The smartphone market for 2026 has faced its challenges due to supply constraints brought on by the global memory shortage, and the figures for Q2 shipments have reportedly continued to fall due to these issues. A major factor in the smaller number of global shipments is the memory prices going up for manufacturers, which has caused many manufacturers to state that prices would be increasing as a result of the higher manufacturing costs.
So far this year, Samsung and Apple have raised prices on phones, with other smaller manufacturers following in their footsteps. According to technology and data insight firm FDM CCS Insight, this trend is going to continue throughout the rest of 2026, as smartphone manufacturers continue to deal with higher components costs. The cost of components is expected to stay at higher prices through 2027 and 2028.
Shipments for the Q2 2026 smartphone market have fallen by 7%
Smartphone shipments have decreased for the second quarter in a row, falling by 7% this quarter globally, as memory prices for manufacturers have caused further price increases on phones. With RAM and chips to make RAM costing more for companies that make these devices, FDM CCS Insight is predicting that smartphone prices will continue to rise or stay at their already increased prices, which will lead to lessening demand for phones in the months ahead. FDM CCS Insight believes this will lead to shipments falling in the upcoming quarters.
This only applies to the primary market, however, which FDM categorizes as consumers buying products directly from retailers or retail partners. The “organized secondary market,” meanwhile, FDM expects to improve, as these devices will be less expensive. The organized secondary market for phones includes previously owned devices that have either been refurbished or include some form of warranty support to add value to the device. FDM expects that this market for devices will grow by 9% this year, while the primary smartphone market falls by 12%.
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