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IDC Counters Counterpoint on iPhone - MOSK: 04.16.2026

Mac OS Ken

# Full Transcript

**Podcast:** Mac OS Ken

## Transcript

[SPEAKER_A] This is Mac OS Ken. IDC on the smartphone space, Microsoft's attempt to counter MacBook Neo, and lots of Apple activity ahead. It is Thursday, the 16th of April, 2026. I'm Ken Ray, and this is news from Mac OS Ken, brought to you by yours truly and sponsored by CleanMyMac, keeping Macs running smooth smoothly since 2008. Try 7 days free and use my code MACOSKEN20 for 20% off at cleanmymac.com/macosken. This show is also supported by people like you, patrons through Patreon. Find out more and add your support at patreon.com/macosken. MacOSCAN. Counterpoint Research and IDC are singing similar tunes when it comes to smartphones, though they are not in total harmony, especially not on iPhone. While Counterpoint saw a decline in smartphone shipments last quarter of 6% versus the same quarter a year earlier, a release from IDC has that firm seeing a shorter drop of 4.1%. While Counterpoint only saw shipments growing for one of the world's top 5 smartphone makers, IDC saw growth for 2. And while Counterpoint saw iPhone leading the first quarter for its first-ever first-quarter lead, IDC says, "Yet no." IDC put Samsung on top with growth of 3.6% to Counterpoint's drop of 6%. Apple came in second on the IDC side with growth of 3.3% to Counterpoint's growth of 5%. IDC credits Sammy's showing to strong demand for the new Galaxy S26 Ultra despite a later-than-expected arrival. As for Apple, the firm says its second-place finish was driven by strong performance for the iPhone 17 series, which saw significant growth in China of over 30%. This led to a 3.3% year-over-year increase in global sales for the first quarter. Although demand remains robust, supply disruptions and a reduction in channel support in some key markets have hindered growth. That is the first I've heard about that where Apple is concerned. Now, I've been highlighting differences between the firms to this point, but there is one thing on which they agree. RAMnarök. IDC Senior Research Director for Worldwide Consumer Devices, Nabila Popal, is quoted as saying, "The smartphone market has entered one of its most challenging periods, driven by acute memory supply constraints that are directly impacting both shipments and demand. Limited memory availability is forcing shipment reductions, while sharply higher memory prices are pushing up bill of materials cost, enforcing price hikes by many top brands. Plus, war. Popal says rising component, energy, and logistics costs due to the recent war in the Middle East compound downside risks on the market outlook and pressure global smartphone demand. Oh, and it's not going to get any better anytime soon. Anthony Scarcella, IDC Research Director for Mobile Phones, says the 4% decline in the market is just a sample of what's to come as the memory situation intensifies on all fronts. Developed markets like the US that focus on premium models and with incentives such as trade-in and finan...

IDC Counters Counterpoint on iPhone - MOSK: 04.16.2026

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IDC Counters Counterpoint on iPhone - MOSK: 04.16.2026

Transcript

Built for investment professionals

Every day you wait, your competitors are findingedge in conversations you're not hearing.

Every day you wait, your competitors are finding
edge in conversations you're not hearing.