Preliminary data released by Counterpoint Research reveals that global smartphone shipments in the third quarter of 2026 experienced a significant year-on-year decline of 20%, hitting the lowest point for the same quarter since 2012. The escalating costs and supply constraints of memory chips have inflated production expenses, compelling smartphone makers to hike retail prices and reduce shipments. In doing so, they have chosen to safeguard profitability at the expense of sustaining sales volume.
