Apple News
Apple iPhones hit record 20% global market share in Q2 2026
The global smartphone market faced significant headwinds in the second quarter of 2026, with shipments slumping to the lowest Q2 level in 13 years due to a deepening memory chip crisis. According to Counterpoint Research, overall shipments declined sharply year-over-year. Yet Apple stood out as a bright spot, bucking the trend with resilient demand for its premium iPhone lineup.
Apple’s Strong Performance in a Challenging Market
Apple’s iPhone shipments grew by approximately 3% year-over-year in Q2 2026, even as the broader market contracted by around 11%. This growth propelled Apple to a record 20% global market share for the quarter. Key factors included:
• Sustained consumer demand for the iPhone 17 series and other premium models.
• Apple’s strategy of keeping prices stable despite rising component costs, unlike many competitors who faced pressure from the memory shortage.
• Strong performance in key regions, supported by promotions and trade-in programs.
This marks a notable achievement for Apple, highlighting the enduring appeal of its ecosystem and product quality in an environment where many Android vendors struggled with higher bill-of-materials costs and softer demand.
Top 5 Smartphone Brands Global Sell-in Shipment Share (Preliminary Data)
Source: Counterpoint Research’s preliminary Market Monitor report (based on sell-in). Notes: OPPO includes OnePlus and realme. Percentage totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Broader Market Context: The Memory Crisis Takes Its Toll
The memory chip shortage has ripple effects across the industry, leading vendors to adjust shipment plans and pass on higher costs. Global shipments hit multi-year lows for a Q2 period, reflecting cautious buying from both consumers and supply chains. While some brands saw sequential improvements through promotions (e.g., during China’s 618 festival), year-over-year declines dominated for most players.
Apple’s ability to maintain pricing power and grow shipments underscores its premium positioning, which has helped it capture higher revenue shares even in softer quarters.
What This Means for the Industry and Consumers
• For Apple: Hitting a record 20% share reinforces its leadership in the premium segment. With innovations like advanced AI features and consistent ecosystem updates, the company continues to attract loyal users and convert new ones, particularly in emerging markets.
• For Competitors: Brands reliant on mid-range and budget devices face tougher conditions. The memory crunch may lead to further consolidation or shifts toward value-oriented strategies.
• For Consumers: Expect continued pressure on prices in the short term, but Apple’s stable pricing offers a relative value proposition. Trade-ins and promotions could become even more important for upgrades.
MacDailyNews Take: As the memory crisis persists into late 2026 and potentially beyond, analysts will watch how Apple sustains its momentum—especially with the upcoming iPhone 18 cycle on the horizon. The company’s focus on software optimization, services growth, and selective hardware advancements positions it well to navigate challenges.
This Q2 result isn’t just a bright spot in a down market, it’s a testament to Apple’s strategic resilience. In an industry grappling with supply constraints, premium differentiation continues to pay off!
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple iPhones hit record 20% global market share in Q2 2026 appeared first on MacDailyNews.
‘Ted Lasso’ stars make surprise appearance in Kansas City ahead of fourth season on Apple TV
Ahead of the highly anticipated fourth season of the global phenomenon “Ted Lasso,” Apple TV hosted a weekend of events in celebration of the series in Coach Ted Lasso’s hometown of Kansas City. Emmy Award-winning star and executive producer Jason Sudeikis, along with series stars Juno Temple, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, and Abbie Hern, were in attendance for a press conference at CPKC Stadium, a special “Ted Lasso” Night fan event, and a screening of the fourth season’s debut episode at Regnier Extreme Screen in Kansas City.
Jeremy Swift, Juno Temple, Jason Sudeikis, Abbie Hern and Brendan Hunt attend a press conference and welcome fans to the “Ted Lasso” Night fan event at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City to celebrate the fourth season of the Apple TV series. Season four of “Ted Lasso” premieres globally on Apple TV on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
The 10-episode fourth season of “Ted Lasso” will premiere on Apple TV with the first episode on August 5, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through October 7, 2026. In season four, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team. Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.
Season four marks the return of fan favorites, including Emmy Award winner Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Emmy Award winner Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Jeremy Swift, alongside new additions Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely.
“Ted Lasso” season four adds Emmy Award winner Jack Burditt as executive producer under a new overall deal with Apple TV. Jason Sudeikis stars and executive produces alongside Hunt, Joe Kelly, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee, and Bill Wrubel. Goldstein serves as writer and executive producer alongside Leann Bowen. Sarah Walker and Phoebe Walsh serve as writers and producers for season four, and Sasha Garron co-produces. Bill Lawrence executive produces via his Doozer Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal content. Doozer’s Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer also serve as executive producers. The series was developed by Sudeikis, Lawrence, Kelly,, and Hunt, and is based on the preexisting format and characters from NBC Sports.
