Dec 2 (Reuters) – Global smartphone shipments are expected to decline by 0.9% in 2026 as rising memory chip prices are pushing average selling prices to record highs, according to research firm IDC.

The drop follows a stronger 2025, when shipments are forecast to grow 1.5% to 1.25 billion units, driven by Apple’s strong performance and a rebound in China.

Apple is on track for a record year in 2025, with shipments projected to rise 6.1% to 247 million units, helped by surging demand for its iPhone 17 series.

In China, Apple’s largest market, surging demand for the iPhone 17 pushed its share above 20% in October and November, reversing earlier projections of a 1% decline and prompting a revised forecast of 3% shipment growth in the region for the year.

Globally, Apple is expected to gen

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