Apple's iPhone 17 has emerged as the best-selling smartphone globally during the April to June period, marking the second quarter of 2026. According to the latest report from Counterpoint Research's Global Handset Model Sales Tracker, the iPhone 17 secured the top position in worldwide sales. A notable highlight of the list was that Apple captured the first three initial positions globally, while South Korean giant Samsung managed to place five of its smartphones on this prestigious list.
Market Dominance Amid Global Declines
Together, Apple and Samsung captured 26 percent of the global smartphone market sales share during the second quarter of 2026. This represents the largest combined market share for both companies ever recorded for any quarter ending in June. This significant achievement arrived during a period when total sales in the global smartphone market actually declined by approximately 11 percent during the second quarter, demonstrating the resilience of these two major manufacturers.
Top Selling Smartphones of Q2 2026
According to Counterpoint Research, the top ten best-selling smartphones worldwide during the second quarter reflected a strong dual-brand presence. Both companies leveraged regional demands and consumer preferences to secure their places across the upper echelons of the global sales rankings.
Strong Global Demand for iPhone 17
Counterpoint noted that the iPhone 17 captured a 6 percent share of total global smartphone sales. The demand for the device remained robust across key international markets such as India, Japan, the Middle East, and Africa. Additionally, a special surge in sales for the iPhone 17 was observed in South Korea, reflecting broad regional appeal.
Pro Models and iPhone 17e Contributions
Apple's Pro models also succeeded in generating strong demand within the premium market tier. The sales of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max benefited significantly from trade-in offers, EMI financing options, and various promotional deals. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17e further expanded Apple's reach by offering features such as MagSafe support and increased storage capacity. Its pricing was kept attractive according to consumer expectations, drawing a larger pool of buyers toward the device.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Leads Android Sales
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra claimed the title of the world's best-selling Android smartphone during the second quarter. According to Counterpoint, it climbed five spots higher in the global rankings compared to its predecessor model. The integration of advanced artificial intelligence features, a display focused heavily on privacy, and robust demand within the flagship segment helped propel its sales figures upward.
Samsung Budget and Mid-Range Performance
Samsung's budget and mid-range Galaxy A series phones continued to demonstrate strong performance across the global market. Models including the Galaxy A07, Galaxy A17 5G, and Galaxy A17 4G benefited from accessible pricing, wide availability, and extended software support commitments.
Overall Market Position
Ultimately, the rankings for the second quarter of 2026 illustrate that Apple maintains a firm grip on the premium segment, while Samsung dominates from the budget tier all the way up to the flagship category. The striking takeaway is that despite an overall contraction in the global smartphone market, both companies successfully claimed total dominance over the top ten global sales positions.
