The mobile phone market in Latin America experienced a challenging second quarter in 2026, with a 10% drop in regional shipments compared to the same period last year. However, two major producers, Samsung and Apple, managed to show positive results, registering growth.
Data provided by Counterpoint Research indicates that Samsung increased its shipments by 6% in the second quarter, while Apple achieved a 5% increase. Both were the only leading manufacturers to show growth during this period, as competitors such as Motorola, HONOR, and Xiaomi performed below average, following the decline trend of the Latin American market.
This 10% contraction represents the largest annual drop in the region since the third quarter of 2023, when the combination of post-pandemic economic recession and high inventory levels caused a double-digit reduction in shipments.
Tina Lu, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, attributed the contraction of the Latin American market to the memory crisis and the rising cost of System-on-Chips (SoCs). She explained that 'the Latin American smartphone market faced a challenging second quarter in 2026. Memory crises worsened and SoC prices rose throughout the quarter.'
Despite this, the appreciation of currencies in several Latin American countries helped mitigate some of the price increases, allowing manufacturers to pass on only a partial increase in component costs to consumers.
However, the negative impact was more noticeable in the entry-level and mid-range price segments, which constitute about three-quarters of all phones sold in the area, according to Lu. In addition to rising costs, the excessive inventory accumulation during the first quarter also pressured shipments, as manufacturers had increased their stocks in advance, anticipating new price adjustments.
Samsung managed to capitalize on this scenario, increasing its shipments by 6% year-over-year and strengthening its regional position. The company regained leadership in markets such as Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, a move that Counterpoint associates with increased available stock and aggressive promotions in these countries, aiding its growth even amidst the general downturn.
Apple's performance in Latin America reflects a global trend. In the second quarter of 2026, the company recorded a 13% growth in global shipments compared to the same period in 2025, and its revenue grew by 22%, representing 49% of the total revenue of the global smartphone market during that period.
This result underscores the relevance of the premium segment for Apple, especially at a time of pressure caused by rising component costs. In Latin America, this approach allowed Apple to grow in a quarter when the regional market experienced one of its largest recent declines. While overall shipment volume fell by 10% in the general market, Apple advanced by 5% and Samsung grew by 6%, demonstrating the manufacturers' ability to thrive even amid high costs, excess inventory, and lower demand in the entry-level and mid-range categories.