Following its global debut on Apple TV, “Ted Lasso” broke records and quickly earned praise from fans and critics all over the world. The first season became the most Emmy Award-nominated comedy series, and the series went on to land rare back-to-back Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys for its first two seasons on air.
The first three seasons of “Ted Lasso” are now streaming globally on Apple TV.
Apple TV offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 850 wins and 3,734 award nominations and counting including multi-Emmy Award-winning and history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Academy Award Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award winner “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post ‘Ted Lasso’ stars make surprise appearance in Kansas City ahead of fourth season on Apple TV appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Citi hikes Apple price target to $365; bullish on market share gains and pricing power
On Monday, Citi raised its price target on Apple to $365 from $315 while maintaining its Buy rating. The move reflects stronger margin expectations and rolled-forward financial estimates amid what the bank sees as Apple’s continued resilience in a tough environment for devices.
Apple shares were trading at new all-time highs in Monday morning trading, as investors digested the positive commentary ahead of the company’s upcoming earnings report. Citi remains constructive on the stock, highlighting Apple’s ability to gain market share even as broader smartphone and PC markets face headwinds.
Outperforming a Declining Market
Citi notes that smartphone and PC markets are likely to decline by mid-to-high teens percent. Despite this, Apple is positioned to outperform. According to the note:“continues to outperform the broader smartphone market through share gains, design-driven demand, and strong positioning in the mid-range price segment via promotions and subsidies.”
The firm also stated that Apple “should continue gaining market share despite a slowing devices market.”
Pricing Power and Margin Protection
A key driver behind the higher price target is Apple’s demonstrated ability to implement selective price increases. Citi observed that Apple raised prices on several products mid-quarter amid rising component costs and is evaluating additional memory suppliers to diversify its supply chain.
While iPhone prices remain unchanged for now, Citi expects price increases in the upcoming September launch cycle:“with more focus likely on the higher end models where demand is more resilient.”
The bank also flagged an expected foldable iPhone launch in the fourth calendar quarter. These factors support higher margin expectations following recent price increases.
AI Outlook: Measured Near-Term, Optimistic Longer-Term
On Apple Intelligence, Citi takes a pragmatic view. The note states that Apple Intelligence is:“unlikely to drive a significant upgrade cycle in the near term.”
However, the bank sees meaningful longer-term potential from enhanced Siri AI capabilities, which should increase user engagement and support growth in high-margin services revenue.
September Launch as Key Catalyst
Citi identifies the September iPhone launch as:“an important catalyst that could further strengthen investor sentiment.”
This event is viewed as a potential positive for both hardware momentum and overall investor confidence.
Services Growth: iCloud and Advertising in Focus
On the services side, Citi notes that Sensor Tower data showed App Store revenue in the June quarter grew just 3% year-over-year — tracking below company guidance. That said, the bank views iCloud and advertising as stronger drivers for future revenue growth.
Citi’s raised price target to $365 reflects a combination of:
• Continued market share gains in a challenging devices environment
• Ability to protect and expand margins through selective pricing
• Rolled-forward estimates and stronger margin expectations
MacDailyNews Take: Citi’s note underscores Apple’s structural advantages — brand strength, ecosystem lock-in, and pricing power — even as near-term AI-driven upgrade cycles remain limited.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Citi hikes Apple price target to $365; bullish on market share gains and pricing power appeared first on MacDailyNews.
TSMC’s record Q2 revenue surge highlights AI boom and Apple’s strategic chip partnership
According to the company’s latest report, Apple Silicon-supplier TSMC posted second-quarter revenue of approximately T$1.27 trillion (about $39.62 billion), marking a robust 36% increase from the same period a year earlier. This result slightly exceeded analyst expectations and set a new quarterly record, driven primarily by surging demand for AI applications.
For June alone, revenue climbed an impressive 67.9% year-on-year to T$442.68 billion, up 6.2% from the previous month. The strong showing pushed first-half 2026 revenue to NT$2.4 trillion, reflecting 35.6% growth.
Why This Matters for Apple
Apple relies heavily on TSMC for the cutting-edge processors that power its flagship devices, including the A-series and M-series chips in iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The Taiwanese foundry manufactures Apple’s most advanced silicon on leading-edge process nodes—technology also in high demand for AI accelerators.
This interdependence became particularly evident in Apple’s own Q2 fiscal 2026 results (ended March 2026), where the company reported record revenue of $111.2 billion. However, iPhone supply was constrained by limited availability of advanced chips from TSMC, even as demand for the iPhone 17 lineup was described as “explosive.”
