Global smartphone shipments fall to the lowest level in 13 years in the second quarter, according to multiple outlets citing an ongoing memory-chip crunch. The shortfall reflects constraints in key components used in devices, particularly memory chips needed for smartphones. As a result, manufacturers ship fewer units than in previous quarters and face pressure to manage limited supply while meeting demand.
The reports describe a broader industry environment shaped by component shortages rather than a single company-specific issue. With memory availability tight, production planning and fulfillment schedules are disrupted across the supply chain, which in turn weighs on overall shipment volumes worldwide. While specific country- or brand-level details may vary by source, the common point is that the market-wide supply constraint suppresses the number of smartphones that reach consumers during the quarter.
Overall, the outlets portray the memory-chip shortage as the primary driver behind weak second-quarter shipment totals, contributing to a shipment level not seen for more than a decade and positioning the quarter as a particularly challenging period for smartphone production.
