The decline marks the fifth consecutive quarter of falling smartphone shipments in the world’s largest smartphone market. Overall shipments during the first half of the year also dropped 4.2% compared with the same period in 2025.

Huawei and Apple were the only major smartphone manufacturers to record shipment growth during the quarter.

Huawei posted a 19.4% increase in shipments to retain its position as China’s largest smartphone vendor with a 22.6% market share, while Apple recorded a 24.4% increase, capturing an 18.1% share of the market.

In contrast, several Android manufacturers experienced double-digit declines. Xiaomi’s shipments fell 21.7%, while Oppo and Vivo recorded declines of 9.7% and 11.4%, respectively.

According to IDC, many Android manufacturers raised smartphone prices or reduced the availability of budget models to offset rising memory chip and component costs.

The research firm noted that Huawei and Apple maintained relatively stable pricing during the quarter, giving consumers greater incentive to purchase their devices while competitors increased prices.

IDC also attributed the market slowdown to the waning impact of government subsidy programmes that had previously stimulated smartphone demand, leaving consumers more hesitant to replace existing devices.

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By Emmanuella Hananiya,

The second half of 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark period for mobile technology, as global giants prepare to unveil devices that push the boundaries of artificial intelligence, photography, and hardware endurance.

From the evolution of foldable displays to the next generation of flagship powerhouses, the months between June and December promise a wave of innovation that will redefine the user experience.

As major brands focus on deeper AI integration and faster charging speeds, smartphone enthusiasts have plenty to anticipate in this upcoming release cycle. Here are five phones to expect:

1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

Leading the charge in the foldable category, Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8 during its highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event, likely scheduled for late July. This new iteration is rumored to feature a significantly slimmer design and a more robust hinge system, addressing long-standing user requests for a more portable yet durable foldable device.

Beyond physical hardware, the Z Fold 8 will likely showcase enhanced multitasking features and upgraded AI capabilities, alongside improvements in battery efficiency and a further reduction in the visible display crease.

2. Google Pixel 11

Google is also set to make waves with the expected release of the Pixel 11 series in August. Continuing its legacy of software-led innovation, the Pixel 11 is anticipated to introduce an even more advanced Tensor processor, specifically optimized for Google’s latest artificial intelligence tools.

Users can expect significant upgrades in AI-powered photography and video recording quality, further solidifying the Pixel’s reputation as a leader in computational imaging and secure, seamless performance.

3. Apple iPhone 18 Series

September remains the most crowded month on the tech calendar, anchored by the expected launch of Apple’s iPhone 18 series. Following its traditional schedule, Apple is rumored to be preparing an advanced chipset and deeper AI integration that will enhance everything from battery management to professional-grade camera systems.

Reports suggest a split launch strategy this year, where the Pro models will debut in September, pushing the boundaries of mobile processing power and photographic precision.

4. Apple iPhone Fold

The real showstopper of the season might be the long-rumored “iPhone Fold.” If industry reports hold true, this device would mark Apple’s historic entry into the foldable market, potentially launching alongside or shortly after the iPhone 18 Pro in the fall.

The phone is expected to feature a premium folding display and specialized software designed to bring Apple’s signature fluid multitasking to a larger, more flexible screen, offering a high-end alternative to the traditional smartphone form factor.

5. Infinix Note 60 Pro

Rounding out the year, Infinix is expected to cater to the performance-driven and value-conscious market with a wider release of the Note 60 Pro. While already seeing initial launches in some markets earlier this year, its expanded global availability through the end of 2026 is highly anticipated.

The device has generated considerable buzz due to its massive 6,500mAh battery and ultra-fast charging support. Perhaps most significantly, this model marks a major transition to Snapdragon processing power, drastically improving speed and efficiency for the brand’s growing user base.

In conclusion, the final six months of 2026 will serve as a battleground for innovation among the world’s top tech brands. Whether through the mainstreaming of foldable technology or the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence in every snap of the camera, these upcoming devices are set to offer something for every type of user.

As we move toward the end of the year, the focus remains clear: creating a smarter, faster, and more versatile future for the mobile world.

The post Top 5 Smartphones Expected to Shape the Second Half of 2026, By Emmanuella Hananiya appeared first on Tech Digest News.

In a statement on its website, the company said its upcoming Starlink Mobile V2 satellites will power what it described as the highest-performing satellite-to-mobile network built so far, enabling users to connect to mobile networks from virtually anywhere.

The system is designed to complement terrestrial mobile networks and could significantly expand coverage in rural and underserved areas, including parts of Nigeria where connectivity gaps remain wide.

According to Starlink, the V2 satellites will be powered by custom silicon developed by SpaceX and advanced phased-array antennas capable of supporting thousands of spatial beams.

