According to IDC's latest Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, global smartphone shipments are forecast to fall 13.9% year over year in 2026 to 1.09 billion units. That's worse than the 12.9% decline that the company predicted in February, and it would leave the market at its lowest shipment total since 2013.Read Entire Article
Smartphone shipments face worst decline ever: memory crisis and US-Iran war hit market
Why This Matters
The sharp decline in global smartphone shipments signals a challenging period for the tech industry, driven by a memory crisis and geopolitical tensions such as the US-Iran war. This downturn could impact innovation, supply chains, and consumer access to new devices. For consumers, it may mean fewer new models and potential delays in product availability.
Key Takeaways
- Global smartphone shipments are projected to decline by 13.9% in 2026, reaching their lowest since 2013.
- The decline is driven by a memory crisis and geopolitical tensions like the US-Iran war.
- The market downturn could affect innovation, supply chains, and consumer access to new devices.
Get alerts for these topics