iPhone Sales Rise 10% Despite Global Smartphone Market Slowdown

A recent report from Counterpoint Research reveals an interesting trend in the global smartphone industry. While smartphone sales around the world have been falling for nine consecutive weeks, Apple has managed to achieve strong growth. The report shows that iPhone sales rise by 10% year-over-year during the week of May 11 to May 17, 2026. This growth comes at a time when the overall smartphone market declined by 8%.

Apple was not the only company to perform well during this difficult period. Huawei also recorded impressive results, with sales rising by 23% compared to the same period last year. These two companies stood out as the only major smartphone brands to achieve significant growth while most competitors experienced declining sales.

iPhone Sales Rise 10% Despite Global Smartphone Market Slowdown

The report highlights the challenges faced by other leading smartphone manufacturers. Samsung, one of the world’s largest smartphone makers, saw its sales drop by 1%. Oppo experienced a larger decline of 10%, while Xiaomi’s sales fell by 17%. Vivo faced the steepest decline among the top brands, with sales decreasing by 19%. Other smartphone brands combined also reported a 19% decline in sales.

According to Counterpoint Research, promotional campaigns in major markets such as China and India were not enough to boost consumer demand. Despite discounts and marketing efforts, smartphone sales continued to weaken. The research firm believes that several factors are responsible for this situation, including rising component costs and ongoing supply chain challenges.

One of the biggest issues affecting the smartphone industry is the shortage of memory components. As memory prices continue to rise, smartphone manufacturers have been forced to adjust their business strategies. Many companies have increased product prices, delayed product launches, and reduced manufacturing costs wherever possible. Some brands have even removed certain features from devices to keep prices under control.

Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, explained that companies now expect memory prices to remain high throughout the rest of 2026. As a result, manufacturers are focusing on cost-saving measures and improving supply chain efficiency to manage these pressures.

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Counterpoint also noted that Apple and Huawei have been more successful than their competitors because of their stronger supply chain management and better pricing strategies. These advantages have helped both companies maintain sales growth even as market conditions become more challenging.

The report comes shortly after Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook confirmed that price increases are expected for some Apple products due to the rising cost of memory components. However, Cook did not specify whether existing products will become more expensive or if the price changes will only apply to future product releases.

Overall, the latest data shows that Apple continues to perform strongly despite a difficult market environment. While the global smartphone industry faces ongoing challenges, Apple and Huawei have demonstrated an ability to adapt and grow, setting themselves apart from many of their competitors.