The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran is creating ripple effects across global trade, and smartphones could be affected. Data from Counterpoint Research shows that the biggest risks are in shipping and rising costs, not in demand.
Smartphones depend on air freight to move between Asia and Europe. Major hubs like Dubai and Doha handle most of this traffic. If these routes are disrupted, companies may need longer paths through Central Asia or Africa, which means higher fuel and labor costs.
Oil prices have also gone up after attacks on Gulf facilities and the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz. More expensive fuel makes shipping pricier, while insurance and handling fees also rise.
At the same time, the prices of RAM and storage chips are climbing, adding more pressure on smartphone makers who are already dealing with thinner margins.
This could also affect refurbished phones, since spare parts often pass through Jebel Ali Port. For now, buyers may not see big changes, but if costs stay high, brands might have no choice but to adjust prices or cut margins.
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As the industry braces for the impact, they begin shifting from focusing on speed and efficiency to building more resilient supply chains.
The big question is whether smartphone makers will absorb these costs or pass them on to consumers.
