IDC expects the memory shortage to create a difficult trade-off for the wider industry in 2026. Volumes are likely to decline, but average selling prices are forecast to rise as vendors pass on higher component costs and prioritise profitability over scale. IDC’s analysis suggests the memory shortage will slow the market and solidify Apple and Samsing’s dominance even further.

IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker show global smartphone shipments rose 2.3 per cent year-on-year in Q4 2025 to 336.3 million units, taking total shipments for the year to 1.26 billion units, a 1.9 per cent increase.

However, IDC says those figures mask problem s caused by an unprecedented shortage of memory components that emerged late in the year.

IDC warns supply disruption will push the smartphone market into decline in 2026, with the severity and duration of the downturn dependent on how long memory constraints persist.

“This is widely considered an unprecedented supply chain disruption. Larger players will be better able to secure advantageous supply and workable price points.”” said Ryan Reith, group vice president for Worldwide Client Devices at IDC. 

Consolidation

IDC says the memory shortage is already affecting the top of the market.  Apple and Samsung last year expanded their combined global smartphone share to 39 per cent, up from 37 per cent a year earlier, as smaller vendors struggled to absorb cost increases and supply volatility.

Premium demand remained resilient, with consumers pulling forward purchases in anticipation of price rises. This favoured strong brands, deep supplier relationships and pricing power.

Apple and Samsung pull ahead

Apple closed 2025 as the world’s largest smartphone vendor for the third consecutive year. Record shipments and a strong rebound in China were driven by the iPhone 17 series. Apple also delivered its highest-ever revenue in a single quarter in Q4, underlining its ability to push average selling prices higher even as components became harder to secure.

Samsung delivered its strongest fourth-quarter growth since 2013, fueled by demand for its Galaxy Z Fold 7 and momentum in its AI-enabled Galaxy A-Series. IDC notes that Samsung’s breadth across premium and mid-range devices gives it additional flexibility as memory availability tightens.

Francisco Jeronimo, vice president for Worldwide Client Devices at IDC, said both vendors used Q4 to strengthen their market positions. “Apple and Samsung consolidated their leadership in the smartphone market by driving strong sales in the premium segment and reaching all-time high average selling prices.”

Rising prices, falling volumes

For UK operators, retailers and channel partners, IDC’s warning is clear. As memory constraints squeeze supply and push prices higher, the market is likely to tilt further towards Apple and Samsung, whose scale allows them to secure components first, manage cost inflation and dictate portfolio strategy.

Francisco Jeronimo, vice president for Worldwide Client Devices at IDC (below), said both vendors used Q4 to strengthen their market positions. “Apple and Samsung consolidated their leadership in the smartphone market by driving strong sales in the premium segment and reaching all-time high average selling prices.”  

Announced this week in Seoul, the Galaxy Z TriFold will be sold at an equivalent of nearly £2,000, It is Samsung’s first smartphone with a triple-folding design opening out into a large 10-inch display, positioning it between a traditional smartphone, a foldable and a compact tablet. Samsung says the device is aimed at users who want maximum productivity and immersive entertainment in a single, pocketable device.

The TriFold comes after a decade of Samsung experimentation with large screens and foldable form factors. The new design tackles the challenge of how to balance portability with the ability to create comfortably on a much larger display.

A mate for the Mate

The Huawei Mate XT was the first “tri-fold” smartphone. It wasn’t an out-and-out flop, but it also didn’t become a  mass-market smash. According to Huawei-related reports, by early 2025 the Mate XT had sold around 400,000 units and demonstrated that tri-fold phones are possible,  However high price, limited software appeal outside China, and practical drawbacks has kept it a niche product. 

Folded down, the Galaxy Z TriFold is premium smartphone. Unfolded twice, it becomes what Samsung describes as “its most expansive mobile workspace to date,” allowing users to run multiple apps side by side, review documents, stream video or edit content on a single screen.