This architecture is expected to deliver about 20 times more throughput than the company’s first-generation satellites, allowing standard smartphones to access high-speed connections suitable for video streaming, video calls, and remote work.

“In most environments, Starlink Mobile V2 will enable full 5G cellular connectivity with a comparable experience to current terrestrial service,” the company said.

The system will integrate with telecom operators’ existing networks, allowing smartphones to switch seamlessly between satellite coverage and ground-based 5G infrastructure without interruption.

Satellite-to-mobile connectivity is emerging as a key innovation in the telecom industry because it allows ordinary smartphones to connect directly to satellites using existing mobile spectrum, without specialised dishes or terminals.

Last year, the Nigerian Communications Commission signalled support for Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite services in its draft Spectrum Roadmap for 2025–2030, saying the technology could expand voice and data coverage to rural, riverine, and border communities beyond the reach of mobile towers.

The regulator added that D2D connectivity could also improve network resilience during fibre cuts, power outages, and other disruptions affecting terrestrial networks.

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The iPhone maker captured a 20% share of global smartphone shipments, the largest among the top five brands, driven by strong demand in emerging and mid-sized markets and solid sales of its iPhone 17 series, Counterpoint analyst Varun Mishra said.

Samsung ranked second with a 19% market share, posting modest shipment growth but falling just behind Apple in the annual rankings. The South Korean company continued to benefit from its broad product portfolio, though competition intensified in key growth markets.

Xiaomi placed third with a 13% share, supported by steady demand across emerging economies, where price-sensitive consumers continued to favour its devices.

Overall, global smartphone shipments grew 2% year-on-year in 2025, helped by improving economic momentum in emerging markets. Counterpoint said manufacturers pushed shipments earlier in the year to get ahead of potential tariffs, though the impact eased as the year progressed, leaving second-half volumes largely stable.

Looking ahead, the research firm warned that the competitive landscape could tighten further in 2026. Rising component costs and potential chip shortages may weigh on shipments, as semiconductor manufacturers increasingly prioritise artificial intelligence data centres over smartphone production, Counterpoint research director Tarun Pathak said.

The post Apple Tops Global Smartphone Rankings in 2025, Edges Past Samsung appeared first on Tech Digest News.

The rebound comes after months of inflation, currency volatility, and shrinking household budgets had slowed demand. Analysts credit the recovery to a stabilizing naira, easing inflation, and the rise of device financing schemes.

Smartphones remain crucial in Nigeria, where mobile is the primary gateway to the internet. As of July 2025, the country had 138 million mobile internet connections compared with fewer than 320,000 fixed-line connections.

Transsion Holdings — makers of Tecno, Itel, and Infinix — maintained dominance with a 65% market share, thriving in the sub-$100 segment. Samsung and Xiaomi are also expanding, with Samsung offering financing options and Xiaomi partnering with MTN Nigeria to bundle devices with mobile data.

Phone financing has become a major growth driver, with providers like M-Kopa, EasyBuy, Jumia Flex, and banks enabling installment-based purchases.

While challenges remain, including rising prices and reliance on imports, analysts say Nigeria’s youthful population and mobile-first economy make it one of Africa’s most resilient smartphone markets.

The post Nigeria’s Smartphone Market Rebounds 10% in Q2 2025 appeared first on Tech Digest News.

By Fatimah Yusuf Usman,

Lately, I’ve seen more and more people, online and offline, saying they’re in a “reading slump.” Some share it with humour, others with frustration. They miss the days when reading was second nature — when they could lose themselves in a book for hours, fully immersed, fully alive in the story.

Now, they can barely read a page. The spark is gone. The focus is gone. The joy is gone.

But here’s a hard truth: for many of us, this isn’t just a reading slump. It’s brain rot — the quiet, creeping damage caused by constant, mindless scrolling.

Let’s call it what it is.

Our brains weren’t designed to absorb thousands of microbursts of content every single day. Reels. Tweets. TikToks. Threads. Stories. Posts. The algorithm never sleeps — and neither do our thumbs.

We scroll endlessly, glazed-eyed, while our attention is dragged from one shiny thing to the next. We tell ourselves we’re “winding down,” but what we’re really doing is eroding our ability to sit still with our own thoughts.

It’s not relaxation. It’s decay.

Studies keep showing that our attention spans are shrinking, especially among those of us who grew up in the digital world. We’ve been rewired. What once took minutes of gentle focus now feels like a burden.

We can no longer read deeply because our minds have been trained to skim, to swipe, to crave the next dopamine hit — not depth, not meaning.

