The global smartphone market suffered its first decline since 2023 in the first quarter of this year, according to market tracker IDC, with the memory chip supply crunch and war in Iran likely to elevate costs and constrain growth further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple and Samsung Electronics were the only top-five brands to post growth, as each increased shipments by more than 3% while the overall market fell 4.1%, the researchers found. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With roughly a fifth of overall shipments each, the two biggest companies are better positioned to secure long-term supply and handle surging costs than their Chinese peers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rivals from Oppo to Xiaomi saw shipments plummet this year, as component and logistical costs surged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe expect the first quarter slowdown to be a mild precursor for what lies ahead in 2026,\u201d IDC analysts led by Nabila Popal said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn several emerging markets, prices have risen by as much as 40\u201350%, significantly weighing on demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple had a strong quarter in China, with its popular iPhone 17 series helping it to 30% growth in the world\u2019s biggest smartphone arena. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shenzhen-based Huawei and Honor also managed to grow their shipments over the period, with the latter\u2019s overseas expansion helping deliver a 24% improvement on the prior year, IDC said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, all companies will have to adapt their lineups to account for a memory chip crunch that\u2019s expected to last until the second half of 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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