Samsung Electronics’ CEO TM Roh said the new device brings together premium performance, productivity and portability in one product. The TriFold, he said, is designed for the “AI era”, where larger screens make it easier to interact with intelligent tools and services.

 Samsung is positioning the TriFold as an “ultra” device in everything but name. It is 3.9mm thick at its thinnest point when unfolded, and powered by a customised Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy. It also features a 200-megapixel main camera. The 5,600mAh battery is the largest Samsung has ever fitted into a foldable smartphone. The battery is split across the three panels to maintain balance, with support for 45W fast charging.

Dual-hinge system

The TriFold uses a new dual-hinge system designed specifically for a device that folds twice. Two differently sized hinges work together to keep the folding motion  stable while minimising gaps between the panels. The inward-folding design also protects the main display when the device is closed.

The display has been reinforced to cope with the additional folding stres. The exterior uses a combination of Advanced Armor Aluminium, a titanium hinge housing and a ceramic-glass composite back to improve rigidity without adding bulk. Samsung says every unit undergoes extensive inspection, including CT and laser scanning, to ensure build quality.

The large screen enables several software features designed to appeal to business users and creatives. The TriFold supports advanced multi-window multitasking, allowing up to three portrait-style apps to be used side by side. Samsung DeX is also available in a standalone mode, turning the device into a portable desktop-style workstation without needing an external PC. With a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, users can run multiple apps across different workspaces or connect to an external monitor.

Samsung has also optimised Galaxy AI features for the larger display. Tools such as photo editing, browsing summaries and live AI assistance are designed to make better use of the extra screen real estate, with side-by-side comparisons and contextual help without constantly switching apps.

On the entertainment side, the 10-inch Dynamic AMOLED display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness levels, delivering what Samsung says is a “cinematic” viewing experience in a device that can still fit in a pocket.

Samsung confirmed the Galaxy Z TriFold will launch first in Korea on 12 December, followed by select markets including China, Taiwan, Singapore, the UAE and the US. There are currently no plans to release the device in the UK or Europe.

]]> https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/samsung-unveils-three-way-split-galaxy-z-trifold-but-no-uk-or-europe-launch/feed/ 0 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/sydney-emergency-call-connection-failure-linked-to-outdated-samsung-phone-software/ https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/sydney-emergency-call-connection-failure-linked-to-outdated-samsung-phone-software/#respond Tue, 18 Nov 2025 17:02:21 +0000 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/?p=179294 Outdated Saumsung software is said to be why an emergency call on the Australia Triple Zero service failed to connect over the TPG Telecom network, resulting in a fatality

TPG Telecom is one of Australia’s largest full-service operators runs the Vodafone, TPG, iiNet, AAPT, Internode and Lebara brands across a national mobile and fixed network.

The company said the Sydney customer was using a Lebara service on a Samsung handset on 13 November and attempted to contact the Triple Zero emergency number.  However, the calls failed despite the TPG network operating normally at the time. TPG said it was notified of the tragedy by New South Wales Ambulance.

Investigations claim the failure was caused by the user’s Samsung device running outdated software. This was not compatible with making Triple Zero emergency calls on the TPG Telecom network. The company said Samsung had recently identified that certain older Galaxy devices required a software update when connecting to emergency services, particularly when switching between networks.

Samsung has acknowledged the issue, saying it has “identified a number of older mobile devices that will not correctly connect to an alternative mobile network to make Triple Zero calls when the user’s primary network is not available.”

Samsung said it is “working with network partners to ensure all devices operate reliably in every emergency situation”. Sasung urged customers to “keep their mobile devices updated with the latest software.

TPG said it has contacted customers to urge urgent updates. Under new regulations, devices not updated after notification are blocked from the network after 28 to 35 days. The most recent alerts to users with outdated devices were sent just six days before the fatal incident.

“These updates are critical to ensure compatibility with emergency services and to protect customer safety,” the operator said.

TPG Telecom CEO Iñaki Berroeta described the incident as “tragic” and reinforced the company’s message. “We urge all customers with outdated software to replace or update their devices without delay to ensure they can reach Triple Zero in an emergency.”

