BOSTON -- Global smartphone shipments declined 6% year-over-year to 277 million units in the second quarter, according to IDC, as soaring memory costs continued to pressure lower-priced devices while premium brands expanded their market share.

IDC said memory prices have risen nearly 300% from a year ago, disproportionately affecting manufacturers focused on entry-level smartphones, where memory now accounts for more than 65% of bill-of-material costs. The firm said the ongoing memory crisis has widened the gap between premium and value-focused vendors.

Samsung remained the world's largest smartphone supplier with 62 million shipments , while Apple recorded the strongest growth among the top five vendors, increasing shipments 15% year-over-year to 55 million units. IDC attributed Apple's performance to continued demand for the iPhone 17 lineup and consumers purchasing ahead of potential price increases.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi, OPPO and vivo all posted double-digit shipment declines as vendors serving lower-priced market segments continued to face rising component costs and softer demand. IDC noted that many manufacturers are shifting toward higher-margin devices, although attracting consumers to premium offerings remains challenging.

IDC expects the smartphone market to continue normalizing toward pre-pandemic growth patterns, with premium brands benefiting from stronger supply relationships and greater pricing flexibility while lower-cost manufacturers remain under pressure.

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