PC shipments dropped over 20 percent in Q3 due to RAM price hikes

The global PC and smartphone market experienced a decline in Q3 2026, with PC shipments dropping 21% year-over-year, following a period of rising RAM prices. This decline is consistent with reports from IDC and Omdia. Smartphone shipments also reached a 14-year low in the same quarter. The decline in PC shipments is attributed to the price hikes of RAM, which is a key component in many PCs. This trend is not exclusive to PCs, as the smartphone market also experienced a significant decline.