]]> https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/sydney-emergency-call-connection-failure-linked-to-outdated-samsung-phone-software/feed/ 0 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/aggressive-trade-in-strategies-boost-apple-and-samsung-global-sales/ https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/aggressive-trade-in-strategies-boost-apple-and-samsung-global-sales/#respond Mon, 13 Oct 2025 20:11:59 +0000 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/?p=179130 The global smartphone market posted its second consecutive quarter of growth, with shipments rising 2.6 per cent year-on-year to 322.7 million units in Q3 2025, according to research firm IDC. 

The recovery was led almost entirely by Apple and Samsung. Analysts say both manufacturers have mastered the art of driving upgrades by combining hardware innovation with creative financing and trade-in schemes.

“OEMs have combined cutting-edge devices with innovative financing models and aggressive trade-in programs that make upgrading a ‘no-brainer’ for consumers,” said Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC. 

“The accelerated demand for the latest AI products is expected to lead to a strong finish for 2025,” added Anthony Scarsella, research director for mobile phones at IDC. “Apple and Samsung remain firmly in control of the upgrade cycle.”

Apple delivered its best-ever July quarter, fuelled by strong demand for the new iPhone 17 series, while Samsung recorded record July-quarter growth thanks to its Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 devices, tthe strongest performance yet for its foldables range.

“Despite economic uncertainty, the smartphone market showed resilience,” said Francisco Jeronimo, vice president for client devices at IDC. “Apple and Samsung performed exceptionally well in the premium segment, while affordable AI-enabled smartphones spurred upgrades in more cost-conscious categories.”

The rest of the industry saw mixed fortunes. Xiaomi consolidated its recovery in Europe and Latin America through its Redmi and Poco ranges. Transsion continued rapid expansion in Africa’s sub-$200 segment. Vivo regained share in emerging markets thanks to refreshed mid-tier AI-powered models.

IDC expects the market’s momentum to continue into Q4, driven by sustained demand for AI-enabled smartphones and aggressive pricing from leading vendors.

The vehicle was reportedly transporting more than 12,000 Samsung units, including up to 5,000 Galaxy Z Fold 7 handsets, 5,000 Galaxy Z Flip 7 devices, and a quantity of Galaxy Watch 8 wearables, when it was intercepted and stolen in transit.

The stolen shipment is estimated to be worth around £8.3 million and the loss is likely to play bavoc with Samsung;s distribution plans.. The truck was later recovered by police.

The incident comes less than a month after Samsung’s global launch of its new foldables, which have reportedly generated more pre-orders than any previous Galaxy Fold or Flip models.

Samsung has yet to issue an official statement, and it’s unclear whether the hijacked cargo was destined for retail stores, direct customer fulfilment, or a distribution centre. However, the stolen devices will likely have had their IMEI numbers blacklisted and been remotely disabled to prevent resale.

Industry sources predict that listings for the stolen Fold 7 and Flip 7 handsets may begin appearing on online marketplaces in the coming weeks.

Distributors, retailers, and consumers are being urged to verify IMEI numbers and avoid purchasing devices from unofficial or suspicious sources.

The Galaxy Z Fold7 will be available for pre-order starting July 9, with general availability beginning July 25. The Galaxy Z Fold7 comes in Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow and Jetblack colour options with the exclusive colour Mint only available at samsung.com. 

The full price grid is:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7-  12GB RAM + 256GB- £1799 RRP

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 – 12GB RAM + 512GB – £1899 RRP

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7- 16GB  RAM + 1TB – £2149 RRP

New customers benefit from a 100-day trial period and complimentary Samsung Care+ coverage.

The Galaxy Z Fold7 features a thinner, lighter design and a larger screen. Weighing just 215 grams, it is lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra and folds down to just 8.9mm thick. When unfolded, its main 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display offers 11% more screen space than its predecessor, making it ideal for multitasking, content editing, and immersive viewing.

