Observed Signal · Aug 26, 2026 · Market Signal · Source: IDC · Impact: 4/5
Smartphone Shipments Set for Record 16.7% Drop in 2026, as the Memory Crisis Hits Full Force
The smartphone market has changed character this year. Units are dropping while prices are climbing sharply, with consumers expected to absorb the cost. According to...
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RAM Shortage Raises Used Smartphone Prices on B-Stock
An analysis by B2B resale portal B-Stock shows that used smartphones are fetching higher prices due to market shifts. In the first half of 2026, Grade C devices overtook Grade D as the most sold, capturing 37.8% of sales. Prices for devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max have risen, averaging $940 in the last quarter. B-Stock suggests manufacturers are buying older devices to recover components like cameras and displays, driven by the ongoing RAM crisis. This trend may help mitigate rising device costs, though major manufacturers are still raising prices for new smartphones.
Smartphone Shipments Set for Historic Decline in 2026
Analysts warn the global smartphone market faces its steepest decline on record in 2026 driven largely by a worsening memory-chip shortage. Counterpoint Research projects a 12% year‑on‑year drop in smartphone shipments for 2026, with volumes falling to their lowest annual level since 2013. The International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates memory constraints could shrink the global PC and smartphone markets by about 11% and 13%, respectively. The shortage is being exacerbated as AI hyperscalers (cloud providers investing in large data centers) prioritize purchases of RAM and other memory, pushing up component prices and deprioritizing allocation to device makers. Analysts expect longer replacement cycles, higher device prices, growth in secondary/used markets, and a potential inflection only when new memory capacity comes online—possibly in late 2027.
Resale Market for Used Smartphones Growing
An analysis by B2B resale portal B-Stock indicates that the resale value of used smartphones has increased in recent months, making it worthwhile for consumers to sell old devices. The market has seen a rise in prices for devices in various conditions, with C-grade devices now outselling D-grade ones. Specific examples include the iPhone 17 Pro Max averaging $940 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra reaching $425 after the Galaxy S26 launch. B-Stock suggests that manufacturers are buying older devices to recover valuable components for reuse, which is becoming increasingly important due to the RAM crisis. This trend may help stabilize device prices, though major manufacturers still prefer raising new device prices.
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