TrendForce’s latest foundry industry research reveals that the combined revenue of the world’s top 10 foundries rose 11.5% QoQ to nearly US$53.49 billion in 2Q26, setting another record high. Growth was driven by continued supply constraints for advanced processes used in AI and HPC processors, alongside rising demand for peripheral AI chips such as PMICs and power discretes. Continued advance procurement across consumer supply chains, including TVs, PCs, and notebooks, also tightened capacity for some mature processes.
Global smartphone production reached 275 million units in 2Q26, down 8% YoY, according to TrendForce’s latest smartphone industry research. The decline was narrower than previously forecast, resulting in better-than-expected overall performance.
TrendForce’s latest findings on the memory industry reveal that sharp rises in traditional DRAM contract prices have led to a 59.5% QoQ increase in total DRAM industry revenue, reaching nearly US$154.73 billion in 2Q26.
TrendForce’s recent research into the notebook industry shows that CPU supply has markedly improved since 2Q26, enabling brands to gradually normalize their procurement and manufacturing processes. Meanwhile, persistent increases in DRAM and SSD costs have led brands to accelerate their procurement strategies to secure components earlier, resulting in shipment volumes exceeding expectations in the first half of the year. Nonetheless, the ongoing rise in memory prices, along with increased CPU costs, has further amplified cost pressures on notebook brands.
TrendForce’s latest smartphone industry research indicates that Apple plans to adjust its product launch schedule starting in 2026, splitting new releases between fall and spring. This fall will see the debut of the flagship iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, along with the highly anticipated iPhone 18 Fold (tentative name), Apple’s first foldable smartphone. The standard iPhone 18 and other variants are expected to follow in the first quarter of 2027.
