Global smartphone shipments increased 1% to 295.2 million units

in the second quarter, despite tariff concerns and macroeconomic

uncertainty, according to preliminary data from research firm

IDC.

Samsung shipped 58 million units in the quarter, the

highest, led by sales of its new AI-enabled Galaxy A36 and A56

products.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Demand in China declined in the second quarter, as subsidies

failed to stimulate demand, with Apple ( AAPL ) seeing a 1% drop

in the quarter.

Overall demand has tapered as consumers deprioritize

spending on smartphones, especially in low-end segments.

Sellers have continued to push higher price points to make

up for the slowdown in unit shipments by offering AI in more

affordable devices, IDC said.

KEY QUOTES

"In the face of ongoing political challenges, the impact of

war, and the complexities posed by tariffs, the 1% growth in the

smartphone market stands as a critical indicator that the market

is poised to return to growth," said Anthony Scarsella, research

director for Client Devices at IDC.

"Economic uncertainty tends to compress demand at the lower

end of the market, where price sensitivity is highest. As a

result, low-end Android is witnessing a crunch weighing down

overall market growth," said Nabila Popal, senior research

director for Worldwide Client Devices.

BY THE NUMBERS

Global smartphone shipments grew 1% to 295.2 million units

in the second quarter.

Samsung and Apple ( AAPL ) shipments increased 7.9% and

1.5% in the quarter, respectively.

CONTEXT

IDC had in May slashed its 2025 global smartphone shipment

growth forecast to 0.6% from 2.3%, citing tariff-driven economic

uncertainty and a pullback in consumer spending.

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