Samsung Set to Lead 2026 Smartphone Market as Global Shipments Drop 14.3%
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 21
Samsung Set to Lead 2026 Smartphone Market as Global Shipments Drop 14.3%
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 21
Summary
Counterpoint forecasts Samsung will retake the No. 1 smartphone spot in 2026 with 0.8% shipment growth, narrowly ahead of Apple despite an industry slump.
A worsening memory-chip supply crunch drove Counterpoint to cut its 2026 outlook to a 14.3% decline in global phone unit shipments.
Samsung stands out because its integrated supply chain and mature distribution network have made it more resilient to rising memory costs.
Chinese smartphone makers are expected to bear the brunt of the downturn, underscoring how unevenly the supply shock is hitting the market.