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Report: US smartphone sales fell 5% in Q2 2026 as prices keep climbing
According to a new report from Counterpoint Research, US smartphone sales saw a year-over-year decline of 5% in Q2 2026, largely driven by increasing component costs which severely impacted smaller manufacturers. Larger brands like Apple and Samsung were better positioned to absorb these costs, which narrowed the competitive landscape. Sales of budget smartphones dropped significantly, marking a challenging environment for lesser-known brands.
MonitorConfidence: HighShort term horizon
Published 12 Aug 2026, 22:30 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- US smartphone sales fell 5% year over year in Q2 2026.
- Small manufacturers faced a 45% drop in sales due to rising component costs.
- Apple's iPhone prices remain unchanged but are expected to rise for the iPhone 18 series.
- Smartphone average selling prices (ASPs) are projected to increase in Q3 2026.
- Apple's Q3 earnings reported a 22% rise in iPhone revenue.
Interesting facts
- Sales of sub-$100 smartphones declined by nearly 65%.
- Samsung and Motorola gained market share as entry-level device prices aligned more closely with white-label products.
- iPhone 18 Pro models are forecasted to start between $1,349 and $1,499.