Global smartphone shipments fell sharply in the second quarter of 2026, declining 11 percent year-on-year to mark the lowest quarterly level since 2013. The downturn was driven in part by China, where shipments dropped 4.3 percent to 66 million units — a fifth consecutive quarterly decline.
Market leaders diverged by region. In China, Huawei Technologies captured the top spot with a 22.6 percent share and shipments up 19.4 percent, while Apple came second, its shipments rising 24.4 percent. Globally, Samsung led with a 24 percent share, boosted by the Galaxy S26 series and strength in India and the Middle East. Apple held a 20 percent global share, reportedly the only major manufacturer not to raise prices.
Several Chinese brands posted steep losses. Xiaomi shipments fell 21.7 percent, while Oppo dropped 9.7 percent and Vivo fell 11.4 percent.