Global smartphone production opened 2026 with a narrow race at the top, and Samsung came out ahead. TrendForce reported that total smartphone output reached 284 million units in the first quarter, down 1.7% from the same period a year earlier.
The figures show how tightly the market is being shaped by demand, component costs, and product mix. Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Transsion all remained among the most productive vendors, but each faced different pressure points.
Samsung takes the lead with Galaxy S momentum
Samsung produced 62.6 million smartphones in the January-March period, giving it the top spot globally. That volume rose 7.6% from the previous quarter and 2.3% year on year.
TrendForce said the increase was driven by stronger output of the latest Galaxy S series. The research firm also noted that Samsung is relatively well insulated from component inflation because of backing from the broader Samsung group and a large premium product portfolio.
Even so, the company still faces a challenge in its dependence on the lower-end phone segment, especially when consumer purchasing power weakens.
Apple stays close behind with strong iPhone output
Apple followed in second place with 60.2 million units. Its production rose on the back of new model launches, including the iPhone 17e, helping Apple post 19.7% year-on-year growth.
TrendForce assessed that Apple has a stronger ability than many rivals to absorb higher memory costs without giving up profits. That gives the Cupertino company more room to defend or expand market share while also strengthening its services and software business.
Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo face profit pressure
Oppo produced 29.5 million units, Xiaomi 26 million, and Vivo 22 million in the first quarter of 2026. They occupied third, fourth, and fifth place in the global production ranking.
These brands had previously improved their market positions, but TrendForce said rising memory prices are now squeezing profitability. If cost pressure continues, their production targets for the rest of 2026 could be revised lower.
| Vendor | Q1 2026 Production |
|---|---|
| Samsung | 62.6 million units |
| Apple | 60.2 million units |
| Oppo | 29.5 million units |
| Xiaomi | 26 million units |
| Vivo | 22 million units |
| Transsion | 19.8 million units |
Transsion keeps its volume steady
Transsion ranked sixth with 19.8 million smartphones produced in the first quarter of 2026, a figure that was relatively stable compared with the same period last year. The China-based vendor is known for Tecno, Infinix, and Itel.
Because it focuses on entry-level and low-cost devices, Transsion is especially exposed to rising memory prices, since its profit margins are already thin. Still, TrendForce said demand in developing markets remains an important support for the company.
What comes next for the market
TrendForce said the memory crunch has not yet severely hit smartphone production volume because vendors still had inventory from earlier supply. Consumer expectations of higher handset prices also helped support short-term demand during Q1 2026.
The situation is expected to shift in the second quarter of 2026, when many vendors begin adjusting production as older memory stock runs lower and profits shrink under higher prices. TrendForce believes global smartphone production could fall 16.2% year on year, with an even steeper decline possible if memory prices keep rising and push vendors to increase handset prices.
To respond, premium-focused brands are likely to hold prices or pursue market share, while China-based vendors in the midrange and entry-level segments are expected to keep more traditional production plans as they contend with higher costs and stronger competition from Huawei.