Apple and Samsung Gain Phone Chip Share as Q3 2026 Shipments Fall 21%

According to Counterpoint Research, global shipments of smartphone chips fell 21 percent in the third quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier. Within that decline, Apple and Samsung were the only major vendors that gained market share, according to the report as cited by 9to5Mac. The other major chip suppliers lost ground over the same period.

The figures concern the supply side of the phone market, meaning the companies that design and sell the processors inside handsets. The source reports the change in shipments and market share, but the excerpt available to us does not list individual company figures, exact market shares, or the reasons behind the drop. Readers should treat the numbers as the research firm's estimates and check the full report before drawing firm conclusions.

For the smart home and gadget market, the effect is indirect. Phone chips shape how fast and how capable a handset is, and how long it stays supported. A slowdown in shipments can affect the range and pricing of new phones over time. Readers who plan a purchase do not need to change anything yet, but can compare models on their own needs rather than on headline claims.