So when I hear someone say they’re in a reading slump, I often want to gently ask: are you really? Or have you just been rewired by your screen?

I ask this not just of others, but of myself.

I’ve tried everything. I’ve returned to old favourites. I’ve opened my annotated novels, hoping to reignite something. I’ve picked up short stories and articles. But nothing hit the way it used to. The words didn’t land.

My mind drifted. The silence that once felt peaceful now felt unbearable. That was when I had to admit the truth: I wasn’t just in a slump. My brain had changed.

So here it is — the hard thing we don’t want to say out loud: maybe you’re not in a reading slump either. Maybe it’s brain rot. And maybe it’s time we faced that.

This isn’t a cry to quit social media. That would be naïve — and unnecessary. But it is a call to become aware.

If we don’t become intentional about the content we consume and how we consume it, we stand to lose more than just our ability to read. We lose our ability to think deeply. To feel fully. To be alone with ourselves and not be afraid.

That 30-minute doomscroll before bed? It steals the stillness that books thrive in. That innocent morning scroll on Instagram? It shapes your brain’s focus for the entire day.

And the scariest part is how quietly it all happens. You won’t notice — until you start to feel like a stranger in your own mind.

We think we’re relaxing. But most of the time, we’re just numbing.

If you love books but haven’t finished one in months, this isn’t me shaming you. It’s me reminding you — and myself — that our minds are worth protecting.

We are living in the golden age of content, but also in the dark age of attention. The only way out is through deliberate, intentional effort.

So start small:

– Put your phone away for one hour.

– Read a single page, even if your brain resists.

– Sit with boredom instead of fleeing it.

– Revisit a book you once loved — and see who you’ve become.

– Rebuild your focus like a muscle: slowly, gently, consistently.

Let’s stop lying to ourselves. Most of us are not in a reading slump. We’re in a loop of constant scroll — and it’s time to break out of it.

Because this isn’t just about books. It’s about life.

It’s about learning to be present — with a story, with our own thoughts, with the people around us. It’s about remembering that attention isn’t just a skill. It’s a form of love. And we owe that love to ourselves.

So next time you reach for your phone, “just for five minutes,” and find yourself an hour deep in reels, ask: is this how I want to spend my presence?

And if the answer is no — close the app. Pick up a book. It might feel hard at first, but your brain — and your soul — will thank you later.

Fatimah Yusuf Usman writes from PRNigeria Centre, Abuja. She can be reached at: fatimahborkono@gmail.com

The post FEATURE: Your Phone is Stealing Your Brain appeared first on Tech Digest News.

By Fatimah Yusuf Usman,

In today’s hyper-connected Nigeria, social media and messaging platforms have revolutionized how people interact and express themselves. Yet, beneath the glossy veneer of likes, emojis, and shares lies a growing threat that is quietly tearing through the fabric of digital communities: cyberbullying.

From WhatsApp groups to X timelines, a growing number of Nigerians—particularly the youth—are being subjected to sustained online harassment that leaves psychological scars deeper than many realize. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), known mostly for its work in advancing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, has begun to shine a light on this hidden war.

Beyond its regulatory and innovation-focused mandates, NITDA is taking deliberate steps to foster safer online spaces by leading awareness campaigns, strengthening policy frameworks, and working with both public and private stakeholders to protect users from harm.

Globally, cyberbullying is defined as repeated and hostile behavior conducted through digital means with the intent to harass or cause emotional pain. In Nigeria, these acts manifest in different ways—from slurs and threats to the malicious sharing of personal information.

While celebrities like Alex Iwobi have experienced coordinated attacks that forced them offline, many ordinary citizens also suffer in silence. These cases are often underreported, but the impact is no less damaging. Similar tragedies in other parts of the world have even ended in suicide, drawing attention to how digital abuse transcends mere words or screen time.

NITDA’s intervention has come in multiple layers. Each October, it spearheads the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, rolling out education campaigns across the country. In 2023, for example, the focus extended to phishing scams, disinformation, and cyberbullying. School seminars and youth-targeted programs were used to educate teenagers on the ethics of digital communication and personal safety online.

At platforms such as the Nigeria Teen Cyber Festival, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasized that digital literacy must go beyond coding and innovation. He urged schools to adopt cyber safety education, teaching students how to shield themselves not only from viruses and scams but also from emotional manipulation, identity theft, and bullying.

According to him, the digital age must be met with a corresponding ethical and emotional intelligence to match its speed and influence. Another major component of NITDA’s effort is embedded in legislation. The agency was instrumental in the formulation of the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, Nigeria’s principal legal framework for addressing cyber-related offenses.

