2026 Smartphone Shipment Forecasts Revised Down as Memory Shortage Drives BoM Costs Up - Counterpoint

Global smartphone shipments are expected to decline 2.1% in 2026 due to surging memory costs, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast has been revised down by 2.6% points, with the low-end segment most impacted. DRAM price surges have increased smartphone BoM costs by around 25%, 15%, and 10% for low-, mid-, and high-end segments, respectively, with further cost impacts expected through Q2 2026.