IDC says global smartphone shipments fell 22% in Q3, the largest recorded quarterly decline, and warns conditions may worsen. The firm cites a roughly 350% surge in storage-chip costs over the past year driven by AI-sector orders, which have squeezed manufacturers' margins, prompted price increases, cut product specifications and led some vendors to withdraw low-end models; IDC's research director said indicators show the market has not yet bottomed.

2026-10-15

IDC says global smartphone shipments fell 22% in Q3, the largest recorded quarterly decline, and warns conditions may worsen. The firm cites a roughly 350% surge in storage-chip costs over the past year driven by AI-sector orders, which have squeezed manufacturers' margins, prompted price increases, cut product specifications and led some vendors to withdraw low-end models; IDC's research director said indicators show the market has not yet bottomed.