Through its cybersecurity department, NITDA also works closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute offenders, ensuring that victims have a pathway to justice. On a more collaborative front, NITDA is aligning with global tech platforms. Its partnership with TikTok under the “Safer Together” initiative helps enforce content moderation, spread awareness, and protect younger users from targeted abuse.

These kinds of alliances are increasingly necessary in a world where digital platforms often act faster than governments can regulate. Despite these steps, serious challenges remain. Many cyberbullying complaints are abandoned due to slow police response or lack of awareness of legal redress.

Young people often do not know how to navigate privacy settings or report violations on the platforms they use daily. Meanwhile, cultural stigmas around mental health persist, causing victims to suffer in silence or downplay the seriousness of what they experience.

To deepen its impact, NITDA must move even further. Cyberbullying education should become a permanent feature in school curricula from the primary level upward, teaching children not only about algorithms and devices but also about empathy, responsibility, and digital etiquette.

Influencers, content creators, and mental health advocates should be encouraged to use their platforms to normalize conversations around emotional abuse, healing, and digital boundaries. Reporting tools must be made accessible in Nigeria’s local languages to ensure that help is within reach for everyone, regardless of literacy level or location.

What we are dealing with is more than online mischief. It is a silent epidemic that is eating away at trust, self-worth, and public mental health. NITDA’s work, though still unfolding, sends a clear message that online cruelty is no longer acceptable. Nigeria’s digital progress cannot and must not come at the expense of its citizens’ emotional safety.

The fight against cyberbullying requires more than policy—it demands a national shift in culture. From classrooms to chatrooms, from hashtags to households, the call is for a shared responsibility. If the country hopes to raise a digital generation that is bold, creative, and mentally sound, then safe and respectful online interaction must be seen not as a luxury, but as a right.

Fatimah Yusuf Usman writes from PRNigeria Centre, Abuja. She can be reached via: fatimahborkono@gmail.com.

The post The Bully in the Smartphone Must be Stopped appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – The affordability of smartphones for regions with low smartphone penetration worsened as the average selling price of smartphones increased by 10 per cent in the third quarter of 2022.

New research by Counterpoint’s Market Monitor Service revealed that the increase was partly due to the record shipment contribution of 5G handsets, which cost five times an average non-5G phone.

Also, it stated that the global smartphone handset market’s revenue declined 3 per cent year-on-year in Q3 2022.

The report said, “The global smartphone handset market’s revenue declined three per cent YoY in Q3 2022 to just above $100 billion, according to the latest research from Counterpoint’s Market Monitor Service.

“A 10 per cent YoY growth was seen in the average selling price thanks to the premium handset segment’s greater resilience to economic uncertainty. The record shipment contribution (46 per cent) of 5G handsets, which cost five times an average non-5G handset, also added to the ASP and revenue growth. In terms of shipments, the overall handset market saw a 12 per cent YoY decline during the quarter.”

READ ALSO: Meta Trains 107,000 In Digital Safety

Commenting on the price of 5G effect on ASP growth, Senior Analyst Harmeet Singh Walia said, “At over $80bn, the revenue contribution of 5G handsets reached an all-time high of 80 per cent of global handset revenues, up from 69 per cent in the third quarter of last year.

“In the same period, LTE handsets’ revenue contribution fell 10 per cent to $19bn. This shift from 4G to 5G has been led by Apple, which alone makes up for over half of all 5G revenues as over 95 per cent of its phones are 5G-enabled. Apple saw a 10 per cent YoY revenue growth and seven per cent YoY ASP growth in Q3 2022, contributing to an overall increase in global handset ASP.”

The launch of the iPhone 14 series as well as the Pro models, especially from the previous generation drove the increase in Apple’s revenue.

Smartphone affordability is one of the major barriers to Internet and connectivity access. According to Alliance for Affordable Internet, the average cost of a smartphone was about 37.46 per cent of the average monthly income of a Nigerian.

It explained that 2.5 billion people globally still pay more than 30 per cent of their monthly income to purchase the cheapest smartphones available in their markets. It explained that while smartphones have enabled digital participation, they are largely unaffordable globally, especially in low-and-middle-income countries.

It said, “At present, countries are not doing enough to better understand what can be done to improve smartphone affordability.”

According to the organisation, only about 44 per cent of Nigerians own smartphones.

Recently, the Vice President, Global Telecommunications Industry, IBM, Craig Wilson, told The PUNCH in an interview, “A sweeping majority of Nigerians lack access to smartphones with 4G-like speeds for Internet connection and the capacity to use the Internet on a daily basis, according to the Alliance for Affordable Internet.”

He stated that the high cost of 5G devices would impact rollout plans in the country, adding that “The cost of a 5G device currently runs around $350, making them unaffordable for many.”

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