Huawei Seen Growing 2026 Shipments as Global Smartphone Market Falls 14%
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Jun 2
Huawei Seen Growing 2026 Shipments as Global Smartphone Market Falls 14%
11 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Jun 2
Counterpoint expects Huawei to be the only smartphone brand to grow shipments in 2026, even as Chinese vendors face their toughest conditions since the pandemic.
Memory prices are surging, forcing brands to absorb higher costs, raise handset prices or cut storage configurations while replacement demand stays weak.
1.08 billion smartphones are projected to ship globally this year, down nearly 14% and marking the industry's lowest volume since 2013.
Apple and Samsung are expected to hold up better thanks to stronger pricing power and premium-heavy lineups, while Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and Transsion face sharper pressure in price-sensitive segments and emerging markets.
How is Huawei defying the global memory crisis while its rivals are forced to retreat?
As AI kills the budget smartphone, will billions be priced out of the digital world?