It was predicted late last year that smartphone production in 2026 would decline due to RAM and storage shortages. IDC has released its smartphone production report for Q1 2026 and the prediction has now come true.
In Q1 2026, smartphone production fell 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Only 289.7 million smartphones were shipped compared to 302 million smartphones last year. However, not all manufacturers seem to be affected.
Manufacturing Companies
Q1, 26 Market Share
Q1, 26 Production
Q1, 25 Market Share
Q1, 26 YoY Change
1. Samsung 62.8 21.7% 60.6 20.1% 3.6%
2. Apple 61.1 21.1% 59.1 19.6% 3.3%
3. Xiaomi 33.8 11.7% 41.8 13.8% -19.1%
4. Oppo 30.7 10.6% 34.1 11.3% -9.9%
5. Vivo 21.2 7.3% 22.7 7.5% -6.8%
Others 80.1 27.6% 83.6 27.7% -4.2%
Total 289.7 100.0% 302.0 100.0% -4.1%
Samsung is at the top with a 21.7% share followed by Apple (21.1%), Xiaomi (11.7%), Oppo (10.6%) and Vivo (7.3%). Only Samsung and Apple managed to increase production and market share while competitors from China recorded a high decline.
Xiaomi was the worst hit with a 19.1% decline followed by Oppo (9.9%). This was expected because Samsung has its own foundry producing RAM and storage. Meanwhile, Apple has a long-term agreement to ensure year-round supply even though it has to pay a higher price.
