Global Phone Shipments Hit Their Lowest Third Quarter Since 2013
Omdia counted 254.7 million shipments in the third quarter, with Samsung and Apple holding up better than several rivals.
Key takeaways
- Global smartphone shipments fell 20% year over year to 254.7 million in the third quarter.
- Samsung shipped 57.8 million phones, while Apple shipped 56.5 million.
- Omdia expects full-year 2026 smartphone shipments to decline 12%.
Global smartphone shipments fell 20% year over year to 254.7 million in the third quarter, according to Omdia. It was the market’s weakest third quarter since 2013.
Samsung remained the largest vendor, shipping 57.8 million phones, down 5% from a year earlier. Apple was second with 56.5 million iPhones, roughly flat year over year.
Xiaomi ranked third with 30.7 million shipments, down 29%. The combined total for OPPO, realme and OnePlus was 23.4 million, a 39% drop. vivo shipped 19.3 million, down 33%.
Higher phone prices and rising memory and storage costs weighed on demand, while distributors took a cautious approach to inventory. Omdia’s report also cited consumers in emerging markets delaying purchases.
Samsung and Apple together accounted for about 45% of global shipments, according to the report. Omdia expects shipments to fall 12% for 2026 as high component costs, limited room for discounts and inventory risks continue to pressure manufacturers.
This article was produced with the help of AI technology. Based on reporting by the outlets listed above.
