The smartphone market dropped by 7% in Q2 because of rising memory prices

According to an FDM CCS Insight report, global smartphone shipments declined by 7% in Q2, compared to Q2 of 2025. They fell 3% in comparison to Q1 of this year. Overall, FDM forecasts a 12% decline in global smartphone shipments in 2026.

Developed markets like Europe and North America declined only by low single digits, while emerging markets, whose buyers are more sensitive to price increases, saw larger declines.

The secondary market, on the other hand, is doing well. Per FDM's report, second-hand phone sales grew 3% year-over-year and are expected to grow close to 10% (9%, to be exact) for the entire year.

It seems buyers are choosing less expensive refurbished phones over brand new devices, and there's a good reason for that. Because of rising memory prices due to a global shortage, new smartphones were 13% more expensive in Q2 than in Q1. FDM expects new phone prices to continue to climb in the second half of 2026 as well.

But the second-hand market isn't without its issues. Strong demand and limited supply are gradually pushing refurbished phone prices up as well. Fewer trade-ins in the US mean fewer devices are entering the secondary market, although strong exports from China and Japan are partially offsetting the shortage.