Apple iPhone 17 has emerged as the leading smartphone globally, surpassing the iPhone 17 Pro models in the first quarter of 2026. According to a report from Counterpoint Research, the standard iPhone model accounts for 6% of global unit sales, while the Samsung Galaxy A Series secured five positions in the top 10.
Highlights
Top 10 Best-Selling Phones of Q1 2026
The recent Apple iPhones, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Pro, have consistently held the top three positions, while the iPhone 16 continues to feature on the list as an older generation model. While four models from Apple found their way into the top 10, the majority of the list was occupied by Samsung’s mid-range phones from its A series.
Noteworthy Rankings
Samsung Galaxy A07 4G and Samsung Galaxy A17 5G secured the fourth and fifth spots among the world’s best-selling smartphones. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Samsung Galaxy A36 also appeared on the list of top-selling models.
It remains surprising that Samsung’s premium Galaxy S and Galaxy Z series smartphones continue to be niche products in comparison to the more popular A-series lineup. The report noted that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra narrowly missed entering the top 10 list. Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s Redmi A5 successfully claimed the tenth position.
India’s Leading Smartphone Brands for Q1 2026
Based on findings from the CyberMedia Research (CMR) report, Vivo leads the Indian smartphone market with a notable 21% market share. Samsung follows closely with a 17% share, while Xiaomi retains a 12% market share, positioning itself among the top three smartphone brands in India.
Despite a strong beginning, smartphone shipment growth in India has noticeably slowed, with a 2% decrease compared to the previous year. A significant factor contributing to this decline is the increasing prices of DRAM and NAND flash memory chips, which have raised manufacturing costs for smartphones.
Market Trends
However, the report emphasizes that premium smartphones saw a remarkable 25% growth in India, indicating that consumers are still willing to invest in high-end devices. Conversely, affordable smartphones experienced a significant 46% drop, while mid-range devices also saw a decrease of 12%.
Lastly, Apple recorded a 9% shipment share in Q1 2026, with the iPhone 16 series making up 53% of volumes, and the iPhone 17 series capturing a 28% share.
