Analysts forecast that due to the persistent shortage of memory chips, global smartphone shipments will plummet by 12% year-on-year in 2026. This downturn would represent the most severe decline on record, with shipments dropping to levels not seen since 2013. The chip scarcity might trigger a structural transformation within the consumer electronics sector, with a potential turning point in the consumer device market possibly arising as early as the end of 2027, contingent upon the availability of "additional memory capacity." Shipments in both the personal computer and smartphone markets globally are projected to contract by 11% and 13%, respectively. The fervent investments by tech firms in AI infrastructure have further strained the already tight memory chip supply, resulting in reduced chip allocations for smartphone manufacturers. Concurrently, the chip shortage has driven up component prices significantly.