iPhone 17 Global Best-selling Smartphone in Q2 2026, Top 10 Contribute 26% of Overall Sales
- The iPhone 17 led the Top 10 bestsellers list with 6% overall market sales share for the quarter, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro take the next two spots.
- Samsung’s Galaxy S series captured two spots in the list, Galaxy S26 Ultra emerging as the brand’s best-selling model in Q2 2026, rank up by 5 places compared to its predecessor.
- The contribution of the top 10 reached the highest for a June quarter at 26% as brands limit focus on key models to navigate RAM shortage.
Beijing, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Fort Collins, Hong Kong, London, New Delhi, Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo – August 26, 2026
Apple’s iPhone 17 was the world's best-selling smartphone in Q2 2026, capturing 6% of global smartphone unit sales, according to Counterpoint Research's Global Handset Model Sales Tracker. Apple and Samsung each secured five spots in the top 10, collectively accounting for 26% of global smartphone unit sales, up 2% YoY. The contribution from the top 10 remained elevated as the overall market declined 11% and brands shifted focus to premium and key volume-driving smartphones as they navigate the global RAM shortage.
Share of World’s Top 10 Best-selling Smartphones
Commenting on Apple’s performance, Senior Analyst Karn Chauhan said, “Apple’s unit sales grew 5% YoY despite a broader market decline. iPhone sales increased across India, Japan, and the MEA, and nearly doubled in South Korea in Q2 2026, driven by the iPhone 17 series. The base iPhone 17 model remained the best-selling smartphone during the quarter, supported by significant upgrades that narrowed the gap with the Pro models. Meanwhile, strong premium demand drove the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max sales, aided by trade-in programs, promotions, and accessible financing options that improved affordability. Rising smartphone prices also pushed consumers towards the higher-end segments, further strengthening Apple's competitive position.”
The iPhone 17e helped Apple maintain a strong presence on the list with the addition of Magsafe and higher internal storage at the same price as a year ago. Like its predecessor, the iPhone 17e remains popular in the US and Japan, supported by carrier promotions.
Commenting on the Galaxy S26 series, Senior Analyst Harshit Rastogi said, “The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra was the best-selling Android smartphone, marking the first time an ultra-premium Android device has led Android sales in a June quarter. Meanwhile, the later launch of the Galaxy S26 series compared with the Galaxy S25 series shifted more sales into Q2, the Galaxy S26 Ultra outperformed its predecessor and accounted for more than half of the series' sales. Industry-first privacy display along with enhanced AI capabilities differentiate the smartphone from its peers. Samsung has further increased its focus on flagship smartphones, boosting promotions and strategically allocating resources to mitigate the revenue decline amid rising costs.”
Samsung’s entry and mid-segment Galaxy A series smartphones remained popular due to their affordability, wide availability, and strong value proposition. Notably, all Galaxy A series devices among the top 10 offer six years or more of software support, keeping up with lengthening replacement cycles.
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Author
Harshit Rastogi
Harshit Rastogi is Senior Analyst based out of Gurgaon, India. He closely tracks global handset market ecosystem and wearables. He has over 4 years of experience analysing trends and deriving strategic insights for key stakeholders.
Rahul Vats
Rahul Vats is a Research Associate at Counterpoint Research, based out of Noida, India. He has 5+ years of experience in data analysis and has a strong interest in data engineering. He focuses on the global smartphone market and tracker, particularly Latin America and France. He tracks key trends across smartphones, smartphone prices, connectivity, and the broader smartphone ecosystem. He holds a Bachelor of Technology degree from Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow, India.