The best-selling smartphone globally in the first quarter of 2026 will be the iPhone 17, with the top 10 models accounting for 25% of the total.
According to the Global Handset Model Sales Tracker, a smartphone market research report published by research firm
iPhone 17 Global Best-Selling Smartphone in Q1 2026, Top 10 Take 25% Share
https://counterpointresearch.com/en/insights/iphone-17-global-best-selling-smartphone-in-q1-2026-top-10-take-25-percent-share
World's best-selling smartphone for Q1 2026 is iPhone 17
https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/05/04/worlds-best-selling-smartphone-for-q1-2026-is-iphone-17-as-expected
The following graph summarizes the top 10 best-selling smartphones in the world for the first quarter of 2026. The top three are all Apple iPhones: 1st place is the iPhone 17, 2nd place is the iPhone 17 Pro Max , and 3rd place is the iPhone 17 Pro . 4th and 5th place are Samsung's Galaxy A07 4G and Galaxy A17 5G , 6th place is the iPhone 16 (released in 2024), 7th through 9th place are Samsung's Galaxy A56 , Galaxy A36 , and Galaxy A17 4G , and 10th place is Xiaomi's Redmi A5 .
Harshit Rastgui, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, stated, 'The iPhone 17 delivers performance that surpasses its predecessor thanks to key upgrades such as increased storage capacity, improved camera resolution, and a higher display refresh rate. This brings the iPhone 17 close to the performance of the Pro models, successfully providing overall value to a larger market. The iPhone 17 recorded double-digit year-over-year growth in key markets such as China and the United States, and tripled in the quarter in South Korea.'
We took a close look at the exterior of the 'iPhone 17,' comparing it to the Pro and Air models with a more conventional design - GIGAZINE
In response to this, regarding the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro, which ranked second and third respectively, Lastogi stated, 'They achieved these top rankings by offering even more advanced features in camera, battery, new colors, materials, and finishes.'
'iPhone 17 Pro' Quick Photo Review: The Aluminum Body Reveals a Dramatic Change in Appearance - GIGAZINE
In fact, according to Apple's financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 (January-March), announced at the end of April 2026, the strong performance of the iPhone 17 series was cited as a factor supporting Apple's sales growth during that period.
Apple announces Q2 2026 earnings, showing strong performance not only for the iPhone 17 series but also increased Mac sales driven by AI demand - GIGAZINE
Meanwhile, Samsung models are ranked in the top 10 with five of them. Regarding this, Counterpoint Research points out that 'Samsung is offering high value across all price ranges.' The Samsung Galaxy A07 4G is particularly popular in emerging regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, and became the best-selling Android smartphone in the first quarter of 2026. Because the Samsung Galaxy A07 4G comes with six years of software and security updates, Counterpoint Research notes that 'it is an attractive product for users who value long-term usability.'
Samsung's flagship model, the Galaxy S26 Ultra , narrowly missed the top 10, but recorded stronger initial sales than its predecessor. The Galaxy S26 Ultra's biggest features are the industry-first privacy display and upgraded AI capabilities.
'Samsung Galaxy S26/S26+/S26 Ultra' exterior review: Even thinner, now in the 7mm range - GIGAZINE
The cheapest smartphone among those ranked in the top 10 is the Xiaomi Redmi A5, which came in at number 10. The Redmi A5 has reportedly maintained high demand in emerging markets since its release.
Khan Chauhan, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, predicted the future trends of the smartphone market, stating, 'Looking ahead to 2026, we expect the top 10 smartphone models to expand their market share in global sales. While the market contraction is likely to have a significant impact on the mass market segment, high-end smartphones will continue to increase their market share. In response, OEMs will shift towards focusing on premium product lines and prioritizing value over volume.'
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in Smartphone, Posted by logu_ii