Global smartphone shipments just hit a 14-year low — here's why
Smartphone buyers seem reluctant to upgrade their phones, but Apple and Samsung are weathering the storm better than most brands.
Global smartphone shipments reached a 14-year low in recent reports, according to Counterpoint Research. This decline reflects a 20% decrease in shipments compared to the same period last year. The RAM crisis is primarily responsible for the low shipments, as it pushes up prices and results in component shortages. Consequently, phone manufacturers experienced disrupted shipments for certain models and higher prices for consumers, making upgrades less appealing or affordable.
However, the 14-year low may not solely be due to the RAM crisis; consumers are also holding onto their devices longer than anticipated. The report does not speculate on other factors, but it's possible that phones have become less interesting or flawed, or that phones are simply less capable than in the past. Despite these challenges, Apple and Samsung appear most resilient, with Samsung increasing its market share to 23% and Apple to 22%.
Other brands, such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, saw sharp declines in shipments and market share. The overall industry trend shows fewer phones being sold, but normalcy may not be restored if other reasons contribute to the shift in customer behavior.
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