Global smartphone shipments fall 20% in Q3 2026 as Samsung holds top spot
Samsung shipped 57.8 million units and grew its share to 23%, while total shipments of 254.7 million were the lowest for a third quarter since 2013, Omdia said.
Global smartphone shipments totaled 254.7 million units in the third quarter of 2026, down 20% from 320.1 million a year earlier and the lowest third-quarter figure since 2013, according to market research firm Omdia. Samsung Electronics kept first place with 57.8 million units, digitaltoday.co.kr reported.
Samsung's market share rose to 23% from 19% a year earlier. Apple stayed second with 56.5 million units, lifting its share to 22% from 18%.
Chinese vendors posted steeper declines. Xiaomi shipped 30.7 million units, down 29% year on year, to remain third. Oppo, whose figures include Realme and OnePlus, shipped 23.4 million units, down 39%, in fourth. Vivo shipped 19.3 million units, down 33%, in fifth.
Regional and outlook
Africa recorded the largest regional drop, with shipments down 39% year on year.
Omdia expects global smartphone shipments to fall 12% this year and forecasts that component prices will stay high into 2027 because of supply constraints in HBM and memory generally.
Samsung launched its premium Galaxy Z8 series in August 2026, and Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026 while pushing the base iPhone 18 to 2027, according to the background of the report.
Quick answers
How many smartphones shipped worldwide in Q3 2026?
254.7 million units, down 20% from 320.1 million in Q3 2025, according to Omdia.
Which company shipped the most smartphones in Q3 2026?
Samsung Electronics, with 57.8 million units and a 23% market share, ahead of Apple at 56.5 million units and 22%.
What does Omdia expect for the rest of the year?
Omdia forecasts a 12% decline in global smartphone shipments this year and expects component prices to remain high into 2027 due to HBM and memory supply constraints.