Core Viewpoint - The European smartphone market experienced a 4% year-on-year growth in Q2 2025 after a sluggish Q1, driven by new model releases and promotional activities despite ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges [4][6]. Market Performance - The European smartphone market saw a 4% increase in shipments in Q2 2025 compared to the same period last year, recovering from earlier declines [4][6]. - Samsung maintained its leading position in the region, although its market share slightly decreased due to strong performances from Apple and Xiaomi with the iPhone 16e and Redmi Note 14 series [4][8]. - Honor emerged as the standout performer, achieving a remarkable 42% year-on-year growth, bolstered by its popular 400 series and Magic 7 series [6][8]. Challenges and Influences - Economic challenges and new EU eco-design regulations limited the entry of entry-level models like the Samsung Galaxy A06, contributing to subdued consumer demand [6][8]. - Despite the market recovery, the overall smartphone shipments in Europe for the first half of 2025 still saw a slight decline year-on-year due to low consumer demand and geopolitical uncertainties [8]. Regional Insights - In Q2 2025, Japan's smartphone shipments grew by 11%, marking the second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth [6]. - The Middle East and Africa saw a 3% increase in smartphone shipments, driven by 5G adoption and high-end demand [9]. - The U.S. smartphone sales rose by 9%, with strong performances from the three major carriers [9]. - Conversely, China's smartphone shipments declined by 2% due to weak demand and reduced subsidies [9]. Company Overview - Counterpoint Research specializes in technology market research, providing insights across various sectors including smartphones, semiconductors, and consumer electronics [2][10].

Core Viewpoint - The construction materials industry is showing various structural highlights in the 2025 mid-year report, with multinational expansion and high-end demand significantly contributing to profitability. Different sub-industries in the domestic market are reaching a consensus on improving profitability, with the pace of profitability recovery potentially outpacing revenue recovery [1]. Group 1: Cement Sector - The cement sector has demonstrated pricing elasticity, with overseas profitability advantages being strong. In Q2 2025, the profitability of the cement industry showed a pattern of high-to-low within the quarter, with April and May continuing the price advantages and raw material cost reductions from Q1, contributing to a year-on-year increase in profitability [2]. - Starting in June, supply-demand pressures increased, leading to a retraction in profitability, but it is confirmed that 2024 is likely the bottom for profit per ton, with further downward pressure being difficult [2]. - The focus on limiting overproduction remains crucial for improving supply-demand dynamics, and there is an expectation for improved shareholder returns driven by industry equity incentives [2]. Group 2: Consumer Building Materials - The profitability recovery in the consumer building materials sector is showing higher elasticity compared to revenue elasticity. In Q2, the revenue growth rate for this sector remained similar to Q1, with expectations that the revenue growth bottomed out in Q3 2024 [3]. - The industry has generally seen some recovery, with price disadvantages year-on-year being a core factor affecting revenue appearance. However, entering Q3, a significant recovery is anticipated due to base effects [3]. - Price recovery and structural upgrades in the coatings and waterproofing sectors are leading the way, while personnel and cost optimizations have significantly improved profitability in the first half of 2025 [3]. Group 3: Glass and Fiberglass - In the fiberglass sector, high-end demand from wind power and thermoplastics is supporting continuous improvement in net profit per ton for leading companies. The demand trend for AI in electronic fabrics is expected to drive both volume and price increases [4]. - The structural upgrade and demand expansion in the specialty electronic fabric sector remain a certain trend, with leading companies deepening their participation [4]. - In the glass sector, the float glass market is experiencing price stabilization amid supply-demand stalemate, while photovoltaic glass has seen slight price rebounds following self-regulated production cuts during extreme losses [4].