Hardest annual drop in history recorded in global smartphone sales

According to a report published by global technology market research and advisory firm IDC, global smartphone sales decreased by 22 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2026, marking the sharpest decline in history.

Major Decline in Sales

According to preliminary data from the Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker report prepared by IDC, global smartphone sales fell by 22 percent in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the same period of last year. As a result of this drop, sales volume declined to 255.3 million units, going down in records as the sharpest annual decline ever registered in any quarter of the smartphone market.

Main Causes of the Contraction

Multiple factors lie behind this historical contraction in the market. The memory crisis triggered by artificial intelligence technologies, rising component costs, and disruptions in the supply chain played a decisive role in shaking the market. IDC officials pointed out that memory costs in particular have surged by 350 percent.

Future Projections and Consumer Trends

IDC officials state that the worst period in the industry is not yet behind them. A full recovery in the sector is projected to begin no earlier than 2028. Faced with rising prices, consumers prefer to use their existing smartphones for much longer periods.

Market Share Developments

Despite the general contraction in the market and challenging economic conditions, leading manufacturers Samsung and Apple managed to grow their market shares. This situation demonstrated that major brands were able to maintain their presence even during the crisis period.