In 2Q25, global smartphone production reached approximately 300 million units, up 4% quarter-over-quarter and 4.8% year-over-year. In terms of market share, Samsung maintained its leading position, benefiting from stable demand for its A series and proactive inventory buildup in response to U.S. tariffs, achieving improved production compared to the previous year. Apple ranked second globally; while facing challenges in China due to Huawei’s resurgence and setbacks in AI-related topics, it managed to sustain first-half sales in China at last year’s level through price reductions and subsidy strategies. Xiaomi maintained steady growth and ranked third worldwide, relying on expansion into emerging markets and benefiting from favorable policies in China.
In the mobile DRAM market, price disparities among different applications remain significant. Due to greater-than-expected increases in 3Q25 contract prices, pricing negotiations in the PC and smartphone sectors have progressed slowly, while prices for consumer products are being updated frequently. The volatility in mobile DRAM prices is increasing end-product costs and may dampen future sales momentum.
In the third quarter, enterprise SSD demand is strong, supporting NAND Flash capacity, while the smartphone and PC markets are weak. YMTC expands capacity and improves yield rates, increasing market share and technological advancements.
Samsung advances high-value NAND Flash technology amid rising AI and data center demand. Enterprise SSD growth boosts inventory digestion, yet overall NAND market recovery remains limited due to economic and end-demand challenges.
In 2025, the electronics industry sees diverging trends: strong AI demand, weak consumer devices, early pull-in erases seasonality, and future growth slows.
Strong demand for AI and general server orders is driving up enterprise SSD prices. The aggressive procurement and rise of self-built SSD strategies by North American and Chinese CSPs are likely to limit future price increases, weaken supplier bargaining power, and push the market into a phase of capacity and inventory adjustment.
Suppliers prioritize profitable products. July NAND Wafer demand weakens, supply stays firm, price keeps rising, with future leveling likely.
Driven by telecom tenders and supply adjustments, SLC/MLC NAND prices keep rising. Demand from industrial, aerospace, and AI supports continued price strength.
US tariff measures dampen market sentiment; contract price talks extend to late Q3. SK hynix's strong Q2 results driven by AI and SSD demand, but NAND pricing remains pressured. Inventory and demand likely to stabilize in 2H25, limiting upside for price recovery.
Q3 PC-Client SSD prices are supported by commercial models replacements and limited supply, while demand of consumer models remains weak, leading to market divergence. With diminishing policy benefits, prices hike percentage matches the previous quarter. New applications create opportunities, but further growth depends on future market and end-user demand trends.
The 3Q25 contract market is stalled, with spot demand weak. For 2026, NAND Flash supply and demand are set to soften, driven by economic uncertainty and tariffs, indicating persistent price pressure.
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