Chatterboxes: the changing face of smart speakers

Apple held its Surprise and Shine event earlier this month, unveiling its latest range of devices. The standout was the much-anticipated foldable iPhone Duo, combining top-end specifications with what appeared to be a refined user experience. In this report, we dissect Apple’s new product developments and innovations from the event while assessing what they mean for the wider mobile industry.

At IFA Berlin 2026, AI remained the dominant theme, as it becomes increasingly embedded across consumer electronics experiences. Beyond AI, robotics stood out, with the show hosting a ‘Robots on the Runway’ spectacle. For players across the consumer tech ecosystem, the themes highlighted at IFA continue to spur opportunities such as monetisation but also challenges, including costs and privacy issues.

As smartphone competition becomes increasingly shaped by regional dynamics, understanding competitive dynamics beyond the global level is becoming more important. This report examines smartphone competition through a regional lens, highlighting leaders, followers and challengers across regions and countries. The insights can be used to formulate or adjust commercial strategies, identify growth opportunities and prioritise markets.