Global Chipset Shipments Fell 15% in H1 2026 as MediaTek, Qualcomm Lost 9 Points
Updated
Updated · GSMArena.com · Jul 29
Global Chipset Shipments Fell 15% in H1 2026 as MediaTek, Qualcomm Lost 9 Points
3 articles · Updated · GSMArena.com · Jul 29
Summary
Counterpoint said global smartphone SoC shipments dropped 15% in H1 2026, with MediaTek and Qualcomm each suffering shipment declines of more than 25% year over year.
Memory costs drove much of the slump: RAM prices were up about 300% year over year, pushing handset makers to raise device prices and weighing on Android smartphone demand.
MediaTek's share fell to 32% from 37% and Qualcomm's to 22% from 26%, while Google, Samsung, Apple and UNISOC gained ground through proprietary chips or stronger device sales.
AI-focused chipsets still grew 24% year over year even as the broader market shrank, underscoring how Google and Samsung's in-house silicon push is reshaping the smartphone chip market.