Apple gains ground on rivals, but iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo face challenges
GF Securities analysts project that Apple will be the only major smartphone manufacturer to grow shipments in 2026 despite a shrinking global market.
Apple is continuing to outperform its major competitors in the global smartphone arena. According to a recent investor note from GF Securities analysts Jeff Pu and Henry Huang, Apple is projected to be the only major smartphone manufacturer to increase its shipment volumes in 2026.
However, this growth trajectory is not without hurdles. The report highlights that upcoming flagship devices, specifically the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo, are facing notable challenges that the company must navigate as development and production progress.
This resilience stands in stark contrast to the broader industry outlook. The global smartphone market as a whole is expected to shrink by more than 14%, reflecting a challenging economic and technological climate for hardware manufacturers worldwide.
For the tech community and market observers in Uzbekistan and the wider region, these global shifts are closely watched. Changes in Apple's production scale and market strategies often ripple through international supply chains, ultimately shaping availability and pricing trends for local consumers and retailers.
