Samsung forecast to overtake Apple in global smartphone shipments in 2026: report
Samsung Electronics is forecast to reclaim the top spot in the global smartphone market this year, overtaking U.S. rival Apple, an industry report showed Monday. Samsung's smartphone shipments are expected to rise about 0.8 percent from a year earlier, according to Counterpoint Research. Apple's shipments are expected to decline 2.1 percent this year. Samsung's relatively strong performance is…
Samsung Electronics is projected to reassert its position as the leading global smartphone manufacturer this year, surpassing U.S. counterpart Apple, according to a report released on Monday by Counterpoint Research. The company anticipates a modest growth of approximately 0.8% in smartphone shipments compared to the previous year, while Apple's shipments are forecasted to decline by 2.1%.
The strong performance of Samsung is primarily attributed to its comprehensive product range, geographically dispersed business operations, in-house manufacturing of essential components, and a well-established carrier and distribution network. These factors have collectively bolstered Samsung's competitiveness in the face of supply chain challenges. Conversely, Apple is anticipated to confront potential price increases for the upcoming iPhone 18 series, as well as adjustments in the launch timelines for individual models.
Moreover, Apple is only scheduled to introduce its first foldable smartphone in the third quarter of the current year, with initial shipments expected to be limited to a few million units. Consequently, this limited release is not anticipated to substantially impact the overall shipment trends in 2026, as indicated by the latest findings from the report.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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