Overview
- Counterpoint’s Q2 smartphone data, published Thursday, showed global shipments fell about 11% year‑on‑year and India shipments dropped about 10%, marking the weakest quarter since 2013.
- Memory prices have surged nearly fourfold since September 2025, which suppliers passed on to device makers and drove average smartphone prices up roughly 15% by the end of Q2.
- The steep price rise hit entry and mid tiers hardest, with India’s sub‑INR 15,000 segment plunging about 45% year‑on‑year and volume‑focused Chinese brands losing market share.
- Premium and niche players gained ground as Samsung and Apple expanded share to about 24% and 20% respectively and Google Pixel and Nothing posted notable growth in select markets.
- Manufacturers are raising prices, cutting or delaying low‑margin models and expanding financing and cheaper 4G options, and analysts say recovery hinges on memory supply easing into 2027.