Apple Bucks Global Smartphone Decline Amid Soaring Memory Costs

Global smartphone shipments are expected to decline sharply in 2026 due to rising memory costs, according to IDC. However, Apple's U.S. position remains strong as it maintained its market share year-over-year in the second quarter of 2026.

The company's shares edged lower in premarket trading on Monday, slipping less than 0.5%. Apple's resilience in the U.S. market contrasts with growing pressure across the global handset market from rising memory costs.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd increased its market share by three percentage points year-over-year and four points sequentially as it accelerated Galaxy A17 5G shipments ahead of higher memory costs. Alphabet Inc unit Google gained one percentage point year-over-year as Pixel shipments increased and the company secured sufficient memory components from suppliers.