Samsung could cut smartphone production by 20% to 30% in the fourth quarter. The move comes as memory chip prices continue to rise. According to the source, Samsung’s Mobile Experience division has contacted suppliers. The company has reportedly asked them to lower production volumes during October, November, and December.
The reported cuts could affect Samsung’s smartphone shipment target for the year. The company was previously expected to ship around 270 million smartphones in 2026. However, the latest estimates suggest that figure could fall to around 200 million units. That would mark a major reduction from Samsung’s earlier target.
Rising memory costs appear to be a key factor behind the decision. The report points to a 175% increase in prices for 12GB LPDDR5X RAM. Higher memory costs are putting additional pressure on smartphone manufacturers. Samsung appears to be adjusting production volumes to limit the impact.
The production cuts are also less unusual for the fourth quarter. Samsung typically produces fewer phones during this period. The company’s Galaxy S series usually launches between January and February. As a result, production patterns often shift ahead of the next flagship cycle.
Still, the reported 20% to 30% reduction is significant. If the estimates hold, Samsung could finish the year with about 200 million smartphone shipments. The company has not been reported as officially confirming the production cuts. For now, the figures come from the Korean report and industry estimates.
