India, March 13 -- TrendForce's latest research on smartphone panels reveals that shortages and rising memory prices-one of the most costly components in smartphones-are reshaping brand shipment strategies for 2026 and weakening panel demand.

Global smartphone panel shipments are projected to reach 2.14 billion units in 2026, down 7.3% YoY from 2.31 billion units in 2025. This marks the end of the growth cycle that began in 2023 and the market's first annual decline in several years.

TrendForce notes that procurement of smartphone panels in 2026 will be constrained by softer new handset shipment momentum. The secondary handset market, which previously helped support overall demand, is now facing shipment headwinds as soaring memory cost...