IDC cuts smartphone forecast again to -16.7% as AI memory costs hit consumers
asymco · x · 2026-09-05
IDC has again lowered its 2026 global smartphone shipment forecast, from -13.9% to -16.7% — the steepest annual contraction on record — with ASPs expected to rise 27%.
- IDC says the "memory tsunami" is hitting the market in full: consumers are starting to pay the AI bill, and the era of the cheap smartphone has ended.
- Analysts hope next week's foldable launches from Apple and Huawei can revive the sluggish sector.
- IDC projects Apple will ship over 17 million foldable iPhones by 2027, capturing about 40% of the global foldable market and challenging Huawei and Samsung's dominance.
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