camera and sensors, plus a Bixby-based troubleshooting option.
Samsung TV owners can perform a factory reset to resolve persistent issues such as app crashes, freezing streaming services, or video glitches. The process reverts the TV entirely to its out-of-box state, wiping all settings, apps, and configurations. Users are advised to try simpler troubleshooting steps first, since a factory reset cannot be undone.
Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, is set to go on sale October 23 with pre-orders starting a week earlier, following the already-available iPhone 18 Pro. Competitors including Xiaomi, Oppo, Motorola and Samsung have been developing foldable phones in a similar compact 'passport' format, positioning themselves ahead of Apple's entry into the category.
Samsung's One UI 9 update, introduced alongside its August foldable launches, is now widely rolling out to recent Galaxy flagship devices. The update is the first version of Samsung's interface built on Android 17 and includes several new features, including AI tools and a contextual-information feature called Now Nudge.
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