Global notebook shipments are showing clear signs of further weakening, according to TrendForce’s latest findings on the notebook industry. Subsequently, TrendForce has revised its 2026 full-year shipment forecast downward from -9.2% to -14.8% YoY amid expectations of deteriorating end-market demand and rising supply chain costs, reflecting a deeper industry correction.
TrendForce’s latest findings show that global OLED monitor shipments hit 2.735 million units in 2025, a 92% YoY increase. This impressive growth was mainly fueled by aggressive promotional efforts by brands in the fourth quarter. Furthermore, 27-inch 240 Hz QHD models gained considerable popularity due to their excellent price-to-performance ratio, significantly increasing shipments. The launch of new 280 Hz models further energized the market.
Although global smartphone brands will encounter higher NAND Flash prices in 2026, the average storage capacity for smartphones is projected to grow by 4.8% YoY, according to TrendForce’s recent findings on the memory sector. This growth is fueled by the discontinuation of low-capacity models as NAND producers upgrade their processes, along with increased AI-related demand in flagship smartphones from leading brands.
For a mainstream notebook with an MSRP of US$900, surging memory prices alone could raise retail prices by more than 30%; combined with CPU price increases, the total price hike could approach 40%. If memory and CPU prices rise simultaneously, their combined share of notebook BOM costs could climb to 58%. CPU supply volatility is also emerging, with shortages beginning to affect entry-level platforms across multiple brands.
Global smartphone production reached 337 million units in 4Q25, rising 2.7% QoQ, and was supported by strong shipments of Apple’s new iPhone lineup, according to TrendForce’s latest insights into the smartphone industry. For the full year, both Apple and Samsung each produced nearly 240 million units, tying for the top position in global smartphone production.