According to Counterpoint Research, global smartphone SoC shipments dropped by 21% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2026. The market landscape shifted as vertically integrated manufacturers increased their shares.
Apple reached a 21% market share, closely trailing Qualcomm at 22%. Samsung also saw its share rise to 8%, while MediaTek experienced a decline from 34% in the second quarter to 28% in the third.
Memory prices for smartphones saw a growth slowdown of 5–10% in the third quarter of 2026, with an additional 5% increase projected for the fourth quarter. Some entry-level manufacturers are now utilizing recycled memory to manage material costs.
Looking ahead, analysts expect new flagship SoC releases from September to provide a boost in the fourth quarter of 2026, though total shipments are likely to remain below 2025 levels. Annual shipments for 2026 are forecast to fall by 20%, with a further 3–4% decline anticipated in 2027.
