While Samsung is maintaining its lead in Q1 2025 global smartphone shipments, US reciprocal tariffs may negatively impact shipments in the coming months. Overall, the global smartphone market shipments may decline in 2025, with Samsung encountering a possible drop of 14.5 million units compared to last year. The most concerning part is that the retaliatory tariffs from other countries might further decrease shipments.
Trade tensions could cut Samsung’s smartphone shipments this year
These figures come from a market research report by SigmaIntel (via TheElec), which states that global smartphone shipments this year could fall to 1.1 billion units due to tariffs.
The report mentions that without tariffs, this year’s global smartphone shipments would likley hit 1.274 billion units, which is 23.1 million units (2%) more than last year’s 1.1843 billion units. However, if we consider the US tariffs, the forecast drops to 1.1434 billion units. And if other countries also add retaliatory tariffs, the number falls even further to 1.1044 billion units — that’s 79.9 million units (6.7%) less than last year.
Speaking of Samsung’s shipment estimation, the report adds that Samsung will likely ship 221.5 million smartphones this year globally. However, if other countries add retaliatory tariffs due to the US tariffs, that number could drop to 208.7 million units. Last year, Samsung shipped 223.2 million phones. As a result, the Korean firm may see a drop of 14.5 million units compared to last year. You can see that the initial shipment forecast is already lower compared to the previous year. Now, tariffs may make the situation even worse for Samsung.
Samsung produces 13% of its smartphones in China. It manufactures the remaining 87% in Vietnam (40%), India (24%), Indonesia, Brazil, and South Korea. Now ,to mitigate the impact of tariffs, the Korean firm recently confirmed it will make maximum use of its global production bases and customer management capabilities.
