According to the latest data from Counterpoint, the global smartphone AP-SoC market witnessed a significant downturn in the second quarter of 2026, with shipments dropping sharply. The report covers the market share figures from the first quarter of 2024 through the second quarter of 2026, highlighting a notable contraction in the industry during this period.

The global smartphone shipments in Q2 2026 fell by 21% year-on-year, driven primarily by rising memory costs and a cautious inventory management approach adopted by smartphone OEMs. In this challenging environment, both MediaTek and Qualcomm experienced shipment declines exceeding 30% compared to the same period last year.

The report indicates that the mid-to-low-end market segment is expected to bear the brunt of this downturn. OEMs are likely to reduce their entry-level device offerings and optimize their product portfolios to safeguard profit margins in the face of escalating costs and uncertain demand.