iPhone 17 Was the Best-Selling Smartphone in 1Q26

Apple iPhone 17 was the world’s best-selling smartphone in 1Q26, capturing 6% of global unit sales, according to Counterpoint Research. The iPhone 17 Series captured the top three spots, while the Samsung Galaxy A Series was most represented with five models in the top 10. Xiaomi Redmi A5 secured the tenth spot.

The top 10 smartphones contributed 25% of global unit sales, the highest Q1 concentration ever. This was driven by sustained demand for the iPhone 17 series, alongside pressure on Android OEMs in mass-market segments as the ongoing memory shortage pushes up component costs. iPhone 17 Pro Max was second, iPhone 17 Pro third, as Samsung Galaxy A07 4G captured fourth spot. Galaxy A17 5G came in fifth, ahead of iPhone 16, Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, Galaxy A17 4G, and Xiaomi Redmi A5.

“iPhone 17 continues to outperform its predecessor owing to key upgrades like higher base storage, camera resolution, and display refresh rate, bringing the smartphone closer to the Pro variants and providing overall value for a larger market. The smartphone registered double-digit YoY growth in key markets like China, the US, and 3x in South Korea for the quarter. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pro captured the following two spots, offering even more advanced capabilities across camera, battery, and new colour, material, and finish,” said Harshit Rastogi, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research.

For Samsung, the Galaxy A series captured all spots in the list, delivering strong value across price segments. Samsung Galaxy A07 4G was the best-selling Android smartphone for the quarter, with high contribution from emerging regions like the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. The device ships with six years of software and security updates, making it attractive to buyers prioritizing long-term usability. Samsung’s 2026 flagship, Galaxy S26 Ultra, narrowly missed the top 10 list, registering stronger initial sales compared to its predecessor. The key highlight for the smartphone has been the privacy display, first in the industry, along with AI feature upgrades. Xiaomi Redmi A5 captured the 10th spot and was the most affordable smartphone in the list. The smartphone has sustained its demand since launch across emerging regions.

“Looking ahead to 2026, the top 10 smartphone models are expected to expand their share of global unit sales. The anticipated market decline is likely to impact mass-market segments more significantly, while high-end smartphones continue to gain share. In response, OEMs are shifting focus toward premium portfolios, prioritizing value over volume,” said Karn Chauhan, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research.