Smartphone Market is Sluggish, AI Phones Actually Soared 320 Percent

JAKARTA - The global smartphone market is declining. However, AI-based mobile phones are soaring sharply.

According to a report by China Daily, which quoted data from Canalys, a global technology market research company from Singapore, worldwide shipments of AI mobile phones jumped 320 percent in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

In China, AI phones have even surpassed non-AI phones. For the first time, this type of device accounted for more than 53 percent of total smartphone shipments in the country.

The increase comes at a time when the global smartphone market is weakening. According to Counterpoint Research, a technology market research company, global smartphone shipments fell 6 percent in the first quarter of 2026. This decline ended 10 consecutive quarters of growth.

In China, the situation is not smooth either. Data shows that smartphone shipments fell 3.3 percent to 69.01 million units.

Major manufacturers are now making AI a new weapon. Apple uses AI to create message summaries. Samsung has a circle-to-search feature, which searches for information by circling objects on the screen. Huawei is developing a voice memo assistant.

Analysts believe AI is giving new energy to the smartphone industry, which is maturing. The market is no longer driven by bigger cameras, brighter screens, or longer-lasting batteries. Smart features are now the main selling point.

Chinese brand iQOO is entering the flow through the flagship phone iQOO15T. This product targets young consumers and uses the Dimensity 9500 Monster Edition chip.

The phone also carries AI-based e-sports features. This means that AI is used to support the experience of playing games, not just for photos, messages, or searches.

China Daily reported that experts believe AI is now the main differentiator in the smartphone race, as manufacturers compete to provide smarter and easier-to-use features.