Counterpoint Research reported a sharp 21% year-on-year decline in global smartphone SoC shipments for the third quarter of 2026. This marks a significant contraction in the market amid shifting industry dynamics.
Apple and Samsung are the two companies that managed to increase their market shares during this period. Apple’s SoC market share rose to 21%, approaching Qualcomm’s 22%, while Samsung’s share climbed to 8%. In contrast, MediaTek’s share fell from 34% in Q2 to 28% in Q3 2026.
The report also notes that smartphone memory price increases slowed to a range of 5 to 10% in Q3 2026, with expectations for a further 5% rise in the fourth quarter. Some entry-level smartphone makers have started using recycled memory chips to reduce component costs, but widespread adoption is limited due to packaging and integration constraints.
Counterpoint’s Senior Analyst Shivani Parashar expects the launch of new flagship SoCs in September 2026 to stimulate the market in Q4. However, shipments are likely to remain below those of the fourth quarter in 2025.
Soumen Mandal, Counterpoint’s Chief Analyst, forecasts an overall 20% year-on-year decline in smartphone SoC shipments for 2026, followed by an additional drop of 3 to 4% in 2027. Memory prices are expected to continue rising, though with potentially reduced volatility.
These trends show OEMs are increasingly focusing on profitability amid shrinking SoC demand and rising component costs.
Users tracking SoC market changes may find update data and analysis through services like MemeOS Enhancer or MemeOSUpdates.com, which monitor hardware and software ecosystem developments alongside shipment trends.
Source: ithome.com
