US Smartphone Shipments Fall 3% to 33.4 Million in Q1 as Motorola Jumps 18%

5 articles · Updated · The Fast Mode · May 31

33.4 million US smartphone units shipped in Q1 2026, down 3% from a year earlier, with Apple keeping the top spot despite its own 3% decline.
An inflated Q1 2025 comparison, tighter carrier upgrade support, higher memory and storage costs, and delayed launches weighed on volumes, though some budget models got a lift from inventory pull-forward before expected price increases.
Samsung shipments fell 5% after the Galaxy S26 launch slipped, even as S26 pre-orders ran nearly 25% above the S25; Motorola was the only major brand to grow, rising 18% on Moto G strength.
Market demand polarized by price tier: the $800-plus segment slipped 1%, sub-$300 devices grew 8%, while the $300-$599 segment dropped 19% as mid-range Android phones faced the most pressure.
Omdia expects US smartphone shipments to decline 4% for full-year 2026, with carriers still cushioning consumers from higher prices through financing and promotions.

With the mid-range smartphone market collapsing, must US consumers choose between basic budget phones and expensive premium flagships?

Is the global AI hardware race making US smartphone supply chains more diverse or just creating new dependencies?

How long can carriers shield consumers from skyrocketing phone prices driven by the AI industry's demand for computer chips?