Global Smartphone Chipset Shipments Drop 15% in First Half of 2026

By: Harsh Vardhan

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Updated on: 30-Jul-2026 09:00 AM

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​Global smartphone chipset shipments fell by 15% in the first half of 2026, according to a recent report. The ongoing memory chip shortage continues to disrupt the smartphone industry, affecting both major and smaller component suppliers. Qualcomm and MediaTek, the two largest chipset manufacturers, experienced the most significant declines, with a 25% drop in system-on-chip (SoC) shipments compared to the first half of 2025.

Key Highlights

• Global smartphone chipset shipments declined 15 percent in the first half of 2026.
• Qualcomm and MediaTek saw a 25 percent drop in SoC shipments compared to H1 2025.
• Apple, Unisoc, and Samsung increased their SoC shipments during the same period.
• Entry-level SoC shipments could fall by as much as 30 percent year-on-year.
• Memory chip prices are not expected to stabilize before the second half of 2027.

Major Brands Face Declining Shipments

Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and other premium chipsets saw only limited growth during this period. MediaTek's low-end 5G chips suffered the steepest declines, while its flagship Dimensity 9500 series performed better. The impact of the chip shortage has been particularly severe for these two companies, which supply a large portion of the global smartphone market.

In contrast, Apple, Unisoc, and Samsung managed to increase their SoC shipments. Apple benefited from strong demand for its iPhone 17 series, which boosted shipments of the A19 and A19 Pro chipsets. Unisoc saw gains in the entry-level smartphone segment, driven by a shift from 5G MediaTek chips to 4G Unisoc chips. Partnerships with Xiaomi for Redmi and Poco smartphones also contributed to Unisoc's growth.

Market Trends and Future Outlook

Analysts from Counterpoint Research note a clear trend in the entry-level market. More manufacturers are choosing 4G Unisoc chipsets over 5G MediaTek options for affordable smartphones. This shift is helping Unisoc expand its presence, especially through collaborations with brands like Xiaomi.

Looking ahead, Counterpoint estimates that global smartphone chipset shipments will decline by 14% for the entire year. The entry-level segment is expected to see the largest drop, with SoC shipments potentially falling by up to 30% year-on-year. The ongoing memory chip shortage remains a critical issue, and prices are not expected to stabilize before the second half of 2027.

The continued shortage of memory chips and other components is likely to affect smartphone production and availability throughout 2026. Industry experts will monitor how manufacturers adapt to these challenges and whether supply chain conditions improve in the coming years.