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Global Smartphone Shipments Rise 2.3% YoY in Q4 2025 Despite Memory Shortages, Boosting Apple LED Market (IDC)

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idc q4 2025 Smartphone MarkeT

Global smartphone shipments recorded modest but meaningful growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, rising 2.3 percent year-over-year despite ongoing supply-side pressures, according to International Data Corporation (IDC). The market showed resilience in the face of a persistent memory chip shortage, logistical constraints, and cautious consumer spending in several regions. For the full year 2025, worldwide smartphone shipments reached 1.26 billion units, signaling a gradual recovery after periods of stagnation.

Premium devices played a major role in driving this growth, as consumers continued to prioritize high-end features and longer replacement cycles. Foldable smartphones gained wider acceptance, contributing to higher average selling prices and renewed interest in flagship models. Additionally, accelerated purchasing activity ahead of expected price increases helped lift shipments toward the end of the year, particularly in developed markets.

Apple and Samsung emerged as the strongest performers during the quarter, recording the highest growth rates among the top five smartphone brands. Apple led the global market for the third consecutive year, shipping 81.3 million units in Q4 2025 and capturing a 24.2 percent market share. The strong performance was fueled by demand for the iPhone 17 series and solid sales momentum in China and other key regions.

Samsung followed closely, shipping 61.2 million units and securing an 18.2 percent share of the global market, supported by a broad portfolio spanning premium and mid-range devices. Chinese manufacturers Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo rounded out the top five, maintaining competitive positions through aggressive pricing and strong distribution networks, particularly in emerging markets.

Apple Tops Global Smartphone Market With 20% Share in 2025, Counterpoint Says

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Apple led the global smartphone market in 2025 with a 20% share, as worldwide shipments grew 2% year-on-year, driven by stronger demand and improving economic momentum in emerging markets, according to data released by Counterpoint Research on Monday.

Apple’s performance was supported by solid demand across emerging and mid-sized markets, alongside strong sales of its latest iPhone 17 series, said Counterpoint analyst Varun Mishra. The company claimed the largest market share among the world’s top five smartphone brands during the year.

Counterpoint noted that smartphone manufacturers front-loaded shipments earlier in 2025 to get ahead of potential tariff impacts. However, this effect faded as the year progressed, leaving shipment volumes in the second half of the year largely unchanged.

Samsung ranked second globally with a 19% market share, posting modest shipment growth. Xiaomi followed in third place with a 13% share, buoyed by steady demand in emerging markets, the research firm said.

Looking ahead, Counterpoint warned that the global smartphone market could face headwinds in 2026. Research director Tarun Pathak said shipments are expected to soften due to chip shortages and rising component costs, as semiconductor manufacturers increasingly prioritize supplying processors for AI data centres over smartphones.

Samsung Warns Global Memory Shortage Could Drive Up Prices Across All Devices

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Samsung struck a cautious tone during the celebrations at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, warning that worsening memory chip shortages could soon have real consequences for consumers. Speaking on the second day of the event, a senior company executive indicated that supply constraints are intensifying, potentially forcing Samsung to reconsider pricing across its product lineup. The message was clear: if the shortage persists, higher prices may be unavoidable.

The South Korean tech giant emphasized that memory components, particularly DRAM, are becoming increasingly difficult to secure. As these chips are essential for smartphones, laptops, wearables, and other everyday gadgets, prolonged supply pressure could ripple across the entire consumer electronics market. Samsung suggested that even a few more months of disruption could translate into noticeable cost increases for buyers worldwide.

According to a report from Bloomberg, Samsung President and Chief Marketing Officer Won-Jin Lee addressed the issue directly in an interview. He acknowledged that semiconductor supply challenges are no longer isolated problems but industry-wide concerns. While Lee stressed that Samsung is trying to shield consumers from rising costs, he also noted that the company’s ability to absorb higher expenses has limits.

Lee reportedly added that prices are already climbing behind the scenes, underscoring how serious the situation has become. The current shortage has been fueled largely by aggressive expansion from major artificial intelligence companies, including Google, Meta, OpenAI, and xAI, all of which are building massive data centers to support growing AI workloads. As demand from these players surges, consumer tech companies like Samsung are left navigating tighter supplies and difficult pricing decisions.