Key Takeaways
- The standard iPhone 17 alone captured 6% of all global smartphone sales in Q1 2026
- Apple swept the top 3 spots with iPhone 17, 17 Pro Max, and 17 Pro
- Samsung's budget 4G phones like the Galaxy A07 dominated emerging markets
Apple Dominates the Top Three
The iPhone 17 was the best-selling smartphone globally in the first quarter of 2026, capturing 6% of all units sold worldwide. That's according to new data from Counterpoint Research, which tracks smartphone shipments across markets.
Apple's standard model didn't just win. It swept the competition. The iPhone 17 Pro Max took second place, and the iPhone 17 Pro came in third. This mirrors last year's Q1 results, but with one key difference: the gap between the base iPhone and its pricier siblings grew larger in 2026.
The iPhone 16 also made the list, holding the sixth spot. That's notable for a year-old model competing against newer devices from Samsung and Xiaomi.
“iPhone 17 continues to outperform its predecessor owing to key upgrades like higher base storage, camera resolution, display refresh rate bringing the smartphone closer to the Pro variants and providing overall value for larger market.”
— Harshit Rastogi, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research
Rastogi added that the iPhone 17 registered double-digit year-over-year growth in China and the US. South Korea saw sales triple compared to the same quarter last year.
Budget 4G Phones Lead Android Sales
The best-selling Android phone of Q1 2026 wasn't a flagship. It was the Samsung Galaxy A07 4G, a budget device without 5G connectivity. The phone proved popular in emerging markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Samsung placed another LTE-only device in the top 10: the Galaxy A17 4G. Both phones promise six major OS updates, which should extend their useful life. But their older modems could become a limitation by 2031, when 4G networks may see reduced priority in some regions.
For what it's worth, the 5G version of the Galaxy A17 ranked higher than its 4G sibling. Samsung's midrange A-series also showed strength, with the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 taking the seventh and eighth spots.
Where's the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Last year, Samsung's S25 Ultra was the only Android flagship to crack the top 10. This year, the S26 Ultra is missing from the list entirely. But don't read too much into that absence.
Counterpoint notes that the S26 Ultra narrowly missed the cut. The timing explains part of the gap. Samsung launched the S26 Ultra in March 2026, a month later than the S25 Ultra's February 2025 debut. That gave the phone only a few weeks of Q1 sales to count.
Google's flagship strategy faces similar questions about competing with Apple and Samsung
Xiaomi's Surprise Entry
Xiaomi made the top 10 with an unexpected model: the Redmi A5. This is one of the cheapest Android Go phones on the market. Like Samsung's A07, it's a 4G-only device that found its audience in price-sensitive emerging markets.
The pattern is clear. While Apple dominates premium sales globally, the volume game in developing economies still belongs to ultra-affordable Android devices. 5G remains a nice-to-have, not a must-have, for hundreds of millions of buyers.
What's Driving iPhone 17 Sales?
Apple narrowed the gap between the standard iPhone and Pro models this generation. The iPhone 17 gained a faster display refresh rate, better camera resolution, and higher base storage. These were Pro-exclusive features in earlier generations.
The result: buyers who previously felt pushed toward Pro models now see the base iPhone as good enough. That's a deliberate strategy by Apple to capture a larger slice of the mid-premium market without cannibalizing Pro margins too heavily.
Apple's supply chain strategy affects future iPhone production and pricing
Logicity's Take
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the best-selling smartphone in Q1 2026?
The Apple iPhone 17 was the best-selling smartphone globally in Q1 2026, capturing 6% of all units sold according to Counterpoint Research.
How did the iPhone 17 Pro Max rank in Q1 2026 sales?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max ranked second globally, with the iPhone 17 Pro taking third place. Apple swept all three top spots.
What was the best-selling Android phone in Q1 2026?
The Samsung Galaxy A07 4G was the best-selling Android phone in Q1 2026, driven by strong demand in emerging markets like the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Why isn't the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in the top 10?
The S26 Ultra narrowly missed the top 10 because it launched in March 2026, giving it only a few weeks of Q1 sales. Counterpoint says it was close to making the list.
Is 5G necessary for best-selling smartphones?
Not in emerging markets. Three phones in the Q1 2026 top 10 were 4G-only models, showing that price and longevity matter more than connectivity speed in many regions.
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Source: GSMArena.com / Peter
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Huma Shazia
Senior AI & Tech Writer
Produced with AI assistance and reviewed by the Logicity editorial team. Learn more in our Editorial Policy.
