Top 5 Predictions for the Worldwide Smartphone Market: 2026

This IDC Market Perspective lists five predictions for the worldwide smartphone market in 2026, ranging from foldables and refurbished smartphones to anticipated price increases, the use of AI, and AI smart glasses."Although smartphone shipment volumes are expected to stay mostly flat in 2026, underpinning the market are trends that will affect its continued evolution," said Ramon T. Llamas, research director with IDC's Mobile Phones team. "Generative AI still takes center stage and recent concerns around memory will affect pricing, while Apple's foray into foldables will shine a brighter light on foldables as a whole. Meanwhile, the market for refurbished devices will take another step forward, and AI smart glasses will gain salience as the next wearable to accompany smartphones. The sum total of this: a smartphone market adapting to market realities."