Smartphone shipments fall 22% in worst quarterly decline - report

The global smartphone market experienced its most significant quarterly decline in September, with shipments decreasing by 22%, according to market researcher IDC. The sharp drop in shipments is primarily attributed to the rise in memory costs, which have been fueled by demand from the AI industry over the past year. These increased storage costs have negatively impacted profitability across the entire mobile sector, according to IDC.

In response to the cost pressures, manufacturers have taken several measures to mitigate the impact on their bottom lines. These measures include raising prices, reducing the specifications of their devices, and eliminating budget-focused models. The impact of these changes has been most severe for Chinese brands such as Xiaomi Corp. and Oppo, while Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. have managed to maintain better performance.

IDC's assessment suggests that the mobile market is undergoing a permanent structural shift, and device manufacturers are increasingly recognizing this new norm. IDC now expects growth in the market to resume only as early as 2028. The shift towards higher-priced devices and a greater focus on flagship or ultra-premium models is expected to result in a larger share of a smaller overall market for Apple and other vendors with extensive distribution channels and strong portfolios of premium products.