https://it-news.uk/tags/idc/ Recent content in Idc on IT News Hugo en-us Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://it-news.uk/posts/smartphone-market-split-memory-crisis-idc-q2-2026/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://it-news.uk/posts/smartphone-market-split-memory-crisis-idc-q2-2026/ <p>Global smartphone shipments fell to 277.5 million units in the second quarter of 2026 — a 6.7% year-over-year decline and the second consecutive quarterly drop, according to preliminary data from IDC&rsquo;s Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker released Tuesday.</p> <p>Memory costs are the root cause. DRAM and NAND prices have climbed nearly 300% compared to a year ago, and in low-end devices, memory now accounts for more than 65% of the total bill of materials. That math doesn&rsquo;t work for brands that depend on volume.</p> <p>&ldquo;It completely confirms what we predicted — this downturn is not uniform across the market,&rdquo; said Nabila Popal, IDC&rsquo;s senior research director for global consumer devices. &ldquo;The memory crisis is benefiting premium brands and crushing vendors that rely on low-end models.&rdquo;</p> <p>The result is a market splitting into two distinct tiers.</p>