Samsung, Apple outpace rivals as global memory chip crunch hits Chinese smartphone makers

Samsung Electronics and Apple are currently navigating a tightening global memory chip supply that is simultaneously squeezing Chinese smartphone vendors and reshuffling market leadership. While the broader mobile industry faces a shipment decline, these two manufacturers are leveraging financial strength and internal supply chains to maintain growth amidst a critical shortage of low-power DRAM (LPDDR).

According to a report by The Korea Herald, global smartphone shipments fell 4.1% on-year to 289.7 million units in the first quarter. This marks the first January-March decline since 2023. During this period, Samsung secured the top spot with 62.8 million shipments and a 21.7% market share, followed by Apple with 61.1 million units and a 19.6 per cent share.