According to Counterpoint's latest market tracker, global smartphone shipments fell sharply in the second quarter of 2026, underscoring the memory crunch's impact on consumers, manufacturers, and retailers worldwide. Higher component costs, rising prices, and weaker demand in budget segments are now reshaping the market, with the disruption likely to influence availability, upgrade cycles, and handset pricing well beyond this year.
The United States' proposed Golden Dome missile defense system remains highly uncertain, but it is already emerging as a new market that US space and defense startups are racing to enter.
Apple is reportedly evaluating AI model compression technology from Silicon Valley startup PrismML as it seeks to run more capable AI models directly on iPhones, a move that could improve performance while reducing reliance on cloud computing.
Taiwan networking equipment makers posted strong results in June 2026, with rising demand for AI data center expansions, high-speed switches, and broadband network upgrades driving several companies to record-high monthly revenues. Some also set new quarterly and first-half records, as the market expects momentum to continue in the second half.
Agentic AI is putting new pressure on enterprise networks and cybersecurity infrastructure as companies accelerate internal deployment, with Cisco and Foundry warning that more than 70% of enterprises see their current networks as unprepared for future AI demand.
New figures from Counterpoint Research estimate that the bill of materials (BOM) for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max could rise nearly US$300 compared with the iPhone 17 Pro Max released in September last year. Ballooning memory costs largely account for this increase, although Apple may be better placed than most other smartphone brands to weather such price hikes.
India's smartphone buyers are increasingly turning to financing, a shift that could shape device sales patterns in other price-sensitive markets as well. Higher handset prices and easier installment options are making monthly payments more attractive than one-time purchases, especially beyond major cities, according to Counterpoint Research.
Shipments of smartwatches with edge AI features leaped 70% in the first quarter of 2026, with Apple overwhelmingly leading the charge, according to Counterpoint Research. This market is taking off as health-focused users gain access to deeper insights through AI advancements, and as brands lean on wearables to offset weak smartphone sales.
