Global PC shipments fell 21 percent in Q3 2026 as pricier parts pushed up laptop costs, and phones also hit a 14-year low. Here is what it means for buyers.
People bought far fewer new computers last quarter. Counterpoint Research says global PC shipments fell 21 percent in Q3 2026 compared with a year earlier. The firm ties the drop to rising prices for key computer parts. Smartphone shipments also hit a 14-year low in the same quarter.
PC shipments had grown for more than two years, until Q2 2026. Then RAM (the memory a computer uses to run apps), SSDs (storage drives) and chips from Intel, AMD and Qualcomm all got more expensive. That led to price hikes on everything from MacBooks to Raspberry Pis.
Counterpoint analyst Minsoo Kang says some companies are focusing on models that can better absorb higher part costs. That leaves fewer affordable options for shoppers watching their budget. Some makers are even bringing back older tech, such as DDR4 RAM and 4GB graphics chips, to hold prices down.
One caveat: Q3 2025 was a strong comparison point. Counterpoint says it included purchases ahead of the Windows 10 support deadline and tariff-related inventory adjustments, which made this year's drop look sharper.
Counterpoint expects shipments to plunge 27 percent in Q4 2026 and stay broadly flat in 2027. Analyst David Naranjo warns that "stabilization should not be mistaken for recovery." The material does not say how much prices will rise on specific laptops or phones, or when parts costs might ease.
For anyone who needs a new laptop or phone, that points to higher prices and fewer cheap choices. Buying sooner, or keeping your current device longer, may save money.
Pricier parts are cutting PC and phone sales, so expect higher prices and think about buying soon or holding on to what you have.
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