Durability is improved with a revamped hinge and tougher glass. The phone is powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, which Samsung says boosts speed and AI performance by up to 41% in some areas.

Photography also receives a major upgrade, featuring the first 200MP wide-angle camera in the Galaxy Z series, supported by AI-powered tools for editing and enhancing photos and videos directly on the device’s expansive screen.

The Galaxy Z Fold7 runs One UI 8 on Android 16, offering seamless multitasking and smart AI features that adapt to user behavior. These include real-time language translation, intelligent motion detection in videos, and contextual assistance—all enhanced by the large foldable display.

The Galaxy Z Flip7 boasts a 4.1-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow, claimed to be the largest and brightest ever on a Galaxy Z Flip. It offers edge-to-edge usability for quick tasks like messaging, notifications, and selfies. Its main 6.9-inch display delivers smooth 120Hz refresh rates and vibrant visuals. Vision Booster technology ensures good visibility even in bright sunlight.

Both devices come equipped with Samsung’s Gemini Live multimodal AI, which understands voice, text, and visual input to provide context-aware assistance without switching apps. Security is enhanced with Knox protection and post-quantum encryption, securing user data across devices.

“We’re entering into a new era of smartphone innovation. As AI becomes the new UI, people need devices that learn, understand and anticipates their needs,” said Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing, Samsung UK & Ireland.

“The new Galaxy Z Fold7 combines powerful hardware with Galaxy AI in an ultra thin and ultra sleek form factor – supporting people to get things done in previously unimaginable ways.”

Crucial moment

Samsung’s IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo reckons the launches represent a crucial moment for the company to reaffirm its leadership in the foldable smartphone category and to broaden its presence in the ultra-premium segment.

“Samsung has faced intense competition, with its share of the foldable market dropping from 56 per cent in 2023 to 34 per cent in 2024, as Chinese brands introduced thinner, lighter devices that have appealed more to consumers.

“The clamshell foldable models remain popular among a younger demographic looking for a distinctive alternative to traditional bar-shaped smartphones. Current Galaxy Z Flip users are likely to be drawn to the new models for their larger screens, slimmer designs, enhanced cameras, and bigger batteries, providing compelling reasons to upgrade. Additionally, the more affordable Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE presents an attractive entry point for new buyers eager to experience their first foldable device”.

Analyst Paolo Pescatore commented: “There remains some uncertainty about the future of foldable devices, particularly whether there is genuine consumer appetite. Predicting consumer behaviour is always difficult, as it is driven predominantly by price versus perceived need and desire for a specific form factor. 

“Despite this, Samsung shows a strong commitment to this category. To some extent, it feels like this is Samsung’s last chance to succeed with foldables. Its relentless focus is commendable, but it cannot continue supporting this category with lacklustre demand. It could innovate further with trifold designs, but stimulating demand is its top priority. Samsung is addressing all pain points to boost interest.”

Branded as Trade In for Samsung Credits, the initiative allows customers to trade in eligible Galaxy S and Z series smartphones in return for credits that can be redeemed against future purchases ranging from mobiles and tablets to TVs, fridges, wearables, and other home tech. The credits are valid for five years and stored in the user’s Samsung Account.

Previous trade-in schemes were typically tied to specific product launches. But the new schemem has been conceived provide flexibility and longer-term value. Credits can be redeemed at any time within fiye years and across a broader product range. Samsung also offers free, pre-paid returns and “competitive values” even for damaged handsets.

Annika Bizon, VP of Product and Marketing for Samsung UK & Ireland, said: “Trade In for Samsung Credits is all about giving our customers more ways to get the most value. By trading in old devices, customers get money off a range of Samsung smartphones tablets,TVs and smart appliances.”

Samsung confirmed that the scheme will roll out to include more devices later this year, as part of a strategy to promote its direct-to-consumer online channel and support its broader sustainability goals by encouraging the reuse and recycling of older tech.

