iPhone hits record Q3 shipment share as global smartphone market plunges 20%, per report

What happened

’The second successive quarter to take the full brunt of the memory crisis’ In a report released today, Counterpoint Research says memory constraints and rising prices have pushed global smartphone shipments to their lowest third-quarter level in 14 years, with a 20% year-over-year decline. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple shipped 22% of all smartphones during Q3 2026, up from 18% in the year-ago period. Apple is a software and consumer electronics company based in Cupertino.

According to Counterpoint Research , Apple saw its share of global smartphone shipments cross 20% for the first time in a third quarter, despite an industry-wide decline. AAPL Company iPhone Counterpoint Research iPhone hits record Q3 shipment share as global smartphone market plunges 20%, per report Marcus Mendes | Oct 12 2026 - 1:25 pm PT 0 Comments According to Counterpoint Research , Apple saw its share of global smartphone shipments cross 20% for the first time in a third quarter, despite an industry-wide decline.

The report doesn’t say what that translates to in absolute numbers. That helped it narrow the gap with Samsung, which remained in first place with a 23% share.

Key facts

• ’The second successive quarter to take the full brunt of the memory crisis’ In a report — released: today, Counterpoint Research says memory constraints and rising prices have pushed global smartphone shipments to their lowest third-quarter level in 14 years, with a 20% year-over-year decline