TSMC’s latest revenue beat signals strong momentum in the semiconductor ecosystem that directly benefits Apple. As TSMC ramps up production of next-generation nodes (including preparations for 2nm processes), it positions Apple to deliver even more powerful, efficient devices in upcoming cycles, including enhanced AI capabilities across its product lineup.
Broader Context: AI Driving the Semiconductor Renaissance
TSMC’s performance isn’t isolated. The company serves as the foundry backbone for the AI revolution, producing chips for Nvidia’s GPUs and Apple’s custom silicon alike. With AI demand showing no signs of slowing, analysts expect TSMC to potentially raise its full-year guidance when it reports full Q2 earnings on Thursday.
For investors and tech enthusiasts, this news reinforces a key theme: companies with deep exposure to advanced chip manufacturing — like Apple through its close TSMC partnership — are well-placed to capitalize on both consumer innovation and enterprise AI growth.
TSMC’s shares rose modestly ahead of the data release, continuing a strong year that has seen the stock gain around 57%. As the earnings call approaches, all eyes will be on forward guidance and how the foundry plans to balance AI priorities with partners like Apple.
MacDailyNews Take: TSMC’s record quarter isn’t just good news for Taiwan’s tech sector, it’s a bullish indicator for Apple’s innovation pipeline and the broader tech industry’s AI-fueled future.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post TSMC’s record Q2 revenue surge highlights AI boom and Apple’s strategic chip partnership appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI could derail the AI giant’s hardware ambitions to challenge the iPhone
According to Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman, Apple’s aggressive lawsuit accusing OpenAI of systematically stealing its intellectual property poses a significant threat to the AI company’s efforts to develop consumer hardware devices that could rival the iPhone — potentially disrupting those plans long before any courtroom resolution.
The Core Allegations
Apple filed the blockbuster suit last week, claiming OpenAI orchestrated a coordinated effort to misappropriate trade secrets. Key details include:
• OpenAI allegedly encouraged former and prospective Apple employees to bring unreleased product information, prototypes, CAD designs, and supplier details to interviews and new roles.
• OpenAI instructed hires on evading Apple’s security protocols, reportedly using a checklist tied to its former iPhone design leadership.
• Specific individuals named include OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan (a 24-year Apple veteran who led iPhone and Apple Watch design) and engineer Chang Liu, who allegedly retained access to Apple systems post-departure to download confidential files on unreleased products.
Apple claims it has uncovered a “pattern of theft” involving more than 400 former employees now at OpenAI. The suit also implicates io Products (Jony Ive’s hardware startup, acquired by OpenAI for $6.5 billion), describing OpenAI’s emerging hardware efforts as “rotten to its core” due to reliance on misappropriated secrets.
Why This Matters for OpenAI’s iPhone Rival Plans
OpenAI has been aggressively building a hardware division to create AI-powered consumer devices — potentially including a smartphone or agent-based hardware that could bypass traditional app ecosystems and compete directly with Apple’s ecosystem dominance. This push gained momentum with the io Products acquisition and talent poaching from Cupertino.
Gurman’s reporting highlights how the lawsuit creates immediate headwinds:
• Talent and Reputation Risks: Even without a final verdict, the public accusations could slow recruiting, damage partnerships, and invite scrutiny from suppliers wary of legal entanglement.
• Injunctive Relief: Apple is seeking court orders to bar OpenAI from using the alleged secrets, return materials, and preserve evidence—moves that could force redesigns or delays in OpenAI’s device timeline.
• Broader Competitive Tension: The clash comes amid a strained partnership (Apple integrates ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence), with both sides eyeing greater independence in AI hardware. OpenAI’s ambitions to reduce reliance on the iPhone now face a major legal and PR obstacle.
OpenAI’s Response and Context
OpenAI has denied the claims, stating it has “no interest in other companies’ trade secrets” and remains focused on innovative technology.
The suit escalates existing frictions, including reports of OpenAI previously considering legal action against Apple over their integration deal.
MacDailyNews Take: OpenAI has always been skeevy, from eschewing its open source roots to Sam Altman to desperately overpaying for a washed Jony Ive. Just plain skeevy.
If ever a Skynet would arise, we expect it would spring from the diseased loins of OpenAI.
This isn’t just a legal spat, it’s a flashpoint in the intensifying battle for the future of AI devices. Apple is fiercely protecting the decades of innovation behind its hardware supremacy, while OpenAI bets big on disrupting it with AI-first experiences. As Gurman notes, the disruption to OpenAI’s plans could be swift and substantial, regardless of how the case ultimately resolves in court.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
The post Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI could derail the AI giant’s hardware ambitions to challenge the iPhone appeared first on MacDailyNews.