Technologies
Apple and Samsung Dominated Phone Sales in 2025, but Price Hikes Could Define 2026
Phone-makers were able to absorb tariffs and economic turmoil, but devices might get pricier this year.
Despite a year marked by tariff disruptions, economic turmoil and household affordability constraints, the mobile phone industry closed out 2025 with 1.9% year-over-year growth, according to the International Data Corporation. Premium phones (priced at roughly $800 and up) sold well, and Apple and Samsung had the highest year-over-year growth among phones shipped, according to IDC’s recent report. Combined, they accounted for 39% of phones sold globally all year, up from 37% in 2024.
But will that carry on in 2026? The industry faces challenges ahead, all from a shift in how people buy (or don’t buy) phones this year. The first challenge is the intensifying RAM shortage, which has already affected the home PC market and will likely make phones even pricier this year.
«While 2025 was a positive year for smartphones, the industry is now facing a distinctly different outlook,» Ryan Reith, IDC group vice president for worldwide client devices, said in the report. «The memory shortage, which is widely considered an unprecedented supply chain disruption, will cause the market to decline in 2026, and the duration of the shortage will ultimately determine the extent of the market contraction.»
Tech giants will fare best, as they’ll be able to secure better supply rates and price points, Reith wrote, but the average phone price for the everyday consumer is likely to rise due to higher costs.
When and where these price hikes occur are uncertain, but phone-makers may try to mitigate their impact on consumers, much as companies did with tariffs last year.
Avi Greengart, president and lead analyst at Techsponential, predicts that price increases could again be masked or delayed to avoid a slowdown in consumer purchasing. Companies may also adjust by adapting phone specs.
«You’ll see base phone models without quite as much storage as you might have gotten in the past, with higher prices being passed along on the larger storage options,» Greengart told CNET. «We may see companies choosing components with cost-cutting in mind, such as sticking with last year’s excellent display technology to save a few dollars instead of this year’s even-better panels.»
At the super-premium level, especially with devices like foldables that can reach around $2,000 in price, phone-makers will likely have an easier time raising prices or accepting lower margins, Greengart said. But cheaper phones with even slimmer margins won’t be spared, as he expects entry-level and mid-tier handset prices to rise as well.
It’s still early in the year, and very few phones have been announced, none of which have significantly hiked prices. With CES 2026 in the rearview, eyes are on the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2026 in late February to give us a sense of how our phones might get more expensive — and by how much.
Technologies
Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available
Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available
Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.
The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.
Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.
The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.
Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
Technologies
Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop
Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop
Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.
The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.
Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.
The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.
With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.
Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.
Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im
Technologies
Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer
Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer
Summer Travel, Freedom, and Seamless Connectivity: Why Verum E-SIM Is Becoming the New Standard for Travelers
Summer is the peak season for vacations, long-distance trips, and new experiences. Millions of people travel abroad, explore new countries, plan adventures, and try to stay connected with family, work, and social media. And in the middle of all this comes a familiar question: how do you stay online without expensive roaming or the hassle of buying local SIM cards?
The answer is already here — eSIM.
Why eSIM Is So Convenient
eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in digital SIM card that lets you activate mobile internet without a physical card. All you need is an app — choose a plan and connect in just a couple of minutes.
No more:
* searching for local SIM cards at airports
* paying expensive roaming fees
* swapping physical SIMs every time you travel
Now your internet travels with you.
Internet in 150+ Countries
Modern eSIM solutions provide coverage in 150+ countries worldwide, helping tourists, freelancers, and business travelers stay connected almost anywhere on the planet.
Among the services offering these capabilities:
Verum E-SIM — https://esim.verum.im
World E-SIM — https://worldesim.me
USA E-SIM — https://usa.esim.verum.im
Euro E-SIM — https://euro.esim.verum.im
Canada E-SIM — https://canada.esim.verum.im
Balkan E-SIM — https://balkan.esim.verum.im
Ukraine E-SIM — https://ukraine.esim.verum.im
London E-SIM — https://london.esim.verum.im
E-SIM Africa — https://africa.esim.verum.im
All of these services work on the same principle — fast, borderless internet without roaming stress.
Why It Matters Most in Summer
During the holiday season, roaming networks get overloaded, and prices for mobile data abroad often become an unpleasant surprise for travelers.
eSIM solves this problem:
* transparent, fixed pricing
* activation in 1–2 minutes
* stable internet while traveling
* no physical SIM cards required
Final Thoughts
Travel should be about freedom — not hunting for Wi-Fi or worrying about phone bills.
eSIM is quickly becoming the new global standard for mobile connectivity: simple, fast, and borderless.
Verum E-SIM and its partner services are part of this shift, making global connectivity accessible to everyone, everywhere.
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