Generous trade-in offers are also available from other networks worldwide on the S25 Ultra. For example, in the USA AT&T is currently offering up to $1,000 in bill credits when you trade in an eligible device and activate the S25 Ultra on a qualifying AT&T unlimited plan.

EE’s offer us up to £528 for any eligible smartphone as well as 

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is the slimmest flagship in Samsung’s lineup, 5.8mm thick and weighing 163g, with a titanium frame.

Vodafone’s savings include £648 off Airtime and Device Plans, plus up to £360 for the trade-in an eligible phone by 29 May with Vodafone’s Trade-In Guarantee.

The trade-in allowance is subject to the device being eligible on the Vodafone Trade-In Tool and activating a new Vodafone Pay Monthly Airtime Plan. The trade-in value is redeemed either as a monthly airtime saving, a credit to a Vodafone account, or a **credit toward an existing Phone Plan balance.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Highlights

• Design: Ultra-slim and lightweight, featuring a titanium frame with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back

• Display: 6.7” Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Camera: 200MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide rear cameras, plus a 12MP front camera

• Performance: Powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 8 Elite chipset with 12GB RAM

• Battery: 3900mAh capacity with 25W Super-Fast Charging, Fast Wireless Charging, and Wireless Power Share.

• Other Features: IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and support for both eSIM and physical SIM.

New Samsung smartphones will automatically connect to voice services using VoLTE, based on network-specific settings provided via the GSMA’s Network Settings Exchange (NSX) platform.  VoLTE will the default settiing on millions of Samsung devices running Android 15 or later.

Calls made over 2G or 3G are handled separately from data, leading to slower call setup and lower audio quality. VoLTE(Voice Over Long Term Evolution)  uses a packet-switched IP network, allowing for simultaneous voice and data use, quicker call connections, and improved voice quality with HD audio.

The GSMA’s NSX is a global hub that helps mobile operators share up-to-date network configurations with device manufacturers. It ensures that devices are pre-configured to work smoothly across networks worldwide. Complementing this, the GSMA’s Interoperability Testing service verifies that devices and networks are compatible before launch.

Justin Jun, Head of Quality, Samsung Electronics UK, said:
“Our work with the GSMA means users can count on stable, high-quality voice calls on Samsung devices—no matter where they are.”

Sianne Ryder, General Manager of Services, GSMA, added:
“This is a major step forward in keeping voice services functional and high-quality as older networks are phased out. We hope more manufacturers follow suit.”

The flagship S25 flagship and mid-range Galaxy A36 and A56 models stood out, offering competitive AI features at more accessible price points.

Apple, meanwhile, recorded its best-ever first quarter in terms of units shipped. The company had ramped up inventory in anticipation of potential U.S. tariffs and other global supply disruptions. However, its performance in China slipped, as the country’s subsidy programme excluded Apple’s higher-end Pro models, weakening their competitiveness against domestic rivals.

OPPO secured fourth place globally, despite a decline in overall shipments. While its international sales softened, stronger performance in China helped offset the downturn.

IDC reports that the global smartphone market began 2025 with cautious optimism, posting a 1.5% year-on-year increase in shipments. Preliminary data shows total shipments reached 304.9 million units in Q1 2025—marking modest growth for a market that has faced persistent challenges over the past year.

However, analysts caution that this growth may be misleading. Much of the uptick was driven not by increased consumer demand, but by strategic moves from vendors seeking to front-load shipments ahead of anticipated U.S. tariff hikes on Chinese imports.

Vendors Race Against Tariff Clock

“Faced with heightened geopolitical uncertainty, and the looming threat of substantial U.S. tariff hikes on goods imported from China, vendors strategically accelerated production schedules and pulled forward significant shipment volumes, particularly into the critical U.S. market,” said Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of client devices at IDC.

While Q1 figures provide a short-term boost, IDC analysts warn that the outlook for the remainder of 2025 remains uncertain. With U.S.-China trade tensions unresolved and global consumer confidence vulnerable to economic headwinds, the mobile sector could face renewed turbulence in the coming months.