On October 23, Counterpoint Research released data revealing that in the first half of 2025, global smartphone shipments witnessed a 2% year-on-year increase, whereas outsourced design orders surged by 7%. Concurrently, smartphones crafted by Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs) constituted 43% of the total shipments, marking a new peak for the corresponding period since 2019. This trend underscores that, amidst intense market rivalry and cost constraints, smartphone makers are proactively addressing hardware advancements and upgrades. They are doing so by boosting ODM outsourcing, intensifying R&D endeavors, upgrading manufacturing capabilities, and diversifying into areas such as smart vehicles, smart wearables, and robotics.
